Finally tried boosting

[DukeGaGa]

I apologize, but I am not sure which one of your above two posts to believe. In your first post you clearly state & explain that boosting is illegal per ITTF rule but a day later you say you do not "think" boosting is illegal & say you do it.

Hmm, which part of it you don't understand?

In the first post, I never said anything about not using it myself, all I ever said is that ITTF rule says it's illegal, and you should not use it in sanctioned tournaments as that will be going against the rules. But in non-sanctioned matches no one cares.

In the second post I responded to your question, listed the things ITTF checks for, and I also added my personal opinion why I use boosters.

Please let me know which part of it is contradicting itself.

 

[taeny]

Which Booster did you buy to apply? Looking to try and revive my 729 Battle II 😁

 

[Brs]

I don't remember asking for a list of things ITTF checks because I do not even know "why" ITTF checks for them to start with (not what the rule 2.4.7 is but "why" the rule was made by ITTF & why & how you choose to break that rule) , but neither you nor anyone else answered. But that is OK. I do not want to upset anyone . I was just trying to understand this thing from the beginning.

It isn't actually boosting specifically that is illegal. It is treating your rubber with any substance or in any way after it leaves the manufacturer. There used to be a type of glue called speed glue. As the name says it made the rubber faster. Unfortunately speed glue also contained volatile compounds that are not super healthy to inhale. That was the stated reason for ITTF to ban speed glue, health concerns. But when they made the rule, ITTF didn't just say, "No speed glue any more." They said “The racket covering shall be used without any physical, chemical or other treatment.” So if you play with long pimples and want to microwave them to make them frictionless, that is also illegal. It's a physical treatment of a rubber. Boosting is a chemical treatment, so illegal in an ITTF tournament, or according to the rules of most national associations.

There are some rubbers that are designed to be boosted and are somewhat difficult to play without it. There are a much larger set of rubbers that are not at all meant to be boosted and would not respond well to it. It's unnecessary to boost unless you either are bored and want to try something new, or insist on using one of the few rubbers that are made to be boosted.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

I don't remember asking for a list of things ITTF checks because I do not even know "why" ITTF checks for them to start with (not what the rule 2.4.7 is but "why" the rule was made by ITTF & why & how you choose to break that rule) , but neither you nor anyone else answered. But that is OK. I do not want to upset anyone . I was just trying to understand this thing from the beginning.

The real reasons for the rule are financial. If ITTF allows boosting, then players can use less expensive rubbers and use rubbers for longer before changing. The TT companies pay ITTF for the ITTF approval that is listed on the rubbers. So ITTF makes money from each rubber sold. And TT companies make money from each rubber sold.

Why do I think this is the reason for them changing the rule. When ITTF banned speed glue they also banned boosting. When they did this, they said the reason was that the VOCs in Speed Glue were hazardous to your health. Now, that is true. But if what they cared about was the health of TT players, why would they also ban substances that were NOT HAZARDOUS TO OUR HEALTH.

I don't think it matters. If you are playing for yourself and your own enjoyment, I think people can do what they want whether that is boosting or not boosting.

I used to boost. In my opinion it is a big hassle. So, these days I buy rubbers I don't feel need to be boosted, glue the rubbers on and play them till I feel it is time to change rubbers. But I also remember when i found it fun to experiment and explore how to boost and what methods of boosting would give me the best results. I am just too busy for that these days and it is not interesting to me anymore.

 

[DukeGaGa]

I don't remember asking for a list of things ITTF checks because I do not even know "why" ITTF checks for them to start with (not what the rule 2.4.7 is but "why" the rule was made by ITTF & why & how you choose to break that rule) , but neither you nor anyone else answered. But that is OK. I do not want to upset anyone . I was just trying to understand this thing from the beginning.

Ehh, you were asking "Why is boosting illegal in the first place? And if many players do it anyway, is there no penalty or reperussions ? How do they check the racket to see if it has been boosted?"

And my post was a direct answer to all those questions: it is illegal because the rule says so, and the list of the things they check for is how they check...

As for your current question, why is there a rule for that, um... why are there rules for any sport? Trying to keep things fair for everyone that participate of course, and trying to keep it as civil as possible while still providing a good show. At least that's what the rule maker thinks they're trying to do.

Just incase you have further questions, the reason for why people argue about why boosting is legal or not is because the rule itself is just a bit too vague. They did not define what counts as "chemical or physical" treatments, since gluing the rubber to the blade itself is both a chemical and physical treatment, because you need to glue (chemical) and cut (physical) the rubber. And since booster is an adhesive like I said before, it can be considered part of the gluing process, so unless they specify the specific chemical compound that is not allowed, or specify the only chemical that is allowed, there's no way to check or ban boosting. But if you were caught putting boosters on your rubbers, let's say right in front of a referee, I'm pretty sure your paddle will be ruled as illegal.

Also, what carl said up stairs ^^ Do whatever you want when you play as long as it makes you happy, there are people who enforce the rules and let them deal with all the other crap, if they say your equipment is fine, then it is fine no matter what you put on there, but at the same time, if they say your equipment is illegal, don't argue because that'll get you kicked out of the match.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Speed glue is kind of hard to come by if you’re in the states, and rubber looses the “speed” rather quickly, and people know high VOC is harmful to your health.

Not actually. It is just hard to come by glue that is labeled Speed Glue by TT companies.

https://gemplers.com/products/rema-tip-top-cold-vulcanizing-cement-50-gm-tube?currency=USD&variant=21170400460889&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_content=https://gemplers.com/products/rema-tip-top-cold-vulcanizing-cement-50-gm-tube%3Fcurrency%3DUSD%26variant%3D21170400460889%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_campaign%3DGoogle%2520Shopping&utm_term=shopify_US_2042928889945_21170400460889&gclid=CjwKCAjwxOCRBhA8EiwA0X8hi-Ce9AiReWrcEnDMwf_FpuEK-HQd4xNhHhKgXleHTfoqEmYKTtvatxoCfGgQAvD_BwE

https://www.bikeinn.com/bike/tip-top-vulcanizing-tube-5gr/137172473/p?utm_source=google_products&utm_medium=merchant&id_producte=8740857&country=us&gclid=CjwKCAjwxOCRBhA8EiwA0X8hi-05_fSQcOXQ8gn7Dfbeen1ZP51IoqsafTKOz--WuFIbrCbqa1jEaBoCWwAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Above are two links. Both are basically what was originally used when TT players realized that certain kinds of glue enhanced the performance of the rubber. Pretty much any kind of Vulcanizing Cement that is used for Tire Repair, will work as speed glue.

But it is really bad for you. And, in my opinion, it is a waste of time to have to take your rubbers off and reglue them every time you play. Because speed glue does not last for more than one playing session.

When people used to speed glue they would take their rubbers off and then reglue every time they played.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

This video is a parody. But, historically, it is more accurate than one would hope. TT's history of changes have basically come from not such great reasons.

 

[DukeGaGa]

Not actually. It is just hard to come by glue that is labeled Speed Glue by TT companies.

https://gemplers.com/products/rema-tip-top-cold-vulcanizing-cement-50-gm-tube?currency=USD&variant=21170400460889&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_content=https://gemplers.com/products/rema-tip-top-cold-vulcanizing-cement-50-gm-tube%3Fcurrency%3DUSD%26variant%3D21170400460889%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_campaign%3DGoogle%2520Shopping&utm_term=shopify_US_2042928889945_21170400460889&gclid=CjwKCAjwxOCRBhA8EiwA0X8hi-Ce9AiReWrcEnDMwf_FpuEK-HQd4xNhHhKgXleHTfoqEmYKTtvatxoCfGgQAvD_BwE

https://www.bikeinn.com/bike/tip-top-vulcanizing-tube-5gr/137172473/p?utm_source=google_products&utm_medium=merchant&id_producte=8740857&country=us&gclid=CjwKCAjwxOCRBhA8EiwA0X8hi-05_fSQcOXQ8gn7Dfbeen1ZP51IoqsafTKOz--WuFIbrCbqa1jEaBoCWwAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Above are two links. Both are basically what was originally used when TT players realized that certain kinds of glue enhanced the performance of the rubber. Pretty much any kind of Vulcanizing Cement that is used for Tire Repair, will work as speed glue.

But it is really bad for you. And, in my opinion, it is a waste of time to have to take your rubbers off and reglue them every time you play. Because speed glue does not last for more than one playing session.

When people used to speed glue they would take their rubbers off and then reglue every time they played.

Exactly, you need to know what to look for, hence hard to come by because most people don’t know that lol

 

[Michael Zhuang]

I think I will play with the lightly boosted rubber for a few sessions, and then re-boost it with more significant layers to see if it speeds up the rubber.

I think previously treating it with baby oil may have dampened the booster effect as well, as it made the sponge soft once already.

 

[dajdosta]

Just spoke to a guy that claims to be an umpire. He said they don't check for tuning (boosting) and it is allowed.
They only check for thickness and if racket is suspicious they send it to the lab where they can check if speed glue is used.

 

[Michael Zhuang]

So i finally got to play with the lightly boosted rubber, and to my surprise there is a huge difference. You cant tell just by bouncing it, but when you loop, it feels 20% faster and much more lively.

Especially on backhand opening loops, the rubber is so much easier to use. It grips and lifts the ball better.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

So i finally got to play with the lightly boosted rubber, and to my surprise there is a huge difference. You cant tell just by bouncing it, but when you loop, it feels 20% faster and much more lively.

Especially on backhand opening loops, the rubber is so much easier to use. It grips and lifts the ball better.

So......as a few people said, real boosting is different than trying to "boost" with baby oil? Is that correct?

 

[lodro]

so......as a few people said, real boosting is different than trying to "boost" with baby oil? Is that correct?

no !!! 😂

 

[Michael Zhuang]

So......as a few people said, real boosting is different than trying to "boost" with baby oil? Is that correct?

Yes, baby oil does make rubber softer and easier to play with. But booster makes it way faster.

My bh opening loop went from 45% consistent to 80% consistent. It was really obvious to my practice partner too.

 

[lodro]

Yes, baby oil does make rubber softer and easier to play with. But booster makes it way faster.

My bh opening loop went from 45% consistent to 80% consistent. It was really obvious to my practice partner too.

you probably just ate a chocolate bar 🤣

 

[Dimitri]

Yes, baby oil does make rubber softer and easier to play with. But booster makes it way faster.

My bh opening loop went from 45% consistent to 80% consistent. It was really obvious to my practice partner too.

Why don't you use a faster and/or spinier rubber instead of going through the hassle of boosting your rubbers every few sessions. Apologies if this has been answered before.

 

[Michael Zhuang]

Why don't you use a faster and/or spinier rubber instead of going through the hassle of boosting your rubbers every few sessions. Apologies if this has been answered before.

Almost all the rubbers I buy are under $15. Most are closer to $11 or $12. I don't want to get into the habit of paying $45 or $50 for ESN rubber. So if booster improves their performance, its a big boost.

Also, I like playing with tacky Chinese rubber as its better for serve, short game, receive, spin, etc. But it is sorely lacking in power, and booster helps to increase the range of potential speeds you can produce.

I tend to think that tensor rubbers trains people into the wrong technique.

 

[Michael Zhuang]

you probably just ate a chocolate bar 🤣

I'm still in amazement how much my play changed from the booster. I think it could add a good 100-150 points to your rating (depending on what equipment you are using. obviously if you already have Tenergy, it might not make a big difference). I felt so much more springy and powerful, especially on the backhand.

 

[lodro]

I'm still in amazement how much my play changed from the booster. I think it could add a good 100-150 points to your rating (depending on what equipment you are using. obviously if you already have Tenergy, it might not make a big difference). I felt so much more springy and powerful, especially on the backhand.

so then did the additional springiness have an effect on the quality of your control ???

 

[Michael Zhuang]

so then did the additional springiness have an effect on the quality of your control ???

Well, yes and no. For the most part, I think there was a positive affect on control.

On opening loops against backspin, like I said, I became much more consistent because I found the rubber grips and lifts the ball with much more ease. So +1

On drives, the springiness helped to lift the ball over the net easier and with more speed. +1

Mid range loop was easier to both clear the net and spin the ball into the table. +1

Occasionally, the ball would fly long over the table with the additional springiness. -1