Something stuck on the rubber?

[Peppa Pig]

If I play in a warm and humid room and my hands sweat a lot, I often feel like I lose some stability in my grip on the rubber—specifically, my index finger tends to slip more on it. I once wondered if it was possible to attach something to the rubber in that area to increase friction and improve finger stability, but I decided it was probably either illegal or it might dull the rubber's response.
However, recently, while watching WTT tournament, I noticed that Lee Sang Su clearly had something stuck on the rubber where his index finger rests. Do you happen to know what it is?

 

[mihalichtheone]

May be he sanded it a bit like penholders do?

 

[AMonteiro]

He sands his rubbers.

 

[Peppa Pig]

I wonder if rubbing with sandpaper like this isn't against ITTF rules? It's essentially a modification of the rubber surface. Theoretically, this is a part of the rubber not used for hitting, but it's possible that in certain situations, you could hit with this part (intentionally or unconsciously), causing more unpredictable spin.

 

[ShakehandJpenCpenEnjoyer]

Wait, why would he sand the rubber there? I know people sand the rubber where the 3 fingers touch (aka in the bottom middle) to increase the grip.

 

[Zwill]

Wait, why would he sand the rubber there? I know people sand the rubber where the 3 fingers touch (aka in the bottom middle) to increase the grip.

Maybe the index finger is slippery on sticky rubbers, so sands off the sticky layer. Some people's skin is slippery, some isn't.

 

[CyNyC]

I wonder if rubbing with sandpaper like this isn't against ITTF rules? It's essentially a modification of the rubber surface. Theoretically, this is a part of the rubber not used for hitting, but it's possible that in certain situations, you could hit with this part (intentionally or unconsciously), causing more unpredictable spin.

Interesting point.
If it's really sanding (which I tend to believe, as it's too geometric and it's definitely not a sticker/adhesive), I would call it against the rule.
Otherwise I could randomly sand all rubber surface to obtain unpredictable shots.

Edit: I don't mean he deliberately did it to cheat, but letting this pass can lead to unpleasant consequences....

 

[CyNyC]

I thought this topic would more crowded.... I think this kind of treatment to a rubber is really beyond rule limit.

 

[JackJohnson]

Interesting point.
If it's really sanding (which I tend to believe, as it's too geometric and it's definitely not a sticker/adhesive), I would call it against the rule.
Otherwise I could randomly sand all rubber surface to obtain unpredictable shots.

Edit: I don't mean he deliberately did it to cheat, but letting this pass can lead to unpleasant consequences....

I don’t think he deliberately did it to cheat but I’m surprised that he has passed the racket control testing with his rubbers looking like that. It definitely can be considered modification of rubber surface. If he sands that part of the rubber I'm assuming that area would have less spin on the ball due to being less sticky and could theoretically add more speed instead if it hits that area of the rubber.

 

[Kenspin]

Leaving aside the legality, if he deliberately uses that part of the rubber (having moved his finger out of the way first), he risks hitting a poor shot as much as a good one. You can actually get a different effect by hitting the ball where the embossed rubber name is but I doubt anyone attempts that (willing to be proved wrong).

 

[pong99]

Wang Hao always had a section of his backhand rubber roughed up under his fingers for better grip, so obviously racket control has been allowing this.

 

[igorponger]

Bottle of anti slip spray is the best reasonable answer, due to its transparency. The anti slip tapes goes mostly an opaque and will obstruct vision of the letters.

Be happy.

 

[Julzig]

Since I use D05 my finger slips up more often, maybe I should start doing something similar too

 

[BlotOnPaper]

Since I use D05 my finger slips up more often, maybe I should start doing something similar too

I sanded my D05 for penhold and it became so much better, it was impossible to play without sanding, my fingers just slipped all over the place