Definition of Classic Hardbat Table Tennis
Valid until 12/2005.
Approved 12/18/98 by the USATT Hardbat Committee
(addendums approved as noted)
MOTIVATION: To define a game which:
> approximates as closely as possible table tennis as played in the
1930s/40s, before the advent of sponge rubber,
> is understandable to spectators,
> balances offense and defense,
> minimizes mechanical advantage due to equipment variation,
> minimizes deception to players caused by easily-produced intense spin,
> minimizes confusion to spectators caused by easily-produced intense spin,
> eliminates combination bats and the associated advantage of twiddling,
> fosters longer rallies than occur in sponge play,
> lessens the importance of serve and service return compared to sponge play,
> encourages participation by players of all skill levels,
> and therefore is uniquely enjoyable for players and spectators,
> and is not so restrictive as to be detrimental to promoting itself.
The game of Classic Hardbat Table Tennis is the same as the USATT's
definition of Table Tennis, except in the areas of equipment (blade,
surface, and adhesive) and rules (service, foot-stamping, and clothing).
The hardbat committee may change the following rules at any time.
Changes require a majority vote of the entire committee.
1. EQUIPMENT
In order for a player to participate in a UHRL-rated event, he/she must use
an acceptable hardbat.
The standard for a hardbat is, for practical purposes, a wooden blade
with short pimpled (pips out) rubber covering each playing surface.
1.1 BLADE
The blade shall conform to the USATT definition, except that it shall
be comprised solely of rigid wood (no carbon or other non-wood plies).
The handle may incorporate decorative non-wood inserts or inlays.
If two hitting surfaces are used, both surfaces must be identical,
and the composition of the blade must be internally symmetrical
with respect to each surface. That is, it shouldn't matter which
surface is used to hit the ball... they both must be identical.
1.2 SURFACE
Each playing surface must be covered with ordinary short-pips (no sponge)
pimpled rubber. The ball must be struck with the pimpled side of the
rubber. It must be attached to the surface(s) in the manner described
in section 1.3 (GLUE).
An unused surface must not be white, orange, or yellow, and must be
non-reflecting. A player who uses an "unused" side, that is a surface
which is not compliant with the rules above, to successfully return
a ball during a point, loses the point.
1.2.1 RUBBER
Rubber sheets shall be defined as consisting of short pimpled rubber,
flat on one side and pimpled on the other, with the pips facing outward,
wherein there is a base rubber sheet, pimples arranged on the base sheet,
and an optional cloth backing. Absolutely no sponge or other shock-absorbing
or rebound-enhancing material shall be affixed to the playing surface.
- The rubber shall be non-reflecting, and cannot be white, yellow, or orange.
- The two sides may be the same, or of different colors.
- The base sheet thickness cannot exceed 0.8 mm.
- The pip height range is 0.9mm - 1.5mm
- The pip width range is 1.3mm - 2.2mm
- The pip density range is 25-50 per linear 100mm
- The pips will be arranged in staggered columns ("triangular" orientation).
- The empty space between pips shall shall not be less than 33% nor
exceed 125% of the pip diameter.
- The ratio height/width ("aspect ratio") of the pips shall not exceed 0.75
- The pips shall be cylindrical, untapered, and circularly symmetrical on top.
- The rubber cannot be "sticky". Specifically, a ball pushed up against the
surface cannot hang upside down on the paddle for any perceivable time.
- The cloth backing, if present, cannot have a perceivable thickness, and
must not add springiness to the rubber. It must be included with the
sheet as provided by the manufacturer, not added afterwards by the player.
1.3 GLUE
Rubber must be affixed to the paddle with a thin-drying standard glue that
adds no perceptible effect to the paddle, or with a glue sheet. Typical
rubber cements or wood glues are acceptable. Thick-drying flexible glues
such as silicon glues that could provide a springy base are not allowed.
Glue sheets are allowable (instead of glue) so long as they provide no
perceivable thickness or springiness to the surface.
2. RULES
The rules of play are the same as defined by USATT, except for the
areas of service, foot-stamping, and clothing.
2.1 SERVICE
Service shall conform to USATT rules, with the exception that at no time
during service, from presentation to impact, may the ball be obscured from
the sight of the receiver.
2.2 FOOT-STAMPING
Players shall not use stamping of feet as an instrument of distraction,
diversion, or in any way as to disrupt the opponent. Foot-stamping is only
allowed if it is the reasonable and natural consequence of moving one's
body to reach the ball. Foot stamping is never allowed during service.
2.3 CLOTHING
Clothing shall conform to USATT rules, with the exception that long pants,
long-sleeved shirts, warmup suits, hats and visors are all permitted.
Resolution passed Dec 2000
-- A player may switch rackets between any two games.
Resolution passed Dec 2001
-- Hardbat games are to 21-points, service switch every 5 points, according
to the scoring rules in use prior to the introduction of 11-point scoring.
Classic Hard Bat Table Tennis