Is grip tape on the RUBBER legal?

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   I know it's legal on the handle, but is it legal on the rubber?  One of my issue playing Cpen is that my fingers get sweaty and they start slipping against the rubber.  I can wrap my fingers in grip tape every time I play, but it'd be easier if I could just tape it to the rubber.  The relevant rule appears to be this:
2.04.04 The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the blade, except that the part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers may be left uncovered or covered with any material.

This is commonly used to justify putting grip tape on the handle, but shouldn't "any material" include regular rubber + grip tape?  I see pros often have that area sanded a bit, which if done on any other area would be illegal since it would run afoul of this rule:

2.04.07 Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour due to accidental damage or wear may be allowed provided that they do not significantly change the characteristics of the surface.

Sanding the area where the fingers touch is not accidental and the deviation is not slight, but it is allowed as an exception to this rule, presumably due to the first rule I quoted.  Shouldn't a grip tape thus be allowed as well?

Edited by dingyibvs - 08/15/2022 at 1:11pm

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dingyibvs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Gold Member Joined: 05/09/2011 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 1376	Post Options Post Reply Quote dingyibvs Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Is grip tape on the RUBBER legal? Posted: 08/15/2022 at 1:09pm
	I know it's legal on the handle, but is it legal on the rubber? One of my issue playing Cpen is that my fingers get sweaty and they start slipping against the rubber. I can wrap my fingers in grip tape every time I play, but it'd be easier if I could just tape it to the rubber. The relevant rule appears to be this: 2.04.04 The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the blade, except that the part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers may be left uncovered or covered with any material. This is commonly used to justify putting grip tape on the handle, but shouldn't "any material" include regular rubber + grip tape? I see pros often have that area sanded a bit, which if done on any other area would be illegal since it would run afoul of this rule: 2.04.07 Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour due to accidental damage or wear may be allowed provided that they do not significantly change the characteristics of the surface. Sanding the area where the fingers touch is not accidental and the deviation is not slight, but it is allowed as an exception to this rule, presumably due to the first rule I quoted. Shouldn't a grip tape thus be allowed as well? Edited by dingyibvs - 08/15/2022 at 1:11pm
	Blade: Hurricane Long 5 (968) FL FH: D09C max BH: D09C max

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IanMcg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Gold Member Joined: 05/27/2011 Location: Somehere Status: Offline Points: 1127	Post Options Post Reply Quote IanMcg Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 08/15/2022 at 2:46pm
	As long as you don't hit the ball with the grip tape, and I believe as long as you do not cover the ITTF logo and numbers box, it should be permissible to put grip tape wherever you need to for racket holding purposes.

haggisv Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Moderator Dark Knight Joined: 06/28/2005 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 5047	Post Options Post Reply Quote haggisv Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08/15/2022 at 11:58pm
	Technically I'd say it would not be legal, as the surface is no longer uniform...and how would be know if you accidentally hit the ball with the tape. Clearly you're not doing it to get an advantage and it's very unlikely to affect play, so many umpires/referees may well allow it. I'd suggest you check with them before you start playing, so that you still have time to remove it.
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blahness Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Premier Member Joined: 10/18/2009 Location: Melbourne Status: Offline Points: 5378	Post Options Post Reply Quote blahness Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08/16/2022 at 12:44am
	Tbh nobody is gonna complain....
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ZApenholder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Premier Member Joined: 03/04/2012 Location: . Status: Offline Points: 4682	Post Options Post Reply Quote ZApenholder Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08/23/2022 at 1:43pm
	Ma Lin used to sand his rubber and get away with it. he argued that is for his fingers. The contact area for the ball is obviously not on that sanded area. What you can always do is request for permission/clearance, and maybe it will solve your problems