Static electricity

Nigel C Asked 4 years ago

Alois and Jeff,

We are still in lock down in the uk and as I don't have a table tennis table at home I've been learning to roll the ball from one side of my bat the other.

I have a few blades with different rubbers. I've noticed that on my blade that has 729 fx on it that the ball seems drawn to the blade and it is obviously due to static electricity. Xiom vega pro, tibhar aurus, and 729 focus 3 snipe don't have the same effect.

Do you think there is something about sticky/tacky rubbers that cause this. And do you think this effect has an effect during play (though it must be a tiny effect).

I can now roll the ball from one side of the blade to the other. Next I'm trying to throw the ball high and catch the ball on the blade with minimum bounce. I am not though giving up the day job!

Alois Rosario Answered 4 years ago

Hi Nigel,

Great work with your skills during the lockdown. I am sure they will help in some way when you are able to get back out on the table.

I don't think it is static electricity but more the tackiness of the surface of the rubber. I think the tackiness of the rubber only has a small effect during play because the ball is on the bat for a short time. It does have some small effect though as the tackiness allows you to turn your bat angle forward slightly more and brush over the top of the ball.

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Nigel C Posted 4 years ago

Alois, I don't think it's the tackiness of the rubber. As I have been learning how to roll the ball from one side of the blade to the other I started with the ball bouncing on the blade a bit. Eventually I have managed to roll the ball rather than it bouncing but sometimes the ball loses contact with the rubber. On some occasions the ball seems to be drawn back to the rubber. Maybe I need to try and film it.