Swap Rackets With Doubles Partner

Matthew Lim Asked 4 years ago

Dear Alois and Jeff,

Are there official table tennis rules that prohibit me from swapping rackets with my doubles partner randomly between points? My partner and I use the same bat and rubber models and each have inverted rubber on one side and long pips on the other side. I have inverted rubber on my red side and long pips on my black side but my partner has the opposite — inverted rubber on the black side and long pips on the red side. Typically, we are less confused than our opponents when we randomly swap rackets between points and have a slight advantage when we do so. 

ITTF Handbook 3.4.2.4 is worded to address restrictions on rackets replacement during a match. In the case above, we did not replace our rackets but merely swapped between ourselves.

Alois Rosario Answered 4 years ago

Hi Matthew,

You aren't allowed to swap with your partner.  When they check your bat they specifically want to know who uses which bat.