Today we will dive into the world of speed gluing your racket. The reason why I personally apply speed glue is to have more control over spin.

First introduced in the early eighties, this procedure is now the normal way to go for most of the top ranked attacking players. It can be used on a regular basis for both training and match play.

You’ll need a brush of some kind to spread the speed glue to the sponge and blade. You’ll also need a roller to help you apply pressure to the rubber.

This is necessary not only to make the rubber stick to the blade but also to keep air bubbles from forming between the rubber and blade.

You’ll also need a pair of succors to properly trim the excess rubber around the edges.

The first thing you must do is to remove the rubber from the blade. Be careful and make sure that you take your time when doing this. I would suggest that you protect the surface of the blade with a thinly applied layer of varnish. This will help to protect the racket wood from ripping off.

Next you want to spread a thin layer of speed glue to the blade as well as the surfaces of the sponge evenly. A key point to remember here is make sure that the glue you’re using is approved by the International Table Tennis Federation.

The amount of the glue is up to you, but don’t get overzealous like I did when I first did it.

It’s best to start off small and work your way up until you’re comfortable with the amount.

Once the speed glue is applied, let it dry for a short moment before proceeding. You will need to repeat this procedure one or more times to get the rubber to stick to the blade.

You’ll notice that it will be a bit harder to get the speed glue to stick around the edges. I suggest that you gingerly pinch the edges until you start noticing the rubber sticking.

Now you’re ready to play!

Note: You will need to reapply speed glue each time that you intend to train or play in a match.

Please leave a comment on the procedures you use when applying speed glue and how it’s helped your game.

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