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wolfpackfive
Guest
Isn't it true that a dampener must be placed outside the cross pattern of the strings, and that in fact a dampener may not even touch the bottom string?
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wolfpackfive
Guest
I agree. I do, in fact, have my dampener touching the bottom string like everyone else. I sometimes wonder what would happen if someone were to demand a ruling on it during a match. It's kind of like that old George Brett pine tar incident with the NY Yankees. Everyone knew about the rule but no official ever enforced it until Billy Martin pressed the issue. Wonder what would happen if someone called Agassi or Roddick on this during a match. What would the umpire do?
If you want to play by the rules here’s what the USTA has to say: Rules of Tennis Specifications of Appendix II
Case 3: Can vibration damping devices be placed on the strings of the racquet? If so, where can they be placed?
Decision: Yes, but these devices may only be placed outside the pattern of the crossed strings.
Case 3: Can vibration damping devices be placed on the strings of the racquet? If so, where can they be placed?
Decision: Yes, but these devices may only be placed outside the pattern of the crossed strings.
Not true. At USTA Sectionals this year an official came straight up to my doubles partner before one of our matches and asked him to move his dampener (although I'm not sure where he originally had it placed). While it may be rare, I have witnessed the rule enforced.
Bubba
Professional
The rule does state 'outside the crossed strings' but it doesn't say that it can't touch the crossed string(s)... e.g. use of a dampner with slot for bottom cross.
BTW, Samp. uses the Babolat O. like this too.
Swissv2
Hall of Fame
Agreed, I have seen many pictures of Sampras, Agassi, Djokovic, Nadal, Baghdatis, etc. with the dampner touching the bottom cross string
If you are not sure where he had it, then you didnt see that interpetation of the rule enforced.
(maybe he had it within the string pattern?)
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Yes, touching the string can still be considered outside of the string bed. However, if the dampener overlaps the bottom (or top or side) string, then it is not in strict compliance with the rule. By overlap, I mean that the dampener extends slightly past the string.
Even tho' a slot is provided for the bottom (or 3rd) string, strictly speaking, it should not be placed such that it overlaps that string. Quite often players will place a slotted dampener so that it overlaps strings on 3 sides so that it does not easily pop out. Most officials will ignore a dampener placed in such a manner. Every once in a while, you'll come across an obsessive (nit-picky) official that is rather anal (pardon my French) about this placement, and will ask you to move it. Not to worry -- this doesn't happen very often.
I have see a number of players place their dampener between the bottom 2 strings. Since this is more blatant infraction, most officials will flag this as a violation.
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Bubba
Professional
Wrong... the rule is not that specific. It's up to intrepretation.
Loco4Tennis
Hall of Fame
i think your descriving of the ruling is very clear here,
but i also wanted to comment on the dampener slots,
some dampeners have slots on all 4 sides for ease of install on the racquet, you place them sideways first and then turn them once they are between the strings, thats one of the reasons they are there
also for thoes of you who might think of getting called on this ruling and have to remove your dampener, carry a couple of rubber bands to tie in case this happens
here is a pic of something you can try
the rubber band is great because its cheap, its easy to tie and it works!! ,plus it won't slide and/or pop off like some dampeners
the tie know does not have to complicated, there are prefered mnethods out there for larger rubberbands but this is an alternative when using a longer and skinnier rubberband
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SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Not really. I based my response on what I've been told by more than one USTA referee. What I said pretty much follows a literal reading of the rule in Appendix II and Case #3. It's up to the discretion of the ref rather than the interpretation.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Clarification:
Appendix II applies to USTA rules. I looked at a copy of ITF Rules of Tennis and this appears under Section 4 (The Racket). Case #3 that I referenced appears under Section 4 of the ITF Rules.
iradical18
Professional
Ive always wanted to try one of these to distract some of the people I play LOL
What the hell is that thing?
Swissv2
Hall of Fame
I would assume that it teaches you how to swing faster and soaks up vibrations! :razz:
That is about the stupidest thing Ive ever seen.
For a whole new generation of "overhitters" and rotator cuff sufferers.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
These pictures will settle this debate.
Doesn't really settle it. Yes, the pros do it as well as many of us. But technically that placement is not in keeping with the wording of the Rules & Case #3. Don't know if it is really strictly enforced anymore. I personally don't think that this placement should be flagged as a violation -- it doesn't really make a whole lotta sense for officials to be this nit-picky.
I usually have my dampener down by the frame since I want less dampening = more feedback. However, when using a dampener that easily pops out, I'll push it all the way up to the bottom string as Rafa does in this picture.
Swissv2
Hall of Fame
You posted the wrong picture in your reply.
I personally think the picture settles it because if Nadal can do this at the very top level of tennis where the rules should matter the most, then a casual player should have the right to do the same. If the USTA rules are so strict in the rule that the dampener must not overlap the bottom string, then there should be a massive recall on almost every single dampener produced, post haste - as they are all designed to overlap that bottom string a bit when pushed snug against the string.
Personal preference about vibration feedback is not relevant to this discussion.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
No, I did not post the wrong picture. They both showed the same thing. As a practice, I don't see the need to re-post very large pictures when replying to another post (once is enough). I wasn't going to include any pictures at all, but decided it made it easier to identify the post that I was replying to.
Personal pref are not relevant, but personal thoughts are??? I was not using my own prefs as any sort of proof of the validity of the Rule or of its enforcement (or lack thereof). I was merely making the point that, altho' I believed what I've been told by USTA officials, I don't give it a lot of weight & pretty much ignore it (as most other ppl do).
tennisfan_23
Rookie
ROFL.
That's gotta be the most ridiculous packaging I've ever seen for a product. Wait. It's gotta be the most ridiculous product I've seen.
Still... I think I'd have some fun with it. (;
imaginarydogs
New User
Apparently, it's also fun. Lots of fun.
themitchmann
Hall of Fame
I'd like to teach a lesson with one of those whistlers in, just to see if my students notice.
jasonchu
Rookie
I found a box of old dampners in the closet for my tennis clinic. As a joke, I put the sorb's in each of the holes on the racquet... ie. every space I could find. the most head heavy, vibration absorbing stick I ever used ....
and COMPLETELY UNPLAYABLE
I have to find the pic and scan it for the bbs.
and COMPLETELY UNPLAYABLE
I have to find the pic and scan it for the bbs.
E
eliza
Guest
I got the warning, during a USTA match. I had not even noticed where my dampener was. I took it out and put in my pocket. And smiled because everybody else has the same........
E
eliza
Guest
Yep, sometimes I put two, one on top one bottom.
corbind
Professional
That would be a great exercise. "Coach, what's that noise?"
"Johnny, it's just the time of year for birds to call..."
jwbarrientos
Hall of Fame
Wherever you want it but avoiding cross section, wanna use two, use it but outside crossed section.
6-2/6-4/6-0
Semi-Pro
Years ago I had a little Dunlop vibration absorber that was basically a sandwich of two soft rubber sides with a soft rubber 'hinge' at the top, and then a small hard plastic piece that held the two sandwiched sides together opposite of the 'hinge'. This damper had two vertical slits for each of the main strings, and one horizontal slit for the first cross string halfway between the 'hinge' and hard plastic piece. I used it for years until I found racquets that didn't require a damper. Funny to think that all the while it was verboten...
ChicagoJack
Hall of Fame
I know this is an ancient thread but ... I was google searching for the answer and think I've found the ruling from a highly credible source. Thought I and would share this along with my follow up question.
[..]
Quote : "Dampening devices may be located on the outside of the last cross string on the sides, top and/or bottom of the racket face. Multiple devices are permitted. The device may not be placed inside the outside cross strings but the device may touch the outside cross strings."
-- Richard Kaufman USTA Director Of Officials
http://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/Rules/Feature/0507_Vibration_Dampeners/
[..]
Question: What is the penalty for an illegally placed vibration dampener? While I've never been called on it even at USTA Sectionals or Nationals when there are fairly serious roaming officials on hand, I would like to know if the penalty is a loss of a point, or a game, or just a warning or what. I've got my Prince Silencer Dampener placed on the second cross up from the bottom. On my Donnay P1's the darned things are a royal pain in the arse to install on the bottom cross, and I'm also afraid of pinching my gut on installation so close to the grommets.
Here is a photo of the dampener I use, courtesy of Corbind:
-Jack
[..]
Quote : "Dampening devices may be located on the outside of the last cross string on the sides, top and/or bottom of the racket face. Multiple devices are permitted. The device may not be placed inside the outside cross strings but the device may touch the outside cross strings."
-- Richard Kaufman USTA Director Of Officials
http://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/Rules/Feature/0507_Vibration_Dampeners/
[..]
Question: What is the penalty for an illegally placed vibration dampener? While I've never been called on it even at USTA Sectionals or Nationals when there are fairly serious roaming officials on hand, I would like to know if the penalty is a loss of a point, or a game, or just a warning or what. I've got my Prince Silencer Dampener placed on the second cross up from the bottom. On my Donnay P1's the darned things are a royal pain in the arse to install on the bottom cross, and I'm also afraid of pinching my gut on installation so close to the grommets.
Here is a photo of the dampener I use, courtesy of Corbind:
-Jack
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bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
Can anyone explain why not touching the bottom string would matter? Is there any sort of advantage that could result from that?
mikeler
Moderator
The penalty is a public flogging in the town square. Not worth it.
ChicagoJack
Hall of Fame
Funny stuff! but it's a legitimate concern, I'm, not trolling here. I'm backing my bags for and out of state tourney with roaming officials on hand.
ChicagoJack
Hall of Fame
I agree, but I'm not using three dampeners.
1. The photo isn't mine,
2. that's not my (Prince) racquet,
3. The top two dampeners in that photograph are not attached.
Can people not read? sheesh. I was just trying to show an example of the prince silencer dampener that I have. Please spare me the quips. Real answers would be awesome.
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Overdrive
Legend
Jack,
Calm down before you get an ulcer. I knew the photo was not yours, it was corbind's .
ChicagoJack
Hall of Fame
^^
Yeah cool, and I have my Gaviscon on hand if required. Funny thing is I've played with corbind, he's actually a very good player by the way. He also does not play with three dampeners either. You've not studied that photo closely.
Yeah cool, and I have my Gaviscon on hand if required. Funny thing is I've played with corbind, he's actually a very good player by the way. He also does not play with three dampeners either. You've not studied that photo closely.
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Overdrive
Legend
ChicagoJack
Hall of Fame
I'm just about done with this conversation, and this thread ... but you said using three dampeners was bush league. Perhaps I'm being overly precise about this point, but that photo does not depict anybody using three dampeners. That was just a baseless and pointless quip. It shows one dampener installed, and two floating loosely on top.I didn't type that he wasn't.
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From the USTA website:
http://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/Rules/Feature/0507_Vibration_Dampeners/
woodrow1029
Hall of Fame
Initially, the roving/chair umpire would tell you that it's placed illegally and needs to be moved to a legal position. Failure to comply in 20 seconds would result in a code violation, delay of game, point penalty. 20 seconds later, a game penalty, and 20 seconds after that, a default.
Oops- just realized that you had already found that source.
