Table tennis

Meaning:

• Table tennis, also called (trademark) Ping-Pong, ball game similar in principle to lawn tennis and
played on a flat table divided into two equal courts by a net fixed across its width at the middle.

• The object is to hit the ball so that it goes over the net and bounces on the opponent’s half of
the table in such a way that the opponent cannot reach it or return it correctly.

Description:

• The lightweight hollow ball is propelled back and forth across the net by small rackets (bats, or
paddles) held by the players. The game is popular all over the world. In most countries it is very
highly organized as a competitive sport, especially in Europe and Asia, particularly
in China and Japan.

History:

• The game was invented in England in the early days of the 20th century and was originally called
Ping-Pong, a trade name.

• The name table tennis was adopted in 1921–22 when the old Ping-Pong Association formed in
1902 was revived.

• The original association had broken up about 1905, though apparently the game continued to
be played in parts of England outside London and by the 1920s was being played in many
countries. Led by representatives of Germany, Hungary, and England, the Fédération
Internationale de Tennis de Table (International Table Tennis Federation) was founded in 1926,
the founding members being England, Sweden, Hungary, India, Denmark, Germany,
Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Wales. By the mid-1990s more than 165 national associations were
members.

• The first world championships were held in London in 1926, and from then until 1939 the game
was dominated by players from central Europe, the men’s team event being won nine times by
Hungary and twice by Czechoslovakia.

• In the mid-1950s Asia emerged as a breeding ground of champions, and from that time the
men’s team event has been won by either Japan or China, as has the women’s event, though to
a lesser extent; North Korea also became an international force.

• In 1980 the first World Cup was held, and Guo Yuehua of China won the $12,500 first prize.

• Table Tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988, with singles and doubles competition for men
and women.
Equipments:

• Table tennis equipment is relatively simple and inexpensive.

• The table is rectangular, 9 feet by 5 feet (2.7 metres by 1.5 metres), its upper surface a level
plane 30 inches (76 cm) above the floor.

• The net is 6 feet (1.8 metres) long, and its upper edge along the whole length is 6 inches (15.25
cm) above the playing surface.

• The ball, which is spherical and hollow, was once made of white celluloid. Since 1969
a plastic similar to celluloid has been used. The ball, which may be coloured white, yellow, or
orange, weighs about 0.09 ounce (2.7 grams) and has a diameter of about 1.6 inches (4 cm).

• The blade of a racket, or bat, is usually made of wood, is flat and rigid, and may be covered with
a thin layer of ordinary stippled, or pimpled, rubber, which may be laid over a thin layer
of sponge rubberand may have the pimples reversed.

• Note:

Whatever combination is used, each of the two sides of a paddle must be different in colour. The racket
may be any size, weight, or shape.

Skills

Service:

• Table Tennis serve. Serve the ball and racket must be behind and above the table during the
serve. From the upturned palm of the server's motionless free hand, the ball is tossed upward
and struck as it falls so that it first hits the server's half of the table, travels over (or around) the
net, and then hits the opponent's half of the table.

• Table Tennis drive. Forehand drive. The drive is executed close to the table so the ball may be
struck at the peak of its arc. The object is speed instead of spin, so the player hits through the
ball, which is directed slightly downward over the net in a low arc.

• Table Tennis loop. Forehand loop. Loop shots are executed away from the table and when the
ball is on its way down. The player swings upward while "brushing" or grazing the upper half of
the ball with a closed racket face (the top of the blade tipped toward the net). This imparts
topspin to the ball.

• Table Tennis chop. Forehand chop. The forehand chop is executed away from the table and
when the ball is on its way down. The player, standing in a square-on position, swings
downward while "brushing" or grazing the lower half of the ball with an open racket face (the
top of the blade tipped away from the net). This imparts backspin to the ball. A quick, smooth
follow-through is desirable.

• Table Tennis backchop. Backhand chop.

The backhand chop is executed away from the table and when the ball is on its way down. The player, in
a half-turn stance, swings downward while "brushing" or grazing the lower half of the ball with an open
racket face (the top of the blade tipped away from the net). This imparts backspin to the ball. A quick,
smooth follow-through is desirable.

Skills Development Sheet:

• The beginning stage of Table Tennis is the exploratory phase, where the player is attempting to
learn the correct sequence of movements of all the basic skills e.g. service return and forehand
drive. A number of errors may be made and players will need feedback to recognize and correct
these errors. Initially a player may not be able to keep a rally going across the table and self-
feeding may be necessary.

• During the intermediate stage the basic skills will be performed more consistently, and with
more quality. Timing and anticipation will improve, although skills may break down under
pressure of a game situation.

• At the advanced stage all basic skills are automatic and are performed with quality. Players
can concentrate on more detailed aspects of the skill and the tactics required.

SKILLS TARGET
1. Basic Skills The grip, ball control, service, return of service, backhand push,
backhand drive, forehand push, forehand drive, block, loop chop
2. Game-play Skills Consistency and patience. Good quality and variety of shorts.
Good recovery.
3. Tactical Skills Play to own strengths and opponents’ weaknesses. Vary pace,
spin, direction of ball. Variation on strokes. Anticipation.
4. Training Skills Muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, strength,
flexibility. Mental preparation
5. Rules Copies of the laws can be obtained from: English Table Tennis
Association (ETTA)

Rules & regulations

• A match consists of the best of any odd numbers of games, each game being won by the player
who first reaches 11 points or who, after 10 points each, wins two clear points ahead. A point
is scored when the server fails to make a good service, when either player fails to make a good
return, or when either player commits a specified infraction (e.g., touches the playing surface
with a free hand while the ball is in play). Service changes hands after every two points until 10-
all is reached, when it changes after every subsequent point.

• The serve is made from behind the end of the table, the server tossing the ball upward from
the palm of the free hand and striking it as it descends so that it first bounces on the server’s
own court and then, passing over the net, bounces on the opponent’s court.
• In serving, no spin may be imparted to the ball by the fingers. This was not always so. Finger
spin, especially in the United States, reached a stage where the experts could produce untakable
services and the game became farcical. Finger spin was universally banned in 1937.