TABLE TENNIS

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 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.

HIATORY
Table Tennis or what was originally called “ping-pong” originated in Britain
in the 1860s-1870s. They used golf balls to play the game back then. It
was in 1901 when the celluloid ball was first used in the game when I was
discovered as a novelty item in one of James W. Gibb’s tripe in the USA.
The development of improved rackets also began in 1901 and the rest was
history.

The modern version of the table tennis is a sport covered by the rules of the
International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) founded in 1926 and currently
includes 220 member association worldwide.

James W. Gibb
 SAFETY MEASURE TO OBSERVE WHEN PLAYING TABLE
TENNIS

FOR PLAYERS
1. Wear the prescribed uniform
2. Refrain from wearing any jewelry or accessory during the match.
3. Start the activity with warm-up exercise.

FOR THE OFFICIAL

1. Prepare and inspect the necessary materials/equipment needed. See
to it that they are safe to use.
2. Make sure that the venue has enough lighting for clear vision and is
free from any obstruction.
3. Monitor all warm-ups.

BASIC RULES OF TABLE TENNIS

Table Tennis Rules: Myth-busters
During the time I’ve been playing and coaching table tennis, I think I’ve
heard every made-up rule there is! Here are a few you might hear and why
they are nonsense.

“Don’t you have to serve diagonally in table tennis?”

Nope! In tennis, squash and badminton you must serve diagonally but in
table tennis singles you can serve wherever you like. Yes, that includes off
the sides of the table, if you can get enough sidespin. In table tennis
doubles, you do have to serve diagonally and always from your right-hand
half to your opponents right-hand half.

“The ball hit you, so that’s my point!”

A common one with the kids in school. Sorry, but if you’ve whacked the ball
at me and it didn’t hit the table, then that’s a miss. We’re not playing dodge
ball!

“I thought you were meant to play up to 21? I don’t like playing to

11.”

In this case, many of the older players would probably agree with you but
the ITTF changed the scoring system from 21-points to 11-points back in
2001. If you play competitively the game will be up to 11, so you might as
well get used to it!

“You can’t hit it around the net!”

Actually, you can. And it can be a pretty hard shot to get back. If you put a
ball out really wide, your opponent is well within the rules to return it around
the net. This even means that in some cases the ball can just roll on your
side of the table and not even bounce! It’s very rare but it does happen.
There are numerous videos on YouTube.
“The ball has to cross the net four times before you start ‘play for
serve'”

I hear arguments about this a lot. ‘Play for serve’ is made-up. In a

competitive game, the server is usually decided by a coin toss or picking
which hand you think the ball is in. If you really want to ‘play for serve’, then
just agree before you start at which point you are allowed to start attacking
the rally. However, it’s probably easier just to put the ball under the table
and guess which hand it’s in!

Basic Table Tennis Rules

I’ve summarised the official (and very long) rules of the ITTF in these basic
table tennis rules. These should be all you need to start playing a game.

Service Rules

1. The service must start with the ball in an open palm. This stops you
from throwing it up with spin.
2. The ball must be thrown vertically, at least 16 cm. This stops you from
serving straight out of your hand and surprising your opponent.
3. The ball must be above and behind the table throughout the serve.
This stops you getting any silly angles and gives your opponent a fair
chance at returning.
4. After throwing the ball, the server must get their free arm and hand
out of the way. This is to allow the receiver to see the ball.

Doubles Rules

1. The service must go diagonally, from the server’s right-hand side to

the receivers right-hand side. This stops you from getting the opposing
pair tangled up before they’ve even hit a ball.
2. A doubles pair must strike the ball alternately. This makes doubles
challenging. None of that front court/back court tennis nonsense.
3. At the change of service, the previous receiver becomes the new
server and the partner of the previous server becomes the receiver.
This makes sure everybody does everything. After eight points you’re
back to the start of the cycle.

General match play

1. You have two serves before it is your opponent’s turn to serve twice.
This used to be five serves each but since changing to 11 it’s now just
two.
2. At 10-10 it’s deuce. You get one serve each and must win by two clear
points. This is sudden death or table tennis’ equivalent of a tie break.
3. If you are playing a best of 3, 5 or 7 (as opposed to just one set) you
have to change ends after each game. This makes sure both players
experience conditions on both sides of the table. You also change ends
when the first player reaches five points in the final game of a match.
A let is called if…

1. An otherwise good serve touches the net. This ensures your opponent
has a chance at making a return.
2. The receiver isn’t ready (and doesn’t try to hit the ball). This is just
common sense really!
3. If play is disturbed by something outside of the players’ control. This
allows you to replay the point if your cat jumps onto the table, etc.

A point is lost if…

1. The service is missed.

2. The service is not returned.
3. A shot goes into the net.
4. A shot goes off the table without touching the court.
5. A player moves the table, touches the net or touches the table with
their free hand during play.

OFFICIATING AT A TABLE TENNIS MATCH

OFFICIALS
1. Referee –is responsible for interpreting the match rules and assigning
and replacing match officials.
2. Umpire –checks the availability of equipment and playing conditions
and reports any deficiency to the referee.
3. Scorer –records the score in accordance with the rules.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES REFEREE

1. Decides each rally as a point or a let.
2. Calls the score in accordance with specific procedures.
3. Introduces the most efficient system at the appropriate time.
4. Maintains the continuity of play.
5. Takes action for breaches of the behavior regulations.

UMPIRE
1. Randomly takes a ball to be used in play in accordance with the rules.
2. Conducts the draw for choice of serving, receiving, and ends.
3. Controls order of service, receiving, and ends, and corrects any errors
therein.