Table Tennis

o Unit 2

Table Tennis
History and Development

Though most of the modern racket sports evolved from the ancient games of Jeu de Paume and
Royal Tennis, table tennis was developed only when Lawn Tennis became popular in the 1880’s.
Like many other sports, Table Tennis started as a “not-so-serious” public pastime. It was
probably played with makeshift equipment in England during the last quarter
of the 19th century.

Below is a brief overview of the generally acknowledged important highlights of the game's
development.

Early Origins of Table Tennis

12th Century The game of table tennis probably descended from the game of "Royal Tennis" (also
AD known as Real Tennis or Court Tennis), which was played in the medieval era.
1880's Some authorities claim that the sport was once known as indoor tennis, and was played
in the early 1880's by British army officers stationed in India and South Africa. These
officers were said to have used improvised equipment – paddles were cigar box lids,
balls used were rounded wine bottle corks, and nets were books. Eventually, the game
became a trend among the upper classes in England.
1890 David Foster patented in England a set of games which included table versions of Lawn
Tennis, Cricket and Football. He is considered by ITTF as the inventor of the game.
1891 John Jacques of London introduced the "Gossima" game, which used a 50mm web
covered cork ball, drum-type paddles, and a 30cm high net.
1901 John Jacques registered "Ping Pong" as a trade name in England. Later on, American
rights to the name were sold to Parker Brothers.
On December 12, "The Table Tennis Association" was formed in England. Four days
later, "The Ping Pong Association" was also formed in England.
Table tennis was first brought to China via western settlements.
1903 On May 1, 1903, "The Table Tennis Association" and "The Ping Pong Association"
merged, forming "The United Table Tennis and Ping Pong Association". This
association changed its name to "The Table Tennis Association", before becoming
defunct in 1904.

The Hard Bat Period and European Dominance

1922 "The Table Tennis Association" was reconstituted, but was renamed "English Table
Tennis Association" in 1927.

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Racket Sports and Athletics

1926 The International Table Tennis Federation was initialized and later on became the
sport’s international governing body.
1926-1931 Maria Mednyanszky (Hungary) dominated and won the women's singles at the World
Championships.
1935 The US Amateur Table Tennis Association, National Table Tennis Association, and
American Ping Pong Association merged to form the US Table Tennis Association, but
was renamed USA Table Tennis in 1994.
1936 Repainted tables (which made the playing surface very slow) and a high net (6¾ inches
high) combined to make attacking play very difficult at the World Championships in
Prague, Czechoslovakia.
1938 The ITTF lowers the net from 6¾ inches to 6 inches.
1950-1955 Angelica Rozeanu-Adelstein (Romania) won six women's singles titles in a row at the
World Championships. Since then, every World Champion in women's singles has been
an Asian player.
1952 Hiroji Satoh (Japan) became feared for his use of a wooden paddle covered in thick
foam sponge rubber, which produced much more speed and spin than conventional
pimpled rubbers. He won the 1952 World Championships over Jozsef Koczian of
Hungary, and began a period of Asian male domination in the sport which lasted until
Sweden rose to supremacy from 1989 to the early 1990's.
Sen. Sergio Osmeňa, TATAP's first president invited several world-class players to play
in the 1st Philippine Invitational of Champions.
1953 China joined the World Championships for the first time.
1957 The World Championships became a biennial event due to the problems of hosting an
event of such size, and difficulty in finding fitting venues.
1959 Rong Guotuan became the first Chinese world champion in any sport.
1960 The ITTF standardized the thickness of ordinary pimpled rubber and sponge rubber.
1971 Jean-Paul Weber (France) used the first anti-spin rubber in the World Championships in
Nagoya, Japan, and had some success with its use.

The Age of Speed Glue & Technology

1970's Dragutin Surbek (Yugoslavia), and Tibor Klampar (Hungary) discovered that using
bicycle tire repair glue to set rubber on a blade significantly increases the speed and spin
that can be produced, hence the start of the use of speed glue.
1970's-1989 China was the biggest force in both men's and women's events on the international
scene, bagging gold medals in multiple events at all world championships.
1977 ITTF got the formal declaration of its recognition by the International Olympic
Committee (IOC).
1980 The first World Cup event was held in Hong Kong.
1985 The two-color rule was adopted to reduce the effectiveness of combination rackets.
1988 Table Tennis became part of the Seoul Olympics.
1989-1993 Sweden broke the Chinese dominance in Men's World Championships, winning the
1989, 1991, and 1993 Team Events, and producing Jan-Ove Waldner (1989) and Jorgen
Persson (1991) as Men's World Champions. China continued its dominance in the
female ranks.
1992 Jan-Ove Waldner (Sweden) became Olympic singles champion and reputedly, the first
table tennis millionaire.
1995-present China reasserted its command and dominance in the Men’s Team and Men’s Singles
events at the World Championships.
1996 Commencement of the ITTF Pro Tour, held all around the world.

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1997 Swede Jan-Ove Waldner won the Men’s Singles title at the World Championships for
the second time without losing a single game.
2000's Frictionless long pimples became popular among many players, in an attempt to
counteract the power and spin produced by technology and speed glue.
2000 China lost to the aging Swedish trio of Jan-Ove Waldner, Jorgen Persson and Peter
Karlsson in the Men’s Team event.
After the Sydney Olympics, the ball size was increased to 40mm.
2001 The ITTF changed the scoring system, moving to 11 point games, and using a best of 5
or 7 games match. World Championships was held in Osaka, Japan. Total victory for
team China for the third time, bagging all of the seven gold medals.
2003 Werner Schlager (Austria) broke the Chinese dominance on the Men's Singles World
Championship title. In the finals, he defeated Joo Se Hyuk (South Korea) – the first
defensive player finalist in the men’s singles since Eberhard Scholer (Germany) in
1969. Scholer also lost to Shigeo Itoh (Japan).
2004 Table Tennis ranked 5th for television viewing audience among all sports during the
Athens Olympics.
2005 World Championships were held in Shanghai, China. Total triumph again for China,
winning five gold medals.
2006 ITTF announced its intention of banning the frictionless long pips and speed glues with
toxic organic solvents. World Championships was held in Bremen, Germany wherein
China bagged the gold medals in the team events.
2007 The ITTF banned all speed glues due to health hazards it gives. The World
Championships was conducted in Zagreb, Croatia. Victory number five for China,
winning five gold medals.
2008 China won all the gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, with the team events replacing
the men’s doubles and women’s doubles.
The Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (TATAP) held the 1st Philippine
National Table Tennis Championships.
2010 Table tennis was part of the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
2011 Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV was formally elected as President of the Table Tennis
Association of the Philippines (TATAP), the national governing body for the sport.
2012 China's domination has inspired another rule-change. In London 2012, only two athletes
per country will participate in singles for men and women. This guarantees that only
two of the three medals may go to China.
Sources: http://www.ittf.com/museum/history.html
http://www.tabletennis.about.com/od/beginnersguide/a/history_of_tt.htm

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Facilities and Equipment

The Table, Net and Playing Area
The table, which may be made of any material that produces a uniform bounce, is 9 feet long and
5 feet wide. The playing surface is 2.5 feet above the floor. The table surface may be dark green
or blue. A white line runs along each edge, forming two end lines and two side lines. The playing
surface includes the top edges only, not including the sides below the edge. In doubles, a line at
the center divides each end in two equal parts; this center line is regarded as part of the right half
of each end.
The net is 6 feet long and the net’s complete length stands 6 inches high across the playing
surface. It is attached to the net posts which are positioned at the middle of the sides of the table.
The minimum playing area is 40 feet long, 20 feet wide and 11.5 feet high. The floor should be
made of hard materials such as wood, concrete, or hard rubber with non-slippery surface.

Source: http://www.en.wikipedia.org

The Paddle and the Ball

The paddle has only two parts – the blade or wood and the face which is
the part that is covered with rubber. The paddle may be of any shape, size
and weight. The blade must be smooth, rigid, and continuously of even
thickness. The sides of the blade used to strike the ball must be covered
with rubber. If the blade is already with the rubbers, it may already be
called a paddle. It should be black on one side and bright red on the
other. The rubber may be smooth or pimpled depending on the player’s playing style.

The matte ball is spherical, weighs 2.7 grams, and has a diameter of 40 mm. It is made of
celluloid or similar plastic and may be white or orange. Different types of balls are for different
purposes. Fun/Novelty balls are available in many different colors and sizes and are particularly
suitable for children and for recreational play. Practice/Training balls are generally a softer ball

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and are best suited for a beginner. One-Star balls are suitable for use at schools and youth clubs.
Two-star balls are suitable for use by improvers or in a robot or for multi-ball practice. The
highest quality balls are the three-star balls, the only type authorized by the International Table
Tennis Federation for use in tournaments.

Mechanics and Rules of the Game

Table tennis is played in singles or in doubles. The players alternately hit a small plastic ball
back and forth across the net with a rubber-faced wooden paddle. A player serves the ball by
tossing it with the free hand and hitting it with the paddle to propel the ball to the other side of
the table. If the serve is returned so that the ball strikes the table once on the far side of the net,
the rally continues until one side is unable to make a good return. A match shall be played in best
of 3, 5, or 7 games, and each game shall be played until a player or team scores 11, or a player or
team leads by two points if the score becomes 10-10. Play is continuous, however a player may
ask for a one-minute timeout once in the entire match. Other than this timeout, a one-minute
break is given in between the games. Brief pauses after a cumulative six points may also be
incurred to hydrate, to towel off, or to do similar things.

Scoring
A player gains a point when his opponent:
 fails to hit the ball;
 fails to toss the ball for at least 6 inches high;
 tosses the ball with cupped hand;
 tosses the ball starting from below the level of the playing surface;
 catches the ball that is tossed;
 hides the ball during service;
 moves the table during rally;
 fails to let the ball go across the net;
 does not let the ball hit the playing surface;
 volleys the ball;
 allows the ball to bounce twice in his end;
 strikes the ball twice in hitting a return;
 strikes the ball out of turn in doubles; or
 fails to return the serve.

The Expedite System

Except if 18 points have been scored, the expedite system shall come into operation after 10
minutes of play in a game or at any time when requested by both players or pairs. If the ball is in
play when the time limit is reached, play shall be interrupted by the umpire and shall resume
with service by the player who served in the rally that was interrupted. If the ball is not in play
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when the expedite system comes into operation, play shall resume with service by the player who
received in the immediately preceding rally. Thereafter, each player shall serve for one point in
turn until the end of the game, and if the receiving player or pair makes 13 returns in a rally, the
receiver shall score a point. Introduction of the expedite system shall not alter the order of
serving and receiving in the match. Once introduced, the expedite system shall remain in
operation until the end of the match (http://www.allabouttabletennis.com/basic-table-tennis-
rule.html).

Serving
At the initial part of the service, the ball shall be motionless, resting freely on the flat, open palm
of the free hand of the server, behind the end line and above the height of the playing surface. He
shall then toss the ball close to vertically upwards, without putting spin, so that it is at least 6
inches high after leaving the palm of the free hand and then descends without touching anything
before being hit. As the ball descends, the server shall hit it so that it touches his end of the table
first and then, after going over or around the net assembly, hits directly the receiver’s end. In
doubles, the ball shall hit successively the right half-court of the server’s and receiver’s ends.
The paddle and ball shall be above the height of the playing surface from the last time that the
ball is motionless before being tossed until it is hit. The ball shall be hit behind the server’s end
line but not beyond his body. It is the duty of the player to serve so that the umpire or the
assistant umpire can observe that he is complying with the requirements for a legal service. If the
umpire is uncertain of the legality of the service but neither he nor the assistant umpire is certain
that it is illegal, he may, on the first occurrence in the match, caution the server without a point.
If later on in the match, a service by same player or his partner is still of dubious legality, for the
same reason or another, the receiver shall score a point. Every time there is a clear failure to
fulfill the requirements for a legal service, no caution shall be given and the receiver shall gain a
point, on the first and any other occasion.

Returning
A return is good when the ball passes over or around the net or its supports and strikes the
opponent’s end. A return may touch the net or its supports as long as it lands in the opponent’s
end. A ball ceases to be in play if it touches any foreign objects.

Lets
The rally shall be a let if:

 during service, the ball touches the net assembly as it passes over it, provided that the
service is legal;
 the service is given when the receiving player/team is not ready, provided that neither of
the opponents tries to return the ball;
 failure to make legal service or a legal return or otherwise to conform with the laws is
due to an interruption outside the control of the player; and
 play is interrupted by the game officials.

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The Order of Play

In singles, the server first makes a good service, the receiver then makes a good return and
thereafter, server and receiver alternately shall each make a good return.

In doubles, the server makes a good service first, the receiver then makes a good return, the
partner of the server then makes a good return, the partner of the receiver then makes a good
return, and thereafter, each player in turn in that sequence shall make a good return.

The Order of Serving, Receiving and Changing of Ends

 The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving and end shall be via a toss of coin.
The winner of the coin toss shall choose first.
 When one player or pair has made a choice, the other player or pair shall have the other
choice.
 After two points have been scored, the receiver shall become the new server and the
process is repeated until the end of the game, except if both players or pairs gain ten points,
or when the expedite system is in process, of which the sequences of serving and receiving
shall stay the same but a player shall serve for only one point per service round.
 In doubles, the pair having the right to serve first shall also decide which of them will
receive first. In the next games of the match, the first server having been chosen, the player
who served to him in the preceding game shall be the first receiver.
 In doubles, the player who received previously shall become the server and the partner of
the player who served previously shall become the receiver after each service round.
 The first server in a game shall be the first receiver in the next game of the match. In the
deciding game of a doubles match, the pair that is to receive next shall change their order
of receiving when first team gains five points.
 The player or pair who started at one end shall start at the other end in the next game. In the
deciding game, the players or pairs shall change ends when first player or pair gains five
points.

Fundamental Skills

Grip

In table tennis, you may hold the paddle with either the shakehand grip or the penhold grip. The
table tennis grip is important because it controls the paddle angle. The angle of the paddle
controls the height, depth, speed, and direction of the ball and the type and amount of spin that
can be imparted to the ball (http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/dimaggio/62/ttbasic.html).

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The shakehand grip is appropriately named because you grasp the paddle as if you were
shaking hands with somebody. Your pointing finger extends over the bottom part of the rubber
on the backhand side and your thumb slightly touches the rubber on the forehand side. Actually,
only three fingers and the palm grasp the handle of the paddle.

Shakehand Grip
The penhold grip is also appropriately named because you hold the paddle just like a pen. Only
your thumb and forefinger grasp the paddle at the top of the handle. The three other fingers are
placed on one side of the paddle.

Penhold Grip

Spin

A good player uses spin while attempting to hit the ball onto the opponent's side. Spin makes
returning more difficult. The three spins used are topspin, backspin and sidespin.

To impart topspin to the ball, you must angle your paddle to closed position. Swing through the
ball with a forward motion. Slightly brush the top of the ball. A topspin ball is predisposed to
drop downward.

To impart backspin to the ball, you must angle your paddle to open position. Swing through the
ball, but don't use as much speed as you would use in producing topspin. Slightly brush the
bottom of the ball. A backspin ball is predisposed to rise. A ball hit with a strong backspin is
most commonly called a chop.

Almost no players use pure sidespin in their strokes, but many use it in their serve. To impart a
pure sidespin, angle the paddle sideways and swing sideways; however, athletes mainly combine
topspin and sidespin, or backspin and sidespin in their strokes and serves.

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Coach’s Tip

Spin affects both the trajectory and the bounce of the ball. Obviously, a backspin ball is the
opposite of a topspin ball. The amount of topspin or backspin you impart to the ball depends on
how hard you swing at the ball. It is imperative that you understand spin. There is no way to win
without understanding spin. For you to be able to read the spin imparted by your opponent,
observe how your opponent positions and moves his paddle in hitting the ball. This way, you will
know how to hit it back.

Paddle Angles

With the paddle held in a vertical position, the angle is described as

neutral. This is the "ready" position and is used when you are
waiting for your opponent to serve.

Neutral Position

When the striking side is angled downwards at around 45 degrees,

the angle is described as closed. This is the position used to play a
topspin shot or a block against a topspin.

Closed Position

When the striking side is angled upwards at around 45 degrees, the

angle is described as open. This is the position used to play a
backspin shot like push or chop.
Open Position

Coach’s Tip

The angle of the paddle is varied by rotating the hand and forearm. Although there are other
factors, a closed paddle will generally produce topspin while an open paddle will generally
produce backspin. Therefore, always consider looking at the position of the paddle of your
opponent for you to be able to read the spin that he will impart to the ball. Aside from these, the
type of rubber used plays a big role in your play. Smooth rubbers with tacky surface tend to grip
the ball, therefore will produce spin while anti and pimpled rubbers counteract the spins imparted
by the opponent. So, depending on your style of play, choose a rubber that gives you more
advantage.

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Racket Sports and Athletics

The Basic Shots

We have to learn things from the easiest to the most difficult. Following this principle, start with
the backhand push, and then to the forehand drive, next is the backhand drive, and finally the
forehand push.

The Backhand Push

To play this shot, stand close to the table and take a stance facing
the line of play.

Using a short stroke, your racket arm should move forward from
the elbow in a horizontal plane to the incoming ball.

With a backhand stroke, brush the bottom of the ball with your
paddle in open position so that you impart a slight backspin as you step your right foot forward
placing it slightly under the table.

The Forehand Drive

Stand close to the table in sideward manner facing the direction of

play.

Using a medium stroke, your racket arm should progress forward

and a little upwards in the course that the ball is directed, while
your free arm should point towards the ball to assist your body in
turning and in maintaining balance.

In executing the shot, your upper body should swivel approximately 45 degrees to the right then
return to face the ball, while your body weight is displaced from your right foot to your left.

The paddle should be slightly closed to impart a slight topspin.

The Backhand Drive

Stand close to the table and take a stance facing the direction of
play.

Using a medium stroke, your racket arm should progress forward

and a little upward in the course that the ball is directed.

The paddle should be slightly closed, and by keeping a loose wrist,

you can produce a slight topspin as your arm is moved forward.

Hit the ball with a backhand stroke at the top of the bounce using half of your stroke action
before hitting the ball and the second half after hitting the ball.

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The Forehand Push

Stand close to the table facing the direction of play.

Using a short stroke, your racket arm should move forward

from the elbow in a horizontal plane to the incoming ball.

With forehand stroke, brush the bottom of the ball with your
paddle in open position to impart a slight backspin as you step
your right foot forward placing it slightly under the table.

Coach’s Tip

Use a short push to set-up your next attack, just be careful that your push does not let the ball
bounce high because any high ball is susceptible to attacks. Use drive for balls that come with
depth and/or height.

Strategies
The basic strategy is to keep the ball in play for longer than your opponent could. Strategies
generally rely on three main abilities:

1. the ability to keep the ball alive on your end;

2. the ability to create openings by directing the ball to different areas and/or applying
pressure by using varied spins and speed; and
3. the ability to let the ball die on your opponent’s end.

Having those abilities as foundation, use the following strategies to improve your match results:

Utilize your opponent's limitations

To play on your opponent's weaknesses, you will first need to find out what they are. Two ways
to do this are to observe him while he plays or simply to play with him.

Direct the ball to different areas of the table, using diverse strokes, spins and speed, until you
find a weakness.

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Maybe, your opponent is weaker with short balls; or on the backhand side than the forehand side;
or maybe he is weak against high returns or against heavy backspin or heavy topspin. Once
discovered, try to exploit his weakness.

The weakness may not always be where you expect it, therefore, do not be presumptuous.

Play consistently

Keep the ball in play for longer than your opponent could. By being consistent on your strokes,
you can often gain points as your opponent will commit errors. This doesn’t mean that you have
to be a defensive player, but by executing consistently good shots, you lessen your unforced
errors. This may make your opponent impatient, making him commit the unforced errors.

Check your opponent’s mobility

Test the level of mobility of your opponent. By directing your shots to different areas of the
table, you can check out the most advantageous areas where you can place the ball to move your
opponent or take him by surprise.

Move your opponent to the sides by directing the ball to the wide forehand and wide backhand or
move him forward and backward by hitting short and long balls.

Make variety your friend

Don't play all same shots to the same areas on the table. If you always play the same shots to the
same areas, your opponent will more likely get used to them, and be able to predict them. By
imparting varied degrees of topspin, backspin or sidespin to the ball, you can make it more
complicated for your opponent because there will be a difference in the ball’s flight path and the
height of its bounce as a consequence.

Use your own strengths

In the first four strategies, we focused on your opponent and his style of play. It is just wise to
consider your opponent’s style of play but equally important are your own strengths. Always try
to dictate the match by imposing your style of play on your opponent.

For example, if you are an offensive player, try to give your best shots early in the rally. Since
you have complete control of the ball during service, serve in such a way that your opponent is
forced to give a return that is favorable for a third ball attack. This will prevent your opponent
from dictating the course of the point.

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Certainly, every player has his own style of playing. Here are three general styles of play and
their relevant strengths and weaknesses.

Style of Play Strengths Weaknesses

Attacker/Offensive  Always serves for a third ball  Very physically demanding
Style attack  Takes more time to recover due
 Ability to vary spin and speed to longer and heavier strokes
 Frequent use of topspin makes  Vulnerable to changes in pace
it hard for opponent to create to upset timing
opening

Counter-hitter or  Very quick reaction time  Vulnerable to changes in pace

Blocker  Takes ball early and spin
 Uses opponent’s speed and  Often finds severe backspin and
topspin sidespin difficult

Defensive Style  Patient and consistent  Can be moved about a great

 Ability to vary the spin deal, in and out and side to side
 May use a paddle with different  May not be able to attack short
rubber on each side to produce balls
different effects on the ball

Source: http://www.allabouttabletennis.com/table-tennis.html

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Table Tennis Glossary

Ace A serve that the receiver is not able to reach.

Anti (Anti-loop/ A smooth rubber with very low surface friction used to defend against shots with
Anti-spin) excessive spin. This rubber deactivates spin and speed, returning a "dead" ball.
Backhand A shot executed where the back of your racket hand is pointing towards the
opponent, or a shot that is executed at the non-racket side of the player.
Backspin A spin of the ball in which the bottom of it moves away from the player.
Ball A hollow sphere of celluloid or similar plastic, 40 mm in diameter and 2.7 grams
in mass.
Bat See paddle.
Blade The wooden part of the paddle.
Block A shot played close to the table with no or little arm swing with the paddle making
contact with the ball just after it bounces returning the ball with no or little spin.
Center Line A white line down the middle of the table, parallel with the side lines, that divides
the table into half-courts.
Chop A defensive return of a topspin shot played with a strong backspin, usually well
away from the table.
Chop Block A stroke played close to the table where the paddle makes contact with the ball,
immediately after it bounces, with a fast downward vertical motion of the paddle
to create backspin.
Closed Position The striking surface of the paddle being angled downwards, e.g. a topspin shot or
a block against a topspin.
Counter A stroke played in response to a similar stroke from your opponent, e.g. counter-
loop and counter-smash.
Cross-court A stroke that is hit diagonally from corner to the opposite corner.
Cup To close the palm on the ball when tossing it up for a serve. Cupping is against the
rules, since it can be used to put spin on the ball.
Deep Playing any shot which causes the ball to bounce very near your opponent’s end
of the table.
Double Bounce When the ball bounces twice on one side of the table before a return is made,
causing that player to lose the point.
Doubles Two people play on each side and alternate turns at striking the ball.
Down the Line A stroke that is played so that the ball travels parallel to the side lines of the table.
Drive A stroke played close to the table with your racket arm moving forward and
slightly upwards in the direction that the ball is going to travel. The ball’s flight
may be described as flat but fast.
Drop Shot A shot which drops very short over the net on your opponent’s side of the table.
Usually played when your opponent is positioned away from the table.
Early Playing a stroke that makes contact with the ball just after it bounces.
End Line One of the two white lines marking an end of the table.
Expedite A rule which comes into operation if a game is unfinished after 10 minutes play
(or at any earlier time at the request of both players or teams). Thereafter, each
player shall serve for 1 point in turn and if the receiving player or team makes 13
returns, the receiver shall score a point.

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Fifth Ball Attack A strategy in which the server attempts to win the point on the fifth ball. The ideal
sequence is serve, return, loop, return, and kill.
Flat A stroke with minimum topspin so that the ball travels very low over the net.
Flick A stroke played over the table where you hit the ball on the top of its bounce flat
like a mini smash and with almost a stiff arm.
Forehand A shot executed where the palm of your hand is facing your opponent, or a shot
that is executed at the racket side of the player.
Free Hand The hand not holding the paddle.
Game A game is won by the player/team first scoring 11 points unless both
players/teams score 10 points, when a game shall be won by the first player or pair
subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points.
Grip The way in which the paddle is held.
Handicap Event An event in a tournament where players are graded or ranked according to ability
so that they can compete equally. The weaker player will not have to score as
many points as the stronger player to win a game, or the stronger player may be
restricted to do some shots.
Heavy Used to describe excessive spin.
High Toss Serve A serve where the ball is thrown high into the air. This helps the server to increase
the amount of spin and speed imparted onto the ball.
ITTF International Table Tennis Federation - the international governing body for the
sport of table tennis.
Inverted Rubber The most common paddle covering. It consists of a sheet of rubber on top of a
layer of sponge. The pimples point inward, hence making the playing surface
smooth.
Kill An aggressive shot, often in response to a high bouncing return, hit with so much
speed for the opponent to fail to give a return.
Late A stroke that makes contact with the ball when the ball is falling rather than rising.
Let If play is interrupted for any reason during a rally, a let is called and the point does
not count.
Let Serve If the ball passing over the net touches it, provided that the service is good, the
serve is replayed - or - if your opponent is not ready, the serve is replayed.
Loaded Used to describe a ball with spin.
Lob A defensive shot used against high-speed shots, where the ball is returned very
high in the air.
Long Playing any shot which causes the ball to bounce very near your opponent's end of
the table.
Loop An attacking stroke where excessive topspin is imparted onto the ball. This
enables you to hit the ball harder as the topspin will help you keep the ball to
bounce on the opponent’s end.
Loose Return A return shot that is either too high, too long, has insufficient spin or a
combination of these and therefore makes it easy for your opponent to attack.
Match A match consists of the best of 3, 5, or 7 games.
Multi-ball A training method that minimizes wasted time by using a continuous supply of
table tennis balls instead of just one ball.
Net The net, 6 inches high and placed at the center of the table, catches any ball with
insufficient height.
Obstruction Touching the ball with any part of the body or clothing while it is over the table
and before it has bounced in the proper court. The offender loses the point.
Open Position The striking surface of the paddle angled upwards which results to producing a
backspin to the ball.

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Paddle The equipment used in hitting the ball.

Penalty Point A point awarded by the umpire to a player due to a rules violation by that player's
opponent. A penalty point can be awarded for a second misbehavior offense, after
the player has been cautioned with a yellow card for the first offense. A third
offense incurs two penalty points. A fourth offense would result to suspension.
Penhold A style of grip in which the paddle handle is held between the thumb and
forefinger. Used mainly by Asian players.
Pimples/Pips A type of paddle covering. A sheet of rubber on top of a layer of sponge. The
pimples point outwards, so the playing surface is pimpled. Depending on the
length and hardness of the pimples, unusual types of spin can be imparted.
Ping Pong A trademarked name originally registered in 1901. Often used interchangeably
with table tennis by the general public.
Playing Surface The upper surface of a table tennis table which lies in a horizontal plane 76cm (2ft
6in) above the floor.
Point A unit of scoring in table tennis.
Push* A backspin shot usually executed over the table.
Racket See paddle.
Racket hand The hand that is used to hold the paddle.
Rally The period during which the ball is in play.
Receiver The player due to strike the ball second in a rally.
Rubber The paddle covering. It may refer only to the rubber on top of a sponge base.
Sandwich A paddle covering with pimples inwards or outwards, having a total thickness
Rubber including adhesive of not more than 4mm.
Server The player due to strike the ball first in a rally.
Serve/Service The start of a point where one player strikes the ball. The server must toss the ball
up at least 6 inches and strike it on its downward motion, so that it touches first in
the server's end and then in the receiver's end without touching the net. When
struck, the ball must be above the level of the playing surface and behind the
server's end line.
Shakehand A grip in which the forefinger is positioned at one side of the paddle while the
thumb is on the other side. The other fingers are on the handle of the paddle.
Short Playing any shot which causes the ball to bounce very near to the net and, if not
hit by your opponent, would bounce at least twice on the table.
Shot Any stroke used by a player in a game.
Sideline One of the two white lines marking the side edges of the table.
Sidespin A type of spin imparted onto the ball causing it to move left or right before and
after it strikes the table surface.
Singles Competition between two individuals.
Smash See kill.
Speed Glue A banned type of glue used to affix table tennis rubbers to the blade. Previously
used at regular intervals in order to increase the playing speed of the rubber.
Spin The rotation of the ball. A player can impart spin onto the ball by using a brushing
action with the paddle surface.
Sponge A type of paddle covering used in sandwich rubbers. It is used under a sheet of
rubber with pimples.
Stroke See shot.
Stroke Counter An official who counts return strokes when the expedite system is in effect.
Table The table must be 9 feet long and 5 feet wide, with the surface 30 inches above the
floor. It includes the playing surface and the stands.

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TATAP (Table Tennis Association of the Philippines) The highest governing body of the
sport in the Philippines.
Third Ball Attack The stroke played by the server after the opponent's return of the serve. Because
the serve can be used to make attacking difficult for the opponent, the third ball is
frequently the first strong attacking stroke in any table tennis rally.
Topspin A spin of the ball in which the top of it moves away from the player.
Twiddle The act of turning the paddle in your hand in order to use different sides of the
paddle to strike the ball.
Umpire The person appointed to control a match.
Volley Hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the table. A player who volleys
the ball generally loses the point.
Sources: http://www.allabouttabletennis.com
http://www.hickoksports.com

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Final Score

Name: _______________________________________ Date: __________________

Group: ______ Class Schedule: ____________________ Instructor: ______________________

Table Tennis Activity #1

Serving
Mechanics: The student shall deliver five different services. The first four are specified and
should be delivered in correct order. The fifth service may be any legal serve.
Execution means that service rules are followed. Height refers to the height of the
bounce of the ball.

Scoring: The perfect final score is 10. Each serve shall be for a maximum of 2 points.

Rubric:

Description of Serve Score per Serve

Correct execution, correct height 2
Correct execution, wrong height 1
Wrong execution 0

Remember: Hold the ball with an open palm. Toss the ball for at least 6 inches high. Hit the ball
on its downward motion. Deliver the service not directly over the table.

Serve Score Remarks

Forehand 1
Forehand 2
Backhand 1
Backhand 2
Any legal serve

__________________________

Instructor’s Signature

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Final Score

Name: _______________________________________ Date: __________________

Group: ______ Class Schedule: ____________________ Instructor: ______________________

Table Tennis Activity #2

Returning

Mechanics: Using either a backhand or a forehand stroke, the student shall return the five
services that the instructor will deliver. Correct execution means that there are no
violations incurred, i.e. the receiver’s ball penetrates the server’s end. Correct height
means that the return’s flight is with a maximum height of two feet from the playing
surface.

Scoring: The perfect final score is 10. Each return shall be for a maximum of 2 points.

Rubric:

Description of Return Score per Serve

Correct execution, correct height 2
Correct execution, wrong height 1
Wrong execution 0

Remember: Relax. The instructor will give very simple services only.

Return Score Remarks

st
1 return
2nd return
3rd return
4th return
5th return

__________________________

Instructor’s Signature

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Final Score

Name: _______________________________________ Date: __________________

Group: ______ Class Schedule: ____________________ Instructor: ______________________

Table Tennis Activity #3

Shots Selection
Mechanics: Using either a backhand or a forehand stroke, the student shall return the five no-spin
services that the instructor will deliver. The student should impart a spin to the ball
using the different basic shots. Correct execution means that there are no violations
incurred, i.e. the receiver’s ball penetrates the server’s end. Intention means the body
mechanics in executing the stroke. The student shall be given two chances per basic
shot.

Scoring: The perfect final score is 10. Each shot shall be for a maximum of 2 points.

Rubric:

Description of Shot Score per Shot

Correct execution, correct intention 2
Correct execution, wrong intention 1
Wrong execution 0

Remember: To execute a push, open your paddle and push your forearm forward slightly
brushing the back bottom of the ball. To execute a drive, slightly close the paddle
and make a forward-upward motion of the racket hand.

Shot Score Remarks

Backhand push
Backhand drive
Forehand drive
Forehand push
Any shot

__________________________

Instructor’s Signature
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Final Score

Name: _______________________________________ Date: __________________

Group: ______ Class Schedule: ____________________ Instructor: ______________________

Table Tennis Activity #4

Play With Me
Mechanics: Applying the different rules in singles, the student shall play a mini game with the
instructor for five points.

Scoring: The perfect final score is 10. The student’s score in the mini game shall be added to
5 to get the final score.

n.b. This is an example of a handicap match.

Score in the Remarks

Mini Game

__________________________

Instructor’s Signature

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 Table Tennis

Final Score

Name: _______________________________________ Date: __________________

Group: ______ Class Schedule: ____________________ Instructor: ______________________

Table Tennis Activity #5

Doubles One-Gamer
Mechanics: Each student shall have a partner chosen via lottery. Their opponents too shall be
chosen via lottery. They will play a 10-point game applying the rules in doubles.

Scoring: Winners of the mock game get 10 points while the losers get points equivalent to
their score in the mock game.

Team A Team B
Names

Scores
Remarks

(Note: All players shall accomplish their own Activity Sheet.)

__________________________

Instructor’s Signature

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