TABLE TENNIS
Brief History of the Game
Table tennis, often called “Ping Pong”, is played on a wooden table, with a
plastic ball and paddles covered in rubber and a net dividing the playing
surface. It is sometimes called the “Miniature version of Tennis” since the
rules are so similar.
Brief History of the Game
The game of table tennis was invented in England in the 1880's by rich
Victorians looking for an activity to be played indoors. When the game was
first played, books served as a net, a knot of string or a champagne cork
was used as a ball and cigarette box lids were employed as paddles.
Apparently people enjoyed this newly invented game with its make-shift
equipment, since it continued to grow in popularity.
Brief History of the Game
Improvements were made to the equipment during the early 1900's. The
ball were being made from celluloid and the paddles consisted of a piece
of rubber glued to a wooden handle. The word “Ping Pong” originated
because of the distinctive sound the ball made when hit with the rubber
paddle. And Parker Brothers opted to go with the ping pong name when
they introduced the game to the United States.
Brief History of the Game
With the commercial availability of the equipment, the game continued to
grow in popularity and the first tournament was held in 1902. In 1921 the
Table Tennis Association was founded in England and less than 10 years
later, the first World Championships also took place there.
Brief History of the Game
The 1950's rolled around and other innovations were made. As an example,
a sponge layer was added to the paddles over the rubber, making the
paddles lighter and easier for the players to use. And finally after being
around for more than a century, table tennis was included as an Olympic
Sport in 1988.
Brief History of the Game
In the latter part of 2000, the international body governing the rules of
table tennis introduced more changes. They decided to increase the size of
the plastic ball used in tournaments from 38mm to 40mm. This was an
attempt to slow the game down a little. They also made changes to the way
the game was scored, now using a 11 point system as opposed to the
traditional 21 points, which makes each set fast and exciting for the players
and spectators.
Nature Of The Game
Table tennis is a sport where two players hit a ball back and forth to
each other, with a racket on a table, in a manner similar to tennis.
The rules are slightly different, but the concept is essentially the
same. Table tennis is an Olympic sport, “Ping Pong” is the
recreational version of the same sport. Spin, speed and strategy
play an important part in competitive table tennis matches.
Nature Of The Game
It is often difficult for beginners to learn to use the correct footwork. At
the beginning, you can get away with poor footwork since it is not the
most important part of the game. But as you get better having good
footwork becomes more and more important, until it is an essential
component of the game in advanced play.
Nature Of The Game
Keep your crouching position as much as you can while playing. This helps
keep your center of gravity low, and will help you move around the court
more smoothly. Standing up straight will raise your center of gravity, lock
your knees and impair your ability to balance and move quickly.
Nature Of The Game
In gameplay, the player serving the ball commences a play. The server first
stands with the ball held on the open palm of the hand not carrying the
racket, called the “freehand”, and tosses the ball directly upward without
spin, at least 16 centimeters (approximately 6 inches) high. The server
strikes the ball with the racket on the ball’s descent so that it touches first
his court and then touches directly the receiver’s court without touching
the net assembly. In casual games, many players do not toss the ball
upward; however, this is technically illegal and can give the serving player
an unfair advantage.
Nature Of The Game
The ball must remain behind the end line and above the upper surface of
the table, known as the playing surface, at all times during the service. The
server cannot use his body or clothing to obstruct sight of the ball; the
opponent and the umpire must have a clear view of the ball at all times. If
the umpire is doubtful of the legality of a serve is a clear failure or is
doubted again by the umpire after the warning, receiver scores a point.
Nature Of The Game
If the service is “good” then the receiver must make a “good” return by
hitting the ball back before it bounces a second time on receiver’s side of
the table so that the ball passes the net and touches the opponent’s
court, either directly or after touching the net assembly. Thereafter, the
server and receiver must alternately make a return until the rally is over.
Facilities & Equipments
Four pieces of equipment are needed to play table tennis:
TABLE NET BALL RACKET
Width 5 feet
Net height 6 inches
Overhang of the net 6
inches
Length 9 feet
Height 2 feet 6 inches
TABLE
The table is 9 feet by 5 feet, with the surface 30 inches from the floor. It is
usually a dark, non-reflecting green, with a 3/4 inch white line running
along the edge in doubles. (It doesn’t invalidate the table for singles play.)
The way the ball bounces when it hits the table must meet certain
standards. It should have a uniform bounce whether the ball is hitting near
the edge or in the middle. It should bounce roughly the same on all legal
table. (When dropped form a height of 12 inches, the ball should bounce
between 8-3/4 and 9-3/4 inches.)
TABLE
A legal playing court is at least 20 by 40 feet, but you may have to
compromise on this depending on the size of your facility. Beginners don’t
need nearly as much room as more advanced players. If at all possible, the
ceiling should be at least 12 feet or higher, but this isn’t necessary for
beginners. (You can’t lob with a low ceiling, but lobbing is a rather
advanced shot.) The background should be dark enough so that the ball
(usually white) can be seen clearly. Make sure there are no glares. Table
tennis is a vision-oriented sport, and a white background or a glare from a
window can ruin the game.
TABLE
The floor should not be slippery, for obvious reasons. Most top players
consider a wood floor (or something similar) best, because extensive play
on a hard surface can hurt your feet and legs.
NET
The net is 6 inches high and stretches across the middle of the table. It should extend 6
inches on each side of the table-this is to keep players from hitting the ball around the
net, some top players can do.
BALL
Balls are usually white, but some are orange. They vary in price from cheap balls that
break on contact with a racket to three-star quality balls that cost nearly a dollar
each.
RACKET
A racket consists of two parts. First,
the blade itself (a racket without the
covering.) Then the covering for the
hitting surface. A blade is made of
wood, although a small amount of
carbon fiber or similar fibrous
material is permitted.
RULES OF THE GAME
Single Rules
Opponents will conduct a coin flip, the winner may choose either end
of the table or the right to serve or receive first. If they choose an end,
the other player has the choice of serving or receiving first. Each match
shall consist of the best two out of three games with the winning player
reaching 11 points first or being ahead by two after the score reachs 10
all in each game.
RULES OF THE GAME
Single Rules
The server changes from one player to the other every time five points
are scored, except when the score becomes tied 10-10. At this time,
the serve changes and continues to change after each point until one
player scores two consecutive points, thus winning the game.
RULES OF THE GAME
Single Rules
The serve must be made from behind the end line. The server puts the
ball into play by tossing it into air from the palm of one hand and
striking it with the paddle (held in the other hand) so that it hits his/her
own court. The ball must go over the net and hit the receiver’s court.
The receiver must return the ball over the net so that it hits the
server’s court. Play continues until one player fails to make a legal
return. The opponent then scores a point.
RULES OF THE GAME
Doubles Rules
Each match shall consist of the best two out of three games with the
winning pair reaching 11 points first or being ahead by two after the
score reaches 10 all in each game.
RULES OF THE GAME
Doubles Rules
The pair winning a coin flip may choose either end of the table or the
right to serve or receive first. If they choose an end, the other pair has
the choice of serving or receiving first.
RULES OF THE GAME
Doubles Rules
The pair having the right to serve the first five serves in any game shall
decide which partner shall do so. The opposing pair shall then decide
which shall be the first receiver.
RULES OF THE GAME
Doubles Rules
Each server shall serve for two points as in singles. At the end of each
two points, the one who was receiving becomes the server, and the
partner of the previous server becomes the receiver. This sequence
shall continue until the end of the game or the score of 10 all. At 10 all,
the sequence of serving and receiving shall continue uninterrupted
except that each player shall serve only one point in turn and the serve
will alternate after point in turn and the serve will alternate after each
point until a pair is ahead by two.
RULES OF THE GAME
Doubles Rules
The server shall first make a good service, the receiver shall then make
a good return, and the partner of the server shall then make a good
return. The partner of the receiver shall then make a good return, the
server shall then make a good return and thereafter each player
alternately in that sequence shall make a good return.
RULES OF THE GAME
Doubles Rules
After each game the pairs shall change end. The pair serving first in the
previous game shall become the first receivers in the next game and
vice versa. Rule#3 (above) shall then be in effect.
RULES OF THE GAME
Doubles Rules
Rules not covered above shall be in accordance with the Laws of the
International Table Tennis Federation as interpreted by the United
States Table Tennis Association.
RULES OF THE GAME
The entire table top area is used for play.
The racket (paddles) may be of any
standard size, shape or weight for the game
of table tennis.
The serve must first touc your paddle, then
your court and then pass over the net to
the receiver’s court and then his/her
paddle.
In singles, the serve may land anywhere on
the table.
RULES OF THE GAME
In doubles, the server must serve
diagonally, right side to right side.
In doubles, players must alternate hits-
never hitting the ball 2 times in a row.
If the ball touches the net during play, it is
good.
The ball may not touch the net on a serve.
SCORING
A match is played best 3 to 5 games (or 4/7 or 5/9) For each game, the first
player to reach 11 points wins that game, however a game must be won by at
least a two point margin. A point is scored after each ball is put into play (not
just when the server wins the point as in volleyball) The edges of the table are
part of the legal table surface, but not the sides.
Flow of the Match
Each player serves two points in a row and then switch server. However, if a
score of 10-10 is reached in any game, then each server serves only one point
and then the server is switched. After each game, the players switch side of the
table, in the final game (i.e 5th game), the players switch side again after either
player reaches 5 points.
Legal Service
The ball must rest on an open hand palm. Then it must be tossed up at least 6
inches and struck so the ball first bounces on the server’s side and then the
opponent’s side. if the serve is legal except that it touches the net, it is called a
“let serve”.Let serves not scored and are reserved.
TERMINOLOGIES
