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WHAT TO KNOW

TABLE TENNIS

Like most other sports, table tennis had humble beginnings as a “parlor game,” open to
anyone with access to a table, paddle, and ball. The game began in the 1880s, when
lawn tennis players adapted their game to play indoors during the winter.

Ping-Pong is a trademark name for table tennis and associated equipment. The name
“Ping-Pong” was invented by the English firm J. Jaques and Son at the end of the
1800s and later trademarked in the United States by Parker Brothers, the board
game company.

The game quickly caught on, and as early as 1901, tournaments were being conducted
with over 300 participants. The Ping-Pong Association was formed but was renamed
The Table Tennis Association in 1922.

PLAYABLE EVENTS

Well, the table tennis competition currently consists of five events:

 Men’s Singles
 Women’s Singles
 Men’s Teams
 Women’s Teams
 Mixed Doubles

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Tables
Included in the list of important table tennis equipment is the table where the game is to
be played. The ITTF specifies that the official table tennis tables that are used in the
tournament must be 9 ft long, 5 ft wide and must be placed 30 inches high from the
ground.

They come in either green, blue or black in color and are usually made from a type of
hardboard. The surface must be smooth as to provide the lowest friction as possible.
Not all table tennis tables are created equal! At California Table Tennis, they only use
top-of-the line Butterfly tables.
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Professional Rubber Flooring

This kind of flooring is usually imported directly from China. The flooring material is
identical to the texture of a leathered basketball and this flooring commonly used at the
highest competition level.

Ball
The ball that is used in the game is a 2.7grams, small celluloid ball that is usually
colored white or orange depending on the preference of the players. They can come in
different qualities with those possessing 3 stars being the best kind and is often
recommended especially to those who
are just starting up. Also, they come in a
range of sizes from 38 mm to 54 mm in
diameter. However, the 40 mm diameter
ball is the one that is used mainly on
international leagues and competitions as
it is the one that is specified by the
International Table Tennis Federation of
ITTF.
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Rubber, Rocket, or Paddle

The table tennis racket or paddle is another important piece of equipment that is used in
hitting the ball back and forth on the table. Its shape is similar to the ones used in the
game of tennis except that it is smaller and is made of different materials.
The racket is usually made of wood and rubber and is divided into two parts: the handle
and the blade. The quality of both of the parts of the racket can affect the force that can
be applied by the player and it is important the player choose the best kind of rackets in
order to really improve.

Net and Post

The net which is the last piece of important equipment is usually brought together with
the table or with the rackets or it can be bought by itself.

Whatever the case, it should be six feet long and six inches wide and has an upper
white tape that is not more than 15mm wide. Also, it should include an assembly so that
it can be attached to the middle of the table tennis table.
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BASIC RULES

Sometimes all you want to know are the basic rules to play a friendly match of ping
pong. In singles, the center lines serve no purpose, so ignore them.

Scoring
A match is played best 3 of 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 points
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, the players switch side again after either player reaches 5 points.

Legal serve
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 are
not scored and are reserved.

Equipment
The paddle should have a red and a black side. The ball should be either orange or
white and 40 mm in size. The table should be 2.74 meters long, 1.525 m wide, and 0.76
m high.

BASIC SKILLS

Table tennis is a complex, layered game, and mastery requires a balance of

mental strategies and physical skill. But even the most complex game is built on the
foundation of four basic skills that even a beginner can learn and practice to improve
their game.

Practicing the basic skills of table tennis improves your performance and your
enjoyment and allows you to develop more advanced skills later on. Here are the basic
skills of table tennis:
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Stance and Footwork

Before hitting your first shot it’s worth getting your body in the right position. A
correct and stance in relation to the table depends to some degree on your grip, and
whether you’re are attacking, defending, or serving the ball. However, even as your arm
position and placement relative to the table changes, you should always have the
correct stance and body posture.

The right stance gives you the balance, stability, and range of movement you
need to play the game.

Feet

 Your feet should be wide, about 1.5 or more shoulder widths apart so that you
can quickly move side-to-side.
 Keep your non-dominant foot slightly ahead of the other (for right-handed people,
this means keeping your left foot slightly closer to the table, for left-handed
people it’s the opposite).

Ankles and Knees

 Keep your knees and ankles slightly bent and flexible, with your weight forward
on your toes. This keeps your body ready to move forward or backward as
needed.

Back and Shoulders

 Keep your upper body slightly bent at the waist. With the bent ankles, knees, and
waist and your shoulders forward, your whole body is in a slightly crouched
position, ready to spring into action.
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Arms

 Your arms should be in front of your body, with your elbow and paddle in front of
you.

Holding the Paddle

The exact position of your hands and arms in your stance depends on your grip or how
you hold the bat. There are two basic grips in table tennis: the shake hand grip, and
the pen hold grip. The different types of grip have specific variations for your hand
position on the paddle depending on your preference and style of play.

Each grip has advantages and disadvantages, but it’s also important to choose the grip
that is comfortable and natural for you. Once you have mastered a basic grip, you may
want to learn more advanced grips to further improve your game and give you more
options.
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Basic Table Tennis Strokes

The four basic strokes of table tennis are necessary to master forehand and backhand
attack and defense.

Forehand Drive

The forehand drive is the most basic and fundamental ping pong stroke. It returns
aggressive/attacking strokes and lands your ball close to the opponent’s baseline or
sideline. With the forehand drive, you rotate your body to the back to add power to the
ball, so rotate the upper body away and transfer your weight onto your back foot,
moving your arm straight back.

Backhand Drive

The backhand drive is the mirror of the forehand drive, intended to return attacking
shots and land the ball at the opponent’s baseline. To deliver a backhand drive, stand
with your torso in the path of the ball (rather than reaching with your arm), and keep
your stance angled toward the table with your free arm pointed toward the ball.

Backhand Push

The backhand push returns short balls, and prevents your opponent from making an
attacking return. As with the backhand drive, your body should be positioned in line with
the ball, rather than reaching to the side with your arm.

Forehand Push

The forehand push is also designed for returning short balls and preventing attacking
shots. Like the forehand drive, you stand with the dominant foot slightly back, and rotate
the upper body to accentuate the motion of the paddle. However, unlike the forehand
drive, you do a smaller backswing, rotating your wrist forward through the range of
motion, and keep your paddle open to brush beneath the ball.

Serving

A table tennis serve is the final basic skill, and it’s a crucial skill since the serve is the
only time you have complete control of the ball and the game. There are a number of
different types of serves each with different pros and cons but the basics remain the
same.
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Serve

To serve in table tennis:

1. Balance the ball on the palm of your free hand with the hand open.

2. Throw the ball vertically upward so that it rises at least 6 inches above
your hand.

3. As the ball drops, hit it with your chosen stroke, ensuring that it bounces
on your side of the table, goes over the net, and bounces on your
opponent’s side of the table.

Video clips you can visit for more information and study:

https://youtu.be/zSKpxB3OB8 - Rules | Table Tennis

https://youtu.be/ZpAlOwKu8fg - Table Tennis Tutorial
https://youtu.be/xnMf8J6UFZs - Basic Skills | Table Tennis
https://youtu.be/s9ELscafqVs - Service | Table Tennis

References you can visit for more information and study:

https://www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-table-tennis.htm - History of Table

Tennis
https://www.allabouttabletabletennis.com/olympic-games-table-tennis-events.html -
Table Tennis Events
https://www.pongworld.com/table-tennis-sportt/rules - Basic Rules | Table Tennis
https://www.tabletennisspot.com/basic-types-of-table-equipment/ - Facilities and
Equipment | Table Tennis
https://pingpongruler.com/basic-table-tennis-skills/ - Basic Skills | Table Tennis