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

Table tennis equipment is relatively simple and inexpensive. The table is rectangular, 9 feet by 5
feet (2.7 meters by 1.5 meters), its upper surface a level plane 30 inches (76 cm) above the
floor. The net is 6 feet (1.8 meters) 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 colored 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 rubber and may have the pimples reversed. Whatever combination
is used, each of the two sides of a paddle must be different in color. The racket may be any
size, weight, or shape.

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.
Interest to the spectator lies in observing the ability of one player to defeat another by well-
thought-out strategy. Increasing the speed of the game, slowing it down, varying the direction of
or imparting different spin or pace to the ball, and employing gentle drop shots over the net
when the opponent is out of position are some of the tactics that may be used to support the
strategy planned.

Slow or defensive play at one time was so dominant that, at the 1936 world championships in
Prague, an hour was needed to decide a single point. Play is now restricted. If a game is
unfinished 15 minutes after it has begun, the rest of that game and the remaining games of the
match proceed under the Expedite System. Thereafter if the service and 13 following strokes of
the server are returned by the receiver, the server loses the point. The service changes after
each point.
Table tennis may be played with one player at each end of the table or with two players at each
end who may be both men or both women or one of each. Worldwide, the women’s game is
comparable in organization to the men’s, and women take part in world championships and all
other organized events. Table tennis as well as being fully organized is also extremely popular
as a recreational game and is so played in all types of sports clubs, social clubs, and game
rooms, in the home, and even out-of-doors when conditions are reasonably calm.
Table Dimensions:
273 cm (L) x 152.5 cm (W) x 76 cm (H)
Table Tennis Racket

Table Tennis | Ping Pong Paddles are laminated rubber sponge covered wooden
rackets comprised of a blade and a handle. The ping pong blade refers to the upper wooden
portion of the racket that is built up with one to seven layers (piles) of wood, cork, glass fiber,
carbon fiber, aluminum fiber, and Kevlar customized for various play styles. Players looking for
more ‘control’ of the ball should choose a thinner sponge thickness between .06”-.07” | 1.5-1.9
mm, while players looking for a more offensive play style should select a thicker sponge of
larger than .08” | 2.0 mm. Table tennis | ping pong paddles have an average blade length of 6.7”
| 17 cm, an average blade width of 5.9” ).| 15 cm, an overall length between 9.45”-10.25” | 240-
260 mm, and weigh in the range of 2.47-3.53 oz | 70-100 g (overall).

Ping Pong Ball

Table Tennis | Ping pong balls are spherical polymer balls fabricated specifically for
the sport. Established under international rules at a diameter of 1.57” | 40 mm (circumference of
4.94” | 125.6 mm) and mass of .095 oz| 2.7 g, ping pong balls are colored as either white or
orange depending on the table surface and game style. White balls are official tournament balls
and pair well with blue or green tables, while orange balls are used for casual games as they
are easier to see in most settings. Table tennis balls are rated with a star system to denote
quality—one star being the softest and easiest to break while three stars is the most durable
and approved for tournament play. The official table ping pong ball has changed over the years
from a composition of celluloid to polymer and from a size of 1.5” | 38 mm to 1.57” | 40 mm.