Physical Education 3 Page 1 of 6

Table Tennis History

LESSON PROPER

Let’s Begin!

Module 9: Table Tennis History, Facilities and Equipment

Table tennis is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight ball back and forth to each other
with rackets. The game takes place on the table divided by a net. Players must allow a ball played towards
them only one bounce on their side of the table and must return it so that it bounces on the opponent’s side.
If the ball doesn’t land on the opponent’s side then it’s a dead ball unless the other opponent hit the ball with
their racket. Play is fast and demands quick reactions. Skills players can impart spin to the ball, which makes
its bounce and its reaction on the opponent’s racket difficult to predict or return with confidence.

HISTORY

Many people hold the wrong notion that table tennis originated in China, because the Chinese name ping
pong is also used for the sport and because the Chinese dominate the game nowadays. However, ping pong
was actually started by the upper class Victorian gentlemen in the 1880s in England, as an after dinner indoor
relaxation, mimicking outdoor tennis. They used day-to-day objects, like using a line of books as the net, a
knot of strings or a rounded top of a Champagne bottle cork as the ball and a cigar box lid as the racket.

The name ‘ping pong’ was derived from the sound when the sport was played. That name was trademarked
by an English table tennis equipment manufacturer, J. Jacques & Son Ltd. in 1901.

The name, ping pong, was used when the sport was played with the expensive Jacques equipment, while
other manufacturers called their equipment as table tennis equipment. Later, Jacques sold the rights of ping
pong to Parker Brothers in the United States. However, nowadays, ping pong is used as a generic name for
table tennis. In 1901, an English table tennis enthusiast, James Gibb, visited the United States and
discovered celluloid balls, finding them ideal for the game.

In 1903, E.C. Goode fixed a sheet of stippled or pimpled rubber sheet to the wooden blade and the modern
racket was born. In 1902, an unofficial world championship was held. In 1921, the Table Tennis Association
was founded in England. The International Table Tennis Federation was formed in 1926 and the first official
world table tennis championship was held in London in 1927. Table Tennis made An Olympic debut in the
Summer Olympics held in Seoul South Korea in 1988. In the 1940s, sports goods manufacturers, S.W.
Hancock Ltd., introduced rackets that had a rubber sheet along with an underlying sponge layer. This
facilitated play with greater spin and speed. In 1949, Johnny Leach won the World Championships using a
Hancock racket.
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Table Tennis History
Different names of Table Tennis
Ping Pong
Gossima
Table Tennis
Whiff Waff
Parlour Tennis
Indoor Tennis
Royal Game

Rule Chances

This resulted in matches that were played at tremendous pace. When the television viewers started growing
more and more in numbers, a demand for slowing down the game started to emerge. With the purpose of
achieving this, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) introduced several measures at the end of
2000, to slow down the game. The 21 point game to a first to eleven points game, unless both players reach
10 points, at which point it follows the tennis format of a player needing to reach a 2 point lead for victory —
although the 21 point game is still widely played at recreational level.
The ball size was increased from 38 mm diameter to 40 mm diameter, so that the air resistance on the ball
increased, slowing down the pace of the game. The ITTF also changed the rules on service to prevent a
player from hiding the ball during service, in order to increase the average length of rallies and to reduce the
server's advantage, effective in 2002.
There is no need to spend a lot of money to equip yourself to play the table tennis. It only become
expensive if you have to by your own table. However, you will probably find that local center or sports hall
will have several tables available for hire at very little cost. As a bare minimum, you should be able to get
away with just a racket and a pair of comfortable lightweight training shoes.

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

The Table
In the table shall be made of any material and shall yield a uniform bounce of not less than 220 mm,
and not more than 250 mm, when a standard ball is dropped form a height of 305 mm, above its surface.
The playing surface shall be dark-colored, preferably dark blue, dark green and matt, with a white line of 20
mm, broad along edge. The lines at the 1.525 m. edges, or ends, shall be termed as end line and the lines
at the 2.74. Edges or side, shall be termed as side lines.
The upper surface of the table, Known as the playing surface, shall be rectangular 9 feet ( 2.74m ) in length
and 5 feet ( 1.52m ) in width. The playing surface shall be in horizontal plane 2ft. 6 inches (76 cm.) above the
floor.
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Table Tennis History

Table Tennis Table

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_tennis#:~:text=Diagram%20of%20a%20table%20tennis%20table%20showing%2
0the%20official%20dimensions

Playing Area
These are the minimum size dimensions you’ll need for the playing area, based on the standard of
competition being played: International Events, World Championships & Olympic Games 14m x 7m (46 feet
x 23 feet) National tournaments 12m x 6m (40 feet x 20 feet) National league / Representative matches
10m x 5m (33 feet x 16 feet 6 inches) Local league / Local tournaments 9m x 5m (30 feet x 16 feet 6 inches)
Recreational play and coaching 8.5m x 4.12m (28 feet x 13 feet 6 inches).

The Ball
A 40 mm table tennis ball is shower and spins less than the original 38 mm
(1.5 mm) one the ball is made of a high-bouncing air-filled Celluloid or similar plastic material and 2.7 grams
of weight white of orange color, with a matte finish.

Racket/ Bat/Paddle
Players are equipped with a wooden blade covered with rubber on one or two sides depending on
the grip of the player. This is called either a paddle, racket or bat depending on where in the world the game
is being play. In the USA the term “paddle” is common, in Europe the term is “bat” and the official ITTF the
term “racket”. This section use the ITTF term.
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Table Tennis History

Parts of the racket

Source: https://www.playeronsite.com/what-makes-table-tennis-racket-different/

Three Components of the racket

1. Blade - the body of the paddle without any rubber attached. Though wood is the main component,
there are many different materials that a blade can be made from. Carbon fiber is an emerging
favorite, as are other synthetic materials, where these materials are layered along with different types
of wood to create a carefully tailored piece of equipment.
2. Rubber - attached to both sides of the paddle (some styles require rubber on only one side). Rubber
is chosen based upon the characteristics of each sheet of rubber and can also be tailored to the
player’s style. There is great variety in rubber which can greatly affect spin, speed, and control.
3. Glue - adheres the rubber to the blade can also be important. The glue and the process of connecting
the rubber to the blade are important to ensure a consistent surface for striking the ball, and also to
protect the equipment as most tournament players change rubber frequently, much as tournament
tennis players replace strings on tennis rackets.
The Net
The net is 1.68 m/6 ft length and 15.75 cm/6 inches width is suspended across the center of the table
by a cord attached to a post at either end and thus divided the playing surface into two equal courts.

Types of Net Assembly

1. The most widely use variety are hand tightened screw clamp. These provide the best stability and
adjustment capability.
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Table Tennis History

Hand Tightened Screw clamp

Source: https://www.newitts.com/table-tennis-net-and-post-sets

2. Spring net assemblies use a spring loaded clip to attach the net assembly to the table. This type of table
tennis net are easy to attach to a table, and to take off.

Spring-Loaded Clip
Source: https://www.table-tennis-tables.co.uk/butterfly-clip-deluxe-table-tennis
3. Outdoor tables generally have a net assembly which is permanently affixed to the table. These are
usually only the same width as the table, five feet long rather than the official length of six feet.

Permanently Affixed
Source: https://www.kickerkult.de/joola-table-tennis-net-externa/city
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Table Tennis History

Parts of Net Assembly

1. Upright post
2. Height adjuster
3. Horizontal part of the net post
4. Attaching system(Clamp)

Parts of Net Assembly

Source:https://www.allabouttabletennis.com/table-tennis

The Clothing
With the exception of footwear, white clothing is not permitted in table tennis because it is difficult to
see the ball against it. It is now usual to play in dark colored short and shirt, with white shoes and socks. If
your budget permits it, a track suit is ideal for a pre-match warning-up. The golden rule with any sports
clothing is that it should be comfortable and allow you to move freely.
The Footwear
Look for lightweight training shoes which will grip the floor well. They should have good support
around both the heels and instep to prevent injury. Keep clear of shoes which are clumsy and heavy: table
tennis is a game of nimble footwork, and the shoes you choose help you, not hinder you. Use absorbent
socks-natural fibers rather than synthetic. The type with a looped pile is particularly comfortable and copes
well with moisture.