Name: Omar R.
Sabdullah
Year/Section: BSChe2
1. Brief history of Table Tennis
Table Tennis or Ping Pong was invented in the 1880s., during that time the
players of lawn tennis had to learn to play indoors during the winter period. Ping-Pong as a
name was regarded as the trademark name for table tennis. The English firm J. Jaques and
son invented the name “Ping-Pong” towards the end of the 1800s. 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.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was founded in 1926. Table tennis was
firmly on the map, and on April 24, 1927, the English Table Tennis Association was born,
under the chairmanship and direction of Ivor Montague, son of Lord Ewatthling. During the
1930s, the popularity of table tennis waned in the Soviet Union. The 1950s saw the game
turned upside down by the invention of the sponge or sandwich rubber, this new material for
bats, which, up until now, had been a relatively simple affair with a universal thin covering
of pimpled rubber. Table tennis is among the sports contested at the
Summer Olympic Games. It was introduced at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South
Korea, where singles and doubles tournaments were held for both genders. The doubles
events were dropped from the 2008 Summer Olympics program and replaced by team events.
In 2014 all events had to be played with an improved poly material ball.
2. Definition of Table Tennis
Table tennis is an indoor or outdoor game that is played with rackets and a light
elastic ball by two players or pairs of players on a level court (as of clay or grass) divided by
a low net. The object is to hit the ball so that it goes over the net and bounces on the
opponent’s half of the table in such a way that the opponent cannot reach it or return it
correctly.
3. Facilities and Equipment
FOUR MAIN PIECES OF EQUIPMENT IN TABLE TENNIS
3.1 BALL
The ball that is used in the game is a 2.7 gram, 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.
3.2 RUBBER, RACKET 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.
3.3 TABLE TENNIS TABLE
According to the International Table Tennis Federation, the official tables that should be
used in international leagues or competitions must be 9 ft. Long, 5 ft. Wide, and must be installed
about 30 inches high from the ground. The table or playing surface is uniformly dark colored and
matte, and it is divided into two halves by a net at 15.25 cm (6.0 in) in height. Unlike other
equipment, you can get this unit with different colors ranging from green, blue, and black, among
others. Since the colors are of various types, you would be able to choose the model that
completes the look of your game.
3.4 NET AND POST
A rectangular net is used to separate the two sides of a Tennis court. 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.
OTHER EQUIPMENT
3.5 WRIST BANDS
Wrist bands are worn around wrists to prevent sweat from wetting the players’ palm or the
racket. A wet grip might not be strong.
3.6 HEADBAND
Headbands are used to absorb sweat. They also tie player’s hair away from their face. Any
tight cap made of absorbent material can also be used instead of a head band.
3.7 SHOES
Just running shoes don’t provide enough lateral support to players. Tennis shoes are
designed to give players better stability and prevent them from sliding while moving sideways.
3.8 DRESS
Men wear T-Shirts or shirts made of materials like polyester that does not absorb sweat
and keeps the player cool. They wear shorts that do not cover their knees.
FACILITIES
Table tennis tables are available in many different varieties and although table tennis is generally
played indoors, it can also be played outdoors. However, to play table tennis outdoors you'll need the right
type of table and the right weather conditions.
4. Rules and Regulation
4.1 GAMES ARE PLAYED TO 11 POINTS
A Game is played to 11 points. A Game must be won by two points. A Match is generally the best three
of five Games.
4.2 ALTERNATE SERVES EVERY TWO POINTS
Each side of the table alternates serving two points at a time. EXCEPTION: After tied 10-10 (“deuce”),
service alternates at every point. Can you lose on a serve in ping pong? Yes! There is no separate rule
for serving on Game Point.
4.3 TOSS THE BALL STRAIGHT UP WHEN SERVING
How do you serve the ball in ping pong? Hold the ball in your open palm, behind your end of the table.
Toss at least 6” straight up, and strike it on the way down. It must hit your side of the table and then the
other side. NOTE: Once the ball leaves the server’s hand it is in play, and so counts as the receiver’s
point if the ball is missed or mis-hit.
4.4 THE SERVE CAN LAND ANYWHERE IN SINGLES
There is no restriction on where the ball lands on your side or your opponent’s side of the table. It can
bounce two or more times on your opponent’s side (if so, that’s your point), bounce over the side, or
even hit the edge.
4.5 DOUBLES SERVES MUST GO RIGHT COURT TO RIGHT COURT
The serve must bounce in the server’s right court, and receiver’s right court (NOTE: landing on center
line is fair). Doubles partners switch places after their team serves twice.
4.6 A SERVE THAT TOUCHES THE NET ON THE WAY OVER IS A “LET”
Can the ball hit the net in ping pong? Yes, during a RALLY, if it touches the top of the net and then
otherwise lands as a legitimate hit. BUT not when serving. If a served ball hits the net on the way over
and otherwise legally bounces in play, it’s a “let” serve and is done over. There is no limit on how many
times this can happen.
4.7 ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY
Doubles partners must alternate hitting balls in a rally, no matter where the ball lands on the table.
4.8 VOLLEYS ARE NOT ALLOWED
Can you hit the ball before it bounces in ping pong? No. In regular tennis you may “volley” the ball
(hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the net). But in table tennis, this results in a point for
your opponent. NOTE: When your opponent hits a ball that sails over your end of the table without
touching it and then hits you or your paddle, that is still your point.
4.9 IF YOUR HIT BOUNCES BACK OVER THE NET BY ITSELF IT IS YOUR POINT
If you hit the ball in a rally or on a serve and it bounces back over the net after hitting your opponent’s
side of the table (due to extreme spin), without your opponent touching it, that is your point.
4.10 TOUCHING THE BALL WITH YOUR PADDLE HAND IS ALLOWED
What happens if the ball hits your finger or hand during a ping pong rally? If the ball touches your
PADDLE hand and otherwise results in a legal hit, there is no rule violation and play shall continue as
normal. Your paddle hand includes all fingers and hand area below the wrist. But what if the ball
touches a player’s body anywhere else during a ping pong rally? You may not touch the table with your
non-paddle hand for any reason. It will result in a point for your opponent. BUT if your opponent’s hit
sails over your side of the table without touching it, and hits any part of you or your paddle, that is still
your point.
4.11 YOU MAY NOT TOUCH THE TABLE WITH YOUR NON-PADDLE HAND
You may touch the ball or the table with your paddle hand (after reaching in to return a short serve, for
example), or other parts of your body. NOTE: If the table moves at all from your touching it during a
rally, that is your opponent’s point.
4.12 AN “EDGE” BALL BOUNCING OFF THE HORIZONTAL TABLE TOP SURFACE IS GOOD
An otherwise legal serve or hit may contact the top edge of the horizontal table top surface and be
counted as valid, even if it bounces sidewise. The vertical sides of the table are NOT part of the legal
playing surface.
4.13 HONOR SYSTEM APPLIES TO DISAGREEMENTS
If no referee is present during a match and the players disagree on a certain call, the “honor system”
applies and the players should find a way to agree, or play the point over. Ping pong carries a tradition
of fierce but fair play. Help us keep it that way!
5. Types of grip
This hold got its name, as it resembles holding a pen. Here the player’s middle, ring, little fingers are curled
around the racquet. This style of holding the racquet is called Chinese penholding. Even though many
players have this way of holding the racquet, their style of play is entirely different.
Shakehand grip looks easy and it is a very versatile style. So, it was started even in China and now, many
top-level Chinese players also use this technique. Apparently, players feel this technique easier than
penhold, as it gives a wide scope of play.
Seemiller
This grip is named after Danny Seemiller, as he was the one who used this technique. To have this kind of
grip, one should place the thumb and index finger on either side of the racquet and the rest of the fingers
should be placed at the bottom part. This method is used to distract the opponent, as contrasting rubbers
can be placed on both the sides of the blade. This technique gives great loops on the forehand side.
6. Offensive and defensive strokes of table tennis
Offensive Strokes: It is the stroke where 5 conditions occur and these are as following:
Speed Drive: This stroke is generally used to keep the ball in play, apply pressure on the opponent and
potentially opening up an opportunity for a powerful attack. It is a direct hit propelling it forward back to the
opponent. In this the racket is primarily perpendicular to the direction of stroke after that the energy is
applied to the ball that results in speed rather than the spin that creates a shot that does not create arc but
it is fast enough and difficult to make return by the opponent.
Loop: It is considered as the reverse of speed drive, in this the racket is parallel to the direction of the
stroke and then the racket hit the ball that results in creating topspin. A good loop will make arc quite a bit
and once striking from the opponent’s side of the table will jump forward.
Counter Drive: The counter drives are considered as the high loop drives; in this the racket is closest to the
ball and hit immediately after hitting the table so that the ball travels faster to the other side.
Flick: When a player tries to hit the ball that has not bounced to the edge of table and player does not have
the room to wind up in a backswing. After that the ball still be attacked and resulting a shot called flick
because the backswing is converted into quick wrist action and that stroke can be resemble as drive or
loop.
Smash: This stroke is used by player when his opponent returned a ball that bounces too high or too close
to the net and then player use large backswing and rapid acceleration that results as much speed on the
ball as possible. The main goal of smash is to get the ball to move so quickly that the opponent cannot
simply return it.
Defensive Strokes: In this stroke 4 conditions occur and these are as following:
Push: It is used to keep the point alive and create offensive opportunities and it resembles tennis slice as
the racket cuts underneath the ball by communicating backspin and causing the ball to float slowly to the
other side of table. A push is difficult to attack because the backspin on the ball causes it to drop toward the
table upon striking the opponent’s racket. If you want to attack a push, a player must usually loop the ball
back over the net. As you are beginner, you must push the ball back again that results in pushing rallies but
remember if your opponent is good player, it would be the worst option for you because he will counter the
ball with a loop, in that case you must flip the ball when it is close to the net.
Chop: It is considered as a bigger, heavier push and can be taken well back from the table. In this stroke,
the racket face points must be horizontally and little bit upward and then the direction of stroke would be
straight down. If the ball comes with enormous amount of backspin, this kind of chop is difficult to return.
Block: It is a simple shot and executing by just placing the racket in front of the ball right after the ball
bounces that result in the ball to rebound back toward the opponent with same energy as it come in with. In
this situation, it is possible for an opponent to execute a perfect loop, drive or smash.
Lob: It is considered as the most impressive shot of the defensive stroke because it pushes the ball about
five meters in height towards the land on the opponent’s side of the table with spin. To execute this stroke,
players must firstly back off towards the table up to 4-6 meters and then the stroke consists of lifting the ball
to an enormous height before it falls back to the opponent’s side of the table. It is considered as the best
shot that can have any kind of spin.
All good players used these both strokes Offensive and Defensive for better representation and become
winner. If you are beginner, you would learn all these skills by just doing practice, practice and practice.
7. Officials in the game or tournament
Officials in Table Tennis are divided into two categories Umpires and Referees. Umpires
control a match, whilst Referees control a tournament. a referee is appointed with a deputy who can act
on their behalf. The referee is required to be present at the venue throughout a tournament and is
required to uphold the rules. During a table tennis match, an umpire is appointed to decide on the result
of each point or rally. The umpire is required to use their judgement when applying the laws and
regulations of the ITTF.
8. 10 important terminology used in table tennis
1 Heavy − Used to describe a strong spin.
2 Blade − Wooden part of the racquet.
3 Anti-spin − A defense spin used to confuse the opponent or even as a reaction to one strong spin.
Top-level players rarely use this technique, but it is very famous among amateurs. Player uses
the pimpled side of rubber of racquet.
4 Inverted rubber − Smooth side of rubber which is used to play and the pimpled side is glued to bat.
The smooth side gives more spin as there is a larger contact area.
5 Pimples (Pips) − Rubber side of the racquet that gives different spin effects unlike inverted rubber.
There is no much contact surface on this side of the racquet.
6 Crossover − Change of stroke from forehand to backhand. A player needs to change his/her
stroke as this is often an easy target for attack. It is not easy to return a service in this area.
7 Tight − A strong return which is difficult for the opponent to handle. It is usually a combination of
spin and strong stroke
8 Sandwich rubber − This is to describe inverted rubber with sponge.
9 Speed glue − As the name, it is a glue with high volatile solvents, used to glue sponge of rubber to
the blade (the wooden part of racquet). It increases the speed of stroke.
10 Third ball − This is a stroke that’s hit by server in response to the opponent’s stroke after serve.
This is the first attacking stroke in table tennis rally.
