Table Tennis

The exact origin of table tennis is not known, but the game became popular in England and the
United States in the late 19 th century. Commercial interest in England and the United States
popularized it under the trade name “ Pingpong,” and in the early 20th century the game sensationally
popular.
At the game, when a web-covered ball was used, the game was also called “ Whiff-whaff and
gossima”. The racket originally was a somewhat clumsy, paddle-shaped frame with a drumhead skin
stretched tightly across it. This racket was superseded about 1902 by the wooden paddle with stippled
rubber face, and about the same time celluloid ball was introduced.
In 1926 the International Table Tennis Federation was organized. In the same year, international
team competition was inaugurated when Lady Swaythling of England donated the Swaythling Cup,
which is like the Davis Cup in lawn tennis. Probably the best-known player to win the world
championship singles title in table tennis was Fred Perry of England, who later won greater renown in
lawn tennis.
Although sponge racket were being developed by John Jacques and Company as early as 1928,
the players had limited success with them. Before 1937, certain players used to combine the effects of
the “fingerspin” service with their sponge rackets to produce some surprising results in leading
competitions. Their services were almost unplayable and the rallies were usually very short.
In 1950’s there was the introduction of a new stroke. It was really an exaggerated topspin where
there was a greater preparation, follow-through and wrist action. The ball was given a finer touch and
the stroke was nearer to the vertical plane. The lop drive in simpler form had arrived. It had almost
probably been first thought of because players were getting used to their opponent’s services and
were able to return them in such a position that the server could not follow-up a smash.

Facilities and Equipment

The Table
The table shall be in surface rectangular, 2.74 m. in length and 1.52 m in width; it shall be
supported so that upper surface termed the surface, shall lie in a horizontal plane 760mm above the
floor. The upper surface of the table, known as the playing surface, shall be rectangular 9 ft (2.74m)
in length and 5ft (1.52m) in width. The playing surface shall be in horizontal plane 2ft 6 inches
(76cm) above the floor. The playing surface shall be divided into 2 equal courts by a vertical not
running parallel with the end lines and shall be continuous over the whole area of each court.

The Net
The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each to an upright post 15.25 cm high, the
outside limits of the post being 15.25cm outside line. The top of the net along its whole length shall
be 15.25 cm above the playing surface and the bottom of the net shall be as possible to the playing
surface along its whole length and the ends of the net shall be as close as possible to the supporting
post.

The Ball
The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 38mm. It shall be made of celluloid or similar
plastic, white, yellow, and matt. It weighs 2.5 grams.

The Racket
The racket may be of any size, shape or weight. Its blade shall be flat and rigid. At least 85% of
the blade by thickness shall be of natural wood. An adhesive player, within the blade may be
reinforce with fibrous material such as carbon fiber, glass fiber or compressed paper but shall not be
thicker than 7.5% of the total thickness or .35mm whichever is the smaller.

BASIC SKILL TECHNIQUES

Forehand Grip- The short handle of the racket is gripped very close to the blade. The thumb and
forefinger brace opposite sides of the blade. The index finger is placed behind the blade for support.
Backhand Grip- This grip is the same as the forehand grip except that the thumb is at the back of the
blade.
Penholder Grip- The racket is held almost vertically downward with the forefinger and the thumb
toward each other. This grip is no longer recommended in a good table tennis game.

SERVICE
Service shall begin with the ball resting on the palm of the free hand, which shall be stationary,
open and flat with the fingers together and the thumb free. The free hand, at the time of contact and of
ball, shall be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server’s end time.
The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards by hand only and without imparting
spin, so that it raises at least 16cm. after leaving the palm of the free hand. As the ball is falling from
the highest point of its trajectory the server shall strike it so that: in singles, it touches first his court
and then, passing directly over or around the net assembly, touches the receiver’s court, in doubles, It
touches first his right half court and then, passing directly over or around the net assembly, touches
the receiver’s right half court.

TERMINOLOGIES

Stroke- any shot used in the game, including the serve

Serve- it begins with the ball being tossed from the palm of the hand and struck by the racket.
Server- the server is the player due to strike the ball first in rally.
Receive- the return of a serve.
Receiver- the receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in rally.
Match- a two out of three contest.
Block- a quick, off the bounce return of an aggressive drive done by holding the racket in the ball’s
path.
Default- being disqualified for a match for any person.
Forehand- any shot done with racket to the right of the right elbow for a right- handler, to the left for
a left handler.
Backhand- any shot done with racket to the left of the left elbow for a right- handler, to the left for a
left handler.
Rally- the hitting of the ball back and forth commencing with a serve and ending when a point in
won.
Let- a let is rally of which the result is not scored.
Point- a point is a rally of which the result is scored.
Racquet hand- the racquet hand is the hand carrying the racquet.
Free hand- the free hand is the hand not carrying the racquet.
Umpire- the official who keeps score and enforces rules during a match. He is the person appointed
to decide the result of each rally.

STROKES TECHNICS

Half Volley or Push Shot- the shot is the basic defensive shot. Meet the ball gently and push it back
over the net with the racket. The racket can be turned to either side and the shot can be angled to
deceive your opponent.

Forehand Top-Spin shot- This shot is the basic offensive drive accomplished by striking the ball
with a vigorous motion either on the dropping part bounce or at the height of the bounce. Make an
upward-forward movement of the racket in order to make a top spin. You can use this shot on high
bouncing returns. Be sure to put more weight on your forward foot to add power to the shot.
Back hand Drive- Hold your racket with the thumb supporting the blade and make a shot drive by
swinging your arm across the body to hit the ball on its rising part of the bounce. Snap your wrist at
end of the drive.
Forehand Chop- This is a defensive stroke executed with a hatchet- chopping movement. The
movement of the racket begins by hitting the ball forward- downward and finish with your arm
extended in front of you. Cut the ball with the blade down behind and under the ball so that it spins as
it leaves the racket. This is done with much speed making it difficult for the opponent to return the
ball.

Back hand Chop- This stroke is the opposite of the forehand stroke. It is shorter and needs a strong
use of the forearm and wrist. Starts the stroke from a chin- height and end at about the waist height.
Drop Shot- This stoke is executed by swinging the racket as if making a drive but stopping the
forward motion as the racket is almost hitting the ball and let the ball hit the racket instead.
Smash Shot- From a height of about 2ft, hit straight forward and downward without spin. This is a
kill.

BASIC TABLE TENNIS RULES

1. Preliminary matches are usually the best of 3 or 5 games. Championship matches are often the
best of 7 or 9 games.
2. After deciding the serve, each player will serve two (2) points each.
3. If a player serves a net ball (called a let serve), the point is played. (There are no limits to the
number of let serves a player may serve.)
4. The server in singles can serve anywhere: short, long, straight, or cross-court. Only in doubles do
you have to serve diagonally from your right court to the opponent’s right court.
5. If you volley the ball while it is still above the table surface, you lose the point.
6. If you move the table, or touch it with your free hand, during thee rally, you lose a point.
7. If your clothing touches the net or post during the rally, you lose the point.
8. if you hit the ball twice in succession, you lose the point.
9. If your shot hits a wall, the ceiling, or misses the opponent’s side of the table, you lose the point.
10. Change ends of the table after each game.
11. The player who serves at the beginning of a game is the receiver at the beginning of the next
game.
12. If your opponent distracts you by talking or yelling while the ball is in play, play a let.
13. At 10-10, the score is called “Deuce”. A player must then win by 2 points. Alternates serve until
one player has a 2 point lead.
14. Games are played to 11 point.
15. Shake hands after every match to show good sportsmanship.