TABLE TENNIS

DOUBLES
 INTRODUCTION

The doubles game in table tennis can be more

exciting than singles. Some players enjoy the
“team” aspect, as well as the faster movement
involved and the emphasis on ball placement.

Although the rules between singles and

doubles are essentially the same, there are
some subtle differences in terms of tactics and
gameplay. That’s why a well-trained
partnership can often defeat a team of higher-
skilled players who have not practiced much
together.

2
HISTORY
The roots of table tennis originate from Victorian England and go to British India
where British officials played similar variants of the modern sport by stacking up a
row of books as nets and using two more books as rackets to hit a golf ball.

The name ping pong and table tennis were synonymous until 1901 when a
trademark made it brand specific for J. Jaques & Son Ltd (who later sold it to parker
brothers). Thus, several companies, manufacturers, and associations were forced to
change their names from "ping pong" to "table tennis".

Another revolutionary change in the sport of table tennis came 1901, when James W
Gibb, a British sports enthusiast, invented and introduced the celluloid balls.

The first table tennis governing body, called the Table Tennis Association, was
founded in 1921, while the ITTF was founded in 1926.

3
 OBJECTIVE

To hit the ball over and across the net on the

opponent’s side of the table so that the
opponent can’t return the ball and score a
point.

4
RULES

2.
A doubles pair must strike the ball alternately.
This makes doubles challenging. None of that
1. front court/back court tennis nonsense.
The service must go diagonally, from the
server’s right-hand side to the receivers right-
hand side. This stops you from getting the
opposing pair tangled up before they’ve even
hit a ball.
3.
At the change of service, the previous receiver
becomes the new server and the partner of the
previous server becomes the receiver. This
makes sure everybody does everything. After
eight points you’re back to the start of the
cycle.

5
SERVICE
Unlike the singles game where the ball can bounce anywhere on the table during service,
in doubles, the ball can only bounce on the right half portion of the table for both the
server and the receiver.

Like the singles game, the service still alternates every two points between teams, but it
also alternates between players on the same team.

Once your team has finished your two serves, you swap sides with your partner. The
person you were serving to now serves and your partner is the new receiver.

6
ORDER OF PLAY
Doubles matches have a certain order of play that must be followed.

- Imagine two teams ... players A & B and players X & Y.

- Player A serves to player X who then returns the ball. Player B must then play
the next shot and player Y the shot after.

- This pattern goes on (A, X, B, Y) until the point is decided.

- If the wrong player makes the return, the team loses the point.

7
CHANGE OF SERVICE
At each change of service, the last receiver shall become the server and the
partner of the previous server shall become the receiver. For example, a
correct pattern would be:

- Player A has played his two serves to player X

- Player X then plays his two serves to player B.
- Player B will then play his two serves to Player Y
- player Y will play his two serves to Player A.

Player A will then restart the sequence all over again and the sequence will
repeat itself until a changeover or the end of the game.

8
CHANGE OF ENDS

A changeover occurs when one team has scored 5 points. This will also change
up the order of receiving.

For instance, players A & B score 5 points first, whilst A is serving to X. After
changing ends, player A will serve to player Y for the remainder of the game.

9
Here are five quick tips to remember the
next time you play doubles:

1.
When serving, remember that your partner, not you, will be
making the third stroke. That’s why you should always try to
use services that will help set up your partner's best attacks. 4.

You should always aim attacks at either the weaker player
or the one who’ve just made a shot from the other team. In
2. the second scenario, the receiver may be blocked by his
teammate in the process.
Give hand signals to your partner on the serve you’re about
to make, so that he’ll be prepared for the next shot.

5.
3. If you are a good player teamed up with a weaker player,
your job is to make as many strong attacks as you can, so
Make your serve, step to the right side of the table and let
that your partner hopefully will get a weak return that he
your partner move to the centre. Watch your partner make
can handle easily.
his shot and slide to the left of the table, while you move
back into the centre.

10