TABLE TENNIS

BRIEF HISTORY OF TABLE TENNIS

EQUIPMENT
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES
RULES OF THE GAME
 IS A SPORT IN WHICH TWO OR FOUR PLAYERS HIT A
LIGHTWEIGHT BALL BACK WITH RACKETS(ALSO KNOWN
AS RACQUETS AND SOMETIMES RUBBERED BATS OR
PADDLES).
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE GAME IS TO HIT THE BALL BY A
RACKET AND RETURN IT TO THE OPPONENT OVER THE NET.
THE COMMON NAME OF THIS GAME IS PING-PONG.
TABLE TENNIS IS A RELATIVELY NEW SPORT. IT WAS FIRST
CONCEIVED BY A BRITISH OFFICER IN 1881. HE USED A
DINING TABLE AND FILED A SET OF BOOKS AT THE MIDDLE
OF THE TABLE.
• EVOLVED ALONG WITH BADMINTON AND LAWN TENNIS
IN 1880’S.

• CHANGES STARTED IN 1900 WHEN CELLULOID BALL WAS

USED AND NAME CHANGED TO PING-PONG DUE TO SOUND
OF BALL

• IN 1901, THE GAME WAS ALSO KNOWN AS “WHIFF

WHAFF”, “FLIM-FLAM” AND “GOSSIMA”.
• THE GAME LOST ITS POPULARITY IN 1904 BECAUSE
THE COST OF THE RACKET AND THE BALL WENT HIGH.
WHEN IT REGAINED ITS POPULARITY IN 1922,
DIFFERENT NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS WERE FORMED IN
1926.
ITTF
THE ITTF WAS FOUNDED IN 1926 BY WILLIAM HENRY LAWES OF WYMONDHAM, THE NINE FOUNDING
MEMBERS BEING AUSTRIA, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, DENMARK, ENGLAND, GERMANY, HUNGARY, INDIA, SWEDEN
AND WALES. THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT WAS HELD IN JANUARY 1926 IN BERLIN WHILE THE
FIRST WORLD TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS WAS HELD IN DECEMBER 1926 IN LONDON.
TOWARD THE END OF 2000, THE ITTF INSTITUTED SEVERAL RULES CHANGES AIMED AT MAKING TABLE
TENNIS MORE VIABLE AS A TELEVISED SPECTATOR SPORT. THE OLDER 38 MM BALLS WERE OFFICIALLY
REPLACED BY 40 MM BALLS.[3] THIS INCREASED THE BALL'S AIR RESISTANCE AND EFFECTIVELY SLOWED
DOWN THE GAME.
ITTF
ON 29 FEBRUARY 2008, THE ITTF ANNOUNCED SEVERAL RULES CHANGES AFTER AN ITTF EXECUTIVE
MEETING IN GUANGZHOU, GUANGDONG, CHINA WITH REGARDS TO A PLAYER'S ELIGIBILITY TO PLAY FOR A
NEW ASSOCIATION. THE NEW RULING IS TO ENCOURAGE ASSOCIATIONS TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN PLAYERS.
THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE ITTF IS IN LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND. THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT OF THE ITTF
WAS ADHAM SHARARA FROM CANADA; THE CURRENT PRESIDENT SINCE 2014 IS THOMAS WEIKERT FROM
GERMANY.
THE TABLE
• THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE TABLE, KNOWN AS THE PLAYING SURFACE, SHALL BE RECTANGULAR, 2.74M LONG AND 1.525M
WIDE, AND SHALL LIE IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE 76CM ABOVE THE FLOOR.
• THE PLAYING SURFACE SHALL NOT INCLUDE THE VERTICAL SIDES OF THE TABLETOP.
• THE PLAYING SURFACE MAY BE OF ANY MATERIAL AND SHALL YIELD A UNIFORM BOUNCE OF ABOUT 23CM WHEN A
STANDARD BALL IS DROPPED ON TO IT FROM A HEIGHT OF 30CM.
• THE PLAYING SURFACE SHALL BE UNIFORMLY DARK COLOURED AND MATT, BUT WITH A WHITE SIDE LINE, 2CM WIDE, ALONG
EACH 2.74M EDGE AND A WHITE END LINE, 2CM WIDE, ALONG EACH 1.525M EDGE.
• THE PLAYING SURFACE SHALL BE DIVIDED INTO 2 EQUAL COURTS BY A VERTICAL NET RUNNING PARALLEL WITH THE END
LINES, AND SHALL BE CONTINUOUS OVER THE WHOLE AREA OF EACH COURT.
• FOR DOUBLES, EACH COURT SHALL BE DIVIDED INTO 2 EQUAL HALF-COURTS BY A WHITE CENTRE LINE, 3MM WIDE, RUNNING
PARALLEL WITH THE SIDE LINES; THE CENTRE LINE SHALL BE REGARDED AS PART OF EACH RIGHT HALF-COURT.
T
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NET ASSEMBLY
• THE NET ASSEMBLY SHALL CONSIST OF THE NET, ITS SUSPENSION AND THE SUPPORTING POSTS,
INCLUDING THE CLAMPS ATTACHING THEM TO THE TABLE.
• THE NET SHALL BE SUSPENDED BY A CORD ATTACHED AT EACH END TO AN UPRIGHT POST 15.25CM HIGH,
THE OUTSIDE LIMITS OF THE POST BEING 15.25CM OUTSIDE THE SIDE LINE.
• THE TOP OF THE NET, ALONG ITS WHOLE LENGTH, SHALL BE 15.25CM ABOVE THE PLAYING SURFACE.
• THE BOTTOM OF THE NET, ALONG ITS WHOLE LENGTH, SHALL BE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE PLAYING
SURFACE AND THE ENDS OF THE NET SHALL BE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE SUPPORTING POSTS.
N
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RACKET
• THE RACKET MAY BE OF ANY SIZE, SHAPE OR WEIGHT BUT THE BLADE SHALL BE FLAT
AND RIGID.
• AT LEAST 85% OF THE BLADE BY THICKNESS SHALL BE OF NATURAL WOOD; AN
ADHESIVE LAYER WITHIN THE BLADE MAY BE REINFORCED WITH FIBROUS MATERIAL
SUCH AS CARBON FIBRE, GLASS FIBRE OR COMPRESSED PAPER, BUT SHALL NOT BE
THICKER THAN 7.5% OF THE TOTAL THICKNESS OR 0.35MM, WHICHEVER IS THE
SMALLER.
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BALL
• THE MASS SHOULD BE 2.7 GRAMS (0.095 OZ) AND A DIAMETER OF 40 MILIMETRES (1.57 IN).
• THE RULES SAY THAT THE BALL SHALL BOUNCE UP 24–26 CM (9.4–10.2 IN) WHEN DROPPED FROM A
HEIGHT OF 30.5 CM (12.0 IN) ONTO A STANDARD STEEL BLOCK THEREBY HAVING A COEFFICIENT OF
RESTITUTION OF 0.89 TO 0.92.
• THE BALL IS MADE OF PLASTIC AS OF 2015, COLORED WHITE OR ORANGE, WITH A MATTE FINISH. THE
CHOICE OF BALL COLOR IS MADE ACCORDING TO THE TABLE COLOR AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
 A. GRIP AND RACKET CONTROL
1. ORTHODOX GRIP
> This is popularly used
worldwide. Grasps the
racket as if to shake hands
with it. It gives you the best
forehand and backhand.
 A. GRIP AND RACKET CONTROL
2. PENHOLD GRIP
> This is similar to holding a pen
between the thumb and
forefinger. The forefinger and
thumb reach over the shoulders
of the blade, with the other
fingers spread over the back.
B. STANCE AND FOOTWORK

BEGINNER’S STANCE IN SERVING

B. STANCE AND FOOTWORK

STANCE IN RECEIVING
B. STANCE AND FOOTWORK
C. SERVING
1. TOPSPIN SERVE

With either a forehand or

backhand stroke, the ball is
put into play by projecting
it upward from the flat free
hand.
C. SERVING
2. BACKSPIN SERVES
The ball is struck with a
downward, forward motion of
the racket. The racket face is
open (facing upward from the
tabletop and net).
 D. STROKES
1. PUSH SHOT

2. FOREHAND/BACKHAND
DRIVE

3. FOREHAND/BACKHAND
CHOP

4. SMASH SHOT
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE GAME IS TO HIT THE BALL WITH THE RACKET OR
PADDLE HELD IN THE HAND OVER THE NET.

STRIKING THE BALL BEFORE IT BOUNCES IS NOT ALLOWED.

WHOEVER COMMITS A MISTAKE LOOSES A POINT.

A PLAYER OR PAIR FIRST SCORING ELEVEN (11) POINTS IS THE WINNER OF

THE GAME.

A MATCH IS WON IN A THREE OUT OF FIVE GAMES.

 THE SERVICE
•Service shall start with the ball resting on the open palm of the
server’s stationary free hand.
•The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards,
without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16 cm after leaving the
palm.
•As the ball is falling, the server shall strike it so that it touches first
his court and then, after passing over or around the net assembly,
touches directly the receiver’s court, in doubles, the ball shall touch
successively the right half court of server and receiver.
 A POINT
 Failure to make a good service, unless a let is declared.
 Failure to make a good return of a good service or a good
return made by the opponent, unless a let is declared.
 If the player, the racket, or anything that the player wears or
carries touches the net or its support while the ball is in play.
 If the player’s free hand touches the playing surface while the
ball is in play.
IT IS A FAULT IF A PLAYER:
• FAILS TO MAKE A GOOD SERVICE.
• FAILS TO MAKE A GOOD RETURN.
• IF HE VOLLEYS OR OBSTRUCTS THE BALL.
• IF THE BALL TOUCHES HIS COURT TWICE SUCCESSIVELY.
• IF HE STRIKES THE BALL SUCCESSIVELY.
• IF HE STRIKES THE BALL WITH THE SIDE OF THE RACKET BLADE.
IT IS A FAULT IF A PLAYER:
• IF WHILE SERVING, HE OR HIS PARTNER STAMPS HIS FOOT.
• IF HE OR ANYTHING HE WEARS OR CARRIES, MOVES THE PLAYING SURFACE WHILE THE
BALL IS IN PLAY.
• IF HIS FREE HAND TOUCHES THE PLAYING SURFACE WHILE THE BALL IS IN PLAY.
• IF HE OR ANYTHING HE WEARS OR CARRIES, TOUCHES THE NET OR ITS SUPPORTS
WHILE THE BALL IS IN PLAY.
• IF IN DOUBLES, HE STRIKES THE BALL OUT OF SEQUENCE.
 A POINT
 If, before the ball in play has passed over the end lines or
sidelines, not yet having touched the playing surface on the
player’s side of the table after being struck by the opponent, it
comes in contact with the player or anything the player wears or
carries.
 If a player strikes the ball twice in succession.
 If the server (or partner) stamps a foot during the service.
 A LET
o If the served ball, in passing over the net, touches it or
its support.
o If a service is delivered when the receiver is not ready.
o If either player is prevented by an accident not under
his or her control from serving a good service or making
a good return.
 SCORING
A point is scored by the side that makes the last
successful return prior to the end of a rally. In an
unsuccessful return the ball is missed, struck with
the side of a racket blade having an illegal surface,
hit off the table, sent into the net, or hit onto the
player’s own half of the court on the return.
 IN PLAY
 It has touched one court twice consecutively.
 It has, except in service, touched each court
alternately without having been struck by the
racket immediately.
 It has been struck by either player more than
once consecutively
 IN PLAY
 It has touched either player or anything that the
player wears or carries, except the racket or racket
hand below the waist.
 On the volley it comes in contact with the racket or
the racket hand below the wrist.
 It has touched any object other than the net and
supports.
 THE ORDER OF
SERVING, RECEIVING, AND ENDS
 The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving, and
ends shall be decided by lot and the winner may choose to serve
or to receive first or to start at a particular end.
 When one player or pair has chosen to serve or to receive first or
to start at a particular end, the other player or pair shall have the
other choice.
 THE ORDER OF
SERVING, RECEIVING, AND ENDS
 After each two points have been scored, the receiving
player or pair shall become the serving player or pair
and so on until the end of the game, unless both players
or pairs score 10 points or the expedite system is in
operation, when the sequences of serving and receiving
shall be the same but each player shall serve for only
one point in turn.
 THE ORDER OF
SERVING, RECEIVING, AND ENDS
 In each game of doubles match, the pair having the right
to serve first shall choose which of them will do so and in
the first game of a match, the receiving pair shall decide
which of them will receive first; in subsequent games of
the match, the first server having been chosen, the first
receiver shall be the player who served to him in the
preceding game.
 THE ORDER OF
SERVING, RECEIVING, AND ENDS
 In doubles, at each change of service the previous receiver
shall become the server and the partner of the previous server
shall become the receiver.
 The player or pair serving first in a game shall receive first in
the next game of the match and in the last possible game of a
doubles match the pair due to the receive next shall change
their order of receiving when first one pair scores five points.
 THE ORDER OF
SERVING, RECEIVING, AND ENDS
 The player or pair starting at one end in a game
shall start at the other end in the next game of the
match and in the last possible game of a match
the players or pairs shall change ends when first
one player or pair scores five points.
TERMINOLOGIES
• •A LET IS A RALLY OF WHICH THE RESULT IS NOT SCORED.
• •A POINT IS A RALLY OF WHICH THE RESULT IS SCORED.
• •THE RACKET HAND IS THE HAND CARRYING THE RACKET.
• •THE FREE HAND IS THE HAND NOT CARRYING THE RACKET; THE FREE ARM IS THE ARM OF THE FREE HAND.
• THE SERVER IS THE PLAYER DUE TO STRIKE THE BALL FIRST IN A RALLY.
• •THE RECEIVER IS THE PLAYER DUE TO STRIKE THE BALL SECOND IN A RALLY.
• •THE UMPIRE IS THE PERSON APPOINTED TO CONTROL THE MATCH.
TERMINOLOGIES
BACKHAND-A SHOT DONE WITH THE RACKET TO THE LEFT OF THE ELBOW
FOR A RIGHT HANDER, THE REVERSE FOR A LEFTHANDER.
BLOCK-A QUICK, OFF THE BOUNCE RETURN OF AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVE DONE
BY JUST HOLDING THE RACKET IN THE BALL'S PATH.
BLADE-WOODEN PART OF BAT.
CHOP-A CHOP IS A HEAVY UNDER SPIN SHOT. I IT USUALLY EXECUTED AWAY
FROM THE TABLE AND BELOW THE TABLETOP. A CHOP FORCES THE BALL TO
DROP DOWNWARDS WHEN IT HITS AN OPPONENTS PADDLE.
TERMINOLOGIES
SHAKEHAND-THE MOST POPULAR GRIP. IT GIVES THE BEST BALANCE OF
FOREHAND AND BACKHAND.
STROKE-ANY SHOT USED IN THE GAME, INCLUDING THE SERVE.
 Chopper-A style of play where chopping is the primary shot.
 Drop shot-Short placement - very close to the net. A key point in making
a drop shot is to not allow the ball to fall off the table after the first
bounce. i.e. Drop shots should bounce at least twice on the opponents
side of the table before falling off.
TERMINOLOGIES
 Forehand-Any shot done with the racket to the right of the elbow for a
right hander, the reverse for a lefthander.
 Game Point-Last point of a game.

 Let-Service ball hitting the net or a distraction that causes the point
played over.
 Lob-Usually used when in the player is in the backcourt in a defensive
situation. The player hits the ball as high as he can - usually with a
combination of topspin and sidespin. The deeper the ball lands on the
table, the more difficult it will be for his opponent to smash.
TERMINOLOGIES
PADDLE-SAME AS RACKET.
PENHOLDER-A TYPE OF GRIP GIVINGTHE BEST POSSIBLE FOREHAND BUT
THE MOST AWKWARD BACKHAND OF THE CONVENTIONAL GRIPS.
RALLY-THE PERIOD IN WHICH THE BALL IS IN PLAY.
SMASH-A PUT AWAY SHOT. BALL IS HIT WITH ENOUGH SPEED SO THE
OPPONENT CAN NOT MAKE A RETURN.