TTC Discussion 1

(Terminologies and Rules)

Table Tennis Class

2nd Term 2019-2020
TERMINOLOGIES
● A rally is the period during which the ball is in play.
● The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm of the free
hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is decided as a let or a
point.
● 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.
● A player strikes the ball if he or she touches it in play with his or her racket, held in the
hand, or with his or her racket hand below the wrist.
● A player obstructs the ball if he or she, or anything he or she wears or carries, touches it
in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface, not having touched his
or her court since last being struck by his or her opponent.
*Source: ITTF HANDBOOK 2016
TERMINOLOGIES
● Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that he or she was wearing or
carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally.
● 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 a match.
● The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire with certain decisions.
● Lob is a defensive stroke which is played away from the table, usually in response to a stroke
from your opponent which forces you away from the table and/or out of position.
● Block is a defensive stroke played in order to control an attacking shot.
● Push is more of a defensive shot than the drive and the aim is to play down the back and
underneath the ball to create some backspin.
● Drive is an attacking strokes in which the ball is driven forward with power and only a slight
amount of topsin.
● Smash is an attacking stroke which you can use whenever your opponent plays a shot where
the ball bounces higher than normal.
*Source: ITTF HANDBOOK 2016
Service Rules
1. The service must start with the ball in an open palm. This stops you from throwing it
up with spin.
2. The ball must be thrown vertically, at least 16 cm. This stops you from serving
straight out of your hand and surprising your opponent.
3. The ball must be above and behind the table throughout the serve. This stops you
getting any silly angles and gives your opponent a fair chance at returning.
4. After throwing the ball, the server must get their free arm and hand out of the way.
This is to allow the receiver to see the ball.
General match play
1. You have two serves before it is your opponent’s turn to serve twice.
2. At 10-10 it’s deuce. You get one serve each and must win by two clear points. This is
sudden death or table tennis’ equivalent of a tie break.
3. If you are playing a best of 3, 5 or 7 (as opposed to just one set) you have to change ends
after each game. This makes sure both players experience conditions on both sides of the
table. You also change ends when the first player reaches five points in the final game of a
match.
A let is called if...
1. An otherwise good serve touches the net. This ensures your opponent has a chance at
making a return.
2. The receiver isn’t ready (and doesn’t try to hit the ball). This is just common sense
really!
3. If play is disturbed by something outside of the players’ control. This allows you to
replay the point if your cat jumps onto the table, etc.
A point is lost if..
1. The service is missed.
2. The service is not returned.
3. A shot goes into the net.
4. A shot goes off the table without touching the court.
5. A player moves the table, touches the net or touches the table with their free hand
during play.
Doubles Rules
1. 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.
2. A doubles pair must strike the ball alternately. This makes doubles challenging. None of that
front court/back court tennis nonsense.
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.