TABLE TENNIS

INTRODUCTION: Table tennis probably originated in the late 19th century. No one is
sure about who actually invented the game, although most agree the game originated in
England. The game has had several different names including indoor tennis, gossimar,
whiff-whaff, Ping-Pong, and table tennis. The International Table Tennis Federation
(ITTF) was formed in 1926. In 1933, the United State Table Tennis Association
(USTTA) was founded. The name of table tennis was finally designated as the official
name of the sport in the 1930’s. The USTTA has a web site, www.usatt.org, which
contains the rules for tournaments, rankings, and other information about table tennis.
A widely popular recreational sport, table tennis is now found throughout the
world. International competition, including Olympic competition, is now held. Although
once dominated by the Japanese and Chinese, the United States and other countries have
become a force in international play.

EQUIPMENT: The table used in table tennis is 9 feet long and 5 feet wide. The playing
surface is 2’6” from the floor. Most tables are ¾” thick and may be made of a variety of
woods or other materials. Normally the surface of the table is dark green, with a white
line along each side and end of the table. A centerline divides each court in half for
doubles play.
A net divides the playing surface into two equal halves. The top edge of the net is
6” above the playing surface. The poles supporting the net are positioned 3” from each
side of the table.
The ball is 1.5 inches in diameter and should weigh about .1 ounce. Paddles or
racquets are comprised of two parts, the handle and the blade. Blades are most often
covered with a sponge or rubber covering, although some can be found with a sandpaper
covering.

PLAYING THE GAME: The game is started with one player serving. The server must
stand behind the table and inside the width of the table. The server must allow the ball to
rest in the palm of his hand before serving. The ball may not be held with the fingers or
held in any such way as to try to “hide” the ball from the opponent. The ball must be
stationary, above the table, and behind the serving end line. The paddle must also be
above the table and behind the service end line. The server then tosses the ball into the
air striking it with the paddle so that the ball strikes the table first on the server’s side and
then, passing directly over or around the net assembly touches the receiver’s court. All
the spin on the ball must be from the action of the paddle striking the ball, not by the use
of finger spins. When serving, the stroke should be a horizontal stroke on a downward
plane. It is important not to hit the ball with more of a downward stroke than a horizontal
stroke, as this will cause the ball to bounce higher than wanted.
In singles, the serve may be served to any area of the receiver’s court. A server
makes 5 consecutive serves before his opponent gets to serve. The opponent then serves
5 consecutive times. This alternation of serve then continues throughout the game unless
the score becomes tied at 20 points. The players then take turns serving until one of the
players takes a 2-point lead and is the winner. All other games end at 21 points with the
first player reaching 21 points the winner.
 After a good service has been made, the other player makes a good return by
striking the ball with the paddle in such a way that the ball passes directly over or around
the net and lands in the opponent’s court. If the ball should land in the opponent’s court,
and return back over the net by its own impetus without being struck by the opponent, it
is considered a good return and should be played as such.
If a served ball touches the net before landing in the opponent’s court, a “let” is
called and the ball is served again with no penalty to the server. If the let ball does not
land in the opponent’s court, the server loses the point. Any returned ball that strikes the
net before falling into the opponent’s court is a good return and should be played as such.
A player shall lose a point when the following occur:
1. He or she fails to make a good service unless a “let” is called.
2. The opponent makes a good service or return and he or she fails to make a
good return.
3. A player allows the ball to bounce twice on his or her side of the table.
4. A player strikes the ball twice in making the return.
5. The paddle or any part of the player or clothing touches the net or its supports
while the ball is in play.
6. A player moves the table in any way.
7. A player’s free hand makes contact with the table.
8. A player volleys the ball (hitting the ball before it has bounced on the player’s
side of the table).
9. The player’s return is clearly long off the end of the table even if the opponent
catches or hits the ball, or the ball strikes the opponent.
10. The return is made with the hand alone and not the paddle.
11. The return is made off a dropped or thrown paddle.

In doubles play, the court is divided by a 1/8” line down the center of the table
and parallel to the sides of the table. This is called the service line and divides each court
into halves. A good service must touch the right side of the server’s court first, travel
over or around the net assembly, and then land on the right side of the receiver’s court
(diagonally from the server’s court). A serve landing on the service line is a good serve.
Each server shall serve for 5 points. At the end of each term of service, the receiver
becomes the server and the partner of the original server becomes the receiver. Games
are again played to 21 points with the winner having a 2-point margin when reaching 21.
If the game is tied at 20, the serving rotation is continued as before except that each
server serves only 1 point in turn.
After a good serve is made, the receiver shall make a good return. The partner of
the server then must make the next return with the partner of the serve-receiver making
the next return. This alternation of return is continued until a point is scored. A player
returning the ball out of the correct sequence loses the point for that team.

SKILLS: The majority of players most commonly use the “handshake” grip. In this grip,
the handle of the paddle is held much like you were shaking hands with the handle. The
thin side of the handle should be placed in the “V” formed by the thumb and forefinger.
The forefinger or thumb may be placed on the paddle surface if this feels more
comfortable or allows greater control.
 Another grip known as the “penholder” grip is used by many of the advanced
players. In this grip, the thumb and forefinger circle the handle with the tips of the thumb
and forefinger touching. This grip allows for greater spin to be imparted on the ball when
serving or returning.
The forehand and backhand push shots are the shots most often used in playing
the game. It is important to remember to push the ball with the paddle, not swing, flip, or
hit the ball. The arm should be extended in a horizontal plane. The ball should be aimed
at one of the four corners of the opponent’s side of the table. Keeping the ball close to
the net when passing over the net will prevent the opponent from making a hard return or
“smash.” This also holds true when serving.
Spin can be imparted on the ball by moving the paddle as the paddle strikes the
ball. The spin can be sidespin, backspin, or topspin.