REVIEWER RACQUET SPORTS/PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE

Table tennis started in England and was a parlor game in the beginning. But with time, the game
gained popularity, and finally, in 1988, the game was added to the Summer Olympics.
What Are The Skills Needed In Playing Table Tennis?

You can play this game with a tennis table, two rackets, a table tennis ball, and an opponent.

Forehand

The fundamental skill for playing table tennis is the forehand drive or a forehand. the ball comes to the
paddled side of the body, this shot is necessary. You need to hit the running ball while rotating your body
and the other arm. A forehand shot increases the power, and the opponent gets a powerful knock. While
playing this shot, you need to put your thumb upwards.

Backhand

The second fundamental skill is to know the backhand drive or the backhand. When the ball comes to the
other side of the paddled hand, this skill is required. You can also play this shot when the ball comes
straight at your body. In both of these scenarios, your footwork and stance are important with swinging
the racket. You can also play this shot when the ball is fast, as you don’t need to apply force.

Serving

Serving in table tennis is important, as your opponent will get the opportunity the hit the ball after an easy
serve. In serving, you need to bounce the ball on your side and then to the other side. After every point,
players start the new point with a serve. There are so many variations of a table tennis service. You can
serve with both forehand and backhand serve. Players who can swing the ball are the best servers.

Pushes

There are mainly two strategies players follow. One is to play the ball with full force and the other one is
to play a short ball. So, when a short ball is played, you need to get closer to the table and lean forward.
You don’t need to apply force to the ball as your body movement will automatically apply force to the
ball. You can use this skill regardless of which side of your body the ball is.

Flicks

The flicks are the skill to return a spin shot. Suppose your opponent plays a shot where the ball has a
spin and is also close to the net. You may confuse this skill with the push. But here, a motion from your
wrist and elbow is needed to deliver the ball to the opponent’s side. Also, you don’t need to apply full
force to the ball, as a force can push the ball outside the table

In table tennis, there are mainly four different spins. Spin is very important in a table tennis match, as it is a tricky
shot that can challenge the opponent. No matter whether you want to play defensive or offensive, you need to learn
to spin the ball.

 Topspin – Paddle swings from low to high.

 Backspin – Paddle swings from high to low.
 Right Side Spin – The paddle goes left to right.
  Left Side Spin – The paddle goes right to left.
Loops
This is one of the modern table tennis basic skills. Recently table tennis players have acquired this skill to put a spin on the ball
during the offense. Players play this shot by swinging their racket from low to high to put swing and force. The style of the shot
generates topspin and makes it harder to play for the opponent. When there is a monotonous game running, then there is a need
for loops.

Footwork
There are two types of footwork needed in a table tennis match. Players need to move front and back and also left and right. Also,
table tennis professionals are agile, quick, and masters at moving anywhere. If you want to play a competitive game, then you
need to move quickly. You also need to get back to your original position after playing every shot.

Stance
For a game where footwork and moving fast are necessary, the stance is also one of the most important things. First,
when you take the service, you must put your other leg in the front and the paddled leg in the back. Also, this is the
basic stance. This is the stance you need to follow when you play a short ball. And when you have to defend, put
your legs parallel to play both forehand and backhand shots. With time and experience, you should be able to be
agile with your movement. If you want to pay at the highest level, then you need speed both in your legs and
hands. For example, a professional player can volley the ball at 70mph. Though recreational and casual games are
different, I am talking about competitions. The game’s pace is fast, and sometimes you will need help to keep up
with the game while watching a professional game.

Official Rules of Table Tennis

We’ve summarized the essential ping pong rules from USA Table Tennis right here to help you settle those garage
or office disputes. This list is not exhaustive, but we have found that these ones are common points of contention
among many players. Whether you call it ping pong, table tennis, or whiff whaff, these official table tennis rules
should help you keep things straight.

1. GAMES ARE PLAYED TO 11 POINTS

A Game is played to 11 points. A Game must be won by two points. A Match is generally the best three of five
Games.

2. ALTERNATE SERVES EVERY TWO POINTS

Each side of the table alternates serving two points at a time. EXCEPTION: After tied 10-10 (“deuce”), service
alternates at every point. Can you lose on a serve in ping pong? Yes! There is no separate rule for serving on Game
Point.

3. TOSS THE BALL STRAIGHT UP WHEN SERVING

How do you serve the ball in ping pong? Hold the ball in your open palm, behind your end of the table. Toss at least
6” straight up, and strike it on the way down. It must hit your side of the table and then the other side. NOTE: Once
the ball leaves the server’s hand it is in play, and so counts as the receiver’s point if the ball is missed or mis-hit.

4. THE SERVE CAN LAND ANYWHERE IN SINGLES

There is no restriction on where the ball lands on your side or your opponent’s side of the table. It can bounce two
or more times on your opponent’s side (if so, that’s your point), bounce over the side, or even hit the edge.

5. DOUBLES SERVES MUST GO RIGHT COURT TO RIGHT COURT

The serve must bounce in the server’s right court, and receiver’s right court (NOTE: landing on center line is fair).
Doubles partners switch places after their team serves twice.

6. A SERVE THAT TOUCHES THE NET ON THE WAY OVER IS A “LET”

Can the ball hit the net in ping pong? Yes, during a RALLY, if it touches the top of the net and then otherwise lands
as a legitimate hit. BUT not when serving. If a served ball hits the net on the way over and otherwise legally
bounces in play, it’s a “let” serve and is done over. There is no limit on how many times this can happen.

7. ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY

Doubles partners must alternate hitting balls in a rally, no matter where the ball lands on the table.

8. VOLLEYS ARE NOT ALLOWED

Can you hit the ball before it bounces in ping pong? No. In regular tennis you may “volley” the ball (hitting the ball
before it bounces on your side of the net). But in table tennis, this results in a point for your opponent. NOTE:
When your opponent hits a ball that sails over your end of the table without touching it and then hits you or your
paddle, that is still your point.

9. IF YOUR HIT BOUNCES BACK OVER THE NET BY ITSELF IT IS YOUR POINT

If you hit the ball in a rally or on a serve and it bounces back over the net after hitting your opponent’s side of the
table (due to extreme spin), without your opponent touching it, that is your point.

10. TOUCHING THE BALL WITH YOUR PADDLE HAND IS ALLOWED

What happens if the ball hits your finger or hand during a ping pong rally? If the ball touches your PADDLE hand
and otherwise results in a legal hit, there is no rule violation and play shall continue as normal. Your paddle hand
includes all fingers and hand area below the wrist. But what if the ball touches a player’s body anywhere else
during a ping pong rally? You may not touch the ball with your non-paddle hand for any reason. It will result in a
point for your opponent. BUT if your opponent’s hit sails over your side of the table without touching it, and hits
any part of you or your paddle, that is still your point.

11. YOU MAY NOT TOUCH THE TABLE WITH YOUR NON-PADDLE HAND

You may touch the ball or the table with your paddle hand (after reaching in to return a short serve, for example),
or other parts of your body. NOTE: If the table moves at all from your touching it during a rally, that is your
opponent’s point.

12. AN “EDGE” BALL BOUNCING OFF THE HORIZONTAL TABLE TOP SURFACE IS GOOD

An otherwise legal serve or hit may contact the top edge of the horizontal table top surface and be counted as
valid, even if it bounces sidewise. The vertical sides of the table are NOT part of the legal playing surface.

13. HONOR SYSTEM APPLIES TO DISAGREEMENTS

If no referee is present during a match and the players disagree on a certain call, the “honor system” applies and
the players should find a way to agree, or play the point over. Ping pong carries a tradition of fierce but fair play.
Help us keep it that way!