TABLE TENNIS

History of Table Tennis

Table tennis, also known as ping pong, originated in the late 19th century as an indoor version
of lawn tennis. It has since evolved into a highly competitive international sport governed by
the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Origins (Late 1800s – Early 1900s)

• Table tennis began in England in the 1880s as an after-dinner game among upper-class
Victorians.
• Early versions were played using books as paddles, a golf ball, and a makeshift net.
• In 1901, James W. Gibb, a British enthusiast, discovered celluloid balls in the U.S. and
introduced them to the game.
• The name “ping pong” was originally a trademark owned by J. Jaques & Son Ltd, later
sold to Parker Brothers in the U.S.
Formation of the ITTF and Global Growth (1920s – 1950s)
• The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was founded in 1926, and the first World Table Tennis
Championships were held in London the same year.
• The game grew in popularity in Europe and Asia, with Hungary dominating the early years.
• In the 1950s, Asian players, particularly from Japan and China, revolutionized the sport with faster playing
styles and techniques.

Modernization and Olympic Recognition (1960s – Present)

• The introduction of the sponge paddle in the 1950s significantly increased speed and spin.
• In the 1970s, table tennis became a diplomatic tool, known as "Ping Pong Diplomacy", which helped improve
U.S.-China relations.
• In 1988, table tennis became an official Olympic sport at the Seoul Olympics.
• China has dominated international competitions since the late 20th century, producing legendary players like
Deng Yaping, Ma Long, and Zhang Jike.
• The game continues to evolve with new rules, faster playstyles, and technological advancements in equipment.
Basic Rules of Play
The Game and Scoring
•A match is played in a best-of-3, best-of-5, or best-of-7 games format.
•A game is won by the first player/team to reach 11 points, with at least a 2-point lead (e.g., 11-9, 12-10).
•If both players reach 10-10, the game continues until one player gains a 2-point lead.

Serving Rules
•The server must toss the ball at least 16 cm (6 inches)
upwards before striking it.
•The ball must be hit behind the server’s end line and land
on the opponent’s side after first bouncing on the server’s
side.
•In singles, serves can land anywhere on the opponent’s
side.
•In doubles, the serve must be diagonal (right side to right
side).
•The server changes every 2 points, except during deuce
(10-10), where service alternates every point.
Legal Returns
•The ball must bounce once on the player’s side before being returned.
•If the ball hits the net and lands in play, the rally continues (except on a serve, which results in a "let" and is
replayed).

Equipment and Playing Conditions

Table Dimensions
•The table is 2.74m (9 ft) long, 1.525m (5 ft) wide, and
76 cm (2.5 ft) high.
•The net is 15.25 cm (6 inches) high.

Ball Specifications
•The ball must be 40mm in diameter, weigh 2.7 grams,
and be made of celluloid or plastic.
•The official ball color is white or orange with a matte
finish.
Paddle (Racket) Rules
•The paddle must have one side covered in red rubber and the other
in black rubber.
•The rubber can be smooth or pimpled but must be ITTF-approved.

Faults and Violations

Service Faults
•Illegal serve: If the ball is not tossed at least 16 cm.
•Hidden serve: If the server’s arm or body obstructs the opponent’s view.

Gameplay Faults
•Failing to return the ball before it bounces twice.
•Hitting the ball before it touches your side (except in a volleying rally after a net contact).
•Touching the table with the non-playing hand.

Doubles-Specific Rules
•Players must take turns hitting the ball in a rally.
•The serve must go diagonally.
Let and Replay Situations

•If the ball touches the net on a serve and lands in the correct area, the serve is replayed.

•If there is an external disturbance (e.g., a ball from another table enters), the point is replayed.

Time and Play Restrictions

•A game should not exceed 10 minutes (except if the game is close).

•If a game reaches 10 minutes, the "expedite rule" applies: each player must return the ball
within 13 shots, or the opponent wins the point.
How to play the game

Equipment Needed
1. Table (2.74m x 1.525m) with a net (15.25 cm high)
2. Paddle (also called a racket or bat)
3. Lightweight plastic ball (40mm in diameter)

Starting the Game

4. A coin toss or another method determines who serves first.
5. The server must toss the ball at least 16 cm and hit it so that it first bounces on their side and then on the
opponent’s side.
6. In doubles, serves must be diagonal.

Scoring System
1. A match is usually played in a best-of-five or best-of-seven format.

2. Each game goes up to 11 points, and a player must win by at least 2 points.

3. Player’s alternate serves every 2 points, but if the score reaches 10-10, serves alternate after every point.
Basic Rules During Play
•Players must return the ball before it bounces twice on their side.
•The ball must clear the net and land on the opponent’s side.
•If the ball touches the net but still lands correctly on the serve, it is a let serve, and the serve is replayed.
•If a player fails to return the ball correctly, the opponent scores a point.

Winning the Game

•The first player to reach 11 points with a 2-point lead wins the game.
•The match winner is the first to win the majority of games (e.g., best-of-5 means first to 3 games).

Basic Techniques
• Forehand Drive – A basic attacking stroke
using the front of the paddle.
• Backhand Drive – A return shot using the
backhand side.

• Topspin – Adding forward spin to make the

ball dip downward faster.

• Backspin – A defensive shot that makes the

ball slow down and float.

• Smash – A powerful attacking stroke to finish

the rally.
Violations and Referee Hand Signals
in Table Tennis
Violations in Table Tennis

1.Illegal Serve
- The ball must be tossed at least 16 cm (6 inches) into the air before hitting it.
- The server must keep the ball above the table and behind the end line.
- Hiding the ball with the hand or body during the serve is illegal.
2.Double Bounce
- The ball must be returned before it bounces twice on the player’s side.
3.Failure to Make a Legal Return
- If a player misses the ball, hits it into the net, or hits it off the table without touching the opponent’s side,
they lose the point.
4.Net Touching
- A player cannot touch the net with their hand, racket, or body during play.
5.Ball Striking the Player’s Body
- If the ball hits any part of the player's body other than the racket hand, the opponent gets a point.
6.Volleying the Ball (Obstruction)
- A player cannot hit the ball before it bounces on their side, unless it is clearly going out.
7.Illegal Movement
- Players must not move the table or touch it with their free hand while playing.
Point Awarded
Signal: The referee extends an arm
toward the player who wins the
point.
Let Serve
Signal: The referee raises one hand
with the palm facing upward to
indicate the serve must be replayed.
Time out
Signal: The referee crosses their
arms in front of their chest,
indicating an illegal serve.
THANK
YOU!!