Want to know the official rules of Table tennis? Wondered the difference between table tennis and ping pong? In this blog, we will be taking a closer look at the sport of table tennis, covering everything from its history and equipment to the rules of table tennis and strategies of the game.
The Basics of Table Tennis
As the name suggests, table tennis is played on a table that is 9 feet long, 5 feet wide, and stands 2.5 feet tall. The table is divided in half by a net that is 6 inches high. The game is played with a small, lightweight ball and a racket (or paddle) that is covered with a rubber surface. The goal of the game is to hit the ball back and forth over the net, and to make it difficult for your opponent to return the ball.
History of Table Tennis
Table tennis has its roots in Victorian England, where it was known as “whiff-whaff” or “gossima.” The game was played with books or cigar box lids as paddles and a small ball made of rubber or cork. The modern version of the game was developed in the early 20th century, and the first official rules of table tennis were established in 1926. Table tennis quickly gained popularity and was included as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Summer Olympics and became an official Olympic sport in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
The international governing body of table tennis was founded in 1926 and is “The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). In addition to promoting the sport of table tennis the ITTF supervises the annual World Championships and other title events.
Table Tennis and Ping Pong are the same thing! During casual play and in America, table tennis is often referred to as ping pong.
Equipment Needed
Table tennis requires very little equipment, but the quality and type of equipment can greatly impact the game.The most important piece of equipment is the racket or paddle. Rackets come in a variety of materials, such as wood, carbon fibre, and fiberglass. They also come in different shapes and sizes, with different rubber surfaces on each side. The ball is also important, as it should be made of celluloid and be 40mm in diameter. The net is also a critical component of the game. It should be 6 inches high and divide the table into two equal parts.
Set Up Of The Game
Before starting a game of table tennis, the table and net should be set up correctly. The table should be level and the net should be stretched tightly across the table, with the top of the net being exactly 6 inches above the playing surface. The ball should be placed on the centre of the table, and players should stand on opposite sides of the table, ready to begin play.
Players and Positions
In table tennis, there are two (singles) or four (doubles) players, one/two on each side of the table. The player on the right side of the table is called the “right-handed” player, and the player on the left side is called the “left-handed” player. Players can choose to hold the racket in either their right or left hand, and they can change the hand they use during the game.
How Table Tennis is Played
The game begins with a serve, in which the server hits the ball over the net to the opponent. The opponent then tries to return the ball, and the players continue to hit the ball back and forth until one player is not able to return the ball or hits it out of bounds. During a serve the ball must bounce on the left or right side of the servers end of the table, over the net and bounce on the opposite side of the recievers end. During a rally, the ball must only bounce on the opposite end of the table, similar to tennis (Check out and compare the Rules of Tennis (Lawn Tennis) here)!
A point is awarded to the player who wins the rally and the first player to reach 11 points wins the game. If the score is tied at 10-10, the game continues until one player has a two-point lead. In tournament play, a match is typically the best of five or seven games.
Fouls
There are a number of fouls that can be called in table tennis. Some common fouls include hitting the ball before it has crossed the net, hitting the ball out of bounds, and touching the net during play. If a foul is called, the opposing player earns a point.
Once you have the equipment for table tennis, with simple rules it can be enjoyed by everyone. It can be a fast-paced game and gives enjoyment to millions around the world. We hope this blog covering the rules of table tennis has given you the confidence to give it a go as we are sure you will enjoy the game as much as we do.
Keep up to date with tournaments and results here, or check out another of our favourite sports, Badminton! Or check out our other sports at our A-Z.
.
