INTRODUCTION TO TABLE TENNIS

Table tennis, also called Ping-Pong or Whiff Waff, is a ball game similar in
principle to lawn tennis and is played on a flat table divided into two equal courts by a
net fixed across its width at the middle (Brittanica, 2019). It can be played either by two
players or as a “doubles” match with two players per side. The objective in Table Tennis
is to hit the ball so that it goes over the net and bounces on the opponent’s half of the
table in such a way that the opponent cannot reach it or return it correctly. The
lightweight hollow ball is propelled back and forth across the net by small rackets or
paddles held by the players.

Table Tennis as an Olympic Sport is governed by International Table Tennis

Federation (ITTF). The ITTF’s role includes overseeing rules and regulations and
seeking technological improvement for the sport table tennis. The ITTF is also
responsible for the organization of numerous international competitions, including the
World Table Tennis Championships. Austria, Czechoslovakia, England, Germany,
Hungary, India, Sweden and Wales were all invited to become the original members of
the ITTF. A tournament held in London, England from December 6-11, 1926 was also
designated as the first world championship. Additionally, the International Table Tennis
Federation has a museum where they preserve and promote the heritage of table
tennis.

Although many people use the names ping pong and table tennis
interchangeably, they do have a difference. Ping Pong is a registered trademark and
brand of equipment, whilst the official name for the sport since 1926 is table tennis.

THE HISTORY OF TABLE TENNIS

Table Tennis started as a parlor game. The game originated in Victorian

England, where it was played by the elite as an after-dinner game during the 1880s.
This was a time when the players of lawn tennis had to learn to play indoors during the
winter period. During those days, the game was called Whiff Waff.
 In July 15, 1890, an English patent (number 11,037) was filed when David of
England introduced the first action game of table tennis on a table in 1890. David
Foster was recognized to be the inventor of Tale Tennis. Since the game became
popular, many manufacturers tried to create their own version of the game, thus they
used different trademarked name like Indoor Tennis, Gossima, Whiff-Waff, and Ping
Pong.

Ping-Pong as a name was regarded as the trademark name for table tennis. The
English firm J. Jaques and son invented the name “Ping-Pong” towards the end of the
1800s. This later became trademarked in the United States by a board game company,
the Parker brothers (RacketLounge, 2018). Additionally, around 1898, the English
sports company John Jaques and son were manufacturing the first table tennis sets and
popularizing the game. This gave rise to the name PING PONG which was derived from
the sound that was made by different sized rackets striking a ball.

As early as 1901, tournaments started with about 300 players. The Ping-Pong
Association which was formed then later became The Table Tennis Association in 1922.
In 1902, a university professor took the game back to Japan, where his university
students got introduced to it. After that, a salesman who went by the name Edward
Shires took it to the people of Budapest. In Britain, table tennis was already starting to
spread outside the middle-class structures of London.

As the popularity of table tennis spread around the world, the Asian countries
also embraced the sport and quickly became world leaders. In Philippines, table tennis
was introduced around 1900 by American soldiers, who were part of the first American
colonization period in the Philippines. They brought with them early table tennis boxed
sets and in their past time between duties, they introduced table tennis to the local
natives. It was called ‘ping-pong,’ as marketed by Parker Brothers Company (creators of
the popular game of Monopoly), and the introduction of table tennis into the Philippines
by the Americans themselves, or in other cases, through early teachers known as the
“Thomasites.” After the US service members left the Philippines, the Thomasites
continued to introduce and perpetuate table tennis throughout the islands (Babuin,
2015).
 Table tennis became part of the Olympic sports in 1988. After the 2000 Olympics
that held in Sydney, the International Table Tennis Federation made several changes.
These changes helped shape the Table Tennis world.

TABLE TENNIS EQUIPMENT

BALL

The ball that is used in the game is a 2.7 gram, small

celluloid ball that is usually colored white or orange
depending on the preference of the players or it might
vary depending on the color of table as well as
surroundings. Also, they come in a range of sizes from
38 mm to 54 mm in diameter. However, the 40 mm
diameter ball is the one that is used mainly on
international leagues and competitions as it is the one
that is specified by the International Table Tennis
Federation. Ball quality is displayed by manufacturers with star mark ranging from one
to three, three being the highest.

RUBBER RACKET OR PADDLE

The table tennis racket or paddle is another important

piece of equipment that is used in hitting the ball back
and forth on the table. Its shape is similar to the ones
used in the game of tennis except that it is smaller and is
made of different materials.

The racket is usually made of wood and rubber and is

divided into two parts: the handle and the blade. The
quality of both parts of the racket can affect the force
that can be applied by the player and it is important the player choose the best kind of
rackets in order to really improve.

Aside from that, the player must take notice of the kind of rubber that is used on the
blade as this can affect the type and amount of spin that can be used in hitting the ball.

TABLE TENNIS TABLE

Included in the list of

important table tennis
equipment is the table where
the game is to be played.
The ITTF specifies that the
official table tennis tables
that are used in the
tournament must be 9ft.
long, 5 ft. wide and must be
placed 2 ft and 6 inches or 30 inches high from the ground.

They come in either green, blue or black in color and are usually made from a type of
hardboard. The surface must be smooth as to provide the lowest friction as possible.

NET AND POST

The net is the last piece of important equipment

and is usually brought together with the table or
it can be also bought by itself. Whatever the
case, it should be 6ft long and 6 inches wide and
has an upper white tape that is not more than
15mm wide. Also, it should include an assembly
so that it can be attached to the middle of the
table tennis table. Net is preferably black
because if it comes in fancy colors, players will be distracted and couldn’t focus on the
ball.
 These are the 4 basic types of equipment that the player must be familiar with.
We couldn’t play the game if one equipment is missing because they all come together.
However, there are still other equipment that are needed like the shoes, clothing and
accessories. The player should be responsible for preparing all the equipment needed
whenever he/she practices or plays in a tournament. It is understood that the ball, table
and net are all provided at the tournament site.

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE GAME

Start of a Game
1. Must decide on who’s going to serve first
2. If playing the games with friends, you may choose whatever method you prefer like
tossing a coin or disc having two distinct sides
3. However, a common method used at lower levels of play is for one player (or umpire)
to hide the ball in one hand, then put both hands under the table or behind their back,
and then asks the opponent to guess which hand the ball is in.
The winner can elect to serve first, to make his opponent serve first, or decide which
end of the table he prefers to play at first
4. If the winner:
• Chooses a particular end of the table, his opponent then has the choice of whether to
serve first or to make his opponent serve first.
• Chooses to serve first, his opponent then has the choice of which end of the table he
prefers to play at first.
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.
Doubles rules
1. The service must go diagonally, from the server's right-hand side to the receiver’s
right-hand side. This stops you from getting the opposing pair tangled up before they've
even hit the ball.
2. A doubles pair must strike the ball alternately. This makes doubles challenging.
None of that front court/back court 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.
Doubles service rules
1. Service must be diagonal, from the right half court (marked by a white line) to the
opponent's right half court
2. Service changeover in Doubles is as follows:
At the start of a game, the serving team will decide which player will serve first. The first
player to serve is A1 and; A1 serves to B1 (2 services) - B1 then serves to A2 (2
services) - A2 then serves to B2 (2 services) - B2 serves to A1 (2 serves)
3. Repeat. At the end of game 1 and the start of game 2, team B will take the first
serve; B1 must serve to A1. A1 then serves to B2 and so on.
General match play
1. You have two serves before it is your opponent’s turn to serve twice. This used to
be five serves each but since changing to 11 it’s now just two.
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.
Regulations that deals with Discipline – Applies to both players and coaches
Coaches giving advice
1. Players may receive advice at any time, except during rallies, provided that
continuity of play is not affected. If the regulation is contravened, the umpire will hold the
yellow card and warn the coach that any further offence will result in dismissal from the
playing area.
2. If the coach again gives advice illegally during the same match, after the yellow
card, the umpire will hold a red card and send the coach away from the playing area
until the individual match has ended.
3. In a team match, the dismissed adviser is not allowed to return, except when
required to play, and cannot be replaced by another adviser until the team match has
ended.
Misbehavior
1. Players and coaches can also be shown yellow cards for misbehavior. Players
and coaches must refrain from behavior which may unfairly affect an opponent, offend
spectators or bring the sport into disrepute.
Examples are – abusive language, deliberately breaking the ball or hitting it out
of the playing area, kicking the table, or surrounds and disrespect the match
officials.
2. Yellow cards are designed for less serious offences but if a player or coach
commits a serious offence, the umpire must suspend play and report it immediately to
the referee. For less serious offences, the umpire may, on the first occasion, hold up a
yellow card and warn the offender that any further offence is liable to incur penalties.
3. Umpire will award the offender’s opponent if the player commits a second
offence in the same individual match or team match. Holding up a yellow and red card
together.
4. If the coach continues to misbehave after receiving a yellow card, the umpire will
hold up a red card and send the coach away from the playing area.
Doubles
1. A warning or penalty incurred by either player of a doubles pair will apply to the pair,
but not to the non-offending player in subsequent individual match of the same team
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.
6. Allows the ball to bounce twice on his side of the table
7. Does not hit the ball after it has bounced unless it’s obviously not going to
bounce on his side of the table.
8. Hits the ball twice in succession (double hit).
9. Obstructs the ball with any parts of his body or clothing (unless it’s not going to
bounce on his side of the table).
10. Hits the ball out of turn when playing doubles.
11. Does not hit the ball onto his opponent’s side of the table.
Doubles scoring
 1. The winner of a game is the first to reach 11 points. There must be a gap of at
least two points between opponents at the end of the game.
2. The point goes to the player who successfully ends a rally, regardless of who has
served.
3. A match consists the number of games that has been agreed between the
players.
Number of players
1. Table tennis may be played with one player at each end of the table
2. Can also be played with two players at each end
3. The players may be both men or both women or one of each. Worldwide, the
women’s game is comparable in organization to the men’s, and women take
part in world championships and all other organized events.

BASIC SKILLS IN TABLE TENNIS

STANCE AND FOOTWORK

Feet
Your feet should be wide, about 1.5 or more shoulder
widths apart so that you can quickly move side-to-
side. Keep your non-dominant foot slightly ahead of
the other (for right-handed people, this means
keeping your left foot slightly closer to the table, for
left-handed people it’s the opposite).

Knees and Ankles

Keep your knees and ankles slightly bent and flexible, with
your weight forward on your toes. This keeps your body
ready to move forward or backward as needed.

Back and Shoulders

Keep your upper body slightly bent at the waist. With the bent ankles, knees, and waist
and your shoulders forward, your whole body is in a slightly crouched position, ready to
spring into action.

Arms

Your arms should be in front of your body, with your elbow

and paddle in front of you.

HOLDING THE PADDLE

- The exact position of your hands and arms in your stance depends on your grip or
how you hold the bat. There are two basic grips in table tennis: the shakehand grip, and
the penhold grip. The different types of grip have specific variations for your hand
position on the paddle depending on your preference and style of play. Each grip has
advantages and disadvantages, but it’s also important to choose the grip that is
comfortable and natural for you.
READY POSITION
- The ready position describes the generic, neutral
stance that you might expect to see adopted by a table
tennis player before they receive a serve.
- Usually the feet are apart, knees are bent, upper
body is crouched forward, both arms out in front, and
the racket in a neutral position.

DRIVE
- These are strokes performed by the player when hitting the ball with the racket.

1. Forehand drive technique

A forehand drive is an attacking shot. It’s played with a little bit of topspin, but
mainly it’s a flat hit and can be very powerful.

(1) Start with bat around waist height

(2) Close the bat angle slightly
(3) Rotate backwards from the waist
(4) As the ball approaches, rotate forwards
and move your bat forwards and up
(5) Contact the ball just in front of your body
(6) The contact should be quite flat, roughly in
the middle of your bat
(7) Your bat should follow through and finish in
front of your body

2. Backhand drive technique

 A backhand drive is an attacking shot. It’s played with a little bit of topspin, but
mainly it’s a flat hit and can be
very powerful. You’d normally play
a backhand drive close to the
table when your opponent’s return
is a little high. Players who are
good are driving, can attack
topspin, no-spin and light backspin
balls
(1) Start with bat around waist
height, in front of your body
(2) Close the bat angle slightly
(3) As the ball approaches, move your bat forwards and up
(4) Contact the ball just in front of your body
(5) The contact should be quite flat, roughly in the middle of your bat
(6) Your bat should follow through and finish just to the side of your body

Push
-This is used in changing the pace of an exchange such as returning a very low and
close shot with the use of backspin serves.

1. Backhand push technique

The backhand push is a defensive stroke played with a small amount of
backspin.
This is usually played against short and low, backspin or float balls.

(1) Start with your bat in front of you, just below chest height
(2) Turn your bat so your playing side is facing upwards
(3) As the ball approaches, bring your bat
forwards and down
 (4) Brush under the ball – this will generate backspin
(5) Your bat should finish in front of you, pointing in the direction in the
direction you want the ball to go

2. Forehand Push Technique

The forehand push is a difficult
defensive shot that requires the player to
strike downwards on the back and
underneath the ball to create a backspin. This
is used to change the pace of an
exchange or to return the ball in a very low
manner.

(1) Start with your bat in front of you, just below chest height
(2) Turn your bat so your playing side is facing upwards
(3) As the ball approaches, bring your bat forwards and down
(4) Brush under the ball – this will generate backspin
(5) Your bat should finish in front of you, pointing in the direction in the
direction you want the ball to go

Block
- The block is a stroke played in order to control
an attacking shot. You would most likely block
against a loop, simply volleying the ball to safety.
An aggressive block would be a block with more
force pushed back in order to produce a faster
run.

SERVING
A table tennis serve is the final basic skill, and it’s a crucial skill since the serve is the
only time you have complete control of the ball and the game. There are a number of
different types of serves each with different pros and cons but the basics remain the
same.
To serve in table tennis:
1. Balance the ball on the palm of your free hand with the hand open.

2. Throw the ball vertically upward so that it rises at least 6 inches above your hand.

3. As the ball drops, hit it with your chosen stroke, ensuring that it bounces on your
side of the table, goes over the net, and bounces on your opponent’s side of the
table.
SELF-ASSESSMENT

1) Any sport is best played when the player is familiar with its essential aspects like
history, equipment, rules of the game, basic skills and etc., because

Arreglo, Louie With their knowledge, they can gain an advantage compared to other
players who have no history and knowledge about the sport. It is also
easier for them to reach their full potential and in a shorter period of
time. It won’t take long for them to become a good player and it won’t
be hard for them to master the sport. That is why it is really important
to study the sport first before playing it
Cinco,
Corinne
Hamoy,
Thomas Yuri
Mosqueda, Any sport is best played when the player is familiar with its essential
Hans Gabriel aspects like history, equipment, rules of the game, basic skills and etc
because through these, a person becomes familiar with a specific
sport. With this knowledge, that person can formulate various
strategies and use the appropriate technique that will improve his/her
performance. Additionally, through these and practice, a person can
reach their full potential and thus have a better chance of winning.
Remandaban, Any sport is best played when the player is familiar with its essential
Johanna aspects like history, equipment, rules of the game, basic skills and
Mariae etc. because having the proper and pertinent information regarding
the sport since it will result in better performance. Being able to
understand things and perform tasks well can also make you feel
confident and good about yourself.
Uy, Marielle S.