1.

HISTORY TABLE TENNIS

Table tennis, also known as ping pong or wiff waff, is a sport in which two or four
players hit a lightweight ball back and forth across a table using a small paddle. The
game takes place on a hard table divided by a net. Except for the initial serve, the
rules are generally as follows: Players must allow a ball played toward them to
bounce one time on their side of the table, and must return it so that it bounces on
the opposite side at least once. Points are scored when a player fails to return the
ball within the rules. Play is fast and demands quick reactions. Spinning the ball
alters its trajectory and limits an opponent's options, giving the hitter a great
advantage. When doing so the hitter has a better chance of scoring if the spin is
successful.
Table tennis is governed by the worldwide organization International Table Tennis
Federation, founded in 1926. ITTF currently includes 220 member associations.
[1]

The table tennis official rules are specified in the ITTF handbook. [2] Table tennis

has been an Olympic sport since 1988,[3] with several event categories. In particular,
from 1988 until 2004, these were: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles
and women's doubles. Since 2008, a team event has been played instead of the
doubles.

HISTORY 1
The sport originated in Victorian England, where it was played among the upperclass as an after-dinner parlour game.[4][5] It had several different names, including
'whiff-whaff', and it has been suggested that makeshift versions of the game were
developed by British military officers in India in around 1860s or 1870s, who
brought it back with them.[6] A row of books stood up along the center of the table
as a net, two more books served as rackets and were used to continuously hit a golfball.[7][8] The name "ping-pong" was in wide use before British manufacturer J. Jaques
& Son Ltd trademarked it in 1901. The name "ping-pong" then came to describe the
game played using the rather expensive Jaques's equipment, with other
manufacturers calling it table tennis. A similar situation arose in the United States,
whereJaques sold the rights to the "ping-pong" name to Parker Brothers. Parker
Brothers then enforced their trademark for the term in the 1920s making the
various associations change their names to "table tennis" instead of the more
common, but trademarked, term.[9]

The next major innovation was by James W. Gibb, a British enthusiast of table
tennis, who discovered novelty celluloid balls on a trip to the US in 1901 and found
them to be ideal for the game. This was followed by E.C. Goode who, in 1901,
invented the modern version of the racket by fixing a sheet of pimpled, or
stippled, rubber to the wooden blade. Table tennis was growing in popularity by
1901 to the extent that tournaments were being organized, books being written on
the subject,[7] and an unofficial world championship was held in 1902.
In 1921, the Table Tennis Association was founded in Britain, and the International
Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) followed in 1926.[4][10] London hosted the first
official World Championships in 1926. In 1933, the United States Table Tennis
Association, now called USA Table Tennis, was formed. [4][11]
In the 1930s, Edgar Snow commented in Red Star Over China that the Communist
forces in the Chinese Civil War had a "passion for the English game of table tennis"
which he found "bizarre".[12] On the other hand, popularity of the sport waned in
1930s Soviet Union, partly because of promotion of team and military sports, and
partly because of a theory that the game had adverse health effects. [13]
In the 1950s, paddles that used a rubber sheet combined with an underlying sponge
layer changed the game dramatically,[4] introducing greater spin and speed.
[14]

These were introduced to Britain by sports goods manufacturer S.W. Hancock

Ltd. The use of speed glue increased the spin and speed even further, resulting in
changes to the equipment to "slow the game down". Table tennis was introduced as
an Olympic sport at the Olympics in 1988.[15]

HISTORY 2
The Beginnings
Lawn Tennis was a common and popular sport back then, so some upper class
Victorians in India and South Africa thought of a brilliant idea on how to
translate the game of Lawn Tennis into their homes - so they improvisedand it
worked!

They used their regular dining tables, stacked some books to be used as a "net,"
and instead of paddles, they used whatever they could find sometimes books,
sometimes even the lids from empty cigar boxes. The game today, officially referred
to as Table Tennis, was once known as Whiff-Whaff, Gossamer, Flim Flam, Pim
Pam, and of course Ping Pong.

The sport itself endured many changes throughout time. Instead of rubber balls (or
Champagne corks, commonly used at the time), celluloid balls were introduced, and
various innovations were made as well in order to improve the game such as
paddles, tables and nets dedicated to the new type of game.

The Transition from Unofficial to Official

Table tennis quickly started to spread like wildfire across Europe to the US, and it
was believed that it found its way to Asia through British Army soldiers. Although its
hard to believe that this sport was once dominated by the Europeans, at one point
the players from Hungary, and even France and Sweden, were basically
untouchable. However, that was soon changed when the Japanese introduced the
foam rubber paddle that changed the game forever.

Table Tennis was an unofficial sport, until 1927, when the International Table Tennis
Federation (founded in Berlin in 1926) organized the first Table Tennis World
Championship in London and after 62 years it was introduced as an Olympic sport in
1988.
More recently, after the year 2000, the ITTF made more alterations, including the
change from a 21-point to an 11-point scoring system, and the size of the ball (from
38 mm to 40 mm). Since the sport was becoming more popular and there were
more people interested in following it on TV, they wanted to find a way to make it
easier to watch, so they made the balls bigger, which resulted in making them

heavier and therefore slowed down the game enough to make it visible but still
interesting to play. Imagine watching a match where the ball the size of an ordinary
egg flies across the table with the speed of 100 mph, and in case you are
wondering, that happens more than youd think...

Same Game, Different Name

Although a lot of changes were made, the basic idea behind the sport has remained.
Forty-million competitive players from around the world and countless millions
playing recreationally confirms the exponential growth of table tennis throughout
the years. It is indeed a sport worth playing, and it definitely lives up to its
reputation of a sport with the most participants worldwide - so are you ready to
jump on board and #UnPlugNPlay with some Table Tennis?

HISTORY 3
Ping Pong Anyone?

The sport got its start in England towards the end of the 19th century when, after
dinner, some upper-middle class Victorians decided to turn their dining room tables
into miniature versions of the traditional lawn tennis playing field. Several different
every-day objects were employed in constructing the sport. They used a line of
books as the net. Rackets were lids from empty cigar boxes, and a little later,
parchment paper stretched around a frame. The ball would be either a ball of string,
or perhaps more commonly, a champagne
cork or rubber ball.
Before Table Tennis.
When the game first started it was called
by a number of different names. Whif
whaf, gossamer, and flim flam were
commonly used to describe it. The words,
as can be assumed, were derived from the
sound that the ball made when hit back
and forth on the table. In 1901 though,
English manufacturer J. Jaques & Son Ltd
registered one of the more popular names, Ping-Pong, as a copyright. He later sold
the trademark to the Parker Brothers in the United States. Then in the 1920's the
name and the sport were revived in Europe as table tennis.
Evolution
The turn of the century brought many other refinements to the sport. Players
started using celluloid balls after the English man James Gibb discovered them
during a trip to the United States in 1901 and proved them to be perfect for PingPong. In 1903, E.C Goode replaced parchment paper and cigar box lids with pimpled
rubber on light wooden blades as rackets. And after the world championships in
Prague in 1936, where two defensive players took over an hour to contest one
point, the net was lowered to make the pace of the game-play faster. (In another
effort to make the game more fast paced and entertaining, rules were again
changed in 2001- see Rules).
It Spreads
Also around this time, the sport spread to other European countries and to the
United States. Asian countries like China, Korea and Japan are understood to have
learnt about it from British Army officers who held posts in those places. There was
an unofficial world championship held in 1901, but the first official world
championship was held in London in 1927 by the International Table Tennis
Federation. The ITTF was founded in Berlin in 1926 by England, Sweden, Hungary,
India, Denmark, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Wales.
Asian Factor

Although it may seem today that the sport, in the professional realm, is dominated
by Asian countries like China and Korea, it wasnt always that way. Before the late
1950s and early 60s, European players from Hungary especially, but also from
France and Sweden seemed without competition. But in 1952, Japanese player Horoi
Satoh introduced the foam rubber paddle. The paddle made the game faster and
spinning the ball became an even greater factor. Japan became the main winner in
the world competitions in 1960, and by the mid 1960s China took over the reigns
through to the early 1980s. Their absolute domination of the sport was finally
subdued with the entering of table tennis into the Olympic Games in 1988 and the
participation of players from Korea and Sweden.
Table Tennis and the Cold War
On April 6th, 1971, the US table tennis team was invited on an all-expenses-paid
trip to play in China. Four days later, nine players, four officials and two spouses
crossed the bridge from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland. They were the first
group of Americans to be allowed into the country since the communist take-over in
1949. One of the first signs during the Cold war of improved relations between the
United States and China, Time magazine called it the pong heard throughout the
world. It was shortly followed with a visit to China by President Nixon.

HISTORY 4
Table tennis was originally intended to simulate tennis in an indoor environment by
using makeshift items to act in place of the conventional racket, ball and net. As
indoor tennis became popular entertainment, manufacturers began to develop bats
suited to indoor play. The early bats were made from parchment stretched over a
wooden frame, which made a whiff whaff sound when moved through the air,
giving table tennis its early name.
In 1901, after a trip to America where he discovered novelty celluloid balls, James
Gibb introduced the ping pong ball to table tennis. Following the introduction of the
ping pong ball, rubber bats were invented in 1903 by E.C Goode who identified
rubber as the ideal material for the celluloid balls to bounce off. Further
developments were made to the bat in the 1950s when a layer of sponge
underneath the rubber further increased the amount of speed and spin that could
be given to a ball.
Table tennis became a popular sport in central Europe between 1905 and 1910 and
it was around this time that the game was also introduced to Japan, later spreading
to China and Korea. The official English Table Tennis Association was founded in
1921 and in 1926 the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was formed, which
has added new standards and rules to the game as table tennis has increased in
popularity. The first World Championship took place in London in 1927 and the

profile of the game was raised further in 1988, when table tennis became an official
Olympic event in Seoul in South Korea.

2. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENTS

Aside from a racket, ball and table very little equipment is needed for table tennis,
making it one of the worlds most popular recreational sports.
Racket also called bats or paddles, "racket" is the official ITTF term for the
instrument used to hit the ball. Table tennis rackets are made of plywood and
covered in pimpled or inverted rubber with a thin layer of sponge in between. The
combination of sponge, pimpled rubber and plywood allows the ball to travel at
maximum speed and is conducive to adding spin to the ball, although many players
today prefer inverted rubber because it is resistant to spins, allowing for effective
defensive shots. Most rackets have a long handle but the Japanese racket has a

raised handle and the Chinese racket a much shortened handle, allowing for varying
ways of gripping the racket.

Table Tennis Racket

Ping Pong ball international regulations require a table tennis ball to be 40 mm in
diameter and made from hollow celluloid. The required diameter was changed from
38 mm in 2003 in an attempt to slow the ball down, causing controversy amongst
some Chinese players who are famed for their ability to spin the ball so fast, a
return is impossible. The colour of the ball used depends upon the colour of the
table but is usually the colour that stands out most effectively against the table. The
quality of ball is denoted by a number of stars: one, two or three. Three star balls
are the most expensive but are very good quality and will last a lot longer than balls
with one star.
Table official table tennis tables are 2.74 m in length, 1.525 m wide and 0.7 m
high. Tables are made from a manufactured timber and covered in a smooth coating
to reduce friction, allowing the ball to have maximum bounce. A white line borders
the table and divides it lengthwise, marking the right hand and left hand half of
each side.

Table Tennis Table

Net the net stretches across the middle of the table and should be 15.25 cm high.
Clothing there is no specific uniform required for table tennis, although in official
competitions teams will wear clothes representative of their countries colours.
Loose, non-reflective clothing is recommended and footwear should allow good
ankle control and quick movements, as opposed to trainers that are specifically
designed for running.

3. Game Objectives

GAME OBJECTIVES 1
Objective of Table Tennis
In table tennis (or ping-pong, as it is often called colloquially), two opponents (in
singles) or two teams of two opponents (in doubles), play a match consisting of
games and points, using wooden-based rackets covered in rubber to hit a 40mm
diameter celluloid ball over a 15.25cm high net, onto the opponent's side of
a table that is 2.74m long and 1.525m wide, and 76cm high.
The overall objective of the game of ping-pong is to win the match by winning
enough points to win more than half of the number of maximum possible games to
be played between you and your opponent (in singles), or you, your partner and
your two opponents (in doubles).
A secondary objective (and some would say the main objective) is to have fun and
get a bit of exercise at the same time!
Overview of a Match
A pointis won by a player or team when the opponent or opponents cannot hit the
ball with a racket over the net and onto the other side of the table.
A game is won by being the first player or team to win 11 points, and be at least 2
points ahead of your opponent or opponents.
If both players or teams have won 10 points, then the first player or team to get a 2
point lead wins the game.
A match can be any odd number of games, but is commonly the best of 5 or 7
games. In a 5 game match the first player or team to win 3 games is the winner,
and in a 7 game match the first player or team to win 4 games is the winner.

GAMES OBJECTIVE 2
OBJECTIVES
- First of all to involve children in table tennis as a sport, with emphasis on fitness

and competitive skills

- To give the children, and also their parents, a positive feeling of social belonging to
a sound, safe and pleasant environment
- Attract and look after children with indigenous background as well as other
children.
- Also be an attractive alternative for adult players
- To be a better alternative because of better coaching, better competitions and
better ability to look after the players

4. RULES AND REGULATION

RULES AND REGULATION 1

THE LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS
2.01

THE TABLE

2.01.01

The upper surface of the table, known as the playing surface, shall
be rectangular, 2.74m long and 1.525m wide, and shall lie in a
horizontal plane 76cm above the floor.

2.01.02

The playing surface shall not include the vertical sides of the
tabletop.

2.01.03

The playing surface may be of any material and shall yield a

uniform bounce of about 23cm when a standard ball is dropped on to
it from a height of 30cm.

2.01.04

The playing surface shall be uniformly dark coloured and matt, but
with a white side line, 2cm wide, along each 2.74m edge and a white
end line, 2cm wide, along each 1.525m edge.

2.01.05

The playing surface shall be divided into 2 equal courts by a

vertical net running parallel with the end lines, and shall be
continuous over the whole area of each court.

2.01.06

For doubles, each court shall be divided into 2 equal half-courts by

a white centre line, 3mm wide, running parallel with the side lines;
the centre line shall be regarded as part of each right half-court.

2.02
2.02.01

THE NET ASSEMBLY

The net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension and the
supporting posts, including the clamps attaching them to the table.

2.02.02

The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each end to an

upright post 15.25cm high, the outside limits of the post being
15.25cm outside the side line.

2.02.03

The top of the net, along its whole length, shall be 15.25cm above
the playing surface.

2.02.04

The bottom of the net, along its whole length, shall be as close as
possible to the playing surface and the ends of the net shall be as
close as possible to the supporting posts.

2.03

THE BALL

2.03.01

The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40mm.

2.03.02

The ball shall weigh 2.7g.

2.03.03

The ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and

shall be white or orange, and matt.

2.04

THE RACKET

2.04.01

The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall
be flat and rigid.

2.04.02

At least 85% of the blade by thickness shall be of natural wood; an

adhesive layer within the blade may be reinforced with fibrous
material such as carbon fibre, glass fibre or compressed paper, but
shall not be thicker than 7.5% of the total thickness or 0.35mm,
whichever is the smaller.

2.04.03

A side of the blade used for striking the ball shall be covered with
either ordinary pimpled rubber, with pimples outwards having a total
thickness including adhesive of not more than 2.0mm, or sandwich
rubber, with pimples inwards or outwards, having a total thickness
including adhesive of not more than 4.0mm.

2.04.03.01

Ordinary pimpled rubber is a single layer of non-cellular rubber,

natural or synthetic, with pimples evenly distributed over its surface
at a density of not less than 10 per cm 2 and not more than 30 per
cm2.

2.04.03.02

Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a

single outer layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the
pimpled rubber not being more than 2.0mm.

2.04.04

The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits
of the blade, except that the part nearest the handle and gripped by
the fingers may be left uncovered or covered with any material.

2.04.05

The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering
material or adhesive on a side used for striking the ball shall be
continuous and of even thickness.

2.04.06

The surface of the covering material on a side of the blade, or of a

side of the blade if it is left uncovered, shall be matt, bright red on
one side and black on the other.

2.04.07

The racket covering shall be used without any physical, chemical

or other treatment.

2.04.07.01

Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour

due to accidental damage or wear may be allowed provided that they

do not significantly change the characteristics of the surface.

2.04.08

Before the start of a match and whenever he or she changes his or

her racket during a match a player shall show his or her opponent and
the umpire the racket he or she is about to use and shall allow them
to examine it.

2.05
2.05.01

DEFINITIONS
A rally is the period during which the ball is in play.

2.05.02

The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on

the palm of the free hand before being intentionally projected in
service until the rally is decided as a let or a point.

2.05.03

A let is a rally of which the result is not scored.

2.05.04

A point is a rally of which the result is scored.

2.05.05

The racket hand is the hand carrying the racket.

2.05.06

The free hand is the hand not carrying the racket; the free arm is
the arm of the free hand.

2.05.07

A player strikes the ball if he or she touches it in play with his or

her racket, held in the hand, or with his or her racket hand below the
wrist.

2.05.08

A player obstructs the ball if he or she, or anything he or she wears

or carries, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the
playing surface, not having touched his or her court since last being
struck by his or her opponent.

2.05.09

The server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally.

2.05.10

The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally.

2.05.11

The umpire is the person appointed to control a match.

2.05.12

The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire

with certain decisions.

2.05.13

Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that he

or she was wearing or carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the
rally.

2.05.14

The ball shall be regarded as passing over or around the net

assembly if it passes anywhere other than between the net and the
net post or between the net and the playing surface.

2.05.15

The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both

directions.

2.06
2.06.01

THE SERVICE
Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of
the server's stationary free hand.

2.06.02

The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards,
without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16cm after leaving the
palm of the free hand and then falls without touching anything before
being struck.

2.06.03

As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first
his or her court and then, after passing over or around the net
assembly, touches directly the receiver's court; in doubles, the ball
shall touch successively the right half court of server and receiver.

2.06.04

From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above
the level of the playing surface and behind the server's end line, and
it shall not be hidden from the receiver by the server or his or her
doubles partner or by anything they wear or carry.

2.06.05

As soon as the ball has been projected, the servers free arm and
hand shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net.
The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net
and its indefinite upward extension.

2.06.06

It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or

the assistant umpire can be satisfied that he or she complies with the
requirements of the Laws, and either may decide that a service is
incorrect.

2.06.06.01

If either the umpire or the assistant umpire is not sure about the
legality of a service he or she may, on the first occasion in a match,
interrupt play and warn the server; but any subsequent service by
that player or his or her doubles partner which is not clearly legal
shall be considered incorrect.

2.06.07

Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a correct

service where he or she is satisfied that compliance is prevented by
physical disability.

2.07

THE RETURN

2.07.01

The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it

passes over or around the net assembly and touches the opponent's
court, either directly or after touching the net assembly.

2.08

THE ORDER OF PLAY

2.08.01

In singles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall
then make a return and thereafter server and receiver alternately
shall each make a return.

2.08.02

In doubles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall
then make a return, the partner of the server shall then make a
return, the partner of the receiver shall then make a return and
thereafter each player in turn in that sequence shall make a return.

2.08.03

When two players who are in wheelchairs due to a physical

disability are a pair playing doubles, the server shall first make a
service, the receiver shall then make a return but thereafter either

player of the disabled pair may make returns. However, no part of a

players wheelchair shall protrude beyond the imaginary extension of
the centre line of the table. If it does, the umpire shall award the point
to the opposing pair.
2.09
2.09.01

A LET
The rally shall be a let

2.09.01.01

if in service the ball, in passing over or around the net assembly,

touches it, provided the service is otherwise correct or the ball is
obstructed by the receiver or his or her partner;

2.09.01.02

if the service is delivered when the receiving player or pair is not

ready, provided that neither the receiver nor his or her partner
attempts to strike the ball;

2.09.01.03

if failure to make a service or a return or otherwise to comply with

the Laws is due to a disturbance outside the control of the player;

2.09.01.04
2.09.01.05

if play is interrupted by the umpire or assistant umpire;

if the receiver is in wheelchair owing to a physical disability and in
service the ball, provided that the service is otherwise correct,

2.09.01.05.0
after touching the receiver's court returns in the direction of the
1
net;
2.09.01.05.0
2

comes to rest on the receiver's court;

2.09.01.05.0
in singles leaves the receivers court after touching it by either of
3
its sidelines.
2.09.02

Play may be interrupted

2.09.02.01

to correct an error in the order of serving, receiving or ends;

2.09.02.02

to introduce the expedite system;

2.09.02.03

to warn or penalise a player or adviser;

2.09.02.04

because the conditions of play are disturbed in a way which could

affect the outcome of the rally.

2.10
2.10.01

A POINT
Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point

2.10.01.01

if an opponent fails to make a correct service;

2.10.01.02

if an opponent fails to make a correct return;

2.10.01.03

if, after he or she has made a service or a return, the ball touches
anything other than the net assembly before being struck by an
opponent;

2.10.01.04

if the ball passes over his or her court or beyond his or her end line
without touching his or her court, after being struck by an opponent;

2.10.01.05

if an opponent obstructs the ball;

2.10.01.06

if an opponent deliberately strikes the ball twice in succession;

2.10.01.07

if an opponent strikes the ball with a side of the racket blade whose
surface does not comply with the requirements of 2.4.3, 2.4.4 and
2.4.5;

2.10.01.08

if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, moves

the playing surface;

2.10.01.09

if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, touches

the net assembly;

2.10.01.10

if an opponent's free hand touches the playing surface;

2.10.01.11

if a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence

established by the first server and first receiver;

2.10.01.12
2.10.01.13

as provided under the expedite system (2.15.4).

if both players or pairs are in a wheelchair due to a physical
disability and

2.10.01.13.0
his or her opponent does not maintain a minimum contact with the
1
seat or cushion(s), with the back of the thigh, when the ball is struck;
2.10.01.13.0
his or her opponent touches the table with either hand before
2
striking the ball;
2.10.01.13.0
3

his or her opponent's footrest or foot touches the floor during play.

2.10.01.14

as provided under the order of play (2.8.3).

2.11

A GAME

2.11.01

A game shall be won by the player or pair first scoring 11 points

unless both players or pairs score 10 points, when the game shall be
won by the first player or pair subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points.

2.12

A MATCH

2.12.01

A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of games.

2.13

THE ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS

2.13.01

The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving and ends
shall be decided by lot and the winner may choose to serve or to
receive first or to start at a particular end.

2.13.02

When one player or pair has chosen to serve or to receive first or

to start at a particular end, the other player or pair shall have the
other choice.

2.13.03

After each 2 points have been scored the receiving player or pair
shall become the serving player or pair and so on until the end of the
game, unless both players or pairs score 10 points or the expedite

system is in operation, when the sequences of serving and receiving

shall be the same but each player shall serve for only 1 point in turn.
2.13.04

In each game of a doubles match, the pair having the right to

serve first shall choose which of them will do so and in the first game
of a match the receiving pair shall decide which of them will receive
first; in subsequent games of the match, the first server having been
chosen, the first receiver shall be the player who served to him or her
in the preceding game.

2.13.05

In doubles, at each change of service the previous receiver shall

become the server and the partner of the previous server shall
become the receiver.

2.13.06

The player or pair serving first in a game shall receive first in the
next game of the match and in the last possible game of a doubles
match the pair due to receive next shall change their order of
receiving when first one pair scores 5 points.

2.13.07

The player or pair starting at one end in a game shall start at the
other end in the next game of the match and in the last possible
game of a match the players or pairs shall change ends when first
one player or pair scores 5 points.

2.14

OUT OF ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING OR ENDS

2.14.01

If a player serves or receives out of turn, play shall be interrupted

by the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall resume
with those players serving and receiving who should be server and
receiver respectively at the score that has been reached, according to
the sequence established at the beginning of the match and, in
doubles, to the order of serving chosen by the pair having the right to
serve first in the game during which the error is discovered.

2.14.02

If the players have not changed ends when they should have done
so, play shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as the error is
discovered and shall resume with the players at the ends at which
they should be at the score that has been reached, according to the
sequence established at the beginning of the match.

2.14.03

In any circumstances, all points scored before the discovery of an

error shall be reckoned.

2.15

THE EXPEDITE SYSTEM

2.15.01

Except as provided in 2.15.2, the expedite system shall come into

operation after 10 minutes' play in a game or at any time requested
by both players or pairs.

2.15.02

The expedite system shall not be introduced in a game if at least

18 points have been scored.

2.15.03

If the ball is in play when the time limit is reached and the expedite
system is due to come into operation, play shall be interrupted by the
umpire and shall resume with service by the player who served in the

rally that was interrupted; If the ball is not in play when the expedite
system comes into operation, play shall resume with service by the
player who received in the immediately preceding rally.
2.15.04

Thereafter, each player shall serve for 1 point in turn until the end
of the game, and if the receiving player or pair makes 13 correct
returns in a rally the receiver shall score a point.

2.15.05

Introduction of the expedite system shall not alter the order of

serving and receiving in the match, as defined in 2.13.6.

2.15.06

Once introduced, the expedite system shall remain in operation

until the end of the match.

5. PAPASA KONG PICTURE

6.
Like Clockwork
When looking at the handle of a tennis racquet, the base is an octagon made up of
eight edges that are referred to as bevels. If you hold the racquet up as if you were
about to hit a forehand, the bevels count clockwise from one to eight. Thus, for
example, the third bevel, which will now be referred to as B3 from here on out,
would be the edge to the immediate right of the octagon. B5 would be straight
down from B1, and B7 is the edge to the far left, just to get perspective on the four
cardinal directions. The guide will use these throughout the rest of the piece, as
theyre unbelievably key to creating your desired result.
CONTINENTAL GRIP
Put the base knuckle of your index finger on B2 to make a V-shape with your thumb
and forefinger on top of the handle. For lefties, put your knuckle on B4. This serve is
primarily used for serves, volleys, overheads, slices, and defensive shots -- so, a
jack-of-all-trades, to say the least. The Continental Grip gives the athlete an
explosive, versatile shot that puts less stress on your arm. When volleying, it
provides an open racquet face for underspin and control. It is, in fact, the most
commonly used grip in tennis.
EASTERN FOREHAND GRIP
Here, youll want to put your hand flat against the strings and slide your hand down
to the grip. Pretend you are shaking hands with the racquet grip. Your base knuckle
should be on the right side of the racquet, on B3. This grip is particularly helpful
while learning how to hit a forehand. Itll allow the athlete to hit mostly flat with
some minor topspin. Generally speaking, the Eastern Forehand Grip is great for
quickly switching to another grip when necessary, so its a good starting point for
beginners.

SEMI-WESTERN FOREHAND GRIP

Move your knuckle one bevel clockwise from the Eastern Forehand Grip to B4. This
allows players to put more topspin on the ball, which is perfect for lobs and quick,
tiny angles. Thus, players are often able to hit the ball much harder because the
topspin will help it stay in play. Use this grip if youre looking for a shot with power,
control, topspin, and greater margin error for getting it over the net.
WESTERN FOREHAND GRIP
For a full Western Forehand Grip, slide that knuckle one more bevel clockwise from
the Semi-Western Grip to B5. This will be the grip you want to use to put as much
topspin on the ball as possible. In fact, this is the best grip for maximum topspin, so
use it to your advantage! Even if you catch the ball at a super high angle, the extra
load of topspin should help it drop past the net. This shot pushes your opponent
back in the court behind the baseline, which might set you up for an easy winner.
EASTERN BACKHAND GRIP
First, go all the way to your Continental Grip at B2, from there, shift your knuckle
one bevel counterclockwise, and clockwise for lefties, so its now on top of the grip
completely at B1. Youll often see these serves in backhand and kick serve
situations. Itll provide stability in the wrist and allows a player to hit the ball with
spin. As an added bonus, the Eastern Backhand Grip is easy for transitioning into a
volley.
SEMI-WESTERN BACKHAND GRIP
Keep that rotating train going! This time, move the base knuckle of your index
finger one bevel counterclockwise from the Eastern Backhand to B8. This will,
naturally, be similar to the Semi-Western Forehand Grip and will help you close the
racquet face so that you can strike the ball higher and further in front of you with
topspin. However, this is a generally advanced grip to use, so beginners may want
to focus elsewhere in the early stages.
TWO-HANDED BACKHAND GRIP
This one, of course, will feature both of your hands in order to stabilize and launch a
powerful return. Youll want to use your dominant hand in a Continental Grip and
your non-dominant hand above it in a Semi-Western Forehand Grip. So, for righthanded players, put your right hand at B2, and your left on B7 or B8, depending on
what feels more comfortable. Its a great, controlled way to return serves and low
shots and helps provide extra power for balls at shoulder level.

7. Strokes
Service There are no specifications as to the type of service used but the most
effective serves put a spin on the ball using the wrist:

Backspin Serve the racket is aimed upwards, as in a drive, slicing the

bottom of the ball.

Topspin Serve the rackets surface is aimed downwards making contact with
the top of the ball.

Sidespin Serve the ball is hit either from right-to-left or from left-to-right
with the racket making contact with the bottom of the ball.

The Forehand Drive An offensive stroke, the forehand (and backhand) drive
produces a low ball making a return very difficult when played correctly. With the
upper arm staying close to the body the forearm should be drawn back to the
approximate 3 oclock position, turning the waist with the arm and putting the
weight on the right foot. The arm should then be swung, allowing the waist to turn
with the swing and the weight to transfer on to the left foot. The racket should make
contact with the ball to the side of the body with a closed racket (at a slight
downwards angle) and should be parallel with the left shoulder at the end of the
follow-through. (For left handed players the directions are the same but use the
opposite side of the body.)
The Backhand Drive The backhand drive is performed in the opposite direction to
the forehand drive. The waist should turn slightly to the left and the racket swung to
the approximate 9 oclock position. Contact with the ball should be made in front of
the body, bringing the forearm forward at a slightly upward angle. Keeping the left
foot ahead of the right, the racket should end in the 12 oclock position after the
follow through. (For left handed players the directions are the same but use the
opposite side of the body.)
The Block This is used when there is inadequate time for a proper drive. A block is
executed immediately after the bounce, as a way of using the speed of the
opponents shot against them, by bringing the racket close to block the balls path
but maintaining its speed and control.
The Smash The smash is the most powerful of all table tennis strokes and is used
when the opponent makes a short high shot. In order to execute a smash, the player
must make contact with the ball when it is at the highest point of its bounce, using
maximum power from the forearm and wrist to bring the racket down on top of the
ball.
The Forehand/Backhand Smash these use the same techniques as the forehand
and backhand drive
The Forehand Push The forehand (and backhand) push is a defensive shot, used
against low close balls and to return the ball to a difficult place on the table. When
executing the forehand push, the racket should be brought back with an open racket
(at a slightly upwards angle) with the elbow at waist level and the wrist bent
backwards. The racket should then be brought down and the wrist snapped swiftly
forward. The racket should make contact with the ball immediately after it bounces,
ideally returning the ball quickly at a very low angle.

The Backhand Push To execute the backhand push, the racket should be swung
back and up towards the stomach, with the wrist moving forward as with the
forehand push, making contact with the ball in front of the body. As with the
forehand push, the stroke should be gentle to avoid the ball going too high and
allowing the opponent to smash the ball on the return.

IBA PANG SAGOTT

Table tennis strokes generally break down into offensive and defensive categories.

Attacking strokes

A direct hit on the ball propelling it forward back to the opponent. This stroke differs
from speed drives in other racket sports like tennis because the racket is
primarily perpendicular to the direction of the stroke and most of the energy applied
to the ball results in speed rather than spin, creating a shot that does not arc much,
but is fast enough that it can be difficult to return. A speed drive is used mostly for
keeping the ball in play, applying pressure on the opponent, and potentially opening
up an opportunity for a more powerful attack.

Loop

Perfected during the 1960s, the loop is essentially the reverse of the speed drive.
The racket is much moreparallel to the direction of the stroke ("closed") and the
racket thus grazes the ball, resulting in a large amount of topspin. A good loop drive
will arc quite a bit, and once striking the opponent's side of the table will jump
forward, much like a kick serve in tennis.

Counter-drive

The counter-drive is usually a counterattack against drives, normally high loop

drives. The racket is held closed and near to the ball, which is hit with a short
movement "off the bounce" (immediately after hitting the table) so that the ball

travels faster to the other side. A well-timed, accurate counter-drive can be as

effective as a smash.

Flick

When a player tries to attack a ball that has not bounced beyond the edge of the
table, the player does not have the room to wind up in a back swing. The ball may
still be attacked, however, and the resulting shot is called a flick because the back
swing is compressed into a quick wrist action.
A flick is not a single stroke and can resemble either a drive or a loop in its
characteristics. What identifies the stroke is the back swing is compressed into a
short wrist flick.

Smash

The offensive trump card is the smash. A player will typically execute a smash when
his or her opponent has returned a ball that bounces too high or too close to the
net. Smashing is essentially self-explanatorylarge back swing and rapid
acceleration imparting as much speed on the ball as possible. The goal of a smash
is to get the ball to move so quickly that the opponent simply cannot return it.
Because the ball speed is the main aim of this shot, often the spin on the ball is
something other than topspin. Side spin can be used effectively with a smash to
alter the ball's trajectory significantly, although most intermediate players will
smash the ball with little or no spin. An offensive table tennis player will think of a
rally as a build-up to a winning smash;

Defensive strokes

The push is usually used for keeping the point alive and creating offensive
opportunities. A push resembles a tennis slice: the racket cuts underneath the ball,
imparting backspin and causing the ball to float slowly to the other side of the table.
While not obvious, a push can be difficult to attack because the backspin on the ball
causes it to drop toward the table upon striking the opponent's racket. In order to
attack a push, a player must usually loop the ball back over the net. Often, the best
option for beginners is to simply push the ball back again, resulting in pushing
rallies.

Against good players, it may be the worst option because the opponent will counter
with a loop, putting the first player in a defensive position.
Another response to pushing is flipping the ball when it is close to the net. Pushing
can have advantages in some circumstances, such as when the opponent makes
easy mistakes.

Chop

A chop is the defensive, backspin counterpart to the offensive loop drive. A chop is
essentially a bigger, heavier push, taken well back from the table.
The racket face points primarily horizontally, perhaps a little bit upward, and the
direction of the stroke is straight down. The object of a defensive chop is to match
the topspin of the opponent's shot with backspin. A good chop will float nearly
horizontally back to the table, in some cases having so much backspin that the ball
actually rises. Such a chop can be extremely difficult to return due to its enormous
amount of backspin. Some defensive players can also impart no-spin or side spin
variations of the chop.

Block

The block is a simple shot, but nonetheless can be devastating against an attacking
opponent. A block is executed by simply placing the racket in front of the ball right
after the ball bounces; thus, the ball rebounds back toward the opponent with
nearly as much energy as it came in with. This is not as easy as it sounds, because
the ball's spin, speed, and location all influence the correct angle of a block. It is
very possible for an opponent to execute a perfect loop, drive, or smash, only to
have the blocked shot come back at him just as fast. Due to the power involved in
offensive strokes, often an opponent simply cannot recover quickly enough, and will
be unable to return the blocked shot. Blocks almost always produce the same spin
as was received, usually topspin.

Lob

The defensive lob is possibly the most impressive shot, since it propels the ball
about five metres in height, only to land on the opponent's side of the table with

great amounts of spin. To execute, a defensive player first backs-off the table 46
meters; then, the stroke itself consists of lifting the ball to an enormous height
before it falls back to the opponent's side of the table. A lob is inherently a creative
shot, and can have nearly any kind of spin. Top-quality players use this to their
advantage in order to control the spin of the ball. For instance, though the opponent
may smash the ball hard and fast, a good defensive lob could be more difficult to
return due to the unpredictability and heavy amounts of the spin on the ball. Thus,
though backed off the table by tens of feet and running to reach the ball, a good
defensive player can still win the point using good lobs. However, at the
professional level, lobbers will lose the point most of the time, so the lob is not used
unless it is really necessary.

8. TERMS
American Grip an alternative name for the Seemiller grip.
Antispin the name given to the inverted sheet of rubber sometimes put on one
side of the bat which, with a layer of dead sponge underneath, is resistant to spin.
Backhand a shot executed with the back of the hand pointing towards the
opponent, to the left of the elbow for a right handed player and vice versa for a left
handed player.
Backspin when spin is added to the bottom of the ball using a chop.
Bat an alternative name for a racket.
Blade the name given to the racket without its rubber covering.
Block a stroke which uses the racket to block the balls path but maintains its
speed and control.
Blocker a type of playing that uses the block more than any other stroke.

Chinese Racket a type of racket favoured by Chinese players having a very short
handle.
Chop standing relatively far from the table, the chop is used in backspin, making
contact with the bottom of the ball to drive it back across the table.
Closed Racket when the racket makes contact with the ball at a slight downwards
angle.
Counter drive a drive stroke which is played against the opponents drive.
Crossover a technique of crossing the feet when executing a shot.
Crosscourt the term used when a ball crosses from one corner of the table to
another corner.
Dead Ball the term given to a ball that doesnt reach the opponents side of the
table or the name of a ball without any spin.
Deep a ball that is very likely to bounce twice on the opposite side of the table.
Double bounce when a ball bounces twice on one side of the table before a return,
causing that player to lose a point.
Down-the-line the term given to a ball that is hit down the side of the table.
Drive an offensive shot that relies upon a good forearm swing.
Drop shot a very short shot which drops just over the net on the opponents side
of the table, usually used when the opponent is positioned away from the table.
Flat the term used when the ball lands at a perpendicular angle to the racket.
Japanese Racket a type of racket favoured by Japanese players with a raised
handle allowing extra leverage.
Flip the name given to a topspin that lands close to the net.
Footwork the movement of the players feet when they make a shot.
Forehand a shot that is played with the palm of the hand facing the opponent, to
the right side of the elbow for a right handed player and vice versa for a left handed
player.

Freehand the hand not holding the racket.

Hard Rubber a rubber covering on a racket with no sponge underneath, used in
the early years of table tennis, allowing for a much slower game.
High Toss Serve a serve taken on a ball that is thrown particularly high into the air.
Inverted Sponge a smooth rubber surface on top of a layer of sponge, currently
the most popular covering for a table tennis racket.
ITTF International Table Tennis Federation.
Kill Shot an alternative name for a smash.
Let when a shot does not count and the point is started again. e.g. if the ball hits
the net but continues over to the opponents side of the table.
Loaded a ball that has a particularly powerful spin.
Lob usually using a backspin or topspin, the term given to a defensive return of a
smash.
Long an alternative word for deep.
Loop a shot that uses topspin.
Looper style of playing that uses the loop more than any other shot.
Match a period of play usually consisting of three games out of five or four games
out of seven.
Open Racket when the racket makes contact with the ball at a slight upwards
angle.
Paddle an alternative name for a racket
Penhold grip a way of gripping the racket as if holding a pen, allowing for the most
effective forehand.
Point a point is won when the opponent fails to hit the ball back across the net
Playing Surface the top of the table
Push a defensive stroke reliant upon a fast wrist snap.

Racket hand the hand that is used to hold the racket.

Rally the period of time a ball is being hit back and forth between players,
beginning with the serve and ending when a point is won.
Receive the return of a serve.
Rubber Cleaner used to clean the rubber of a racket in order to keep it smooth and
reduce friction.
Seemiller Grip an unconventional way of gripping the racket that allows the same
surface of the bat to play backhand and forehand strokes.
Service also called serve, the initial stroke in a point.
Shake hand grip a way of gripping the racket as if shaking someones hand.
Smash an extremely fast, powerful stroke used against short high returns.
Speed Glue a type of glue put underneath a sheet of sponge on a racket to
increase speed and spin.
Spin the rotation of the ball.
Stroke a type of shot. Different strokes are used according to the speed and
position of the ball and the players individual strengths and weaknesses.
Sweet spot the centre of the racket which allows the most bounce.
Topspin causing the top of the ball to move away from the racket, used for the
most aggressive shots.
Two-step footwork when the feet are moved in a side to side motion in the
direction of the ball, used to improve control and maintain balance during a shot.
Umpire the official who keeps the score, makes judgments and enforces rules
during a match.
Underspin an alternative word for backspin.
Volley when a player hits the ball before it bounces on their side of the table
causing them to lose the point. Unlike in outdoor tennis, volleys are banned in table
tennis.

Whiff Whaff an early name given to table tennis referring to the noise made by the
early parchment rackets produced by Victorian manufacturers.