TABLE TENNIS
NATURE AND PURPOSE
Table tennis (popularly called Ping-Pong) may be played by two or four people. Equipment consists of a table with a smooth playing surface, a net, balls, and rackets (also called paddles). The game may be played by both old and young and seems destined to remain one of our most popular recreational activities.
EQUIPMENT
The equipment necessary to play table tennis is of simple construction and relatively inexpensive. School physical education programs can have rackets and tables made by the industrial arts department at a very nominal fee. Many physical education and recreation supply companies sell table tennis sets and balls for a very reasonable price. Obviously, as the competitive level and skill increases, more expensive rackets may be wanted.
Table. The table is 9 feet long and 5 feet wide, with a height of 30 inches from floor to top surface (Figure 17-11). Most tables are made of 3/4 inch pressed wood or good quality plywood, but other materials can be used. Tables that come in halves and have a collapsible undercarriage are easy to store. Some are constructed so that one half can be folded up into a backdrop and used for a rebound wall in practicing various strokes.
Net The playing surface is divided by a net secured in the center and parallel to the end lines. The top edge of the net is 6 inches above the playing surface.
Balls. The balls are constructed of celluloid, hollow, 4 ½ to 4 ¾ inches in circumference, and weigh between 37 and 41 grains. A good ball should be perfectly round and without wobble when spinning. The United States Table Tennis Association seal of approval on a ball is a good indication of quality.
Racket. A variety of rackets (paddles) can be
purchased at most sporting goods stores. Some have
grips that will fit your hand size. All have a rubber
or sponge covering of some type that covers the
playing surface. A covering of inverted sponge is
most used and is recommended for all levels of
players.
Singles Game
Scoring. The winner of a match shall be the player who first scores 21 points, unless both players have 20 points, in which case the winner must gain a two-point lead in order to win. The choice of ends and service at the start of the game shall be decided by toss.
Change of Ends and Service. A game is started with the server making five consecutive services. The receiver follows with five services, each player alternating in this fashion for the duration of the game, unless the score becomes 20-ail. in which case the receiver shall make one serve, followed by the original server with one serve, then the receiver, and so on, until a winner is declared. Where the match consists of only one game, or in the deciding game of a match, the players shall change ends at the score of 10. The player who started at one end of the table in one game shall start at the other end in the immediately subsequent game.
The Service. The service shall be delivered by releasing the ball, without imparting any spin upon release, and striking it with the paddle outside the boundary of the court near server's end. Finger spins and rubbing the ball against the racket face are illegal. Any spin imparted to the ball must come from action of the racket upon impact with the bail. The ball shall be struck so that it first drops into server's court and then into receiver's court by passing directly over or around the net.
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A Good Return. A ball having been served or
returned in play shall be struck by the player so that
it passes directly over or around the net and lands in
opponent's court; provided that if the ball, during
play, returns of its own impetus over or around the
net, it may be played the same as a returned ball.
Let Ball. The served ball shall be a let if it
touches the net or its supports, and later lands in
receiver's court. A let shall also be declared when a
serve is made before the receiver is ready, unless the
receiver makes an effort to strike the ball. It is a let if
either player, because of conditions not under his
control, is prevented from making a serve or a
return.
Either player shall lose the point:
1. If he fails to make a good service, unless a let is
declared.
2. If a good service or a good return is made by his
opponent and he fails to make a good return.
3. If racket, or any part of player or clothing,
touches the net or its supports while the ball is in
play.
4. If the player moves the table in any way while
playing the ball.
5. If a player's free hand touches the table while the
ball is in play.
6. If, at any time, he volleys the ball. (A volley,
consists of hitting the ball before it has bounced.)
FIGURE 17-11. Table tennis table.
Doubles Game
The rules for singles games apply to doubles except as indicated below.
Service Line. A one-eighth inch white line drawn down the center of the table parallel to the side lines is called the service line.
A Good Service. The ball must touch first the server's right-half court or the centerline on his side of the net, and then, passing directly over or around the net, touch the receiver's right-half court or the centerline on his side of the net.
Choice of Order of Play. The pair who has the right to serve the first five services in any game shall decide which partner shall do so, and the opposing pair shall then decide similarly which shall first be the receiver.
Order of Service. Each server shall serve for five points. At the end of each term of service, the one who was receiving becomes the server, and the partner of the previous server becomes the receiver. This sequence of the receiver becoming the server and the partner of the previous server becoming the receiver continues until the end of the game or the score of 20-all. At the score of 20-all, the sequence of serving and receiving shall continue uninterrupted except that each player shall serve only one point in turn, and the serve alternates after each point until the end of the game.
Order of Play. The server shall first make a good service, the receiver shall then make a good return, the partner of the server shall then make a good return, the partner of the receiver shall then make a good return, the server shall then make a good return, and thereafter each player alternately in that sequence shall make a good return.
TERMINOLOGY
Ace A service which completely eludes the receiver. Advantage (ad) Next point made after a deuce score. It is
"advantage out" if the receiver wins it and "advantage in" if the server wins. The player wins the match who first wins a point after gaining "advantage."
All Term used to denote an equal score, e.g.. 20-all.
Backhand Stroke frequently used by right-handed player when returning a ball hit to his left. The paddle is held so that the back of the hand faces the ball; the ball is usually hit with side of paddle opposite the side used in the forehand.
Backspin A ball bit so that top of ball rotates toward stroker, bottom moving away.
Block shot A half volley.
Deadball A ball is dead if a let is called, if the ball bounces twice on the table, and at the conclusion of a point or rally.
Deuce When the score is even at 20-all. To win a player must score two consecutive points.
Drop shot A shot played so softly that it dies before opponent can reach it, or places him at a disadvantage if he does play it
Finger spin An illegal procedure whereby spin is imparted to the ball by the fingers in serving.
Forehand A stroke or volley made in such a fashion that the palm is the leading part of the movement. Usually hit with the opposite face of the paddle than that used in backhand. In this stroke the left foot of a right-handed player is toward the table.
Let Means "play the point over" and occurs when the ball strikes the top of net and falls into correct service court, also if a ball breaks or if an official or spectator interferes with a player.
Mixed Doubles Doubles game in which each team has one man and one-woman player.
Push shot A ball struck with a pushing motion of the
paddle near the top of the bounce so that no spin is
placed on the ball.
Service court In singles, the entire table area on the
receiver's side. 5 by 4 ½ feet. In doubles, the table is
divided by a center line so each service court is 4 ½ by
2 ½ feet.
Slice A stroke in which the ball is stroked late so that it
tends to spin in a direction away from the paddle. Topspin A ball stroked so that the top spins forward in
the direction of flight Is the opposite of backspin or
underspin.
Volley Illegal stroking of ball while it is in the air and
before it has touched the table.