Ping-Pong/ Table Tennis By: Jim Youngman
Equipment Two Ping-Pong Paddles Ping-Pong Ball Ping Pong Table w/ net (dimensions are labeled on image
Objective To manipulate the ping-pong ball to score 11 points Points are gained for errors opponent makes Missing the ball after it bounces on one’s side Having the ball hit one’s side twice Hitting the ball twice Hitting the ball with anything other than paddle or wrist Not causing the ball to bounce on opponents side Placing hand on table or moving table
Rules An initial head toss determines who serves Serves must be incepted by a no spin toss that is at least 16cm in the air During serves ball is not permitted to touch the net and a let is called (two lets per serve) The side of services alternates between odd/even points In a professional game each server has two serves, no matter if points are won or lost Professional games last until one player has at least 11 points and has a 2 point lead over opponent A series of best of 5 games
Paddle Grip Paddle can be gripped in various fashions The traditional method is called the shake hand grip However other methods are more effective for spins
Styles/Strokes Offensive moves Defensive moves Speed Drive Loop Drive Fast ball hit open paddle without arc to open opportunity for smash Loop Drive Ball is hit at an angle to create top spin Smash When ball is hit too high by opponent close to the net, player swings with full force and aims toward the middle of opponents half Defensive moves Slice Ball is hit at an angle below the ball to cause backspin Chop Similar to speed drive except is used when player is a few steps behind table Lob Ball is lofted from below the table with an upward moving stroke
Types of Play Recreational Doubles Like professional but games are played to 21 points and serve alternates every 5 points Doubles Same rules of professional ping-pong apply but hits must alternate between players
History/Factoids Game originated in England, and rules were derived from tennis Became an Olympic sport in 1988 China currently dominates the ping-pong world
Reference http://www.americantabletennis.com/default.asp?aspxerrorpath=/attplayers.aspx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ping_pong#The_ball http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/ping-pong.html http://www.pongworld.com/more/rules.php