History and Equipment of Table Tennis

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Questions and Answers

What is the standard diameter and weight of a table tennis ball?

30 mm and 2.0 g

50 mm and 3.5 g

45 mm and 2.5 g

40 mm and 2.7 g (correct)

Which of the following names was used for table tennis before it became widely known as such?

Indoor Hockey

Lawn Tennis

Billiards

Ping-Pong (correct)

In what year was the International Table Tennis Federation established?

1945

1926 (correct)

1933

1890

What is the height of a table tennis table?

76 cm Signup and view all the answers

Which material is commonly used to cover the striking surface of a table tennis racket?

Pimpled rubber Signup and view all the answers

What is the length of a standard table tennis table?

2.74 m Signup and view all the answers

Which event led to the dominance of table tennis shifting to Asia?

Major international tournaments in the 1950s Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the early version of the game played in the 1890s?

Gossima Signup and view all the answers

What height does the net need to be in an ITTF approved table?

15.25 cm Signup and view all the answers

Which grip involves holding the racket like a writing instrument?

Pen hold grip Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus in forehand grip technique?

Gripping the handle closely to the blade Signup and view all the answers

Which grip is traditionally popular among players from Western and South Asian nations?

Shakehand grip Signup and view all the answers

What action should be avoided according to the gripping technique?

Holding too tightly Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the backhand grip is true?

The thumb is placed on the back of the blade. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes the forehand drive stroke?

Weight should shift towards the right foot. Signup and view all the answers

What color(s) must an ITTF approved table surface be?

Green or blue Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a block in table tennis?

To use the opponent's force against them Signup and view all the answers

Which technique involves slicing the bottom of the ball?

Backspin serve Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of the backhand smash compared to other techniques?

It demands a greater snap of the wrist upon contact. Signup and view all the answers

How should a player adjust the racket angle for a shot with severe topspin?

Close the racket angle Signup and view all the answers

What is the optimal moment to execute a smash in table tennis?

At the top of the bounce Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the action of imparting spin on a backspin serve?

Racket slicing the bottom of the ball Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration for executing a proper forehand smash?

Anticipate the opponent's return Signup and view all the answers

When performing a topspin serve, how should the racket be positioned?

More closed than usual when grazing the ball Signup and view all the answers

What must the ball do in order to be considered a good service?

The ball must touch the server's court first before crossing the net. Signup and view all the answers

When is a let ball called during a service?

When the ball touches the net but would have been a good serve. Signup and view all the answers

In singles play, what is the order of play after the server serves the ball?

The server serves, the receiver returns, and both alternate returns. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a player to successfully return a served ball?

The return must pass directly over or around the net. Signup and view all the answers

A point is awarded to the opponent when which of the following occurs?

The server makes an illegal serve. Signup and view all the answers

In doubles play, who returns after the receiver makes a return?

The partner of the server. Signup and view all the answers

What condition allows for the interruption of play?

An error occurs in the order of serving or receiving. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about a let ball is true?

A let is called if the ball touches the net during service play but remains good. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a player’s free hand touches the playing surface while the ball is in play?

It results in a fault. Signup and view all the answers

How many points must a player or pair score to win a game, unless a tie occurs at 10 points?

11 points Signup and view all the answers

What should players do to properly warm up before a table tennis match?

Engage in a light jog and stretching exercises. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a server or partner stomps a foot during the service?

It's considered a fault. Signup and view all the answers

In a match consisting of the best of an odd number of games, what is the significance of choosing an odd number?

It helps in determining a clear winner. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of cooling down after playing a match?

To prevent injuries and relax the body. Signup and view all the answers

If a player touches the net or its support while the ball is in play, what is the consequence?

The point is awarded to the opponent. Signup and view all the answers

What is an effective way to begin a warm-up for table tennis?

Start with gentle shots. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Table Tennis History

Table tennis, also known as Ping-Pong, evolved from parlor games like badminton and lawn tennis in the late 19th century.
Early versions of the game used rubber balls, strung rackets, and wooden fences around the table.
In the early 1900s, celluloid balls were introduced, and the game gained popularity, eventually becoming known as Ping-Pong due to the distinctive sound of the ball.
The name changed to "Table Tennis" in 1920.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was established in 1926 in Berlin.
The United States Table Tennis Association (USTTA) was founded in 1933.
In the 1950s, dominance shifted to Asian players and has been largely maintained since then.

Table Tennis Equipment

Racket:
- Made with a wooden blade covered with rubber on both sides.
- Rubber can be pimpled facing inwards or outwards.
- Can include a single layer of cellular rubber underneath the rubber surface.
- One side of the blade is black, and the other side is bright red.
- Typically measures 15 cm (6 inches) wide and 25 cm (10 inches) long, including the handle.
Ball:
- Small, celluloid, spherical, and white or yellow in color.
- 40mm in diameter and 2.7 g in weight.
- ITTF approved for uniform bounce: When dropped from 12 inches, it should bounce between 8.75 and 9.75 inches.
Table:
- 2.74 m (9 ft) long, 1.525 m (5 ft) wide, and 76 cm (30 inches) high.
- Made of Masonite (hardboard) or similar manufactured timber with a smooth, low-friction coating.
- Divided into two halves by a 15.25 cm (6 inch) high net.
- ITTF approved surface must be green or blue.
Net:
- 6 ft wide and stretched across the middle of the table.
- Extends to the sides with a height of 15.25 cm (6 inches).

Basic Table Tennis Skills

Grips:
- Pen Hold:
  - Gripped like a writing instrument.
  - Middle, ring, and fourth fingers curl around the back of the blade.
  - Chinese penhold style is the most popular.
- Shake Hand:
  - Gripped like a handshake.
  - Also called "shakehands," "tennis," or "Western" grip.
  - Popular among players from Western and South Asian nations.
- Forehand Grip:
  - Short handle gripped closely to the blade, with the blade partially held in the hand.
  - Index finger and thumb brace opposite sides of the blade with the index finger behind the blade for support.
- Backhand Grip:
  - Same as forehand grip but with the thumb placed on the back of the blade.
Pointers for Gripping:
- Avoid holding the racket too tightly.
- Hold the wrist firm.
- Rotate the forearm to achieve the correct blade angle.
- Face slightly to the side for forehand and backhand shots.
- Regularly check the racket hand to ensure it's not dropped due to bent wrist.
- Regularly check the thumb and index finger for proper positioning.
Strokes:
- Forehand Drive:
  - Upper arm close to the torso, forearm drawn back to the 3 o'clock position.
  - Waist turns naturally with the arm.
  - Shift weight towards the right foot during the swing.
  - Follow through forward and slightly down.
- Backhand Push:
  - Racket slightly up and back, close to the stomach.
  - Contact the ball directly in front of the body.
  - Keep the elbow still, move the forearm and wrist forward and down.
  - Graze the bottom of the ball during follow through.
- Block:
  - Uses the opponent's force against them.
  - Executed immediately after the bounce for maximum control and speed.
  - Angle of the racket adjusted based on topspin severity.
- The Smash (Kill):
  - Put-away stroke used for high, close balls on the opponent’s side.
  - Combines waist, forearm, and wrist movement.
  - Difficult to return.
  - Contact the ball at the top of the bounce, at its highest point.
- Forehand Smash:
  - Similar to the drive but with a longer backswing, greater weight transfer, faster snapping of the forearm when contacting the ball, and a longer follow-through.
- Backhand Smash:
  - Apply the same principles as the forehand smash, but with a stronger wrist snap and long follow-through.
Basic Service Techniques:
- Backspin:
  - Similar to pushing or chopping, with an open racket slicing the bottom of the ball.
- Topspin:
  - Done with a flat racket or a closed racket for more spin.
- Sidespin:
  - Hit the back of the ball in a left-to-right or right-to-left motion.
  - Easier to execute with a pendulum motion.

Table Tennis Rules

Service:
- Ball projected from the free hand, starting above the playing surface.
- Ball must rest on the palm of the free hand, with the thumb free of the fingers.
- Ball struck as it starts to descend, touching the server's court first, then passing over/around the net to touch the receiver's court.
Return:
- Ball struck after service or return, passing over/around the net and touching the opponent's court, directly or after touching the net.
Order of Play:
- Singles: Server, receiver, then alternate returns.
- Doubles: Server, receiver, server’s partner, receiver’s partner; then alternate returns in the same sequence.
Let:
- Replayed points:
  - Server's ball touches the net on its way to the receiver’s side.
  - Receiver is not ready for the serve, unless the receiver makes an attempt at the ball.
  - A player is unable to serve or return due to an accident out of their control.
  - A player gives up a point due to an accident out of their control.
Interruptions:
- Correcting an error in serving, receiving, or ends.
- Introducing the expedite system.
- Warning or penalizing a player or advisor.
- Disrupted conditions of play that could affect the outcome of the rally.
Points:
- Awarded to the opponent:
  - Failure to serve properly (excluding a “let”).
  - Failure to return a properly served or returned ball (excluding a “let”).
  - Player, racket, or anything worn/carried touching the net during play.
  - Player, racket, or clothing touching the net or moving the playing surface during play.
  - Player's free hand touching the playing surface during play.
  - Ball striking a player or their clothing before reaching the opponent's court.
  - Player volleying the ball before it bounces on their own court.
  - Player striking the ball twice consecutively.
  - Server (or partner) stomping a foot during the serve.
Game:
- First to 11 points wins, unless both players reach 10 points, then the first to score 2 points ahead wins.
Match:
- Best of any odd number of games.

Table Tennis Safety and Etiquette

Warm-up:
- Helps prepare the body for the rapid movements of the game.
- General warm-up: Light jog, jump rope, stretches.
- Specific warm-up: Gentle shots for a few minutes with another player, gradually increasing pace and tempo.
- Recommended warm-up time: 15 minutes.
Cool-down:
- Prevents injuries.
- Avoid lying down immediately after play.
- Walk around or do simple stretching exercises to cool down and relax the body.

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Description

Explore the fascinating history of table tennis, from its origins in the late 19th century as a parlor game to its transformation into the popular sport it is today. Learn about the essential equipment, including the design of the racket and the materials used.