Table Tennis Overview and History

Study Notes

Table tennis is played indoors, and the objective is to hit the ball over the net so the opponent cannot return it.
There are three types of competition: Singles (two players), Doubles (four players), and Mixed Doubles (four players).
In elimination rounds, the best of five sets is played; for championship matches, the best of seven sets is required.

Table tennis originated in the 1880s in Old China.
Early names for the game included Gassamer, Pingpong, and whipwapp.
James Gibb introduced the celluloid ball in 1890.
E.C. Goode introduced the rubber faced racket in 1902.
The United States Table Tennis Association was established in 1926.
The Table Tennis Association of the Philippines was formed in the early 1900s.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is the governing body for the sport and is responsible for rule modifications.

Stroke: The proper way to hit the ball.
- Forehand stroke
- Backhand stroke
Service: Putting the ball into play.
Grip: The proper way to hold the racket.
- Shakehand grip: Held as if shaking hands with the racket.
- Penhold grip: Held as if holding a pen.
Returning and receiving: The correct stroke should be applied when returning and receiving the ball to the opponent.
Order of play: The server must bounce the ball on their side of the table before it goes over the net to the opponent’s side, and vice versa.

A game is won by the player or pair that scores 11 points first.
If both players/pairs reach 10 points, the game is won by the first player/pair to gain a 2-point lead.

Ace: A good serve that cannot be returned.
All: Both players have the same score.
Backhand: A shot executed with your backhand facing the opponent, to the left of the elbow for a right-handed player and vice versa.
Backspin: A type of spin with a push for defensive play, often used to return a drive.
Block: A response to a powerful looping game.
Chop: A return made with forward and downward movement, like chopping with an axe.
Drive: A shot with moderate speed and a flat trajectory, used to put pressure on the opponent and force errors.
Dead ball: The ball is not in play.
Deuce: Indicates a tied score.
Doubles: A format where two players on each side must alternate turns striking the ball.
Drop shot: A short shot played very close to the net.
Free hand: The hand not holding the racket.
Grip: The proper way to hold the racket.
ITTF: International Table Tennis Federation (the governing body for table tennis).
Let: A stoppage of play due to a serve hitting the net or interference outside the playing court.
Loop: An offensive shot with a lot of topspin.
Match: A competition format with the winner winning two out of three or three out of five games.