Table Tennis/Ping Pong: Beginner’s Guide

Table Tennis/Ping Pong: Beginner’s Guide

Table tennis, sometimes known as "ping pong" is a miniaturized version of outdoor or lawn tennis.

The game is played by two players (singles) or four players who hit a 40mm diameter ball made of celluloid or plastic, back and forth over (or around) the net, using table tennis rackets made of wood covered with pimpled rubber.

Like almost every sport, you must first acquire the equipment needed to enjoy it. There are only three basic things that you might have to purchase when it comes to playing table tennis.

Table tennis is played by striking the ball with a paddle which is sometimes known as a bat or a racket depending on where you live.

Like a lot of other sports to play table tennis, you’ll need a ball. Ping pong balls are small, round and made out of plastic. The standard regulation size is 40 mm. Ping pong balls are rated in quality by a star system from 1 to 3 stars. One star ball is used for beginners play and not to be used in an official tournament. In official Tournament 3 star balls are used.

Ping pong tables are one of the more expensive bits of equipment you’ll need. You can spend anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand for the top of range competition standard tables.

Basic Table Tennis Rules:

Service Rules:

1.      The service must start with the ball in an open palm. This stops you from throwing it up with spin.

2.      The ball must be thrown vertically, at least 16 cm. This stops you from serving straight out of your hand and surprising your opponent.

3.      The ball must be above and behind the table throughout the serve. This stops you getting any silly angles and gives your opponent a fair chance at returning.

4.      After throwing the ball, the server must get their free arm and hand out of the way. This is to allow the receiver to see the ball.

Doubles Rules:

1.      The service must go diagonally, from the server’s right-hand side to the receivers right-hand side. This stops you from getting the opposing pair tangled up before they’ve even hit a ball.

2.      A doubles pair must strike the ball alternately. This makes doubles challenging. None of that front court/back court tennis nonsense.

3.      At the change of service, the previous receiver becomes the new server and the partner of the previous server becomes the receiver. This makes sure everybody does everything. After eight points you’re back to the start of the cycle.

General match play:

1.      You have two serves before it is your opponent’s turn to serve twice. This used to be five serves each but since changing to 11 it’s now just two.

2.      At 10-10 it’s deuce. You get one serve each and must win by two clear points. This is sudden death or table tennis’ equivalent of a tie break.

3.      If you are playing a best of 3, 5 or 7 (as opposed to just one set) you have to change ends after each game. This makes sure both players experience conditions on both sides of the table. You also change ends when the first player reaches five points in the final game of a match.

Let Serve:

1.      An otherwise good serve touches the net. This ensures your opponent has a chance at making a return.

2.      The receiver isn’t ready (and doesn’t try to hit the ball). This is just common sense really!

3.      If play is disturbed by something outside of the players’ control. This allows you to replay the point if your cat jumps onto the table, etc.

How you can lose a Point:

1.      The service is missed.

2.      The service is not returned.

3.      A shot goes into the net.

4.      A shot goes off the table without touching the court.

5.     A player moves the table, touches the net or touches the table with their free hand during play.

So That for the today’s blog in the next blog we will talk about the stance and how to hold the bat in table tennis and different varieties of serves and much more.