know everything before you play table tennis

Let's get down to table tennis! You've probably heard it by another name: ping pong. And it's the sport that can swoop down from a relaxing social evening to a lightning-fast contest in seconds. Play it easy in your friend's garage or go wild in a tournament. The beauty of table tennis is that you don't need a lot to start, and you can pretty much become pretty good at it.

In this post, I will explain everything that you should know about table tennis: its rules, equipment and location. If you're a beginner paddler or want to master it, here's your cheat sheet.

What Is Table Tennis?

Table tennis is a fast-paced indoor game played by two or four people, passing a light ball across a table with small paddles (or rackets). The goal of the game is to knock the ball down, leaving it on the other side of the table and they won't be able to pick it up again. It's kind of like tennis, but much smaller and with some key distinctions.

While this may sound unobtrusive, table tennis is a competitive sport on the pro circuit. Reflexes, quick thinking and accuracy are important for winning, and the game is mentally as much as physically challenging.

How To Play Table Tennis -

The game isn't that difficult, but it does take a little time to get used to. Now, lets break down how table tennis is played.

A game starts with a serve. The server rolls the ball from behind their end of the table, making sure the ball first bounces on his side of the table, then on the opponent's side. The opponent has to then volley back the ball after it lands on their side. From there there's a spurt and both players compete to force the other in with shots.

They can either strike the ball right back into their opponent's side after bouncing or spin it and angle it so it's hard to return. Your goal is to send your opponent off or get it back under the rules. Points are scored when one player does not make a legal attempt to bring the ball back to the other side either through a dunk, a shot into the net or otherwise.

The Serve

The serve is a key aspect of table tennis and should be served properly for the rally to start. The server serves the ball by throwing it up at least 16 cm (6 inches) (approximately) and hitting it so that it bounces once on his side of the table and then across the net to the other side. It has to be able to be seen at all times during the serve and the server cannot obscure it using their body or paddle.

One of them gets the first two serves, the other player gets two serves, and so on all game long. If the score is 10-10 ("deuce"), the serve changes at every point until a winner is chosen.

Returning the Ball

When the serve goes out, the other team needs to take back the ball after it bounces off their side of the table. You cannot touch the ball before it flies, that's a misdemeanour. Returns are done on each turn, with the goal of winning the rally or making your opponent a loser.

A ball can hit only once on either side of a rally, and then be returned. A point is obtained when the ball goes twice over the other player's body, when that player hits the ball in or out of bounds, or when they just never hit the ball.

Table Tennis Points Intakes

It's not really difficult to score. You score a point when your opponent fails to return the ball in a valid manner. An average game is 11-points, but it takes a pair of points or more for a win. The result is, if 10-10, then the game continues until a player has a two-point advantage.

Table tennis is usually played in best-of-five or best-of-7 matches, that is a player has to win 3 or 4 games to claim the game.

Table Tennis Rules and Regulations.

Like any other sport, table tennis has rules and regulations to keep things fair and orderly. These policies put both players on an equal playing field, and they standardise the game between competitions.

The Basic Rules

1. Legal Serve: The serve is required to throw up a maximum of 16 cm and strike the ball to bounce on their side and your opponent's side at the same time.
2. Legal Return: When the ball rebounds on your side, the player has to hit it back so that it goes over the net and ends up on your opponent's side of the table. No one is allowed to touch the ball before it rebounds.
3.* Rally Winning: A player won a rally when their opponent either can't return the ball, or it is out of bounds or in the net.

4.Touching the Table: In rallying, a non-playing hand can't touch the table.' The other hand receives a point.

5. Net Play: If the ball goes to the net while a serve is going through, but does not end up on the service side of the line, it is considered a "let" serve and the point is over, there is no limit on how many lets a player can serve in a match.

6. Deuce and Advantage: If both players get 10 points (deuce), the game continues until someone gets two points.

7. Game Format: The game is a best-of-5 or best-of-7 with 11 point per game played.

Common Violations

These table-tennis violations, in fact, are the violations that often decide a game:

- Double Hit: If two hits are made at once the ball will be forfeited to the opponent.

- Ball Tossing Violation: In a serve, you need to hit the ball upwards, but if the player does not hit the ball or hit the ball wrong, it is a fault.

- Interfering with the Ball: If the ball is touched before landing on their side of the table, then the other player gets one automatic point.

Table Tennis Equipment.

The good thing about table tennis is that it's not a long list of equipment. But whatever gear you do own is an important factor in your performance. Now, let's break it down.

1. The Table

The table does all the work. An official table tennis table is 2.74 metres (9 feet), 1.525 metres (5ft) wide, and 76 cm (2.5ft) tall. It is framed on one side of the table by a net that is 15.25 cm (6 inches) high and runs in the centre of the table.

Table tennis tables tend to be constructed of wood or similar materials and matte for less glare. You mark the table with white border lines and there is typically a center line in doubles.

2. The Racket (Paddle)

The paddle is table tennis's most intimate apparatus. Each player's paddle will depend on play style and preference. The paddle consists of a wooden handle lined with rubber on both sides. Both sides are red, and one side is usually black allowing players and officials to distinguish different rubber surface types for spin and control.

- Types of Handles: There are various handle types (flare, straight, and anatomic) and players pick the handle that best suits their hand.
- Types of Rubber: Your paddle rubber affects how spiny and fast you can spin the ball with some rubber having more grip and others quicker shots.

3. The Ball

Balls in table tennis are light, thin and hollow. Official competition balls are 40mm diameter and 2.7g. The ball is made of celluloid or plastic like stuff and either white or orange, depending on the table and lighting.

Balls are usually assigned stars (1-star to 3-star). The 3-star balls are of the best standard and are exhibited in competitions. A good table tennis ball should bounce regularly and should not break easily in high speed play.

4. The Net

The table tennis net is pretty tiny, it measures 15.25 cm high and it extends across the entire width of the table. It's held to the tablesides by clamps and tension strings that tether it together. The net is what separates the two halves of the field, and the ball has to cross it on each rally.

5.Boots and clothes.

While less equipment intensive than many other activities, table tennis is one game where shoes and clothes matter. It provides proper traction and cushioning during the sudden side-to-side actions in table tennis shoes. They will need to be lightweight with a non-slip sole so that they don't scuff the court.

Its players are generally clothed in lightweight, airy gear to keep warm during competitions. Because table tennis is an extremely rapid and mobile game, freedom of movement is paramount.

The Table Tennis Field.

Now that we have gotten into the equipment, let's examine the table tennis room.

Dimensions of the Playing Area

In tournaments, you should have a field that measures at least 14 metres in length, 7 metres wide and 5 meters high. These are dimensions that provide enough room for players to get around during fast-paced plays. Even when casual games happen in smaller rooms, there should be room for players who want to move around the table a little more.

Lighting

Lighting is a very important aspect of the field. It will be white without being overbearing and should be uniformly spread over the whole field. It does this by making sure the ball is always visible, regardless of speed or spin. Most indoor table tennis courts have overhead lights to provide shadows and lighting.

Flooring

Flooring is as vital to a table tennis room as the table itself. This floor should have enough traction that players won't slip when advancing quickly. In competitions, it will often be rubber- or wooden flooring. (Concrete or other hard surfaces are hard on joints and not used in competition.

Barriers

In official competitions, fencing usually envelops the playing field, preventing the balls from moving out of bounds and establishing boundaries for both players and spectators. These screens also keep away players' distractions during matches.

Why Table Tennis Is A Perfect Game for You!

Table tennis is one of those sports that anybody can take part in. It is trivial to learn, but you can develop the game over years of practice. Playing casually with your friends in your basement, or preparing for a competition, table tennis is a good, difficult game.

It's also a great exercise that doesn't require you to join an extremely intense sport. It strengthens hand-eye co-ordination, agility and strategic thinking. Plus, since table tennis is social, it's an awesome opportunity to meet new people and enjoy some competitive fun.

Final Thoughts

A game that might look easy to understand, when you do walk up to the table, it is easy to forget the skill, tactics and reflexes required. Whether you're playing for pleasure or are trying to be a competitive player, the more you play, the better you'll get. Now get a paddle and a table and hit away! It's a fun and addictive game that you'll find quite addictive.