TABLE TENNIS  

Table Tennis Equipment

• The table
• The net
• The bats
• The net supports
• The balls
• The towel

The Basic Skills and Techniques

• The grip
• The service
• The footwork/stance
• The backhand stroke/drive
• The forehand stroke/drive
• The top spin
• The lob
• The half volley
• The push shot
• The drop shot
• The smash

The Nature of the Game

The game of table tennis is played on table of 0.76m high by two or four players. The game begins with a serve from the server after a toss for choice of service. The ball must hit the server’s table before crossing the net at the centre of the table into the opponent’s court. A point is awarded to a player who wins the rally. Players change service after every two points have been scored. The player who reaches 11 points (formerly 21 points)  first wins the game. In case of a tie at 10 points, it is called a deuce. A player must win two more points to win the game. Matches are played to the best of 3 or 5 games.

Rules of the Game

1. A served ball touching the net and falling on the opponent’s court is a ‘LET’.
2. The ball must bounce on the opponent’s court before it is played.
3. A striker should not touch the table, the net or its support during play.
4. There is change of service after any count divisible by two e.g. 2, 4, 6 etc.
5. It is a fault to spin the ball upwards before hitting it during service.
6. Advantage-in is when a server wins the next point after a deuce

Advantage-out is when a receiver wins a point after a deuce