Table Tennis Commonly known as Ping Pong

Historical Facts  First played in 1864 as a quiet parlor game.  It has been called several names:  “indoor tennis”  Gossima (name given by a British Manufacturing Co.)  Ping pong: (a name derived by the sound of the ball hitting the table and paddle – Parker Brothers, manufacturers patented the name. This led to a dispute over the name. Thus, the term “Table Tennis” was adopted in the 1930’s.  1926 the International Table Tennis Association was formed.

How to play!  The serve is decided by a toss of a coin.  The winner picks sides or get the serve.  The server serves for the next 5 rallies that end in a point.  Then the receiver becomes the server.  THE SERVE:  The ball is held on an open flat palm.  The ball must be stationary, above the table and behind the serving end line.  The ball must be tossed up at least 6 inches and hit on the decent and behind the end serving line.  The ball must hit the servers side of the table once before gong over.  In Doubles the ball must first hit the servers right side and then the receivers right side of the table

Returns  1.) A return is good if it hits the net and then goes over and lands in the opponents court.  2.) The ball can not bounce two time in a row on the same side of the court.  3.) The ball can not be hit two times in a row on the same side of the court

Terms  1.) Let: is a rally that no point is scored  2.) Obstruction: occurs when a player or a players clothing or racket touches the ball in play

The is in play until it touches:  1.) something other than the table,  2.) net assembly,  3.) the racket,  4.) the racket hand below the wrist,  5.) or the ball is a let

A “let” is a rally in which no point is scored. A “Let” occurs when:  1.) A serve touches the net or its supports and otherwise is a good serve.  2.) A serve is made before the receiving team is ready,  3.) a disturbance outside the receiver’s control occurs,  4.) an error in the playing order or ends occurs.  5.) a player changes rackets without notifying the umpire and opponent. ( the second time, the player is disqualified).

SCORING  A player scores a point when the opponent  Fails to make a good serve  Fails to make a good return  Obstructs the ball  Allows the ball to bounce twice on her court  Strikes the ball twice in making a one return  Moves the table while the ball is in play  Touches the playing surface, the net or its supports  Strikes the ball out of sequence in doubles play

HOW TO WIN  The first person to 21 wins.  If it is tied at 20 the first person to win by two is the winner. Thus, the game would be played until someone scored 22. If it is tied again at 21 then the next possible winner score would be 23 and so on.  The match shall consist of one game; best of three games or the best of five.