Module 2- Table Tennis

This module contained the history and early development, facilities and equipment,

terminologies, laws of the game and basic skills of table tennis. It also includes illustration of
important skills needed basic skills needed to learn how to play table tennis.

The end of this module, students are expected to:

1. trace the historical background of and development of table tennis;

2. explain the proper used of facilities and equipment’s according to rules and regulation;
3. discuss the rule and regulation of table tennis according to TTF;

4. analyzed the difference between singles competition with doubles competition;

5. execute the foundation skills of table tennis; and

6. analyze the different playing techniques applicable for singles and doubles game.

HISTORY AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT

1. 12th Century AD - The game of table tennis probably descended from the game of
"Royal Tennis" (also known as Real Tennis or Court Tennis), which was played in the

medieval era.
2. 1880's - Some sources claim that the sport was once known as indoor tennis, and was

played in the early 1880's by British army officers stationed in India and South Africa.

These officers are supposed to have used cigar box lids as paddles, rounded wine bottle

corks as balls, and books for an improvised net.

3. 1880's - The game had become fashionable among the upper classes in

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 4. 1890 - The earliest existing evidence of a table tennis game is a set made by David

Foster, patented in England, which included table versions of Lawn Tennis, Cricket and

Football.
5. 1891 - John Jacques of London introduce their "Gossima" game, which used drum-type

paddles, a 50mm web wrapped cork ball, and a 30cm high net.

6. 1890's - Parker Brothers begin making an indoor tennis kit which included a portable net,

a small ball covered in netting, and paddles.

7. 1900 - Englishman James Gibb is credited with bringing hollow celluloid balls back to

England from the USA, although some other sources claim they were plastic balls.

Previously most balls were solid rubber or cork, often covered in material. Some sources

also credit Gibb with inventing the name "ping pong", which was supposed to have been

derived from the sound of the ball bouncing off the drum battledores (paddles), each of
which had a different sound.

8. 1901 - John Jacques register "Ping Pong" as a trade name in England. The American

rights to the name are sold to Parker Brothers.

9. 1901 - On the 12th December 1901, "The Table Tennis Association" is formed in England.

Four days later, "The Ping Pong Association" is also formed in England.
10. 1902 - Englishman E.C. Goode is credited with putting pebbled rubber on his wooden

blade, allowing him to put more spin on the ball. This is the forerunner of the ordinary

pimpled rubber racket, which will dominate table tennis until 1952.

- 1950's - Classic Hard Bat Era - Europe Dominates the Sport

1. 1920's - In the early 1920's, the game began to revive in England and Europe.

2. 1922 - The “Table Tennis Association" is reconstituted, with the name "English Table

Tennis Association" being adopted in 1927.

3. 1926 - The International Table Tennis Federation is formed.

1970's to 2000's - the Age of Speed Glue and Technology

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 1. 1970's - Table tennis players discover that using bicycle tire repair glue to put rubber on

a blade dramatically increases the speed and spin that can be produced. This discovery is

often credited to Dragutin Surbek of Yugoslavia, and Tibor Klampar of Hungary. This
discovery is called speed glue.

2. 1970's to1989 - China is the dominant force in both men's and women's events on the

world scene, winning multiple events at all world championships.

3. 1980 - The first World Cup event is held in Hong Kong.

4. 1988 - Table tennis becomes an Olympic sport in Seoul, South Korea.

5. 1995-present - China reasserts its control over the Men’s Team and Men’s Singles events

at the World Championships.

6. 2000 - The ITTF increases the ball diameter to 40mm.

7. 2001 - The ITTF changes the scoring system, moving to 11 point games, and using a best
of 5 games or best of 7 games match.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

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 Parts of the Table

The Table

1. The table shall be in surface rectangular, 274 cm. (9 ft.) in length, 152.5 cm. (5 ft.) in

width. It shall be supported so that its upper surface, termed the playing surface, shall lie

in a horizontal plane 76 cm. (2 ft. 6 in.) above the floor.

2. It shall be made of any material and shall yield a uniform bounce of about 23 cm. (8 3/4

in.) when a standard ball is dropped from a height of 30 cm. (12 in.) above the surface.

3. The playing surface shall be dark colored and matt, with a white line 2 cm. (3/4 inch)

wide along each edge.

3.1 The lines along the 152.5 cm. (5 ft.) edges or ends shall be termed end lines, and
they shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions.

3.2 The lines along the 274 cm. (9 ft.) edges or sides shall be termed side lines.

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For doubles, the playing surface shall be divided into halves by a white line 3 mm. (1/8 in.) wide,

running parallel with the side lines, termed the center line. Permanent marking of the center line
shall not invalidate the table for singles play. The center line shall be regarded as part of each
right hand court.

The playing surface shall be considered to include the top edges of the table, but not the

sides of the table top below the edge.

The Net Assembly

1. The playing surface shall be divided into two "courts" of equal size by a vertical net

running parallel to the end lines.

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 2. The net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension, and the supporting posts,

including the clamps attaching them to the table.

3. The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each end to an upright post 15.25 cm.
(6 in.) high, the outside limits of the post being 15.25 cm. outside the side lines.

4. The net, with its suspension, along its whole length, shall be 15.25 cm. (6 in.) above the

playing surface. The bottom of the net, along its whole length, shall be as close as

possible to the playing surface and the ends of the net shall be as close as possible to
the supporting posts.

The Ball

1. The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40 mm.

2. The ball shall weigh 2.7 gm.

3. The ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastic material and

shall be white or orange and matt.

The Racket

1. The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid.

2. At least 85% of the blade by thickness shall be of natural wood; an adhesive layer within

the blade may be reinforced with fibrous material such as carbon fiber, glass fiber or
compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than 7.5% of the total thickness or 0.35mm,

whichever is the smaller.

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 3. A side of the blade used for striking the ball shall be covered with either ordinary

pimpled rubber, with pimples outwards having a total thickness including adhesive of

not more than 2.0mm, or sandwich rubber, with pimples inwards or outwards, having a
total thickness including adhesive of not more than 4.0mm.

4. Ordinary pimpled rubber is a single layer of non-cellular rubber, natural or synthetic, with

pimples evenly distributed over its surface at a density of not less than 10 per cm2 and

not more than 30 per cm2.

5. Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single outer layer of

ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled rubber not being more than

2.0mm.

6. The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the blade, except

that the part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers may be left uncovered or
covered with any material.

7. The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering material or adhesive on a

side used for striking the ball shall be continuous and of even thickness.

8. The surface of the covering material on a side of the blade, or of a side of the blade if it

is left uncovered, shall be matt, bright red on one side and black on the other.
9. The racket covering shall be used without any physical, chemical or other treatment.

10. Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour due to accidental

damage or wear may be allowed provided that they do not significantly change the

characteristics of the surface.

11. Before the start of a match and whenever he changes his racket during a match a player

shall show his opponent and the umpire the racket he is about to use and shall allow

them to examine it.

TERMINOLOGIES

1. A rally is the period during which the ball is in play.

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 2. The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm of the free

hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is decided as a let or a

point.
3. A let is a rally of which the result is not scored.

4. A point is a rally of which the result is scored.

5. The racket hand is the hand carrying the racket.

6. The free hand is the hand not carrying the racket; the free arm is the arm of the free
hand.

7. A player strikes the ball if he touches it in play with his racket, held in the hand, or with

his racket hand below the wrist.

8. A player obstructs the ball if he, or anything he wears or carries, touches it in play when it

is above or traveling towards the playing surface, not having touched his court since last
being struck by his opponent.

9. The server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally.

10. The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally.

11. The umpire is the person appointed to control a match.

12. The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire with certain decisions.
13. Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that he was wearing or

carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally.

14. The ball shall be regarded as passing over or around the net assembly if it passes

anywhere other than between the net and the net post or between the net and the
playing surface.

15. The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions.

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LAWS OF THE GAME

Service

1. At the start of service the ball shall be stationary, resting freely on the flat, open palm of

the server's free hand, behind the end line and above the level of the playing surface.
2. The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without imparting spin, so

that it rises at least 16cm after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls without

touching anything before being struck.

3. As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his court and then, after

passing over or around the net assembly, touches directly the receiver's court; in doubles,
the ball shall touch successively the right half court of server and receiver.

4. From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of the playing

surface and behind the server's end line, and it shall not be hidden from the receiver by

the server or his doubles partner and by anything they wear or carry.
5. As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm shall be removed from the

space between the ball and the net. The space between the ball and the net is defined by

the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension.

6. It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or assistant umpire can see

that he complies with the requirements for a good service.

a. If the umpire is doubtful of the legality of a service but neither he nor the assistant

umpire is sure that it is illegal he may, on the first occasion in a match, warn the server

without awarding a point.

b. If subsequently in the match the same player's service is of dubious legality, for the

same or for any other reason, he shall not be given the benefit of the doubt and the
receiver shall score a point.
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 c. Whenever there is a clear failure to comply with the requirements for a good service

no warning shall be given and the receiver shall score a point, on the first as on any

other occasion.
7. Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a good service where he is

notified, before play begins, that compliance is prevented by physical disability.

The Return

The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it passes over or around the net

assembly and touches the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly.

The Order of Play

1. In singles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return and

thereafter server and receiver alternately shall each make a return.

2. In doubles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return, the

partner of the server shall then make a return, the partner of the receiver shall then make

a return and thereafter each player in turn in that sequence shall make a return.

Point: Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point:

1. If his opponent fails to make a correct service;

2. If his opponent fails to make a correct return;

3. if, after he has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net
assembly before being struck by his opponent;

4. If the ball passes over his court or beyond his end line without touching his court, after being

struck by his opponent;

5. If his opponent obstructs the ball;

6. If his opponent strikes the ball twice successively;

7. If his opponent, or anything his opponent wears or carries, moves the playing surface;
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8. If his opponent, or anything his opponent wears or carries, touches the net assembly;

9. If his opponent's free hand touches the playing surface;

10. If a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence established by the first server and
first receiver.

A GAME

A game shall be won by the player or pair first scoring 11 points unless either players or pairs

score 10 points, when the game shall be won by the first player or pair subsequently gaining a
lead of 2 points.

A MATCH

1. A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of games.

2. Play shall be continuous throughout a match except that any player shall be entitled to an

interval of not more than 2 minutes between successive games.

THE CHOICE OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS

1. The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving and ends shall be decided by lot

and the winner may choose to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular end.

2. When one player or pair has chosen to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular

end, the other player or pair shall have the other choice.
3. After each 2 points have been scored the receiving player or pair shall become the serving

player or pair and so on until the end of the game, unless both players or pairs score 10

points or the expedite system is in operation, when the sequences of serving and receiving

shall be the same but each player shall serve for only 1 point in turn.
4. In each game of a doubles match, the pair having the right to serve first shall choose which

of them will do so and in the first game of a match the receiving pair shall decide which of

them will receive first; in subsequent games of the match, the first server having been
chosen, the first receiver shall be the player who served to him in the preceding game.

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 5. In doubles, at each change of service the previous receiver shall become the server and

the partner of the previous server shall become the receiver.

6. The player or pair serving first in a game shall receive first in the next game of the match
and in the last possible game of a doubles match the pair due to receive next shall change

their order of receiving when first one pair scores 5 points.

7. The player or pair starting at one end in a game shall start at the other end in the next

game of the match and in the last possible game of a match the players or pairs shall
change ends when first one player or pair scores 5 points.

BASIC SKILLS
THE GRIP

1. Shake hand grip

The shakehands grip is the prevalent grip of table tennis today (as of 1998), used by the

majority of recreational and professional players. The paddle is gripped with all fingers, with the

thumb resting by itself on the opposite side as the index finger. The grip is analogous to shaking
a hand at an approximately 45-degree angle. The pinky, ring, and middle finger wrap around one

side of the handle, and the index finger rests on the bottom edge of the rubber. The thumb rests

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on the top of the handle on the other side, thumbnail perpendicular to the wood. It should point

in the same direction as the index finger. When held out straight in front of you, the paddle's edge

should form a line with the outstretched arm. The grip should feel natural, with no particularly
uncomfortable areas. Too tight a grip can sacrifice control and power. Be sure to grab the handle

loosely enough so that another person would have no trouble plucking it from your hand. But at

the same time, maintain enough tightness so the paddle won't fly out of your hand during an

intense loop shot.

Some of the advantages of using the shakehands grip are:

1. Equally strong forehand and backhand advantage (provided you pay equal attention to

both)

2. Wide selection of paddles to choose from

2. Penhold grip

The racket is gripped as one would grip a pen, with the thumb and index finger, with the

rest of the fingers being tucked away on the other side.

Some of the advantages of using the penhold grip are:

1. A dominant forehand game (while backhands are possible with this grip, the vast
majority of penhold players rely on their forehand game) quick feet are required to

sustain this.

2. Since it is not as widely used, an element of surprise against opponents unfamiliar with

the grip.

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3. Seemiller grip

The seemiller grip is named after its developer, 5 time U.S. champion Dan Seemiller. This

highly unorthodox grip uses one side to hit both backhand and forehand shots. The grip is similar
to the shakehands, except that the index finger wraps around the edge of the paddle and the

thumb points "forward" to the hitting surface.

Some of the advantages of using the seemiller grip are:

1. A superior blocking position

2. Chances are more people don't know about this grip as much as they do about the
penhold.

3. The same wide selection of paddles that shakehanders enjoy.

The Ready Position and Footwork

A ready stance must be kept at all

available times during play to ensure
maximum control, power, and consistency.

The typical table tennis stance is a slight

crouch forward, feet shoulder-width apart.

Make sure you bend your knees and ankles.

Most of the weight should be on the balls

of the feet, because this makes quick sudden movements and pivots necessary for good shots

much easier. The upper arm should be close, but not flush, to your body. The forearm and racket

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should point forward, which requires that the elbow be bent. A relaxed posture is important, adjust

the stance until most of the tension is gone. Just make sure you aren't so relaxed that slouching

occurs; the idea is to maintain the optimum position for well-coordinated and explosive
movements.

When the ready position is mastered, the necessary footwork can follow. Remember,

footwork is done primarily to position the player for an optimum shot, one that doesn't have to

be reached for. Therefore, any unnecessary movement is a waste of time and energy, besides
allowing your opponent to catch you unaware with a shot opposite your direction of movement.

Most players use a side to side shuffle when moving across the table. Doing so allows one to face

the table at all times, importantly when the ball is coming in very quickly. The same principles are

used whether moving left or right. The foot in the direction of movement takes a short step in

that direction, and at the same time the weight of the body shifts to that foot. At the end of the
shuffle, the other foot slides to take its place alongside the foot that moved first.

The timing of the footwork is as important as the actual execution. If done too early, the

opponent will notice and likely fire a shot where you weren't planning on going. Catch it too late

and you will find yourself reaching for the ball or worse. Pay close attention to the opponent when

he/she is getting ready to hit. Prepare yourself and don't start moving until he/she has started
his/her stroke. Follow the ball with your eyes and use the feet to move to the best shotmaking

area relative to where the ball lands. Don't start the stroke until you have finished moving. After

hitting the ball, get back into the ready stance immediately, in anticipation for a return that could
go anywhere. When the action gets fast, all of these movements and decisions must be made in
split seconds. Training will help you get there.

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Basic Service Techniques

The following are the basic rules of service:

1. The ball must be held above the table level in order for the
opponent and umpire to see it.

2. The ball must be held in the palm of the hand with fingers

stretched, and tossed vertically at least six inches.

3. The ball must be struck only on the way down.

4. The ball must be struck behind the end line.

References

About.com. (2011). Table tennis/Ping pong. Retrieved from

http://tabletennis.about.com/od/beginnersguide/a/history_of_tt_2.htm

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Dimapilis, N.J, Espeso, L.A, Alvarez, N.M., & Ramas, A.B. (2009). College PE 3: Individual and dual
sports. Intramuros, Manila: Mindshapers.

Geske, K.M. & Mueller, J. (2017). Table tennis. Be a successful player. Retrieved June 21, 2021,

from https://www.pdfdrive.com/table-tennis-tactics-be-a-successfulplayer-

d187854850.html
Hodges, L. (1993). Table tennis: steps to success, activity series. Retrieved June 21, 2021, from
https://www.pdfdrive.com/table-tennis-steps-to-successd157807014.html

ITTF (22 April, 2006). Retrieved from http://www.masatenisi.org/english/ lawsmain.htm

ITTF Handbook. (2010-2011). Retrieved from http://www.ittf.com/ittf_handbook/ ittf_hb.html

Oracle Think Quest Education Foundation. (2011, June 1). Retrieved from
http://library.thinkquest.org/20570/basitech.html

Tulio, D.D. (2008). Basic physical education for college: Worktext P.E. 3 . Philippines: National

Book Store.

www.AllAboutTableTennis.com. (2007-2011). Retrieved from

http://www.allabouttabletennis.com/table-tennis-table.html

www.tripod.com. (2011, May 31). Retrieved from http://informnet.tripod.com/ mainrules.htm

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