Equipment, rules, and play of the game

Table tennis equipment is relatively simple and inexpensive. The table is rectangular, 9
by 5 feet (2.7 by 1.5 metres), its upper surface a level plane 30 inches (76 cm) above the
floor. The net is 6 feet (1.8 metres) long, and its upper edge along the whole length is 6
inches (15.25 cm) above the playing surface. The ball, which is spherical and hollow, was
once made of white celluloid. Since 1969 a plastic similar to celluloid has been used. The
ball, which may be coloured white, yellow, or orange, weighs about 0.09 ounce (2.7
grams) and has a diameter of about 1.6 inches (4 cm). The blade of a racket, or bat, is
usually made of wood, is flat and rigid, and may be covered with a thin layer of ordinary
stippled, or pimpled, rubber, which may be laid over a thin layer of sponge rubber and
may have the pimples reversed. Whatever combination is used, each of the two sides of a
paddle must be different in colour. The racket may be any size, weight, or shape.

A match consists of the best of any odd numbers of games, each game being won by the
player who first reaches 11 points or who, after 10 points each, wins two clear points
ahead. A point is scored when the server fails to make a good service, when either player
fails to make a good return, or when either player commits a specified infraction (e.g.,
touches the playing surface with a free hand while the ball is in play). Service changes
hands after every two points until 10-all is reached, when it changes after
every subsequent point.

The serve is made from behind the end of the table, the server tossing the ball upward
from the palm of the free hand and striking it as it descends so that it first bounces on
the server’s own court and then, passing over the net, bounces on the opponent’s court.
In serving, no spin may be imparted to the ball by the fingers. This was not always
so. Finger spin, especially in the United States, reached a stage where the experts could
produce untakable services and the game became farcical. Finger spin was universally
banned in 1937.

Interest to the spectator lies in observing the ability of one player to defeat another by
well-thought-out strategy. Increasing the speed of the game, slowing it down, varying
the direction of or imparting different spin or pace to the ball, and employing gentle
drop shots over the net when the opponent is out of position are some of the tactics that
may be used to support the strategy planned.

Slow or defensive play at one time was so dominant that, at the 1936 world
championships in Prague, an hour was needed to decide a single point. Play is now
restricted. If a game is unfinished 15 minutes after it has begun, the rest of that game
and the remaining games of the match proceed under the Expedite System. Thereafter,
if the service and 13 following strokes of the server are returned by the receiver, the
server loses the point. The service changes after each point.

Table tennis may be played with one player at each end of the table or with two players
at each end who may be both men or both women or one of each. Worldwide, the
women’s game is comparable in organization to the men’s, and women take part in
world championships and all other organized events. Table tennis as well as being fully
organized is also extremely popular as a recreational game and is so played in all types
of sports clubs, social clubs, and game rooms, in the home, and even outdoors when
conditions are reasonably calm.

6 Table Tennis Tactics

Let's look at each of these stylish turn...

Tactic 1 - Play on your opponent's weaknesses

To play on your opponent's weaknesses, you'll first need to work out as they will.

If it haven't seen yours opponent game before, you'll need to discover them for
yourself during the match. Play the ball to different areas of the table, using different
hits, until you find a weak spot. Technical and tactical diagnostic model to dinner
tennis matches ...

Once you've discovered a weakness you'll then need to try and exploit it.

Perhaps your opponent your weaker on the backhand view than the forehand side.
Or perhaps they're weak against high returns or facing heavy backspin or schwer
forming.

Remember, the weakness may not always be locus they expect it.

Tactic 2 - Play consistently

One off the best table tennis tactics you can employ is simply to keep that sphere in
play on longest than your opponent.

By becoming consistent on all your strokes you can often gaining points by default,
than your opponer will make unforced errors.

This obviously requires practice, practice, practice.

PRAXIS DRILLS - Here are some practice drills you can use to help you develop to
tactic.

Tactic 3 - Move your opponent nearby the table

Is my opponent agile? Does he have good footwork?

By playing your shots to different areas for the charts, try to your out that most
advantageous range where you can place the ball for move or wrong-foot your
player. What are the technical the tactical skills in table tennis? Tactics usually rely
with three main skills: The ability into keep the ball the playing. The skill to play
which sphere to determined areas for who graphic, and. The capacity to apply
pressure upon your competitor by using differing types and amounts of spin, and
differing speeds, in order to create openings and hit winning shots.

For example, change directive from forehand to left-slanting ... or play to wide
positions. Optional, modify the linear of your shots, playing one close to the net both
then one towards the terminate line of this table.

PRACTICE DRILLS - Here are some real drills you can use to help you develop on
tactic.

Tactic 4 - Vary your strokes

If you play the similar shots time the time again, your opponent is additional likely to
gets used to them, or be able to anticipate them. So you have try into use a variety
of strokes to conquer your opponent.

For example, don't play all your shots in the equivalent post on the table. Also, vary
the speed of your shots furthermore check to use a wide variety of separate strokes.
Test out the best technical and tactical skills in tennis. Get a list of methods and
technology starting play only on Spolto!

PRACTICE DRILLS - Here are einigen exercise drills you can use to help you
develop this tactic.

Tactic 5 - Vary the speed, spin and direction

On imparting born, backspin orsidespin off the ball your can make it more
complicated for your opponent why the get path of the globe and who height of the
bounce will vary.

PRACTICE DRILLS - Here are some practice drills you canister use into help you
develop this tactic.
Tactic 6 - Play to your own powers
Whilst the up phoebe table playing tactics are important, it's also important to
remember that you should play to your own strengths.

You shouldn try to impose your style of play on own opponent and not let him dictate
the match.

Available example, if you have somebody attacking / offensive style, try to play your
best shots as early as possible in the rally. This will stop your foes after dictating the
course of the point.

Table Tennis is a complex sport, and it takes a certain amount of

practice to master the skills. The game comes with many rules, and
unless you are playing casually, you need to learn everything about the
game. Some of the things you will need to know are the technicalities of
the game, which include the type of shots or strokes to play.

As a beginner you need to know the basic skills of

table tennis, mastering these skills will help you to
build the right action frame that will help you to
improve your game through repetition. Here are the
9 basic table tennis skills of forehand and
backhand, that you need to master:

1. Serve
2. Drive
3. Push
4. Block
5. Loop
6. Flick
7. Chop
 8. Lob
9. Smash
The first step to learning table tennis is knowing how to play shots
perfectly. After you have moved from the basic steps, you can progress
to the advanced skills in the game. We will try to explain each of the
strokes in table tennis and their purpose in the game. In this article, you
will learn about all the different types of shots in table tennis.

Table of Contents
9 Forehand and Backhand Basic Skills of Ping Pong?
There are different strokes and spins involved in table tennis which
allows players to earn points in the game. After learning the basic shots
in the game, you also need to practice winning strokes in table tennis to
beat your opponent. There are many strokes in the game, but they can
be classified into offensive strokes and defensive Strokes.

The serving technique is an essential technique for table tennis. A good

serving can give you a huge advantage.

Forehand and Backhand Serve

The service gives you complete and total control over your shot. The
primary benefit of this stroke is to force your opponent into making
errors in the game. A good service will make you gain winning points
and could make your opponent miss the shot. It is a foul shot and
allows you to win by putting the other player off balance. There are
many types of service in table tennis, but the major ones are the
forehand and backhand serve.

The forehand serves table tennis stroke is one of the first types of serve
learned by beginners. This shot is used most of the time during the
game.

 How to do a forehand serve in table tennis?

 How to do a backhand serve in table tennis?
In addition to forehand and backhand serve, we also need to know the
spin of the serve:

 Backspin Serve
 Topspin Serve
 Sidespin Serve
The backspin is similar to a push or chop, and this type of service can
efficiently be executed with an open racket. The backspin serve involves
the racket slicing the bottom of the table tennis ball. It is also one of the
best ping pong services among athletes.

The topspin service table tennis stroke like a drive is executed with a
flat racket. The player will need to use the racket for grazing the top of
the ball and keeping the racket at a closed angle to get enough spins.

This type of service is easy to execute as it only requires hitting the ball’s
back in a left-to-right motion or the other way around. You can also
make a sidespin strike by holding the racket in a front-facing position
and brushing the bottom of the ball in a pendulum movement.

Table tennis
serve

Forehand and Backhand Drive

A drive in table tennis is not similar to the strokes in tennis or other

racket sports. It is the major attacking stroke used by players to keep the
ball in play. The drive puts players under pressure to make them
vulnerable, and then you can deliver an even more powerful shot.
Drives require a light topspin which makes the ball move at a low
trajectory. They are mainly used as offensive strokes in the game and
will cause your opponent to make errors which is a win.

Players must master this type of stroke, especially its two types, the
forehand, and backhand drive. When players master both forehand and
backhand drives, it leaves little to no room for your opponent to attack.
When executing drives, you will need to use your entire body to produce
enough power and give consistent strokes. It would help if you kept the
right stance when you are ready to perform a forehand and backhand
drive.

The forehand drive in table tennis puts your opponent under pressure
and gives you control of the game. The shot keeps your opponent back
in the baseline of the table. The forehand drive returns aggressive
strokes and keeps the ball landing close to your opponent’s baseline.

The backhand shot is quite similar to the forehand drive. It limits your
opponent’s aggressive shots and sends the ball to the opponent’s
baseline.

 How to Play a Forehand Drive in Table Tennis?

 How to Play a Backhand Drive in Table Tennis?
Forehand and Backhand Push

The push is another offensive stroke in the game that is similar to a slice
in tennis games because the racket slices underneath the ball when you
send a backspin that makes the ball float slowly to the opponent’s side
of the table. It is difficult for your opponent to attack when you make a
Push stroke.

When making a push, ensure that the stroke is gentle and that you
don’t rush it. If you make the push haste, it will produce a long shot that
is too high. The push requires a more delicate and professional touch. It
is the leading strokes that become more aggressive and, in turn,
produce more spins.

You can compare pushes to a backspin because this shot usually

changes the pace of the game. When executing a push, you need to be
in the correct position by keeping your right foot stepping in. A push is
usually executed when returning low and close shots as the backspin
serves. Also, your racket position matters, especially when considering
the force of the backspin that is being sent your way. If your opponent
serves a heavy backspin, your racket will be at open angle. Also, there
are two types of pushes in table tennis, the forehand and the backhand
push.

 Forehand Push
 Backhand Push
The forehand push in table tennis is one of the primary and most
important shots in the game. It is one of the toughest to execute the
four and requires some practice to perfect this skill. The forehand shot
is used to return short balls and prevent attacking shots from your
opponent.

The backhand push is a favorite among players and an easy shot. It acts
as a defensive shot to prevent your opponent from further attacking
you. This type of shot prevents your opponent from making a return
shot.

 How to Play a Forehand Push in Table Tennis?

 How to Do the Backhand Push in Table Tennis?
Forehand and Backhand Block

One of the most effortless shots to execute in table tennis is a block. It

can be done by placing the racket in front of the ball, so it rebounds
back to your opponent with the same force it came with. One of the
benefits of making offensive strokes like this is that it gives little room
for your opponent to recover to make a return. A block works to your
advantage because it uses your opponent’s force against them. It is
usually done after the ball bounces on your side of the table to keep the
control and speed of the ball.

The position of your racket will depend on if it should be at a closed or

open-angle. When your opponent sends a heavy topspin, your rack will
be closed. Most players use a block when there isn’t enough time to
make a good loop or drive. If you have reasonable control of the block,
you can use it as a good offensive shot. Ensure you use your wrist when
making a block, and it should be facing the direction of the incoming
ball. Your footwork also matters and should move towards the area
where you intend to hit the ball.

The block is a stroke that you need to practice more often.

Mastering this stroke will make it a helpful arsenal against your
opponent. Like the drive and push, there are two basic types of blocks in
table tennis:

 Forehand Block
 Backhand Block
The forehand block is among the best defensive shots in the game and
gives players more control. This type of shot allows you to control quick
shots from your opponent, and it is beneficial when receiving a heavy
topspin serve. The forehand block is a fast response when you don’t
have enough time to send a return stroke. It is used in training drills and
is one shot you should practice.

The backhand block is also a similar technique in ping pong, and it

allows you to control your opponent’s shot. This type of shot is used to
counter-spin shots. It is different from a backhand chop but will help
defend you from a heavy topspin when you have little time to recover.
  How to play forehand block？
 How to play backhand block?

Forehand and Backhand Loop

The loop is similar to a drive in table tennis. When making this stroke,
the racket is parallel to the direction of the strike, which will cause it to
touch the ball slightly, giving a good amount of topspin. Usually, when
a player makes a good loop, it produces a high arc making the ball
jump forward when it bounces on the opponent’s side of the table.
Playing a loop will require a lot of topspins.
There are many variations of loops in table tennis. The major ones are
the spin loop, speed loop, hook loop, and counter loop. These variations
are based on the trajectories and improve the effectiveness of the shot.
Loops are one of the most potent strokes in table tennis. It produces a
heavy topspin in most cases, requiring a player to use their wrist while
brushing the ball in an upward and downward motion.

There are two types of loops in this game, the forehand loop and the
backhand loop. These two strokes force the ball to go low and skid off
the table at a very high speed. When executing a loop, your movement
will involve brushing the ball with a high racket speed, unlike when
driving.
Forehand and Backhand Flick

When a player hits a ball that has not bounced beyond the edge of
the table, there is little room to make a backswing. There is still a
chance to attack the ball, and the shot made is referred to as a flick. A
flick is not a single stroke and is sometimes compared to a drive or loop
because of its similar characteristics. The only thing that separates it
from these other strokes is if the backswing is compressed to a short
wrist flick.

There are two types of flicks:

 Forehand Flick
 Backhand Flick
The forehand flick is used as an attacking stroke when your opponent
sends a shorts ball. Players are expected to take the same stance as they
would when making a short push stroke, but you can change the ball’s
direction, speed, and spin. This way, you can either flick the ball short it
long by changing your wrist. Athletes use the forehand flick for an
upward brush to counter a backspin.

The backhand flick also counters a short ball but with players using
both wrist and forearm to make this stroke. The stance is the same as
with the forehand flick, and the direction of the flick is usually an
upward brush against a backspin. However, you will need to keep your
right foot under the table in the middle of the backhand area for this
type of flick.
Forehand and Backhand Chop

A chop is a much heavier and bigger push stroke. The position of the
racket is usually in a horizontal and slightly upward facing direction. At
the same time, the strike goes in a straight down position. If you make a
chop with many backspins, your opponent will find it difficult to return
the stroke. The chop is a defensive shot, and it matches the topspin of
your opponent with your racket’s speed. Chops are not an easy stroke to
execute, and the aim of this shot is to confuse your opponent.
Forehand and Backhand Lob

The lob is another defensive stroke used by players in table tennis

games. This type of stroke pushes the tennis ball up as high as five
meters above the tennis table to your opponent’s side of the table. The
player’s stance when making this stroke will be to stay at least 4 to 6
meters away from the table. The lob stroke is one of the best shots for
any spin in table tennis. An excellent defensive lob is harder to return
because it is unpredictable. This stroke produces high amounts of spins
and will earn players some good points in the game.
Forehand and Backhand Smash

A smash is the stroke players use when the incoming ball bounces too
high or close to the net. Here, the player will need a large backswing
and a powerful speed shot. A smash aims to get the ball moving at high
speed, so the opponent does not have enough time to prepare for a
return. If a player executes this stroke properly, they can throw a series
of smashes to make the opponent lose balance. The defense smash is
brutal to win when the layer doesn’t get it right. There are two types of
smashes, the forehand smash, and the backhand smash.

The forehand smash is similar to a drive but has a longer backswing.

This type of shot is faster and more powerful, especially when in contact
with the ball. It will require bodyweight transfer and also the height of
the ball. Players must direct the ball to a particular location instead of
just smashing at random because it is an unpredictable shot. The
opponent may likely hit the least expected location during play.
How to Play Table Tennis Step by Step
STEP 1: Choose a Bat

The first step to understanding the game of table tennis is knowing the
equipment you will need and also choosing the right one that will give
you an advantage. Table tennis players work with four types of
equipment:

 Table
 Net
 Ball
 Racket
As a beginner, you should get the best table tennis bat/racket that
you can Easily Control. Your focus should not be about the speed or
spin of the racket but instead control.

Before you invest in a bat, you should learn about the type of material
used in their production and how you can identify a quality tennis bat.
It would be best if you learned about the grip and which bat will be
more comfortable to handle.

How to Select Table Tennis Bat？

The table tennis racket set is one piece of equipment you will need to
play the game. It is usually made of a blade and rubber. It is from these
parts. You can tell the quality of the table tennis bat. Some rackets come
pre-made, while some are customized. If you are learning to play, you
should get an already made bat. This type is suitable for beginners,
ideal for loop and a quick attack, and has excellent speed and control.

You can always upgrade your table tennis racket to a customized one
after you improve in the game.
Points & Tips

For the already made racket, there are three things you should look out
for:

 The type of handle or grip.

 The layers of wood in the blade.
 The attributes of the table tennis bat (speed, spin, and control).
The wood of the racket comes with either 3, 5, or 7 layers. The seven-
layer wood has more speed compared to the lower type. However, the
lower layer wood type will give you more control. Beginners should
focus on the table tennis bats with three layers or five layers.

On the subject of the handle, it comes in three types:

 Anatomic (AN)
 Flared (FL)
 Straight handles (ST)
We recommend that beginners use the finished table tennis racket set
with an FL handle because it gives a better grip.

The thickness of the rubber also contributes to your performance. The

table tennis racket usually comes with a rubber thickness ranging from
1.0mm to 2.3mm. The very thick rubber bat gains more speed, while
the ones with less thickness will give you better control. As a beginner,
you should use a table tennis racket with a medium thickness between
1.5 mm to 1.9mm.

On the racket, the manufacturer usually specifies the attributes on it.

This way, you can tell if the table tennis racket will be good for speed,
spin, and control.
STEP 2: Hold The Racket

Another part of learning to play table tennis is knowing” How to grip”.

Like we mentioned earlier, you should have better control of your
racket. A proper grip will help you direct the racket to control the
placement of the table tennis ball.

In table tennis, there are two common types of grip ：

 Shakehand Grip
 Penhold Grip
We recommend the Shakehand grip for beginners because it gives you
more control and power, especially when doing backhand strokes.

If you want to learn more about weird grips, I recommend reading the
article “Table Tennis Grips“.

How to hold Shakehand Grip?

The Shakehand Grip is when you try holding the bat so that it looks like
you are shaking hands. There are two variations of shakehand grips:

 Shallow Shakehand
 Deep Shakehand
Here is how to do the Shakehand grip:

 Place your grip on the upper part of the racket handle using your
index finger, ring finger, and small finger.
 Keep your index finger on the edge of the rubber.
 Place your thumb on the blade, below the rubber or the rubber
surface.
 With your thumb on the blade, it allows you to lift the racket
freely at any angle and you can adjust it depending on the stroke.
Shallow Shakehand vs Deep Shakehand

 For the shallow shakehand grip, you place your thumb on the
blade. It is best for the forehand stroke because it is more flexible
and powerful.
 The deep shakehand grip is when you place your thumb on the
rubber. You can use it for backhand strokes. This type of grip gives
you more control of the racket.
Coach tips

If you want to have the best grip when playing your game, these
additional tips will help you：

 Make sure you keep a soft grip on the racket handle.

 Your index finger should be on the backhand rubber and not
sticking around the edge.
 You should not change your grip during rallies.
When playing table tennis, you will notice that different players have
different grips. How the next player grips their bat should not be your
concern. Instead, focus on which grip will work for you. If your grip is
wrong, it will not help you win the game. You should feel comfortable
with the type of grip you use.

STEP 3: Understand The Gameplay

There are rules for playing table tennis. Whether you are playing
singles or doubles games, you must understand these rules. The game
rules are set by the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) and
are compulsory for professional athletes. However, as a beginner, if you
are playing for leisure, you don’t need to know all the rules but still
know the basic rules to understand the game.

 Number of Points
Before the year 2002, table tennis scoring was up to 21 points. However,
the rules were changed to make the game more interesting, and now
you can only play up to 11 points. The first player to score up to 11
points will win the game. If the two players score 10 points, this is most
often called a deuce.

 Starting a Game
Before the game begins, players need to decide who serves first. If you
are playing with your friends, you can easily decide. However, the
official rules state that a lot makes the decision. This can be done by
tossing a coin or flipping discs. The most common method used to
decide at lower levels of play is where the umpire is in one hand, and
then you ask a player to guess which hand has the ball. The player that
wins will be the one to serve first. The player can also choose to elect
the opponent to serve first or choose which end of the table they will
play first.

If the player chooses the end of the table to play, the opponent
can serve first or leave it for the other player if the winner can also
choose to serve first while the opponent chooses the side of the table
they prefer to play first.

 Rules For Table Tennis Serve

The rules for serving in table tennis have changed over the years.
However, for a casual game, it is straightforward. The ball should be
above the table surface level and behind the server’s end line. In this
case, your stance must be behind the end of the table when playing a
serve.

The basic serves in table tennis require you to hold the ball in the palm
of the other hand you are not playing with and then throw it upwards.
When the ball is dropping down, you hit it with your racket on the other
hand to bounce on your side of the table. It should bounce at least once
before it moves to the opponent’s side.

If your opponent watches the ball bounce more than once on their side
of the table, they lose a point. If the ball touches the net and it is still on
the side of the opponent’s table, he can replay the service and we call
this “a let”. However, the server will lose a point if the ball touches the
net and does not bounce on the opponent’s side. When the server
throws the ball up deliberately, it can be said that the ball is “in play”.

 Number of Serves
Before 2001, the rules allowed each player to make five consecutive
serves. When there is a deuce, you will alternate the serve until a player
scores a two-point lead. After 2001, the rules changed and each player
is now allowed only two serves. In a deuce, the service alternates until a
player scores 11 points to win the game.

 Returning The Serve

When a serve is played, the opponent has to hit the ball back. The ball
will need to bounce only on the server’s side of the table once. If you
allow it to bounce more than once on your side of the table, you lose a
point.

In case you are returning a serve in a rally, the ball hits the net but
doesn’t touch your opponent’s side of the table. A point will be awarded
to your opponent. If the ball hits the net and still moves to bounce on
the opponent’s table, the rally will continue. The player receiving the
ball can stand in any position to play the return but cannot touch the
table with their free hand.

The player is also not allowed to move the table. If the server does a
backspin serve that causes the ball to go back over the net to the server
bouncing on the opponent’s table, the receiver will need to hit the ball
before it bounces on the server’s part of the tennis table. This will
require the receiver to go beyond the net to play a stroke.

Mentor Tips：

 The rules of table tennis do not differ for both professional and
casual players.
 Remember that when doing a service, the ball should be on the
non-playing arm.
 Keep your stance behind the end line on your side of the table,
holding the ball on your open flat palm.
 Players only get to do two serves except when there is a deuce
with each player scoring 10 points each. The serve will be
alternated until a player scores 11 points.
 Your non-playing arms should not be on the tennis table when
serving the ball to your opponent.
 The ball should bounce once on your side of the table before
moving to your opponent’s side.
STEP 4: Master Two Basic Serve

In table tennis, you should know that every point in a set begins with a
serve. When the service begins, you can control the point and even
force your opponent to make a weak return. You can even force your
opponent to place the ball on your strong side. However, it all depends
on your technique of serving the ball. As a beginner, you can
learn how to make the best serves.
 Ma Long

You can serve a ball in many ways, but it isn’t possible to learn all of
these techniques as a beginner.

Divided according to the racket surface of the serve:

 Forehand serve
 Backhand serve
Divided according to the rotation of the serve:

 Topspin serve
 Backspin serve
 Sidespin serve
Even though there are many types of serves, it can be difficult for
beginners to learn every one of them. It is best to master only two
important serves. We recommend the forehand topspin
serve and forehand backspin serve because they give you an
advantage over the other player.
Most players will expect you do a simple forehand or backhand serve, so
you can surprise them with a spin serve. This way don’t have enough
time to prepare or control the ball and it will give you an advantage in
the game.

Forehand Topspin Serve & Backspin Serve

STEP 5: Learn The Four Basic Strokes

Like in other sports, table tennis requires some technical strategies when
playing the game. The basic strokes in this game are the foundation of
the sport and are one essential part for beginners to learn. The more
you practice these strokes, the better you become in the sport.

There are several ways plays can shoot the ball. They can make
defensive strokes of attacking strokes. As a beginner, it is better to learn
the basic strokes first.

Before we look at the basic strokes, you also need to know about shots
involved in table tennis. Shots like the lobbing are defensive
shots used by players and will cause your opponent to play far from the
table surface. The player is unable to get enough time to recover their
position. You can use the loop in an attacking shot. It can send the ball
firmly so you have better control of the ball. The chop shot is also an
attacking shot and is the opposite of the loop. It makes your opponent
struggle with the tennis ball. There are also other techniques
like flick and smash.

As a beginner, you must learn the basic strokes in table tennis before
any other technique. These basic shots are the foundation for the other
strategies because they follow similar rules. It is the only way you can
fully understand or master the game. We will be looking at these
strokes in detail and show you how you can play them.
These four basic strokes include:

 Forehand push
 Forehand drive
 Backhand push
 Backhand drive
Key Points/Tips:

 When making a stroke, you must keep your eyes focused on the
ball.
 Always make sure you return to your stance quickly, so you are
prepared for a return stroke from your opponent.
 Master the basic strokes and also focus only on your play and not
how your opponent is playing.
 Keep your arms facing forward towards the direction of the ball so
that you can accurately make contact with the incoming ball. Your
arms should be facing forward.
 Keep your legs shoulder-width apart. If you are left-handed, you
can keep your right foot behind your left foot slightly. They should
be a step away from each other.
STEP 6: Apply Basic Strategy

It will help if you put everything you have learned into the game. If you
intend to take table tennis as a profession, you should have a strategy,
whether a loop or spin shot, that works for you. Most experts believe
that successful athletes have a working strategy that helps them win
their games.

Here is a strategy we propose:

 Service: You should make sure that you put 50% power in your
service and 50% in a heavy backspin.
  Return: You should play a forehand or backhand drive stroke
except the ball is a backspin.
 Rally: If you get a ball in a topspin position, your strategy should
be to a return drive stroke but if it is a backspin, it should be a
push stroke.
 Winning points: You will get most of your winning points mostly
when you out-rally your opponent.
 Practice: You will need to get more involved in training if you
want to move from a beginner to a professional in table tennis.
The best players today undergo training to get better at this skill.
Every player has their strengths and weaknesses but with training,
they improve on them. If you have a challenge doing a backhand
flick with practice more you can learn more techniques to help
you get better at it. You will need the help of a coach that to drill
you in this sport and teach you all the techniques in table tennis.
What to Do Next？
As we mentioned earlier, many people have reasons for wanting to
learn how to play table tennis. Even though it is a recreational game, it
is one of the most competitive sports in the industry, and you can
become a professional at this game. You can learn to play and pursue
table tennis as a career. There are many benefits of learning this sport.
It is a great way to keep fit and you also get to enjoy the game.

The choice is yours to determine what you want to do with this skill.
However, the first step you need to take is to master the game’s
strategies and all the rules. You will need to learn how to serve, block,
spin, smash and master other advanced techniques in table tennis.
Athletes make a lot of money from this sport, and it is undoubtedly
worth it.
Official Rules of Table Tennis
We’ve summarized the essential ping pong rules from USA Table Tennis right here to help you settle
those garage or office disputes. This list is not exhaustive, but we have found that these ones are
common points of contention among many players. Whether you call it ping pong, table tennis, or whiff
whaff, these official table tennis rules should help you keep things straight.

Email the rules

1. GAMES ARE PLAYED TO 11 POINTS

A Game is played to 11 points. A Game must be won by two points. A Match is generally the best three
of five Games.

2. ALTERNATE SERVES EVERY TWO POINTS

Each side of the table alternates serving two points at a time. EXCEPTION: After tied 10-10 (“deuce”),
service alternates at every point. Can you lose on a serve in ping pong? Yes! There is no separate rule for
serving on Game Point.

3. TOSS THE BALL STRAIGHT UP WHEN SERVING

How do you serve the ball in ping pong? Hold the ball in your open palm, behind your end of the table.
Toss at least 6” straight up, and strike it on the way down. It must hit your side of the table and then the
other side. NOTE: Once the ball leaves the server’s hand it is in play, and so counts as the receiver’s
point if the ball is missed or mis-hit.

4. THE SERVE CAN LAND ANYWHERE IN SINGLES

There is no restriction on where the ball lands on your side or your opponent’s side of the table. It can
bounce two or more times on your opponent’s side (if so, that’s your point), bounce over the side, or
even hit the edge.
5. DOUBLES SERVES MUST GO RIGHT COURT TO RIGHT COURT

The serve must bounce in the server’s right court, and receiver’s right court (NOTE: landing on center
line is fair). Doubles partners switch places after their team serves twice.
Are you finding these rules helpful?

If you do, maybe you could help us out too. As a nonprofit, we depend on support from enthusiastic
players like you. Help us spread this great game to communities large and small. Your donation of any
size is much appreciated — and it’s tax deductible.
DONATE NOW!
6. A SERVE THAT TOUCHES THE NET ON THE WAY OVER IS A “LET”

Can the ball hit the net in ping pong? Yes, during a RALLY, if it touches the top of the net and then
otherwise lands as a legitimate hit. BUT not when serving. If a served ball hits the net on the way over
and otherwise legally bounces in play, it’s a “let” serve and is done over. There is no limit on how many
times this can happen.

7. ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY

Doubles partners must alternate hitting balls in a rally, no matter where the ball lands on the table.

8. VOLLEYS ARE NOT ALLOWED

Can you hit the ball before it bounces in ping pong? No. In regular tennis you may “volley” the ball
(hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the net). But in table tennis, this results in a point for
your opponent. NOTE: When your opponent hits a ball that sails over your end of the table without
touching it and then hits you or your paddle, that is still your point.

9. IF YOUR HIT BOUNCES BACK OVER THE NET BY ITSELF IT IS YOUR POINT

If you hit the ball in a rally or on a serve and it bounces back over the net after hitting your opponent’s
side of the table (due to extreme spin), without your opponent touching it, that is your point.

10. TOUCHING THE BALL WITH YOUR PADDLE HAND IS ALLOWED

What happens if the ball hits your finger or hand during a ping pong rally? If the ball touches your
PADDLE hand and otherwise results in a legal hit, there is no rule violation and play shall continue as
normal. Your paddle hand includes all fingers and hand area below the wrist. But what if the ball
touches a player’s body anywhere else during a ping pong rally? You may not touch the ball with your
non-paddle hand for any reason. It will result in a point for your opponent. BUT if your opponent’s hit
sails over your side of the table without touching it, and hits any part of you or your paddle, that is still
your point.

11. YOU MAY NOT TOUCH THE TABLE WITH YOUR NON-PADDLE HAND

You may touch the ball or the table with your paddle hand (after reaching in to return a short serve, for
example), or other parts of your body. NOTE: If the table moves at all from your touching it during a
rally, that is your opponent’s point.

12. AN “EDGE” BALL BOUNCING OFF THE HORIZONTAL TABLE TOP SURFACE
IS GOOD

An otherwise legal serve or hit may contact the top edge of the horizontal table top surface and be
counted as valid, even if it bounces sidewise. The vertical sides of the table are NOT part of the legal
playing surface.

13. HONOR SYSTEM APPLIES TO DISAGREEMENTS

If no referee is present during a match and the players disagree on a certain call, the “honor system”
applies and the players should find a way to agree, or play the point over. Ping pong carries a tradition of
fierce but fair play. Help us keep it that way!

Table tennis scoring, rules and officials

Scoring
A competitive game of table tennis is played to the best of five or
seven games. The first player to get to 11 points in a game is the
winner. However, if a game is tied at 10-10, a player must win a game
by two clear points. You do not lose service if you lose a point - each
player must serve for two points in a row before handing the service
over to their opponent.
 Rules

 To start a point, the server must stand at the back of the table and can serve
either forehand or backhand. The ball must be thrown up either equal to or
above the height of the net before striking the ball and the ball must be
thrown from an open palm to stop finger spin.
 If the ball hits the net on a serve but continues over the other side then a 'let'
is played.
 Players are allowed to hit the ball around the side of the net.
 The ball must bounce on a player's side of the table before playing their shot.
 During play, competitors are not allowed to touch the table with their non-bat
hand. If they do, the point is conceded.
 Players must swap ends at the end of a game, and in the final match players
will switch ends after five points.

Officials
For every table tennis competition, a referee is appointed with a
deputy who can act on their behalf. The referee is required to be
present at the venue throughout a tournament and is required to
uphold the rules.
During a table tennis match, an umpire is appointed to decide on the
result of each point or rally. The umpire is required to use their
judgement when applying the laws and regulations of the ITTF. Where
the umpire is officiating alone, their decision is final and they should
be seated about 2–3 metres from the side of the table and in line with
the net.
Even if you feel you have reached a higher level as a player, you can
feel tension when playing in a competition. As you learn how to play
tennis, you also take part actively in match plays. This will help build
your confidence and allow you to develop your skill. You should seek
expert training so you can get better at table tennis. There are many
online tutorial videos and materials that help you learn more about this
game. However, you will still need to get practical training and
coaching on table tennis. The best way to get better is by regularly
taking part in this sport and making it part of your everyday routine.

What Is a Table Tennis Court?

A table tennis court is a flat, rectangular surface used for playing the competitive sport
of table tennis.

The court typically measures 9 feet by 5 feet and is divided in half by a net that hangs 3
feet above the surface.

There is a white line at each end of the court which marks the playing area.

This line is 6 inches wide and helps to define the boundaries of the court.

Table tennis requires two players, each with two rackets, and a ball.

The game is played by batting the ball over the net and onto the opponents side of the
court.

The object of the game is to score more points than your opponent by hitting the ball in
such a way that your opponent cannot hit it back.

Table Tennis Court Dimensions:

The table
The upper surface of the table, known as the playing surface, is 2.74m long and 1.525m
wide and is horizontal 76cm above the floor.

The playing surface does not include the vertical sides of the tabletop.

The playing surface yields a uniform bounce of about 23cm when a standard ball is
dropped on to it from a height of 30cm.
The playing surface is a matte surface and dark coloured. There is a white side line,
2cm wide, along each 2.74m edge and a white end line, 2cm wide, along each 1.525m
edge.

The playing surface is divided into two equal courts by a vertical net parallel to the end
lines. For doubles, each court is divided into two equal half courts by a white centre line,
3mm wide, running parallel with the side lines. The centre line forms part of each right
half court.

The net assembly

The net assembly includes the net, its suspension and the supporting posts, including
the clamps attaching them to the table.

The net is suspended by a cord attached at each end to an upright post 15.25cm high.
The outside limits of the post are 15.25cm outside the side line.

The top of the net is 15.25cm above the playing surface. The bottom of the net, along its
whole length, is as close as possible to the playing surface. The ends of the net are
attached to the supporting posts from top to bottom.

Table Tennis Equipment:

Table
The table is 2.74 metres long, 1.525 metres wide and 76 centimetres high. The playing
surface may be of any material but is usually made from wood or synthetic materials.

Wheelchair friendly tables should have table legs at least 40 cm from the end line of the
table for players competing in a wheelchair.

Net
The net is 15.25 centimetres high and extends along the width of the centre of the table,
dividing it into two equal parts.

Ball
The ball is spherical and has a 40mm diameter and weighs 2.7 grams. It is made of
celluloid or of similar plastic material and is coloured white or orange, and matt.

Rackets
The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid. The
surface of the covering material on a side of the blade, shall be matt, bright red on one
side and black on the other.