Introduction
Indoor or outdoor sport, often played in a gymnasium.
Can be played in singles (1 vs 1) or doubles (2 vs 2).
2. Brief History
1881 – British officer created first version using a dining table, cork ball, and cigar box
covers as rackets.
1901 – Known as “whiff-whaf,” “flim-flam,” “gossima.” Later called ping-pong (sound
of ball on racket/table).
1903 – Arnold Parker formulated first laws.
1904 – Popularity declined due to high cost of racket/ball.
1922 – Regained popularity.
1926 – International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) formed in Berlin.
Became #1 racket game in China, Japan, USA; dominated early by European countries
(England, Hungary, Czechoslovakia).
Popular in the Philippines, included in athletic meets.
3. Objectives of Table Tennis
Health and fitness
Refreshes the mind
Professional opportunities
Can be played anywhere
Lifetime sport
Inclusive (everyone can play)
Main objective: hit the ball with racket, return over net to opponent.
4. Terminologies
Service, Server, Receiver – actions and players involved in serving.
Strike – act of hitting the ball.
Racket hand & Free hand – racket holding hand vs. free hand.
Return of Service – hitting back a served ball.
Rally, Let, Point – sequence of play, replay, and scoring.
Drive, Spin, Smash, Block, Push, Lob – types of strokes.
Umpire & Assistant umpire – match officials.
Obstruction, Forehand, Backhand, Grip, End line – rules & techniques.
5. Facilities and Equipment
Major Equipment
Ball – 40 mm, white/orange, 3-star best quality, approved by ITTF.
Racket (Paddle) – wood & rubber, has handle & blade, affects force & performance.
Table – 9 ft × 5 ft × 30 in high, green/blue/black, smooth hardboard surface.
Net & Post – 6 ft long, 6 in high, attached at center of table.
Others
Clothing – T-shirt, shorts, proper shoes (non-slip sole).
Court Flooring – polypropylene, red, non-slippery.
Brands – Butterfly, Stiga.
6. Fundamental Skills & Techniques
A. Grip
Shake-hand Grip – most common, allows forehand & backhand.
Penhold Grip – like holding a pen, one side of racket used.
B. Stance & Footwork
Serving stance – face slightly right, feet apart, left foot forward.
Receiving stance – 2–2.5 ft behind table, knees bent, ready position.
Forehand stroke – left foot & shoulder toward table.
Backhand stroke – right foot & shoulder toward table.
C. Serving
Topspin – upward forward motion, closed racket face.
Backspin – downward forward motion, open racket face.
D. Strokes
Push shot – defensive.
Drive (FH/BH) – offensive.
Chop (FH/BH) – defensive.
Smash – strong offensive stroke on high ball.
7. Rules & Regulations
General Rules
Ball must bounce on server’s side then opponent’s side.
No volleying (ball must bounce before return).
Mistakes = loss of point.
Game – first to 11 points, must win by 2 if tied 10–10.
Match – best of 5 games.
Service
Ball projected from flat free hand, struck on first bounce from server’s side, then goes
over net to receiver’s court.
Point is awarded if:
1. Faulty service or return.
2. Player/racket touches net.
3. Player’s free hand touches table.
4. Ball touches player before landing on their court.
5. Double hits.
6. Server stamps foot during serve.
Let (Replay) occurs if:
1. Serve touches net but is otherwise good.
2. Receiver is unready.
3. Accident interrupts play.
Scoring
First to 11 points, win by 2.
Rally winner gets the point (regardless of server).
In Play
Ball is “in play” from service until it touches table, player, net, or goes out.
Order of Serving/Receiving
Decided by lot.
Alternate serves every 2 points (except at 10–10 → 1 serve each).
In doubles, players alternate serving/receiving.
Change ends after each game; in final game, switch ends at 5 points.
