Brief History and Nature of the Game: Table tennis originated in

Brief History and Nature of the Game: Table tennis originated in England during the

late 19th century as an indoor version of lawn tennis. Initially called "whiff-whaff" or "ping

pong," the game gained popularity rapidly and organized competitions began in the early

20th century. It became an Olympic sport in 1988.

Table tennis is a fast-paced racket sport played on a table divided by a net. Players use

small, lightweight rackets to hit a lightweight ball back and forth across the table. The

objective is to score points by hitting the ball over the net in such a way that the opponent

is unable to return it properly.

Table Tennis Specifications:

 The table should be rectangular, 2.74 meters long, 1.525 meters wide, and 0.76 meters

high.

 A net divides the table into two equal halves and should be 1.83 meters long and 15.25

centimeters high.

 The ball used in table tennis is spherical, with a diameter of 40 millimeters and made of

celluloid or a similar plastic material.

 Rackets (also called paddles or bats) are flat on one side, usually made of wood, and

covered with rubber on both sides.

Equipment:

 Table tennis table

 Net and net post set

 Table tennis balls

 Table tennis rackets (paddles or bats)

 Proper attire (comfortable clothing and non-marking shoes)

Basic Skills:

1. Grip: Players typically use either the shakehand grip or the penhold grip.

2. Stance: A balanced and relaxed stance is essential for mobility and quick reactions.

3. Footwork: Good footwork allows players to move quickly and position themselves for

shots.

4. Forehand and Backhand Shots: Players must master both forehand and backhand strokes,

which involve hitting the ball with different parts of the racket.

5. Serve: Serving techniques include the forehand pendulum serve, backhand serve, and

various spin serves.

Rules and Regulations of the Game:

1. Service: The ball must be thrown vertically at least 16 centimeters before being struck and

must bounce on the server's side of the table, then on the receiver's side.

2. Rally: The ball must bounce on the opponent's side of the table and then on the server's

side alternately during a rally.

3. Scoring: A point is scored when the opponent fails to return the ball over the net or if the

opponent commits a fault (e.g., hitting the ball out of bounds).

4. Let: If the ball hits the net during service and lands on the opponent's side of the table, it

is a let and the serve is retaken.

5. Deuce: When the score reaches 10-10, players must win by a margin of two points.

6. Expedite System: If a rally extends beyond a certain time limit (usually 10 minutes), the

expedite system is implemented, requiring that the server wins the point if they make 13

consecutive good serves.