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TABLE TENNIS

TABLE TENNIS IN A NUTSELL

Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is a fast-paced and highly skilled racket sport played on a rectangular table divided by a net. It is contested in several official disciplines: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Combining speed, precision, reflexes, and strategy, table tennis is recognised worldwide as one of the quickest and most intense racket sports.

Matches are typically played in a best-of-five or best-of-seven games format, with each game played to 11 points. A player or pair must win a game by at least two points, and if the score reaches 10–10, play continues until one side gains a two-point lead.

Points are scored on every rally, regardless of who serves—this is also known as rally scoring. The serve alternates every two points (or every point during deuce), keeping the momentum and pressure evenly distributed.

To win a point, a player must strike the ball so that it bounces once on their opponent’s side of the table, without the opponent returning it successfully. Faults include missing the table, hitting the net, or failing to strike the ball before it bounces twice. With its rapid rallies, tactical depth, and technical demands, table tennis delivers non-stop action and excitement.

TABLE TENNIS ELEMENTS

TABLE TENNIS EQUIPMENT

PIPS-OUT RUBBER

The pips-out rubber is a bat surface with small protrusions that allow fast shots and unpredictable spin. It is mainly used for defence and blocking in table tennis.

SANDWICH RUBBER

Rubber with a sponge layer underneath, providing speed, spin, and control for offensive play

BAT BLADE

The base of the bat is made up of several thin layers of wood (usually between 5 and 7 layers) that make up around 85-90% of the total thickness. It is often combined with materials such as carbon to increase stiffness and speed, affecting control and the feel of the shot.

Bat

THE BALL

ball-illustration
40mm 2.7 g

The table tennis ball is a lightweight, hollow plastic ball designed to be highly responsive for fast, spin-heavy play. It is usually made from a special type of plastic that ensures durability and consistent bounce. The balls are often coloured yellow or orange to enhance visibility under different lighting conditions and against various backgrounds, making it easier for players and spectators to track during fast rallies.

Table

EQUIPMENT

Raqueta

T-Shirt

Table tennis shirts are lightweight and breathable, made from moisture-wicking fabrics to keep players dry and cool. Short sleeves or sleeveless designs allow full freedom of movement for quick, precise shots.

Raqueta

Dress

Table tennis dresses are crafted from lightweight, breathable materials that allow unrestricted movement essential for fast-paced rallies. They usually incorporate moisture-wicking fabrics to keep players dry and comfortable throughout intense matches, while offering a flattering and practical design suited to the sport.

Raqueta

Shorts

Table tennis shorts are made from lightweight, breathable fabrics with moisture-wicking properties to keep players cool and dry. Their design ensures full freedom of movement in the legs, supporting quick footwork and agile positioning needed for competitive play.

Raqueta

Shoes

Table tennis shoes are specifically designed to be lightweight and flexible, featuring non-marking soles for excellent grip on indoor courts. They offer ample support and cushioning to protect the feet during sudden stops, quick pivots and fast directional changes common in the sport.

UNDERSTAND THE GAME

TO WIN THE GAME: 1st to win 3 sets (BO5)

TO WIN A SET: 1st to win 11 points (with advantage of 2)

To Win a Point:

  • Winner (unreturned hit)
  • Opponent mistake (out, net, bad rebound)
  • Bad serve

Faults in Table Tennis

Service Faults:

  • Not tossing the ball vertically at least 16 cm (6 inches).
  • Hiding the ball during service so the opponent cannot see it.
  • Failing to hit the ball so it bounces on the server’s side first, then on the opponent’s side.
  • Serving when it is not your turn.

Return Faults:

  • Failing to hit the ball after it bounces once on your side.
  • Letting the ball bounce twice before returning it.
  • Hitting the ball outside the opponent’s side of the table.
  • Striking the ball before it bounces on your side.
  • Double hitting (hitting the ball twice consecutively).

Other Faults:

  • Touching the table with the free hand during a rally.
  • Moving or lifting the table intentionally.
  • Hitting the ball with any part of the body other than the racket hand holding the bat.

GRIP AND HITS

Classic Grip

This is the most widespread grip. It favours both defence and backhand attacks, although it hinders the serve.

Penhold Grip

Introduced by the Japanese in the 1950s. It greatly improves the speed and placement of the serve but makes executing the backhand more difficult.

Good for backhand attacks

Excellent for defence

Strong and versatile backhand

Serve is less powerful and accurate

Most commonly used worldwide

Easier for beginners

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SERVE flecha
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More difficult for backhand attacks

Less effective for defence

Backhand execution is challenging

Serve speed and placement improved

Less common, mainly Asian players

Requires more practice to master

Topspin

Topspin is a type of stroke that makes the ball spin forward as it moves. This causes the ball to bounce higher on the table and helps make the shot more controlled and aggressive. For beginners, it’s useful to learn because it provides a bigger margin for error and makes it easier to keep the ball on the table.

Backspin

Backspin makes the ball spin backwards as it travels towards the opponent. When it bounces, the ball tends to slow down or even come back slightly, making it harder for the opponent to attack. For novices, learning backspin is essential for defensive shots and serves, as it helps control the pace of the game and forces errors from the opponent.

COMPETITIONS

SINGLES:

In singles, two players compete in a best-of-seven-games match, with the winner being the first to win four games

Men´s:

Olympic format M1 VS M2

Women´s:

Olympic format W1 VS W2

Doubles:

Doubles matches also follow the best-of-seven-games format, and alongside the men’s and women’s categories, there is a mixed doubles event featuring teams of one man and one woman

Men´s:

Olympic format MDA1 & MDA2 VS MDB1 & MDB2

Women´s:

Olympic format WDA1 & WDA2 VS WDB1 & WDB2

Mixed:

Olympic format MDA1 & WDA1 VS MDB1 & WDB1

Teams:

Team contests involve three-player national sides competing in up to five matches—four singles and one doubles—played as best-of-five matches, with the first side to win three matches declared the victory.

Men´s:

Olympic format – From 3 to 5 players: MTA1 VS MTB2; MTA2 VS MTB1; D: MTA3 & MT1A/2 VS MTB3 & MTB1/2; MTA1 VS MTB1; MTA2 VS MTB2

Women´s:

Olympic format – From 3 to 5 players: WTA1 VS WTB2; WTA2 VS WTB1; D: WTA3 & WT1A/2 VS WTB3 & WTB1/2; WTA1 VS WTB1; WTA2 VS WTB2

Mixed:

Not-standard format – 2 players: MT1 VS MT2; WT1 VS WT2; MT1 & WT1 VS MT2 & WT2