Once a game cobbled together from common household items and a dining room table, table tennis now is fast-paced and popular worldwide. It is played in casual settings in homes, schools and other social venues, but also it is a serious Olympic competition. Table tennis can be played as singles or doubles.
History
Table tennis began in England in the late 1800s as an after-dinner game, using the dining room table. Known as "ping pong," it quickly became popular among the upper-middle class. The game was renamed table tennis in the 1920s. Manufacturers began producing paddles, balls, nets and tables, and the game spread to other areas of the world. The first international competition was held in London in 1927. In the 1950s and '60s, China and Korea rose to prominence in table tennis. Foam paddles, introduced about that time, made the game faster. Recent rules changes also have increased the pace, making the game more dynamic.
Object of the Game
The object of table tennis is to hit a ball over a net to the opposite side of the table without your opponent being able to return it. The serve starts with the ball being hit to bounce first once on the server's side, then on the receiver's side. The ball may bounce at any point on the table and then is returned over the net with only one bounce on the opposite side of the net. If the ball bounces more than once, it is out of play. Each player has two serves.
Equipment
The basic equipment includes a ball and two paddles. The ball is spherical, made of celluloid and has a hard, thin shell. It is lightweight, at only 2.7 grams, with a diameter of 40 millimeters. Table tennis balls come in a variety of colors, although white or orange are required for most sanctioned play. The surface has a matte finish. The paddle is made of wood, with a short handle and a rounded face. The face is covered with a sheet of pimpled rubber.
Table Court
The table is 9 feet long, 5 feet wide and 2.5 feet about the floor. It must be level and horizontal. The surface is a dark color, traditionally green or blue, with lines that mark the edge of the table as boundaries for fair play and center lines that run through the length and width of the table. The net runs through the center width of the table. Made of fine mesh, the net is suspended on each side by a post-and-clamp mechanism. It is 6 inches high.
Scoring
if the server fails to make a good service, the opponent scores a point. During a volley, if a player fails to make a good return, his opponent scores a point. If a player strikes the ball twice or with the edge of the paddle, obstructs the ball, hits the ball beyond the edge of the table without bouncing, or if the ball touches anything other than the net, table or paddle, his opponent is awarded a point. If a player touches the playing surface, his opponent receives a point. In doubles, the players on each team must strike returns in rotation. Failure to do so results earns a point for the opposing team. Play continues until one side scores 11 points.
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