Sallidao, Edgar Jr. k.

Pe 3
 History of table tennis

06/29/11 9:30-11:30 W

Table tennis was created in 1881 by bored British Officers who carved a ball from champagne cork and used cigar box covers to bat it back and forth across a barrier of books dividing a table. Of course the sport has changed drastically in the past century, and it has become much more popular. As mentioned in the "Description" section, table tennis can be played by anyone of any age, however less than 1% of these players actually play competitively. The whole concept of table tennis competition didn't even take shape until the 1930's. Before that, it was played at parties and was just "fun". In fact, during the early 1900's, the paddles were made like tennis rackets, with long handles and a pear shaped playing surface (see pictures below).

 Table Tennis Equipment

1. ping - pong ball - light hollow ball used in playing table tennis ball - round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games 2. A table tennis bat or paddle is used by players in the game table tennis. The bat is made from laminated wood covered with rubber on one or two sides depending on the grip of the player. 3. The table is 2.74 m (9 ft) long, 1.525 m (5 ft) wide, and 76 cm (30 inch) high with a Masonite (a type of hardboard) or similarly manufactured timber, layered with a smooth, low-friction coating. The table or playing surface is divided into two halves by a 15.25 cm (6 inch) high net. An ITTF approved table surface must be in a green or blue color.

 Starting a game
According to ITTF rule 2.13.1, the first service is decided by lot, normally a coin toss. It is also common for one player (or the umpire/scorer) to hide the ball in one or the other hand (usually hidden under the table), allowing the other player to guess which hand the ball is in. The correct or incorrect

guess gives the "winner" the option to choose to serve, receive, or to choose which side of the table to use. (A common but non-sanctioned method is for the players to play the ball back and forth four times and then play out the point. This is commonly referred to as "play to serve" or "rally to serve".)

 Scoring
A point is scored by the player for any of several results of the rally:
y y

Opponent fails to make a correct service or return. After making a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck by the opponent.

The ball passes over the player's court or beyond his end line without touching his court, after being struck by the opponent.

y y

The opponent obstructs the ball. The opponent strikes the ball twice successively. Note that the hand that is holding the racket counts as part of the racket and that making a good return off one's hand or fingers is allowed. It is not a fault if the ball accidentally hits one's hand or fingers and then subsequently hits the racket.

The opponent strikes the ball with a side of the racket blade whose surface is not covered with rubber.

y y y y

The opponent moves the playing surface or touches the net assembly. The opponent's free hand touches the playing surface. As a receiver under the expedite system, completing 13 returns in a rally. The opponent has been warned by umpire commits a second offense in the same individual match or team match. If the third offence happens, 2 points will be given to the player. If the individual match or the team match has not ended, any unused penalty points can be transferred to the next game of that match.

A game shall be won by the player first scoring 11 points unless both players score 10 points, when the game shall be won by the first player subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points. A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of games. In competition play, matches are typically best of five or seven games.