TABLE TENNIS I.

Brief Description of the Game Table tennis or ping-pong is a sport that can be played by two to four players. It is similar in principle to lawn tennis and played on a flat table divided into two equal courts by a net fixed across its width at the middle. The object is to hit the ball so that it goes over the net and bounce on the opponents half of the table in such a way that the opponent cannot reach it or return it correctly. The lightweight hollow ball is propelled back and forth across the net by small rackets held by the players. The game is popular all over the world. In most countries it is very highly organized as a competitive sport, especially in Europe and Asia, particularly in China and Japan. The table tennis area looks much like the larger tennis court too. II. Brief History of the Game Early Origins of Table Tennis/Ping-Pong 12th Century AD - The game of table tennis probably descended from the game of "Royal Tennis" (also known as Real Tennis or Court Tennis), which was played in the medieval era. 1880's - Some sources claim that the sport was once known as indoor tennis, and was played in the early 1880's by British army officers stationed in India and South Africa. These officers are supposed to have used cigar box lids as paddles, rounded wine bottle corks as balls, and books for an improvised net. 1880's - The game had become fashionable among the upper classes in England. 1887 - According to the ITTF website, the first use of the name "Table Tennis" appeared on a board and dice game made by J.H.Singer of New York. 1890 - The earliest existing evidence of a table tennis game is a set made by David Foster, patented in England, which included table versions of Lawn Tennis, Cricket and Football. 1891 - John Jacques of London introduce their "Gossima" game, which used drum-type paddles, a 50mm web wrapped cork ball, and a 30cm high net. 1890's - Parker Brothers begin making an indoor tennis kit which included a portable net, a small ball covered in netting, and paddles. 1900 - Englishman James Gibb is credited with bringing hollow celluloid balls back to England from the USA, although some other sources claim they were plastic balls. Previously most balls were solid rubber or cork, often covered in material. Some sources also credit Gibb with inventing the name "ping pong", which was supposed to have been derived from the sound of the ball bouncing off the drum battledores (paddles), each of which had a different sound. 1901 - John Jacques registered "Ping Pong" as a trade name in England. The American rights to the name are sold to Parker Brothers. 1901 - On the 12th December 1901, "The Table Tennis Association" is formed in England. Four days later, "The Ping Pong Association" is also formed in England. 1901 - Table tennis is first brought to China via western settlements. (Guide note-Thanks guys - now look what you've done!) 1902 - Englishman E.C.Goode is credited with putting pebbled rubber on his wooden blade, allowing him to put more spin on the ball. This is the forerunner of the ordinary pimpled rubber racket, which will dominate table tennis until 1952. 1903 - On the 1st May 1903, "The Table Tennis Association" and "The Ping Pong Association" amalgamate, forming "The United Table Tennis and Ping Pong Association". This association will later revert its name to "The Table Tennis Association", before becoming defunct in 1904. 1920's - 1950's - Classic Hard Bat Era - Europe Dominates the Sport 1920's - In the early 1920's the game began to revive in England and Europe. 1922 - "The Table Tennis Association" is reconstituted, with the name "English Table Tennis Association" being adopted in 1927. 1926 - The International Table Tennis Federation is formed. 1926-1931 - Maria Mednyanszky of Hungary wins the Women's Singles event at the World Championships five times in a row. 1930-1935 - Victor Barna of Hungary wins five of the six Men's Singles events at the World Championships (and was runner up in 1931).

 1935 - The American Ping Pong Association, US Amateur Table Tennis Association, and National Table Tennis Association merge to form the US Table Tennis Association (which was renamed USA Table Tennis in 1994). 1936 - Repainted tables (which made the playing surface very slow) and a high net (6 inches high) combine to make attacking play very difficult at the World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. This results in the longest rally ever in a World Championships taking place, lasting over two hours. 1938 - The ITTF lowers the net from 6 inches to 6 inches, and bans the fingerspin serves which had been used with devasting effect by American players. 1940-1946 - No World Championships held due to World War II. 1950-1955 Angelica Rozeanu-Adelstein of Romania wins six Women's Singles titles in a row at the World Championships. Since her last title win in 1955, every World Champion in Women's Singles has been an Asian player. 1950's - 1970's - Sponge Bat Era, Rise of Japan and China 1952 - Hiroji Satoh of Japan becomes notorious for his use of a wooden racket covered in thick foam sponge rubber, which produces much more speed and spin than conventional pimpled rubber rackets. He wins the 1952 World Championships over Jozsef Koczian of Hungary, and begins a period of Asian male domination in the sport which will last until Sweden rises to supremacy from 1989 into the early 1990's. 1957 - The World Championships changes to a biennial event (once every two years), due to the logistics of hosting an event of such size, and difficulty in finding suitable venues. 1958 - The first European Championships is conducted in Budapest, Hungary, and sees the USSR's debut in international table tennis. 1959-1960 - The ITTF standardizes the thickness of ordinary pimpled rubber and sponge rubber. III. Facilities and Equipments Table Tennis Rackets The basic equipment required in the game of table tennis is the tennis racket. Known by various names as paddles in US or bats in UK, the official term that is used is table tennis racket. The term "racket" and "paddle" are synonymous. The table tennis racket is made from laminated wood. There is the flat and rigid wooden blade which incorporates the handle. The blade is covered with rubber on one or both sides. Types of Racquets/ Rackets or Paddles Recreational Paddles Recreational paddles are made of wood and rubber combination that are significantly lower in speed and spin producing capability than the powerful "hi performance" custom paddle category of products. Recreational level rackets are bought with rubber sheets and wood (blades) of good to moderate performance. Hi-Performance Custom Paddles This category of rackets is made of highly specialized, hi-performance rubber and woods. These table tennis paddles or rackets produce much more speed and spin than recreational rackets. Hi-performance custom rackets are bought by selecting particular specialized wood (or wood/graphite) along with hi-performance rubber. The table tennis game is played with the table tennis racket, which has two parts : the blade and the handle. The table tennis racket as a whole is made of fine wood and the blade portion is covered on both or one side with rubber. Blades are classified in the following way according to their speed: Defensive Blades: These are slow blades having maximum control and suitable for defensive players. For example, beginners and choppers. All-round Blades: This is for an all-around player who mixes defense and offense in equal amounts. Offensive Blades: These are the fastest blades and are not recommended for beginning players.

Materials Used Table Tennis Blades are usually made of wood, though other materials in small quantities are used like carbon and acrylate. They are used as a thin layer in the middle layers of the blade. Fiberglass is becoming a popular choice for table tennis because it renders stability to the racket and is lighter in weight.

Selection Tips of Table Tennis Blades There are certain things to consider choosing the right table tennis bat or blade so that you feel nice while carrying and playing with it. Weight: The light weight blades can be moved or swung more quickly than heavier blades. However, according to physics, momentum = mass * velocity. As such, the heaviest blade swing comfortably and quickly and can give you the best speed when hitting the ball. Stiffness: This is another factor to consider. The blade's stiffness refers to the amount of bend or flexibility the blade has. A stiffer blade is faster than a flexible blade. Balance: This refers to whether the blade's center of gravity is closer to the tip of the head or the handle. The center of gravity of a blade changes depending on the rubbers' weight. Heavy rubbers will tend to move the center of gravity out towards the tip of the racket head. Speed: Faster blades are used by the more aggressive players, and slower blades by the more defensive. Head Size: The larger head size of the blade require more rubber to cover the surface, which makes the bat heavier and moves the center of gravity of the blade away from the handle. Handle Type: This depends on the comfortability and the player's grip. Layers: The blade has a number of layers, which vary from 1 to a maximum of 7. It is said that the blade having 3 to 5 layers is popular. The number of layers in the blade is no way connected to the speed of the blade.

Table Tennis Balls The table tennis balls are lightweight, hollow balls which the players strike back and forth using table tennis rackets on a hard, wooden table. Size As per rules, the table tennis game is played with a light 2.7 gram, 40 mm diameter ball. Materials The table tennis or TT ball is made of a high-bouncing air-filled celluloid or plastic. Colors TT balls are available in many colors such as white, yellow & orange color with matte finish but officially white and orange are accepted colors. Ratings Table Tennis Balls have a rating system that uses stars. Ranging from one to three, the quality of the balls increases with number of stars. The three star ball is the highest quality level. The three-stars should be used for most rally drills and practice games. For multiple-ball drills, such as serves and smashes, good quality practice balls can be had. Quality Table tennis balls are provided in different quality levels determined by seam quality, roundness and consistency. All balls must undergo the rigorous tests prescribed by the ITTF such as bounce test, roundness test, rolling deviation test, hardness test, weight test, seam and surface inspection, and color grading selection. Table Tennis Tables Tables for table tennis must comply with the regulation dimensions: Length: 9 feet (2.74m) Width: 5 feet (1.525m) Height: 2 feet 6 inches (76cm) The net's length and height are respectively 6 feet (1.83m) and 6 inches (15.25 cm). Color of the Table The surface of the table must be a dull, non-reflective color that contrasts with the white and orange colors of the balls. Black, navy blue, and green are popular colors.

Types of Table Tennis Tables Conversion Table Top: This table is ready for use in an instant and when not in use, it can be easily stored. The advantage of this table is that it fits over a pool table or other flat surface. Mini table tennis table: This is for fun, specially designed for kids and juniors. There are different mini tables for tennis. They can be easily carried and stored. Novelty mini table tennis tables: They are really very small sized table tennis tables of 12 inches length, 8 inches width and 2 inches height. Accompanied with two rackets and ball, they are widely used in picnics and in outdoor activities for fun. Swimming pool table tennis tables: These can be used in swimming pools. With a dimension of 54 x 27 inch, these are floating tables, having a hard surface top but soft sides, so as to not to hurt the swimmers nearby. With over sized floating rackets, net and balls, these tables can also used as a tabletop game outside the pool. Table Tennis Nets Table tennis net is one of the most important pieces of equipment in the entire table tennis game. The table tennis game requires a hard table and a net. Size and Color Length: 6 feet (1.83m) Height: 6 inches (15.25 cm) Dark green, dark blue or black with a white top tape not more than 15mm wide.