Lesson 4 PE Table Tennis

• Table tennis had its humble beginnings in the 1880s after lawn tennis and badminton became popular
• The game was invented in England in the early days of the 20th century and was originally called Gossima then Ping-Pong, a trade name. The name table tennis was adopted in 1921–22 when the old Ping-Pong Association formed in 1902 was revived

  
• Table tennis is considered to be one of the fastest ball sports in the world
• The International Table Tennis Federation is the governing body for all national table tennis associations

  
• ITTF was founded in 1926
• Role of the ITTF


  Overseeing rules and regulations and seeking technological improvement for the sport of table tennis

  
• Playing Surface


  • Rectangular measuring 2.74 meters in length, 1.525 meters in width, and 76 centimeters in height
  • Made from hardboard
  • Smooth to provide the lowest friction possible
• Net


  • Height is 15.25 cm(6 inches) above the table
  • Six feet long and six inches wide
• Ball

  • Made of celluloid or plastic
  • Weight of 2.7 grams
  • Diameter of 40 millimeters
  • Can come in white or orange with a matte finish
  • 3 star balls are the best kind recommended for beginners

  
• Racket


  • Flat and rigid
  • Made of wood and rubber
  • Divided into two parts, the handle, and blade
  • Quality of both parts can affect the force applied by the player
  • Player must choose the best kind of racket to get good results
• Backhand


  Striking the ball without force, letting its momentum return itself to the other side of the table. Block is a counter or defensive move
• Closed Racket Position


  When the racket's hitting side is facing slightly downward
• Assistant Umpire


  The person appointed to assist the umpire
• Diagonal


  When the ball crosses the centerline, from the right/left half side of the server's court to the right/left half side of the receiver's court
• Drive


  A controlled way of striking the ball below the shoulder, usually without a spin
• Deuce


  When both teams reach a score of 10 all
• Forehand


  A way of hitting the ball where the palm hand holding the racket is turned in the direction of the ball
• Grip


  Manner by which the racket is held
• Let


  A rally of which the result is not scored
• Loop


  Almost the same a drive but imparts a spin, creating a loop as the ball bounces on the table; similar to lob but with a lower bounce
• Obstruction


  When anything the player wears or carries touches the ball in play while it is above or travelling toward the playing surface, has not passed beyond his/her end line, and has not touched his/her court since it was last struck by the opponent
• Open racket position


  When the racket's hitting side is facing slightly upward
• Push


  Striking the ball at a low level with the racket brushing underneath it will less force. Push is a counter or defensive move
• Racket Hand


  Hand carrying the racket
• Rally


  Period during which the ball is in play. It ends when the ball does not land on the table or when a player misses or fails to return the ball to the opponent's table
• Point


  A rally of which the result is scored
• Return of service


  The ball must be hit after it has bounced on the receiver's half of the table. The return must be made a straight back over the net onto the opponent's half of the table
• Server


  The player due to strike the ball first in a rally
• Service


  Done at the start of the rally
• Receiver


  The player due to strike the ball second in a rally
• Spin


  Rotating the ball in different directions (top spin, under spin, side spin)
• Straight


  When the ball does not cross the centerline, from the right/left half side of the server's court to the left/right half side of the receiver's court
• Smash


  Striking the ball with more force, preferably after it reaches the peak when it goes down to the level of the eyes
• Umpire


  The person appointed to control a match
• Grip


  The manner by which a racket is held. It determines the athletes' play, and the level of their game. It is the first step in becoming a player
• Types of Grip


  • Penhold Grip
  • Shakehand Grip
• Penhold Grip


  • The thumb and the forefinger circle the handle
  • The remaining fingers curl or spread on the back surface
  • Also known as pen grip, this grip is common to Asian players
  • It requires a dexterous or professional player to use it with ease
  • Since most of the time the front part of the racket is the one used, the player would need to move from the left to the right side of the table for defensive and offensive play
  • Pen grip offers a wide range of possibilities for service with freedom of the wrist movement
  • Certain movements or maneuvers in this grip may cause discomfort to the hand of a beginner
• Shakehand Grip


  • The racket is held on the palm of the hand
  • The thumb and forefinger lie roughly parallel to the straight edge of the rubber
  • The remaining three fingers are wrapped loosely around the handle to provide stability
  • This grip is widely used by both amateur and professional players
  • It is very popular in European countries and is also gaining popularity in Asia
  • Since both sides of the racket are used to hit the ball, a player is able to minimize his/her movements on the table
  • It is easier to learn and to master than the Penhold grip
• Serving Technique


  1. Hold the ball in your open palm, behind your end of the table

  2. Toss at least 6" straight up, and strike it on the way down

  3. It must hit your side of the table and then the other side
• Ready Position


  Three-Step Shuffle: Start with knees slightly bent, to move left take a short step left with left foot, bring right foot to left then move left foot out again, repeat to right