The Rudimentary Basics Of Ping Pong

A perennial favorite for indoor sports, table tennis or ping pong has been played for over a century now. A very simple sport or game, table tennis can be played by almost anyone. It doesn't require a person to be very athletic, but being agile and possessing fast reflexes and eye-hand coordination is a big asset.

A lot like tennis but on a smaller scale, ping pong has some basic rules and requirements to be followed. This makes the game much more exciting, but most importantly it makes ping pong fair. The need to follow these rules and requirements is necessary like it is with others, there is uniformity and there is no confusion.


So here are some of the basics a person who is just beginning to learn about ping pong has to know about.

First off is the equipment. Ping pong is played on a table which serves as the miniaturized version of a tennis court, that's why most ping pong tables are painted green, to simulate the color of grass where tennis was first played.

The ping pong table should be five feet in width and nine feet in length. Generally made out of wood, there are white lines painted on the surface to signify the boundaries. Each player must serve the ball to the right side of the receiver's side bouncing first from the servers' right side.

In the middle of the table, a net separates the table in two, one side for each player or team, in case a double's game is being played. The net should have a height of 15.25 centimeters and is tied to a hook on each side of the table. Most tournaments check the height of the net prior to the game to ensure that the right height is achieved.

A player has to have a ping pong paddle to play the game. No exact measurement is mandated on the racket but what is clearly stated is that all paddles should have a rubber surface on each side. Also, one side of the paddle should have a black rubber surface and on the other side red. If the paddle does not have a rubber surface it is not allowed to be used.

That's why in all major tournaments, the paddle is carefully inspected by an official before the game. The inspected rubber shall be the only one to be used in the game, if the paddle is damaged, another paddle can be used only if it's inspected first.

Another basic rule employed in a ping pong gamer and is especially watched out for in competitions is the moving and placing of the hands on the table. Also, players are prevented from touching the net. This is to ensure that the game would be fairly played and it is the skills of the players which will determine the outcome of the game.

Prior to the changes made in 2000, each set of a ping pong game requires a player to score 21 points. But to speed up the duration of the game, major competitions have lowered it to 11. For a ping pong player to win a game, he or she must win 2 of 3 sets or whatever the rules dictates. Serving is determined by a flip of the coin, after 5 serves, the other player will know get the chance to serve.

Playing ping pong can be much more fun if you know the basic rules. This way, you and your friend will be able to play the game fairly and with much more excitement.

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