The Official Laws of Table Tennis
2.01THE TABLE
2.01.01The upper surface of the table, known as the playing
surface, shall be rectangular, 2.74m long and 1.525m wide, and
shall lie in a horizontal plane 76cm above the floor.
2.01.02The playing surface shall not include the vertical sides
of the tabletop.
2.01.03The playing surface may be of any material and shall
yield a uniform bounce of about 23cm when a standard ball is
dropped on to it from a height of 30cm.
2.01.04The playing surface shall be uniformly dark coloured and
matt, but with a white side line, 2cm wide, along each 2.74m edge
and a white end line, 2cm wide, along each 1.525m edge.
2.01.05The playing surface shall be divided into 2 equal courts
by a vertical net running parallel with the end lines, and shall be
continuous over the whole area of each court.
2.01.06For doubles, each court shall be divided into 2 equal
half-courts by a white centre line, 3mm wide, running parallel with
the side lines; the centre line shall be regarded as part of each
right half-court.
2.02THE NET ASSEMBLY
2.02.01The net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension
and the supporting posts, including the clamps attaching them to
the table.
2.02.02The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each end
to an upright post 15.25cm high, the outside limits of the post
being 15.25cm outside the side line.
2.02.03The top of the net, along its whole length, shall be
15.25cm above the playing surface.
2.02.04The bottom of the net, along its whole length, shall be
as close as possible to the playing surface and the ends of the net
shall be as close as possible to the supporting posts.
2.03THE BALL
2.03.01The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40mm.
2.03.02The ball shall weigh 2.7g.
2.03.03The ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastics
material and shall be white or orange, and matt.
2.04THE RACKET
2.04.01The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the
blade shall be flat and rigid.
2.04.02At least 85% of the blade by thickness shall be of
natural wood; an adhesive layer within the blade may be reinforced
with fibrous material such as carbon fibre, glass fibre or
compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than 7.5% of the total
thickness or 0.35mm, whichever is the smaller.
2.04.03A side of the blade used for striking the ball shall be
covered with either ordinary pimpled rubber, with pimples outwards
having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 2.0mm,
or sandwich rubber, with pimples inwards or outwards, having a
total thickness including adhesive of not more than 4.0mm.
2.04.03.01Ordinary pimpled rubber is a single layer of
non-cellular rubber, natural or synthetic, with pimples evenly
distributed over its surface at a density of not less than 10 per
cm2 and not more than 30 per cm2.
2.04.03.02Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber
covered with a single outer layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the
thickness of the pimpled rubber not being more than 2.0mm.
2.04.04The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond
the limits of the blade, except that the part nearest the handle
and gripped by the fingers may be left uncovered or covered with
any material.
2.04.05The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of
covering material or adhesive on a side used for striking the ball
shall be continuous and of even thickness.
2.04.06The surface of the covering material on a side of the
blade, or of a side of the blade if it is left uncovered, shall be
matt, bright red on one side and black on the other.
2.04.07The racket covering shall be used without any physical,
chemical or other treatment.
2.04.07.01Slight deviations from continuity of surface or
uniformity of colour due to accidental damage or wear may be
allowed provided that they do not significantly change the
characteristics of the surface.
2.04.08At the start of a match and whenever he changes his
racket during a match a player shall show his opponent and the
umpire the racket he is about to use and shall allow them to
examine it.
2.05DEFINITIONS
2.05.01A rally is the period during which the ball is in
play.
2.05.02The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is
stationary on the palm of the free hand before being intentionally
projected in service until the rally is decided as a let or a
point.
2.05.03A let is a rally of which the result is not scored.
2.05.04A point is a rally of which the result is scored.
2.05.05The racket hand is the hand carrying the racket.
2.05.06The free hand is the hand not carrying the racket; the
free arm is the arm of the free hand.
2.05.07A player strikes the ball if he touches it in play with
his racket, held in the hand, or with his racket hand below the
wrist.
2.05.08A player obstructs the ball if he, or anything he wears
or carries, touches it in play when it is above or travelling
towards the playing surface, not having touched his court since
last being struck by his opponent.
2.05.09The server is the player due to strike the ball first in
a rally.
2.05.10The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second
in a rally.
2.05.11The umpire is the person appointed to control a
match.
2.05.12The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist
the umpire with certain decisions.
2.05.13Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything
that he was wearing or carrying, other than the ball, at the start
of the rally.
2.05.14The ball shall be regarded as passing over or around the
net assembly if it passes anywhere other than between the net and
the net post or between the net and the playing surface.
2.05.15The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely
in both directions.
2.06THE SERVICE
2.06.01Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the
open palm of the server's stationary free hand.
2.06.02The server shall then project the ball near vertically
upwards, without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16cm
after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls without
touching anything before being struck.
2.06.03As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that
it touches first his court and then, after passing over or around
the net assembly, touches directly the receiver's court; in
doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court of
server and receiver.
2.06.04From the start of service until it is struck, the ball
shall be above the level of the playing surface and behind the
server's end line, and it shall not be hidden from the receiver by
the server or his doubles partner or by anything they wear or
carry.
2.06.05As soon as the ball has been projected, the servers free
arm and hand shall be removed from the space between the ball and
the net. The space between the ball and the net is defined by the
ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension.
2.06.06It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that
the umpire or the assistant umpire can be satisfied that he
complies with the requirements of the law, and either may decide
that a service is incorrect.
2.06.06.01If either the umpire or the assistant umpire is not
sure about the legality of a service he may, on the first occasion
in a match, interrupt play and warn the server; but any subsequent
service by that player or his doubles partner which is not clearly
legal shall be considered incorrect.
2.06.07Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for
a correct service where he is satisfied that compliance is
prevented by physical disability.
2.07THE RETURN
2.07.01The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck
so that it passes over or around the net assembly and touches the
opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net
assembly.
2.08THE ORDER OF PLAY
2.08.01In singles, the server shall first make a service, the
receiver shall then make a return and thereafter server and
receiver alternately shall each make a return.
2.08.02In doubles, the server shall first make a service, the
receiver shall then make a return, the partner of the server shall
then make a return, the partner of the receiver shall then make a
return and thereafter each player in turn in that sequence shall
make a return.
2.08.03When two players who are in wheelchairs due to a physical
disability are a pair playing doubles, the server shall first make
a service, the receiver shall then make a return but thereafter
either player of the disabled pair may make returns. However, no
part of a players wheelchair shall protrude beyond the imaginary
extension of the centre line of the table. If it does, the umpire
shall award the point to the opposing pair.
2.09A LET
2.09.01The rally shall be a let
2.09.01.01if in service the ball, in passing over or around the
net assembly, touches it, provided the service is otherwise correct
or the ball is obstructed by the receiver or his partner;
2.09.01.02if the service is delivered when the receiving player
or pair is not ready, provided that neither the receiver nor his
partner attempts to strike the ball;
2.09.01.03if failure to make a service or a return or otherwise
to comply with the Laws is due to a disturbance outside the control
of the player;
2.09.01.04if play is interrupted by the umpire or assistant
umpire;
2.09.01.05if the receiver is in wheelchair due to a physical
disability and in service the ball, provided that the service is
otherwise correct,
2.09.01.05.01after touching the receivers court returns in the
direction of the net;
2.09.01.05.02comes to rest on the receiver's court;
2.09.01.05.03in singles leaves the receivers court after
touching it by either of its sidelines.
2.09.02Play may be interrupted
2.09.02.01to correct an error in the order of serving, receiving
or ends;
2.09.02.02to introduce the expedite system;
2.09.02.03to warn or penalise a player or adviser;
2.09.02.04because the conditions of play are disturbed in a way
which could affect the outcome of the rally.
2.10A POINT
2.10.01Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a
point
2.10.01.01if an opponent fails to make a correct service;
2.10.01.02if an opponent fails to make a correct return;
2.10.01.03if, after he has made a service or a return, the ball
touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck by
an opponent;
2.10.01.04if the ball passes over his court or beyond his end
line without touching his court, after being struck by an
opponent;
2.10.01.05if an opponent obstructs the ball;
2.10.01.06if an opponent deliberately strikes the ball twice in
succession;
2.10.01.07if an opponent strikes the ball with a side of the
racket blade whose surface does not comply with the requirements of
2.4.3, 2.4.4 and 2.4.5;
2.10.01.08if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or
carries, moves the playing surface;
2.10.01.09if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or
carries, touches the net assembly;
2.10.01.10if an opponent's free hand touches the playing
surface;
2.10.01.11if a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the
sequence established by the first server and first receiver;
2.10.01.12as provided under the expedite system (2.15.2).
2.10.01.13if both players or pairs are in a wheelchair due to a
physical disability and
2.10.01.13.01his opponent does not maintain a minimum contact
with the seat or cushion(s), with the back of the thigh, when the
ball is struck;
2.10.01.13.02his opponent touches the table with either hand
before striking the ball;
2.10.01.13.03his opponents footrest or foot touches the floor
during play.
2.10.01.14as provided under the order of play (2.8.3).
2.11A GAME
2.11.01A game shall be won by the player or pair first scoring
11 points unless both players or pairs score 10 points, when the
game shall be won by the first player or pair subsequently gaining
a lead of 2 points.
2.12A MATCH
2.12.01A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of
games.
2.13THE ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS
2.13.01The right to choose the initial order of serving,
receiving and ends shall be decided by lot and the winner may
choose to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular
end.
2.13.02When one player or pair has chosen to serve or to receive
first or to start at a particular end, the other player or pair
shall have the other choice.
2.13.03After each 2 points have been scored the receiving player
or pair shall become the serving player or pair and so on until the
end of the game, unless both players or pairs score 10 points or
the expedite system is in operation, when the sequences of serving
and receiving shall be the same but each player shall serve for
only 1 point in turn.
2.13.04In each game of a doubles match, the pair having the
right to serve first shall choose which of them will do so and in
the first game of a match the receiving pair shall decide which of
them will receive first; in subsequent games of the match, the
first server having been chosen, the first receiver shall be the
player who served to him in the preceding game.
2.13.05In doubles, at each change of service the previous
receiver shall become the server and the partner of the previous
server shall become the receiver.
2.13.06The player or pair serving first in a game shall receive
first in the next game of the match and in the last possible game
of a doubles match the pair due to receive next shall change their
order of receiving when first one pair scores 5 points.
2.13.07The player or pair starting at one end in a game shall
start at the other end in the next game of the match and in the
last possible game of a match the players or pairs shall change
ends when first one player or pair scores 5 points.
2.14OUT OF ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING OR ENDS
2.14.01If a player serves or receives out of turn, play shall be
interrupted by the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and
shall resume with those players serving and receiving who should be
server and receiver respectively at the score that has been
reached, according to the sequence established at the beginning of
the match and, in doubles, to the order of serving chosen by the
pair having the right to serve first in the game during which the
error is discovered.
2.14.02If the players have not changed ends when they should
have done so, play shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as
the error is discovered and shall resume with the players at the
ends at which they should be at the score that has been reached,
according to the sequence established at the beginning of the
match.
2.14.03In any circumstances, all points scored before the
discovery of an error shall be reckoned.
2.15THE EXPEDITE SYSTEM
2.15.01Except as provided in 2.15.2, the expedite system shall
come into operation after 10 minutes play in a game or at any time
when requested by both players or pairs.
2.15.02The expedite system shall not be introduced in a game if
18 points have been scored.
2.15.03If the ball is in play when the time limit is reached,
play shall be interrupted by the umpire and shall resume with
service by the player who served in the rally that was interrupted;
if the ball is not in play when the expedite system comes into
operation, play shall resume with service by the player who
received in the immediately preceding rally.
2.15.04Thereafter, each player shall serve for 1 point in turn
until the end of the game, and if the receiving player or pair
makes 13 returns in a rally the receiver shall score a point.
2.15.05Introduction of the expedite system shall not alter the
order of serving and receiving in the match, as defined in
2.13.6
2.15.06Once introduced, the expedite system shall remain in
operation until the end of the match.
EquipmentBallThe international rules specify that the game is
played with a light 2.7 gram, 40mm diameter ball.[16] The rules say
that the ball shall bounce up 2426cm when dropped from a height of
30.5cm on to a standard steel block thereby having a coefficient of
restitution of 0.89 to 0.92. The 40mm ball was introduced after the
2000 Olympic Games.[15] However, this created some controversy as
the Chinese National Team argued that this was merely to give
non-Chinese players a better chance of winning since the new type
of balls has a slower speed, while at that time most Chinese
players were playing with fast attack and smashes. A 40mm table
tennis ball is slower and spins less than the original 38mm
(1.5inch) one. The ball is made of a high-bouncing air-filled
celluloid or similar plastics material, colored white or orange,
with a matte finish. The choice of ball color is made according to
the table color and its surroundings. For example, a white ball is
easier to see on a green or blue table than it is on a gray table.
Stars on the ball indicate the quality of the ball. Three stars
indicate that it is of the highest quality, and is used in official
competition.Table
Diagram of a table tennis table showing the unofficial
dimensionsThe table is 2.74m (9ft) long, 1.52m (5ft) wide, and 76cm
(30inch) high with a Masonite (a type of hardboard) or similarly
manufactured timber, layered with a smooth, low-friction
coating.[17] The table or playing surface is divided into two
halves by a 15.25cm (6inch) high net. An ITTF approved table
surface must be in a green or blue color. Concrete tables with a
steel net are sometimes available in public parks.[18]RacketMain
article: Table tennis racketPlayers are equipped with a laminated
wooden racket covered with rubber on one or two sides depending on
the grip of the player. The official ITTF term is "racket", though
"bat" is common in Britain, and "paddle" in the U.S.The wooden
portion of the racket, often referred to as the "blade", commonly
features anywhere between one and seven plies of wood, though cork,
glass fiber, carbon fiber, aluminum fiber, and Kevlar are sometimes
used. According to the ITTF regulations, at least 85% of the blade
by thickness shall be of natural wood.[19] Common wood types
include Balsa, Limba, and Cypress or "Hinoki," which is popular in
Japan. The average size of the blade is about 6.5inches (16.5cm)
long and 6inches (15cm) wide. Although the official restrictions
only focus on the flatness and rigidness of the blade itself, these
dimensions are optimal for most play styles.Table tennis
regulations allow different surfaces on each side of the
racket.[20] Various types of surfaces provide various levels of
spin or speed, and in some cases they nullify spin. For example, a
player may have a rubber that provides much spin on one side of his
racket, and one that provides no spin on the other. By flipping the
racket in play, different types of returns are possible. To help a
player distinguish between the rubber used by his opposing player,
international rules specify that one side must be red while the
other side must be black.[19] The player has the right to inspect
his opponent's racket before a match to see the type of rubber used
and what color it is. Despite high speed play and rapid exchanges,
a player can see clearly what side of the racket was used to hit
the ball. Current rules state that, unless damaged in play, the
racket cannot be exchanged for another racket at any time during a
match.[21]GameplayStarting a gameAccording to ITTF rule 2.13.1, the
first service is decided by lot,[22] normally a coin toss.[23] 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".)Service and returnIn game play, the player serving the ball
commences a play.[24] The server first stands with the ball held on
the open palm of the hand not carrying the racket, called the
freehand, and tosses the ball directly upward without spin, at
least 16 centimeters (approximately 6inches) high.[25] The server
strikes the ball with the racket on the ball's descent so that it
touches first his court and then touches directly the receiver's
court without touching the net assembly. In casual games, many
players do not toss the ball upward; however, this is technically
illegal and can give the serving player an unfair advantage.The
ball must remain behind the endline and above the upper surface of
the table, known as the playing surface, at all times during the
service. The server cannot use his body or clothing to obstruct
sight of the ball; the opponent and the umpire must have a clear
view of the ball at all times. If the umpire is doubtful of the
legality of a service they may first interrupt play and give a
warning to the server. If the serve is a clear failure or is
doubted again by the umpire after the warning, receiver scores a
point.If the service is "good", then the receiver must make a
"good" return by hitting the ball back before it bounces a second
time on receiver's side of the table so that the ball passes the
net and touches the opponent's court, either directly or after
touching the net assembly.[26] Thereafter, the server and receiver
must alternately make a return until the rally is over. Returning
the serve is one of the most difficult parts of the game, as the
server's first move is often the least predictable and thus most
advantageous shot due to the numerous spin and speed choices at his
or her disposal.LetA let is a rally of which the result is not
scored, and is called in the following circumstances:[27] The ball
touches the net in service, provided the service is otherwise
correct or the ball is obstructed by the player on the receiving
side. Obstruction means a player touches the ball when it is above
or traveling towards the playing surface, not having touched the
player's court since last being struck by the player. When the
player on the receiving side is not ready and the service is
delivered. Player's failure to make a service or a return or to
comply with the Laws is due to a disturbance outside the control of
the player. Play is interrupted by the umpire or assistant
umpire.When time is an issue, some competitions only count a let if
a player has over 10 points. If they have less, it counts as a fair
shot. This can significantly increase the pace of game.ScoringA
point is scored by the player for any of several results of the
rally:[28] 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. 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. 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.[29] 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.[30] 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.[23]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.[31] In competition play, matches are typically best of five
or seven games.Alternation of services and endsService alternates
between opponents every two points (regardless of winner of the
rally) until the end of the game, unless both players score 10
points or the expedite system is operated, when the sequences of
serving and receiving stay the same but each player serves for only
1 point in turn.[32] Player serving first in a game shall receive
first in the next game of the match.After each game, players switch
sides of the table. In the last possible game of a match, for
example the seventh game in a best of seven matches, players change
ends when the first player scores 5 points, regardless of whose
turn it is to serve. If the sequence of serving and receiving is
out of turn or the ends is not changed, points scored in the wrong
situation are still calculated and the game shall be resumed with
the order at the score that has been reached.Doubles game
Service zone in doubles gameIn addition to games between
individual players, pairs may also play table tennis. In doubles,
all the rules of single play are applied except for the
following.1. A line painted along the long axis of the table to
create doubles courts bisects the table. This line's only purpose
is to facilitate the doubles service rule, which is that service,
must originate from the right hand "box" in such a way that the
first bounce of the serve bounces once in said right hand box and
then must bounce at least once in the opponent side's right hand
box (far left box for server), or the receiving pair score a
point.[25]2. Players must alternate hitting the ball. For example,
if A is paired with B, X is paired with Y, A is the server and X is
the receiver. The order of play shall be A X B Y. The rally
proceeds this way until one side fails to make a legal return and
the other side scores.[33]3. At each change of service, the
previous receiver shall become the server and the partner of the
previous server shall become the receiver. For example, if the
previous order of play is A X B Y, the order becomes X B Y A after
the change of service.[32]4. In each game of a doubles match, the
pair having the right to serve first shall choose which of them
will do so. The receiving pair, however, can only choose in the
first game of the match. When the first server is chosen in the
second or the latter games of the match, the first receiver of the
game is the player who served to the first server of the game in
the preceding game. For example, if the order of play is A X B Y at
beginning of the first game, the order begins with X A Y B or Y B X
A in the second game depending on either X or Y being chosen as the
first server of the game.5. When a pair reaches 5 points in the
final game, the pairs must switch ends of the table and the team
that receives the service must switch receiver. For example, when
the last order of play before a pair score 5 points in the final
game is A X B Y, the order after change shall be A Y B X if A still
has the second serve. Otherwise, X is the next server and the order
becomes X A Y B.Singles and doubles are both played in
international competition, including the Olympic Games since 1988
and the Commonwealth Games since 2002.[34] In 2005, the ITTF
announced that doubles table tennis only was featured as a part of
team events in the 2008 Olympics.Expedite systemIf a game is
unfinished after 10 minutes' play and fewer than 18 points have
been scored, the expedite system is initiated.[29] The umpire
interrupts the game, and the game resumes with players serving for
1 point in turn. If the expedite system is introduced while the
ball is not in play, the previous receiver shall serve first. Under
the expedite system, the server must win the point before the
opponent makes 13 consecutive returns or the point goes to the
opponent. The system can also be initiated at any time at the
request of both players or pairs. Once introduced, the expedite
system remains in force until the end of the match. A rule to
shorten the time of a match, it is mainly seen in defensive
players' games.GripsThough table tennis players grip their rackets
in various ways, their grips can be classified into two major
families of styles, penhold and shakehand.[35] The Laws of Table
Tennis do not prescribe the manner in which one must grip the
racket, and numerous grips are employed.PenholdThe penhold grip is
so-named because one grips the racket similarly to the way one
holds a writing instrument.[36] The style of play among penhold
players can vary greatly from player to player. The most popular
style, usually referred to as the Chinese penhold style, involves
curling the middle, ring, and fourth finger on the back of the
blade with the three fingers always touching one another.[36]
Chinese penholders favor a round racket head, for a more
over-the-table style of play. In contrast, another style, sometimes
referred to as the Korean penhold grip, involves splaying those
three fingers out across the back of the racket, usually with all
three fingers touching the back of the racket, rather than stacked
upon one another.[36] Sometimes a combination of the two styles
occurs, wherein the middle, ring and fourth fingers are straight,
but still stacked, or where all fingers may be touching the back of
the racket, but are also in contact with one another. Korean
penholders will often use a square-headed racket for an
away-from-the-table style of play. Traditionally these
square-headed rackets feature a block of cork on top of the handle,
as well as a thin layer of cork on the back of the racket, for
increased grip and comfort. Penhold styles are popular among
players originating from East Asian regions such as China, Taiwan,
Japan, and South Korea.Traditionally, penhold players use only one
side of the racket to hit the ball during normal play, and the side
which is in contact with the last three fingers is generally not
used. This configuration is sometimes referred to as "traditional
penhold" and is more commonly found in square-headed racket styles.
However, the Chinese developed a technique in the 1990s in which a
penholder uses both sides of the racket to hit the ball, where the
player produces a backhand stroke (most often topspin) by turning
the traditional side of the racket to face one's self, and striking
the ball with the opposite side of the racket. This stroke has
greatly improved and strengthened the penhold style both physically
and psychologically, as it eliminates the strategic weakness of the
traditional penhold backhand.
ShakehandThe shakehand (or shakehands) grip is so-named because
the racket is grasped as if one is performing a handshake.[37]
Though it is sometimes referred to as the "tennis" or "Western"
grip, it bears no relation to the Western tennis grip. (Popularized
on the West Coast of the United States in which the racket is
rotated 90, and played with the wrist turned so that on impact the
knuckles face the target.) In table tennis, Western refers to
Western nations, for this is the grip that players native to Europe
and the Americas have almost exclusively employed.The shakehand
grips simplicity and versatility, coupled with the acceptance among
top-level Chinese trainers that the European style of play should
be emulated and trained against, has established it as a common
grip even in China.[38] Many world-class Asian players currently
use the shakehand grip, and it is generally accepted that
shakehands is easier to learn than penholder, allowing a broader
range of playing styles both offensive and defensive.[39]Types of
strokesTable tennis strokes generally break down into offensive and
defensive categories.Offensive strokesSpeed driveA direct hit on
the ball propelling it forward back to the opponent. This stroke
differs from speed drives in other racket sports like tennis
because the racket is primarily perpendicular to the direction of
the stroke and most of the energy applied to the ball results in
speed rather than spin impart no-spin or sidespin variations of the
chop.BlockThe block is a simple shot, but nonetheless can be
devastating against an attacking opponent. A block is executed by
simply placing the racket in front of the ball right after the ball
bounces; thus, the ball rebounds back toward the opponent with
nearly as much energy as it came in with. This is not as easy as it
sounds, because the ball's spin, speed, and location all influence
the correct angle of a block. It is very possible for an opponent
to execute a perfect loop, drive, or smash, only to have the
blocked shot come back at him just as fast. Due to the power
involved in offensive strokes, often an opponent simply cannot
recover quickly enough, and will be unable to return the blocked
shot. Blocks almost always produce the same spin as was received,
usually topspin.LobThe defensive lob is possibly the most
impressive shot, since it propels the ball about five meters in
height, only to land on the opponent's side of the table with great
amounts of spin.[41] To execute, a defensive player first backs-off
the table 46 meters; then, the stroke itself consists of lifting
the ball to an enormous height before it falls back to the
opponent's side of the table. A lob is inherently a creative shot,
and can have nearly any kind of spin. Top-quality players use this
to their advantage in order to control the spin of the ball. For
instance, though the opponent may smash the ball hard and fast, a
good defensive lob could be more difficult to return due to the
unpredictability and heavy amounts of the spin on the ball.[41]
Thus, though backed off the table by tens of feet and running to
reach the ball, a good defensive player can still win the point
using good lobs. However, at the professional level, lobbers will
lose the point most of the time, so the lob is not used unless it
is really necessary.[41]Effects of spinAdding spin onto the ball
causes major changes in table tennis gameplay. Although nearly
every stroke or serve creates some kind of spin, understanding the
individual types of spin allows players to defend against and use
different spins effectively.[42]
4 phases in a backspin curveBackspinBackspin is where the bottom
half of the ball is rotating away from the player, and is imparted
by striking the base of the ball with a downward movement.[42] At
the professional level, backspin is usually used defensively in
order to keep the ball low.[43] Backspin is commonly employed in
service because it is harder to produce an offensive return,
especially on a short serve. Due to the initial lift of the ball,
there is a limit on how much speed with which one can hit the ball
without missing the opponent's side of the table. However, backspin
also makes it harder for the opponent to return the ball with great
speed because of the required angular precision of the return.
Alterations are frequently made to regulations regarding equipment
in an effort to maintain a balance between defensive and offensive
spin choices.[citation needed] It is actually possible to smash
with backspin offensively, but only on high balls that are close to
the net.
4 phases in a topspin curveTopspinThe harder-to-learn topspin
stroke has a smaller influence on the first part of the ball-curve.
Like the backspin stroke, however, the axis of spin remains roughly
perpendicular to the trajectory of the ball thus allowing for the
Magnus effect to dictate the subsequent curvature. After the apex
of the curve, the ball dips downwards as it approaches the opposing
side, before bouncing. On the bounce, the topspin will accelerate
the ball, much in the same way that a wheel which is already
spinning would accelerate upon making contact with the ground.
Again, the most significant change appears when the opponent
attempts to return the ball (with a smooth, pimples inwards
rubber). Due to the topspin, the ball jumps upwards and the
opponent is forced to compensate for the topspin by adjusting the
angle of his or her racket. This is commonly known as "closing the
racket". The speed limitation of the topspin stroke is minor
compared to the backspin stroke. This stroke is the predominant
technique used in professional competition because it gives the
opponent less time to respond. In table tennis topspin is regarded
as an offensive technique due to increased ball speed, lower
bio-mechanical efficiency and the pressure that it puts on the
opponent by reducing reaction time. (It is possible to play
defensive topspin-lobs from far behind the table, but only highly
skilled players use this stroke with any tactical efficiency.)
Topspin is the least common type of spin to be found in service at
the professional level, simply because it is much easier to attack
a top-spun ball that is not moving at high speed.SidespinThis type
of spin is predominantly employed during service, wherein the
contact angle of the racket can be more easily varied. Unlike the
two aforementioned techniques, sidespin causes the ball to spin on
an axis which is vertical, rather than horizontal. The axis of
rotation is still roughly perpendicular, to the trajectory of the
ball. In this circumstance, the Magnus effect will still dictate
the curvature of the ball to some degree. Another difference is
that unlike backspin and topspin, sidespin will have relatively
very little effect on the bounce of the ball, much in the same way
that a spinning top would not travel left or right if its axis of
rotation were exactly vertical. This makes sidespin a useful weapon
in service, because it is less easily recognized when bouncing, and
the ball "loses" less spin on the bounce. Sidespin can also be
employed in offensive rally strokes, often from a greater distance,
as an adjunct to topspin or backspin. This stroke is sometimes
referred to as a "hook". The hook can even be used in some extreme
cases to circumvent the net when away from the table.CorkspinThis
type of spin is almost exclusively employed in service, but it is
also used from time to time in the lob at the professional level.
Unlike any of the aforementioned techniques, corkspin (sometimes
referred to as "drill-spin") features a unique situation in which
the axis of spin is more or less parallel to the trajectory of the
ball. This means that the Magnus effect will have little to no
effect on the trajectory of a cork-spun ball. Upon bouncing, the
ball will dart right or left, depending on the direction of the
spin, making it very difficult to return. Although in theory this
type of spin produces the most obnoxious effects, it is not as
strategically practical as sidespin or backspin in terms of the
limitations that it imposes upon the opponent during their return.
Aside from the initial direction change when bouncing, provided
that it does not exceed the reach of the opponent, a cork-spun ball
is easily countered with topspin or backspin. Similar to a backspin
stroke, the corkspin stroke has a lower maximum velocity, simply
due to the contact angle of the racket when producing the stroke.
To impart a spin on the ball which is parallel to its trajectory,
the racket must be swung more or less perpendicular to the
trajectory of the ball. This greatly limits the amount of forward
momentum that can be transferred to the ball by the racket.
Corkspin is almost always mixed with another variety of spin, as it
is less effective and harder to produce on its
own.CompetitionCompetitive table tennis is popular in Asia and
Europe and has been gaining attention in the United States.[44] The
most important international competitions are the World Table
Tennis Championships, the Table Tennis World Cup, the Olympics and
the ITTF Pro Tour. Continental competitions include the European
Championships, Europe Top-12, the Asian Championships and the Asian
Games. Chinese players have won the men's World Championships 60%
of the time since 1959;[45] in the women's competition, Chinese
players have won all but three of the World Championships since
1971.[46] Other strong teams come from East Asia and European
countries, including Austria, Belarus, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan,
South Korea, Singapore, Sweden, and Taiwan.[47]There are also
professional competitions at the clubs level. The national league
of countries like China (the China Table Tennis Super League),
Germany, France, Belgium and Austria are some highest level
examples. There are also some important international club teams
competitions such as the European Champions League and its former
competition, the European Club Cup, where the top club teams from
European countries compete.