- Also called (trademark):
- Ping-Pong
- Key People:
- Deng Yaping
- On the Web:
- International Olympic Committee - Table Tennis (Nov. 12, 2026)
table tennis
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What is table tennis?
Table tennis is a ball game played on a flat table divided into two halves by a net. The goal is to hit the lightweight ball with a small racket so it goes over the net and bounces on the opponent's side, making it difficult for them to return it.
Invented in England in the early 20th century, it was originally called Ping-Pong, a trade name. The name table tennis was adopted in 1921ā22. The International Table Tennis Federation was founded in 1926. Table tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988. It is popular as both a competitive and recreational sport.
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How is table tennis played?
Table tennis is a ball game played on a flat table divided into two equal courts by a net fixed across its width at the middle. The goal is to hit the lightweight ball with a racket so it goes over the net and bounces on the opponentās half of the table, making it difficult for them to return it correctly.
Points are scored when a player fails to make a good serve or return or commits an infraction. A match consists of an odd number of games, and a game is won by the player who first reaches 11 points. Tactics include varying the ball's speed, direction, or spin.
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What equipment do you need to play table tennis?
To play table tennis, you'll need some relatively simple and inexpensive equipment.
- Table: A rectangular table, 9 by 5 feet, with a level surface 30 inches above the floor.
- Net: A net that is 6 feet long, with its upper edge 6 inches above the playing surface.
- Ball: A spherical, hollow ball made of plastic, colored white, yellow, or orange, weighing about 0.09 ounce and with a diameter of about 1.6 inches.
- Racket (Bat or Paddle): A racket with a flat and rigid blade, usually made of wood, covered with a thin layer of stippled or pimpled rubber. The two sides of the paddle must be different colors, but the racket can be any size, weight, or shape.
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What are some basic rules of table tennis?
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, follows simple rules. The table is 9 by 5 feet, and the net is 6 inches high. A match is the best of an odd number of games. To win a game, a player must reach 11 points, with a two-point lead.
The serve must bounce on your side, then the opponent's. Players alternate serving every two points until 10-10 is reached; then, the serve changes after each point. A point is scored if a player fails to serve or return the ball correctly or commits an infraction, like touching the table with their free hand. Players can use different strategies, such as varying the ball's speed or spin.
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What are some common techniques or strokes used in table tennis?
In table tennis, players use various techniques to outmaneuver their opponents. Strategic elements include adjusting the game's pace, manipulating the ball's spin, and using drop shots to exploit an opponent's poor positioning.
Common strokes include serving, returning, and employing different spins. The serve must bounce on the server's side before crossing the net. Players also use tactics like varying the ball's direction to disrupt their opponent's strategy. Defensive players may slow the game, while offensive players increase the speed.
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How are official table tennis competitions organized and scored?
Table tennis matches involve two or four players hitting a lightweight ball over a net on a flat table. A match is the best of an odd number of games. To win a game, a player must reach 11 points before their opponent or win two clear points after a 10-10 tie.
Points are scored when a player fails to make a good serve or return or commits an infraction, such as touching the table with their free hand during play. After every two points, the service switches between players until a 10-10 score is reached; then, the service changes after each point.
Tactics include adjusting the game's speed, changing the ball's spin or pace, and using drop shots. If a game remains unfinished after 15 minutes, the expedite system is initiated, which restricts play, and the service changes after each point.
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News •
table tennis, ball game 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 bounces on the opponentās 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 (bats, or paddles) 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.
History
The game was invented in England in the early days of the 20th century and was originally called Ping-Pong, a trade name. The name table tennis was adopted in 1921ā22 when the old Ping-Pong Association formed in 1902 was revived. The original association had broken up about 1905, though apparently the game continued to be played in parts of England outside London and by the 1920s was being played in many countries. Led by representatives of Germany, Hungary, and England, the FĆ©dĆ©ration Internationale de Tennis de Table (International Table Tennis Federation) was founded in 1926, the founding members being England, Sweden, Hungary, India, Denmark, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Wales. By the mid-1990s more than 165 national associations were members.
The first world championships were held in London in 1926, and from then until 1939 the game was dominated by players from central Europe, the menās team event being won nine times by Hungary and twice by Czechoslovakia. In the mid-1950s Asia emerged as a breeding ground of champions, and from that time the individual and team events (for both men and women) have been dominated by athletes from China. The popularity of the game in China was notable for giving rise to so-called āPing-Pong diplomacy,ā a period during the 1970s in which Cold War tensions between China and the United States were eased via a series of highly publicized table tennis matches between athletes from the two countries. The first such eventāheld in Beijing in 1971āis widely credited with paving the way for U.S. Pres. Richard Nixonās historic visit to China the following year. In 1980 the first World Cup was held, and Guo Yuehua of China won the $12,500 first prize. Table tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988, with singles and doubles competition for men and women.
