TABLE TENNIS HISTORY The exact origin of table tennis is unknown.

It began sometime in the 1890's as a parlor game but its popularity was short lived. In 1920 it became popular again and ping pong clubs were formed all over the world. Ping pong was a copyrighted trademark name of Parker Brothers so the generic name was changed to table tennis. In 1926 the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was formed and in 1933 the Untied States Table Tennis Association began. GLOSSARY OF TERMS Backhand: A shot done with the racket to the left of the elbow for a righthander, the reverse for a lefthander. Blade: The racket usually without a covering. Block: A quick, off the bounce return of an aggressive drive done by just holding the racket in the ball's path. Closed: Racket face aimed downward with the top edge leaning awayfrom you. Crosscourt: A ball that is hit diagonally from corner to corner. Drop Shot: Putting the ball so short that the opponent has trouble reaching it. Done when the opponent is away from the table. Forehand: Any shot done with the racket to the right of the elbow for a righthander, to the left for a lefthander. Let: A serve that hits the net a lands in the proper service box. If play is interrupted for any reason during a rally, a let is called and the point does not count. Lob: A high defensive return of a smash. Loop: A heavy topspin shot usually considered the most important shot in the game. Open: If the hitting surface of the racket is aimed upwards, with the top edge leaning towards you. Rally: The hitting of the ball back and fourth, starting with the serve and ending when a point is won. Serve: The first shot, done by the server. It begins with the ball being thrown up from the palm of the hand and struck by the racket. Hand shake grip: The most popular grip. It gives the best balance of forehand and backhand. Smash: A put away shot. Ball is hit with enough speed so opponent can't make a return. Volley: To hit the ball before it bounces on your side of the table. It results in an immediate loss of the point. RULES 1. The entire table top area is used for play. 2. The racket (paddles) may be of any standard size, shape or weight for the game of table tennis. 3. The serve must first touch your paddle, then your court and then pass over the net to the receiver's court and then his/her paddle. 4. In singles, the serve may land anywhere on the table. 5. In doubles, the server must serve diagonally. Right side to right side. 6. In doubles, players must alternate hits never hitting the ball 2 times in a row. 7. If the ball touches the net during play, it is good. 8. The ball may not touch the net on a serve.

9. A point is awarded: a - if the server fails to make a good serve b - if the player fails to make a good return c - if you hit the ball before it bounces on your side d - if the ball touches your court twice e - if you hit the ball twice in succession f - if you move the playing surface during play g - if you touch the playing surface with the free hand while the ball is in play h - if you touch the net i - if, in doubles, you hit the ball out of sequence. 10. The winner is the first to score 21 points with a 2 point lead. (For more games, you can shorten the scoring to 15 points). 11. A match shall consist of the best of 3 games or the best of 5 games. 12. A coin toss decides: the winner may choose the end and the loser the serve or the winner may choose the serve and the loser the end. 13 After each game, you switch ends until the last game when, after 10 points are scored, you then switch. 14. Change of service occurs in singles after five points. In doubles the server serves 5 points, the receiver diagonally to him serves 5 points, then the receiver diagonally to him serves 5 points, then the servers partner serves 5 points and finally the receiver's partner serves 5 points. 15. If you serve the first game, the other team serves the 2nd game.