TABLE TENNIS 8

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GRADE STUDY GUIDE

HISTORY:

• Table tennis was developed in 1890 by a Massachusetts sports equipment

company and was known as indoor tennis

• It was exported to England because it wasn’t accepted well in US

• In late 1890’s an Englishman designed a celluloid ball and rubber covered paddle

for better control over ball

• 9 x 5 ft. table with white centerline

• Net- 6 in. from top of table, 36 in. from floor

• Plastic ball- 4 ½ in. – 4 ¾ in. circumference

• Paddle- any material, size, shape, weight

SERVING:

• Server tosses ball in air and hits ball onto his/her side of table before it goes over

net to opponents side of table

• It is illegal to spin the ball with hand before serving

• The ball may not be bounced on table before serving to opponent

ready, or there is interference

- The server serves 5 points (5 times) before their opponent serves

• Singles- the server ignores the center line and can serve the ball to any part of the

opponent’s court

SERVING ORDER:

• Player A serves 5 to player C, then switches with B

-Player C serves 5 to B, then switches with D

-Player B serves 5 to D, then switches with A

POINTS: Either the receiving team or serving team may score on a serve

The following will result in loss of point:

• Hitting the ball before it bounces (volley) when receiving

• Failing to make a good return

• Serving the ball to the wrong court (doubles)

• Hitting the ball more than 1 time in a row

• The paddle, or any part of the body touches any part of the playing area

Server serves to receiver. Receiver returns ball to server’s partner. Partner returns

to receiver’s partner. Receiver’s partner returns to server. (A player may not hit

the ball two times in a row)

SCORING:

• Game is played to 21

• If tied at 20, team that scores two more points first wins

TERMINOLOGY:

• Ace- a good serve that the receiver is unable to touch with his paddle