MODULE 1: Lesson 1

Table Tennis History

Like many other sports, Table Tennis began as a mild social diversion. It was
probably played with improvised equipment in England, during the last
quarter of the 19th century. Though Table Tennis evolve, along with
badminton and lawn tennis, from the ancient game of tennis (also known as
Jeu de Paume, Real tennis, Court tennis or Royal Tennis), the game was
developed after lawn tennis became popular in the 1880’s.

Ancient woodcut showing Jeu de Paume game, published in 1576. ITTF

museum

The earliest surviving action game of Tennis on a table is a set made by David Foster, patented in England in
1890 (No. 11037): Parlour Table Games, which included table versions of Lawn Tennis, Cricket and Football.
The Lawn Tennis game featured strung rackets, a 30mm cloth covered rubber ball, a wooden fence set up
around the perimeter of the table, and large side nets extending along both sides.

Lithograph segment, earliest known action

game of tennis on a Table: David Foster (ENG)
1890.

Foster’s rules, found at Cambridge University by

Steve Grant (USA). The rules are very brief (unlike those for the companion games of table cricket and
football). Note rule 3, which mentions “Table Tennis”. Steve also discovered that Foster patented his game
compendium in Canada

Renowned researcher Alan Duke (ENG) recently discovered an English patent by Ralph Slazenger, No. 3156,
dated 26 June 1883 (and likely months developing the idea before filing the application), for improved nets for
games. The patent describes net post mechanisms, with this important statement: “This arrangement is adapted
for ordinary lawn tennis, and for a modified game to be played indoors, say upon a billiard or dining table. In
the latter case the poles are supported in brackets clamped by the cam arrangement, or fastened under the table,
or weighted.”

Duke correctly concludes that this ‘quite possibly is now the earliest known reference to a table version of
tennis (and, importantly, accurately dated.)” However, no evidence has been found that such game was
developed at that time.

Steve Grant (Ping Pong Fever, 2012, USA) found mention of one James Devonshire (ENG), who John Jaques
claimed invented Table Tennis in a 1901 interview published in The Echo. Subsequently Alan Duke found in
the The Official of the Patent Office that:

Devonshire applied for a Patent on October 9, 1885 for his “Table Tennis”. The November 24, 1885 issue of the
journal shows Provisional specifications were accepted.
In January 1887 the Application is listed as Abandoned. Once again, no evidence of Devonshire’s game, nor
advertisement has been found; quite likely it was never put into production. One feasible scenario is that
Jacques paid Devonshire for his idea, ultimately becoming the basis for Jacques’ Gossima, released in 1891.
However, the lengthy time factor is a concern, as mentioned by renowned Jacques authority Michael Thomson
(SCO). The 1887 catalog of George S. Parker (USA) includes an entry for “Table Tennis”: This game is laid out
like a lawn tennis court, played and counted just the same, all the rules being observed.” however, this was a
board and dice game by J.H. Singer (NY), whose name also appears on the catalog

Rare board and dice game, "Table Tennis" by J.H. Singer 1887. The Earliest production use of the name
Table Tennis. ITTF Museum

One year later famous game makers Jacques of London released their GOSSIMA game. This game borrowed
the drum style battledores from the shuttlecock game, and used a 50mm webbed wrapped cork ball, with an
amazing 30cm high net that was secured by a belt-like strap under the table. Only two examples are known to
have survived.

Jacques (ENG) GOSSIMA, 1891, with 50mm ball, 30cm high net,
vellum drum rackets. The white belt was used to secure the large wood
net fixtures to the table. ITTF Museum

Neither of these action games were successful, due to the ineffective ball:
the rubber ball had too wild a bounce, while the cork ball had too poor a bounce. Jacques continued to advertise
Gossima throughout the 1890’s, but it was not until c. 1900, when the celluloid ball was introduced to the game,
that the concept of tennis on a table became successful. Steve Grant has traced the name Ping Pong to an 1884
song by Harry Dacre. The distinct sound of the celluloid ball bouncing off the drum rackets quickly lead to the
use of the same name. This can still be demonstrated today using the antique rackets! As the name Ping Pong
caught on, Jacques change the name of his game to “Gossima or Ping Pong” and soon afterward, to “Ping Pong
or Gossima”. Ultimately the name Gossima was dropped.
The game quickly caught on with the public, marketed under many different names:
- Ping pong or Gossima - Parlour Tennis - Tennis de Salon
- Ping Pong - Clip-Clap - Netto
- Table Tennis - Indoor Tennis - Royal Game
- Whiff Whaff - Pom-Pom

Gradually the two most popular names prevailed: Ping Pong, and Table Tennis. However, these competing
names caused some problems, as to two associations were formed, and with different rules for the game some
confusion resulted. Ping Pong was trademarked in 1900 by Hamley Brothers in England, and soon afterwards
Hamleys became “jointly concerned” with Jacques. They rigorously enforced the Ping Pong trademark,
requiring use of their Ping Pong equipment in Ping Pong tournaments and clubs. Parker brothers, who acquired
the American rights to the name Ping Pong, similarly enforced the trademark. Eventually it became clear that
for the sport to move forward, the commercial ties had to be severed.
 MODULE 1: LESSON 2
Table Tennis Terminologies
 Anti/Anti-Loop/Anti-Spin
o A smooth rubber with very low surface friction, used to defend against excessive spin (or to
confuse opponent). This type of rubber deactivates spin and speed, returning a “dead” ball.
 Assistant Umpire
o The person appointed to assist umpire with certain decisions.
 Backhand
o A shot executed where the back of your hand is pointing towards the opponent, to the left of the
elbow for the right-handed player and vice versa for a left handed player.
 Backspin
o A type of spin used mostly on defensive shots. When you chop down on the ball, you produce
back spin. The bottom of the ball will move away from you.
 Bat
o An alternative name for the racket
 Blade
o The wooden part of the racket
 Block
o A topspin played close to the table with the racket making contact with the ball just after it
bounces.
 Blocker
o A style of play where use of the block is the primary stroke.
 Chop
o A defensive return of topspin stroke played with backspin, well away from the table.
 Chopper
o A style of play where use of the chop is the primary stroke.
 Chop Block
o A stroke played close to the table when the racket makes contact with the ball (just after it
bounces) with a fast downward vertical motion to create backspin. This was made popular by
Jan-Ove Waldner.
 Closed Racket
o A stroke played with a striking surface of the racket angled downwards (i.e. topspin stroke or
block)
 Counter-Loop
o A loop stroke played in response to a loop stroke from your opponent.
 Counter-Smash
o A smash stroke played in response to a smash stroke from your opponent.
 Cross-Court
o A stroke that’s hit diagonally from corner to corner.
 Crossover Point
o The area in which the player has no obvious choices of forehand or backhand.
 Dead Ball
o A stroke played which returns the ball with very little to no spin.
 Deep
o Playing any shot which causes the ball to bounce very near to your opponent’s end of the table.
 Double Bounce
o When the ball bounces twice on one side of the table before a return is made, causing that player
to lose the point.
 Doubles
o A game of table tennis where two people play on each side and alternate turns at striking the ball.
 Down the Line
o A stroke that’s played where the ball travels parallel to the sidelines of the table.
 Drive
o A stroke played close to the table with your racket arm moving forward and slightly upwards in
the direction that the ball is going to travel.
 Drop Shot
o A shot which drops very short over the net on your opponent’s side of the table.
 Early
o Playing a stroke that makes contact with the ball just after it bounces.
 Expedite
o A rule which comes into operation if a game is unfinished after 10 minutes play.
 Flat
o Playing a stroke with minimum topspin so that the ball travels very low over the net.
 Flick/Flip
o A stroke played close to the table where you hit over the back or top of the ball, using a loose
wrist action to impart topspin.
 Float
o A stroke played which returns the ball with very little to no spin.
 Forehand
o A shot executed where the palm of your hands is facing opponent.
 Free Hand
o The hand not holding the racket.
 Game
o Won by player or pair that reaches 11 points first, until there are instances of “slide two”.
 Gossima
o Another patented name for Table Tennis back in the day.
 Handicap Event
o An event in a tournament where players are graded or ranked according to ability so they can
compete equally. The weaker players will not have to score as many points as the stronger player
to win a game.
 Heavy
o Used to describe excessive spin.
 High Toss Serve
o A serve where the ball is thrown high into the air. This helps the server to increase the amount of
spin and speed imparted into a ball.
 ITTF/International Table Tennis Federation
o The official governing body of the sport table tennis.
 Kill
o An aggressive shot hit with too much speed for the opponent to return it.
 Late
o Playing a stroke that makes contact with the ball when the ball is descending rather than rising.
 Let
o A rally where the result is not scored.
 Let Serve
o If the ball, in passing over or around the net, touches it, provided the service is otherwise good,
the serve is replayed - or - if your opponent is not ready, the serve is replayed.
 Loaded
o Used to describe excessive spin.
 Lob
o A defensive shot used against high-speed shots, where the ball is returned very high in the air.
 Long
o Playing any shot which causes the ball to bounce very near to your opponent's end of the table.
 Loop
o An attacking stroke where excessive topspin is imparted onto the ball. This enables you to hit the
ball harder as the topspin will help you keep the ball in play.
 Loose Return
o A return shot that is either too high, too long, has insufficient spin or a combination of these and
therefore makes it easy for your opponent to attack or kill.
 Multi-ball
o A training method that minimizes wasted time by using a continuous supply of table tennis balls
instead of just one ball.
 Obstruction
o A player obstructs ball if anything player carries or wears touches the ball when it is in play.
 Pen Hold
o A style of grip in which the racket handle is held between the thumb and forefinger. Used mainly
by Asian players.
 Playing Surface
o The upper surface of a table tennis table which lies in a horizontal plane 76cm (2ft 6in) above the
floor.
 Point
o A unit of scoring in table tennis. A rally where the result is called.
 Push
o A backspin shot usually executed over the table.
 Rally
o The period during which the ball is in play.
 Ranking/Rating
o A method of evaluating the playing abilities of different players in relation to each other.
 Receiver
o The player due to strike the ball second in a rally.
 Referee
o The person appointed to control a tournament.
 Rubber
o The racket covering. Sometimes refers only to the rubber on top of a sponge base.
 Server
o The player due to strike the ball first in a rally.
 Service
o The start of a point where one player strikes the ball.
 Shake-hand
o A style of grip in which the racket handle is held in the palm of your hand so that the start of the
racket head fits snugly into the "V" shape formed by your thumb and first finger - similar to
shaking hands with another person.
 Short
o Playing any shot which causes the ball to bounce very near to the net and, if not hit by your
opponent, would bounce at least twice on the table.
 Side Spin
o A type of spin imparted onto the ball causing it to move left or right before and after it strikes the
table surface.
 Smash
o An aggressive shot hit with too much speed for your opponent to return it, often in response to a
high bouncing return.
 Spin
o The rotation of the ball. A player can impart spin onto the ball by using a brushing action with
the racket surface.
 Strike
o Touching the ball in play with your racket, held in your racket hand, or with your racket hand
below the wrist.
 Stroke
o Any shot used by a player in a game.
 Sweet Spot
o The portion of the racket (usually near the centre) which produces the best response.
 Tight
o Playing any shot which makes it difficult for your opponent to attack.
 Topspin
o A type of spin imparted onto the ball causing it to arc over the net and down onto the table
surface.

 Twiddle
o The act of turning the racket in your hand in order to use different sides of the racket to strike the
ball. Usually only used by players who have different rubbers on each side of the racket in order
to deceive their opponent.
 Umpire
o The person appointed to control a match.
 Underspin
 o A type of spin used mostly on defensive shots. When you chop down on the ball, you produce
underspin. The bottom of the ball will move away from you.
 Volley
o Hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the table. A player who volleys the ball
generally loses the point.
 XD
o An abbreviation for “mixed doubles”.
 MODULE 1: LESSON 3
Table Tennis Facilities and Equipment
One of the many things that any aspiring table tennis player must learn in order to become a very good player is
the many kinds of table tennis equipment that is used. Basically, there are four pieces of equipment that are used
and that include: the ball, the racket or paddle; the table and the net.

TENNIS TABLE

 When you search for table tennis equipment then first to think table tennis table. The table tennis
dimensions has to be a rectangle that is 2.74 meters (9 feet) in length and 1.525 meters (5 feet) in width.
The table has to be horizontally parallel to the floor, exactly 76 (2.5 feet) centimeters above from the
floor.

 Another interesting standard is the quality/density/material that the table is made of. Although the table
can be made of almost any material, it is required that the material returns a uniform ball bounce of
approximately 23 centimeters (9.1 inches) when a standard table tennis ball is dropped from a height of
30cm (11.8 inches) from the table surface- that is 77% of the initial ball height. Additionally, the surface
of the table should be a uniform dark matte color.

 Another detail is that the table’s surface should have a white lines outlining the border of the table and a
straight line dividing the two courts into equal left and right half-courts. Note that the white line marking
up the table may be 2 centimeters thick.

 The table is divided into 2 equal courts, separated in the middle with a 15.25 centimeter (6 inch) high net
running in between. For doubles play style (2 v 2), each court is divided into 2 equal half-courts by a 3
millimeter white center line.
TABLE TENNIS PADDLE/RACKET
 The table tennis racket or paddle is
another important piece of equipment
that is used in hitting the ball back and
forth on the table. Its shape is similar to
the ones used in the game of tennis
except that it is smaller and is made of
different materials.

 The racket is usually made of wood

and rubber and is divided into two
parts: the handle and the blade. The
quality of both of the parts of the
racket can affect the force that can be applied by the player and it is important the player choose the best
kind of rackets in order to really improve.

 Aside from that, the player must take notice of the kind of rubber that is used on the blade as this can
affect the type and amount of spin that can be used in hitting the ball. Rackets are available in pre-made
as well as customized conditions.

 All beginners are recommended to acquire the pre-made ones in order to avoid the confusion of making
customized ones. However, they must be sure to buy from reputable table tennis stores or sports shops,
or online table tennis stores.

 Laminated wooden rackets are used, covered with rubber on one or both sides depending on the grip
style that the player uses. The wooden part of the racket is often referred to as the “blade”. By ITTF
standards, at least 85% of the blade by thickness must be made of natural wood. Table tennis blades are
commonly made out of balsa, limba, and cypress (hinoki) woods.

 The average size of a paddle blade is 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) long and 15 centimeters (5.9 inches)
wide. The ITTF allows paddles to have different types of surfaces for each side of the paddle. This
allows for table tennis enthusiasts to customize the paddle surface for an advantage based on their play
style. The type of surface dictates the amount of spin, speed, and spin nullification that a table tennis
racket is able to influence on the ball during the game.

TABLE TENNIS BALL

 The ball must have a mass of 2.7 grams or 0.095 ounces. And the ball must have a diameter of 40
millimeters or 1.57 inches. Note that this diameter used to be different; it was only from the Summer
Olympics of 2000 that the standard ball size was made to 40 millimeters. Before that, the balls were
originally 38 millimeters, meaning that returns made with this smaller ball were significantly faster and
spun more.

 Another standard for official table tennis balls is that it must bounce approximately 24 to 26 centimeters
in the air when dropped from a height of 30.5 centimeters on a standard steel block. Meeting this
criterion means that the ball has a coefficient of restitution of 0.89 to 0.92. The coefficient of restitution
is referring to how much elastic energy is left over after a single bounce. So a value of .92 would mean
 that from the initial height, the ball falls and bounces back up to 92% of the initial height. Perfect
elasticity, a value of 1, would mean that the ball bounces back to the initial height value.

NET

 The net in the middle that divides the table into two equal courts also has specifications. The net
assembly is composed of the net itself, the clamps that hold the net onto the table, and the supporting
posts and suspensions that keep the net stretched out straight- given that the bottom and top ends of the
net attaches to the supporting posts.

 Note that the suspension is a cord that goes through the top part of the net and attaches to the two
supporting posts. To make the net stretch tighter, you can usually pull the cord tighter with a net
tensioner or by manually pulling on the cord and retying.

 The official height for table tennis nets is designated at 15.25 centimeters or 6 inches. This net may also
hang over the table 15.25 centimeters (6 inches) on both sides.

 Finally, the net should be just barely touching the playing surface; making sure that the top part of the
net is 15.25 centimeters (6 inches) above the table surface.
 MODULE 1: LESSON 4
Sports Values and Benefits
Aside from being a fun way to spend an afternoon with your family and friends, table tennis also develop
individual moral values and offers surprisingly great health benefits. Like most sports, table tennis offers great
mind-body stimulation, aerobic exercise, and social interaction. Unlike many sports, however, the overall risk
for injury with table tennis is quite low.

SPORTS VALUES
Sport requires people to follow written and unwritten rules to make it fair. It expects people to behave
responsibly to ensure respect, fairness and safety. In this way, it promotes social values.

Sport is also used to promote positive values in society generally. By demonstrating these values on and off the
field, sportspeople become positive role models, particularly for young people.

Our values are important because they help us to grow and develop. They help us to create the future we want to
experience.Every individual and every organization is involved in making hundreds of decisions every day. The
decisions we make are a reflection of our values and beliefs, and they are always directed towards a specific
purpose.

1. Discipline
 Sport requires people to follow written and unwritten rules to make it fair. It expects people to behave
responsibly to ensure respect, fairness and safety. In this way, it promotes social values.
 Sport is also used to promote positive values in society generally. By demonstrating these values on and
off the field, sportspeople become positive role models, particularly for young people.
 Our values are important because they help us to grow and develop. They help us to create the future we
want to experience. Every individual and every organization is involved in making hundreds of
decisions every day. The decisions we make are a reflection of our values and beliefs, and they are
always directed towards a specific purpose.

2. Respect
 Respect is having a regard for other people and their lives; it is showing those around us compassion and
empathy. A person who shows respect will find they are successful in all aspects of life. The sports
environment is a great place to grow and establish respect. While involved in sports, you will learn the
importance of respecting the teammates, coaches, opponents and spectators.
 You cannot be successful at a sport without respect. In order to progress, an athlete must be open to the
suggestions and criticism of his or her coach. Instead of coming up with excuses and tearing down
teammates, a successful athlete takes ownership of his or her actions and learns from them. It is for this
reason that athletes make amazing role models for children. When your child gets involved in sports,
they will be around others who got far through respect and hard work.

3. Humility
 Athletes who embody humility take responsibility for their actions, especially when things don’t go
well. In a team sport setting, there are usually situations where blame shifting occurs. Examples of
blame shifting can be things such as, “We lost because of you” or “Your mistake costed us the game.” In
situations like these it takes someone with humility to diffuse the problem by sharing some of the
responsibility.
  Being a coachable athlete reflects a humble heart. Regardless of one’s talent, every athlete needs to
embrace being coached and mentored to reach their full potential. Listening, absorbing and learning are
all necessary for embodying humility in athletics.

4. Ethics
 Usually we know the rules of the game, we watch a referee judging and athletes competing. But from
times to times we spot the moment when the things are going wrong: when athletes are cheating, a judge
doesn’t catch wrongdoing, when faking a foul or injury takes place, opponents intimidating the other
team, or a team playing tough by breaking game’s rules. All these issues are related to ethics in sports.
 Ethics is so important in the world of sports because it stands not only for a fair play but also for
respectful and ethical behavior of all the parties engaged like athletes, referees, fans, while playing a
game or competing. Nowadays in the world of sports we can see how the rules of a fair game are being
broken just in the pursuit of a victory.

SPORTS HEALTH BENEFITS

While school sports have often been touted as being a positive experience for students, rarely is the widespread
ramification of involvement outlined. Research suggests that through regular participation in organized school
based team sports, school students receive significant opportunities to improve their health, strengthen their
emotional skills, and acquire important social capabilities.

It seems obvious that getting regular physical activity helps you stay physically fit. But you may be surprised to
learn about the more subtle ways that staying active can also benefit your mental and emotional, social, and
spiritual health.

1. Emotional Health
 While school sports have often been touted as being a positive experience for students, rarely is the
widespread ramification of involvement outlined. Research suggests that through regular participation in
organized school-based team sports, school students receive significant opportunities to improve their
health, strengthen their emotional skills, and acquire important social capabilities.
 It seems obvious that getting regular physical activity helps you stay physically fit. But you may be
surprised to learn about the more subtle ways that staying active can also benefit your mental and
emotional, social, and spiritual health.

2. Social Health
 The social implications of school sports are significant for students, primarily due to the sense of
belonging it provides. Being a member of a team provides the opportunity to develop leadership and
cooperation skills, and shared experiences, including those that encompass feelings of both success and
loss, contribute to learning respect and bonding with others.In addition, studies have shown that students
who play school sports are more likely to develop positive friendships, and less likely to commit crime,
due to the decrease of unsupervised “down time”.

3. Mental Health
 Regular physical activity helps keep your key mental skills sharp as you age. This includes sharp
thinking, learning, and using good judgment. Research has shown that doing a mix of aerobic and
muscle strengthening activities is especially helpful.
 When you are physically active, your mind is distracted from daily stresses. This can help avoid getting
bogged down by negative thoughts. Exercise reduces the levels of stress hormones in your body. At the
 same time, it stimulates production of endorphins. These are natural mood lifters that can help keep
stress and depression at bay. Endorphins may even leave you feeling more relaxed and optimistic after a
hard workout on the field. Experts agree that more quality research is needed to determine the
relationship between sports and depression.

4. Physical Health
 The following are the primary health benefits when you engage yourself in sports/physical activities:
o Lower body fat
o Improved weight control
o Reduced risk for obesity
o Healthy joints, muscles, bones
o Lower blood pressure
o Less risk of heart disease and osteoporosis
o Healthy heart and lung functioning
o Increased agility, coordination and balance

5. Spiritual Health
 Sport can increase spiritual awareness in so far as athletes embrace the tension between renewal and
failure from moment to moment, which makes sport a ritual activity.
 Research indicates that spirituality plays a cardinal role in enhancing sporting performance, personal
growth, and well-being.
 Sports are a human pleasure and can be a way to get to know God better, as long as we do not get overly
attached to the wins and losses, the glitter and the fame.
 Learning how love, joy, compassion, strength, balance and respect lead to sports success is important.
Even more important, is to know that the source of our ability to express them is divine