| Table tennis is fun sport. The game is fast paced | | | | When the player that serves the ball hit the net instead |
| especially for intermediate and expert levels. The | | | | and falls back to his own side, a point is awarded to |
| game originated in England and was a form of | | | | the opponent. However, when the ball got caught on |
| entertainment for the upper class during the late 1800s. | | | | the net but went through the other side anyway, no |
| The game pretty much has obvious beginnings. | | | | points or penalties are awarded. The ball is served |
| It was derived from the lawn tennis sport and was | | | | again. This is called a let. |
| really meant to imitate outdoor tennis in an indoor | | | | There are a number of ways where players could |
| setting. Early players used piled up books as nets and | | | | gain some points. Opponents will get a point when the |
| cigar boxes as paddles. Nowadays, people who want | | | | ball bounces on the player's side twice. A point is also |
| to engage in the sport have an array of equipment at | | | | awarded to the opponent when the ball did not bounce |
| their disposal. | | | | on the opponent's half of the table or otherwise called |
| To play table tennis, you first need a table of regulation | | | | as not making a "good" return. Similarly, a point is |
| size. The International Table Tennis Federation has set | | | | awarded to the opponent if the other player made an |
| the standard table to be 274 cm × 152.5 cm | | | | illegal serve which generally means playing outside the |
| × 76 cm high or around 9 ft × 5 ft × | | | | rules. |
| 30 in high. The table is more rectangular with the | | | | Aside from racket movements and sharp reflexes, |
| surface being green most of the times. | | | | having good footwork is also an advantage. Even |
| After the table, you'll need a table tennis net. You can | | | | though the right footwork is gained through training and |
| get this in any sports shop. The net has a fixed size of | | | | experience, novices need only to remember some of |
| 15.25 cm or around 6 inches high. And just like lawn | | | | the basics. When standing keep your knees bend and |
| tennis, you're not supposed to let the ball get caught by | | | | stay on the balls of your feet. This will allow you to |
| the net. Other equipment that you will need includes | | | | move quicker. You should also need to lean forward |
| good quality table tennis ball and a pair of paddles. The | | | | and keep your paddle ready at all times. Always use |
| paddles are the ones you use to hit the balls back and | | | | your empty hand as a counter weight to keep your |
| forth between the players. | | | | balance. |
| Once you and your partner are all geared up, you're | | | | Don't feel embarrassed if you look silly, maintaining |
| ready to play table tennis. The start of the game | | | | balance to hit the ball is more important. Keep your |
| commences after the first ball is served. A coin toss | | | | head up and try to watch the ball at all times. As you |
| can be used to determine which one should serve first. | | | | practice you would learn to adapt the quickness of the |
| The player who serves the ball need to let it bounce | | | | serve and the movement of the ball. |
| once on his or her side of the table and then should | | | | In ever volley, make sure that you immediately go |
| bounce at least once on the opponent's side. | | | | back to the center and in position. This will help you |
| When the opponent is able to receive the serve, he or | | | | move quickly allowing you to hit and return the next |
| she needs to return the ball to the other side before | | | | shot to your opponent. Just like other sports, the key is |
| the ball bounces on his or her side a second time. | | | | to train properly and practice your skills. |