Table tennis

Historical Background of Table Tennis

 Table tennis, also known as ping pong, originated in the
late 19th century as an indoor version of lawn tennis.
 It began as a parlour game in England among the upper-class
society, where books served as a net, cigar box lids as
paddles, and champagne corks or rubber balls as balls.
 Here's a breakdown of its historical evolution:
1.Origins (1880s–1900s)
 1880s England: Table tennis was invented as a miniature
version of tennis to be played indoors during winter. It was
first a casual after-dinner game.
 Early Equipment: The game was played on dining tables using
makeshift equipment such as string, books, or rows of cork as
nets.
 Name Evolution: The game went by various names such as
"whiff-whaff," "gossima," and eventually "ping pong," a name
trademarked by the Parker Brothers in the U.S. and J. Jaques
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& Son Ltd in England
 Cont’d
2. Formalization and Popularization (1901–1920s)
 1901: The first unofficial world championship was held in
England.
 1902: An Englishman, James Gibb, introduced celluloid
balls, which were lighter and more consistent, significantly
improving the game.
 1900s–1920s: Table tennis clubs and associations began
forming, leading to increased popularity in Europe and
Asia.
3. Formation of Governing Bodies
 1926: The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was
founded in Berlin, with founding members including
England, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.
 1926: The first official World Championships were held in
London
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 Cont’d
4. Global Spread and Olympic Status
 1950s–1970s: Asian countries, especially Japan and China,

began to dominate the sport, introducing speed, spin, and

new techniques.
 1988: Table tennis became an Olympic sport at the Seoul

Summer Olympics.
 2000s–Present: The sport continues to evolve with
advancements in paddle technology, playing style, and
international participation.

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 History of Table Tennis in Africa

 While table tennis did not originate in Africa, the sport has steadily

grown in popularity across the continent since the mid-20th

century. It is now a major sport in many African nations, especially
in countries like Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Tunisia.

🌍 Early Development in Africa (1950s–1970s)

 Table tennis was introduced to African countries through colonial
influence, particularly by British and French colonizers in the mid-
1900s.
 The game spread quickly in schools, military barracks, and
recreational centers.
 By the 1960s, several African countries had established national
federations and started participating in regional and international
events.
.
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 Cont’d

Formation of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF)

 •Established in 1962, the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF)

became the governing body of the sport across the continent.

 •The ATTF is affiliated with the International Table Tennis
Federation (ITTF) and organizes the African Table Tennis
Championships and African Games events.

African Table Tennis Championships

 First held in 1962, the African Table Tennis Championships

became the premier event for the sport on the continent.

 It features singles, doubles, and team events for men and

women.
7 The competition has grown in prestige and is often 08/03/2025
used as a
 Ethiopian History of Table Tennis

 Table tennis in Ethiopia is not as prominent as in countries like

Nigeria or Egypt, but it has a long-standing, quietly developing

presence, especially in urban areas such as Addis Ababa.
 The sport has been played since at least the mid-20th century

and has seen periodic surges in popularity due to school and

community programs.

Origins and Early Development

 •Introduced in the 1950s–60s through schools, foreign workers,

and international institutions in Ethiopia, especially in Addis

Ababa.
 Early interest grew in schools and youth clubs, where the sport
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was promoted as a recreational and educational activity.
 Basic Rules and Regulations of Table Tennis
 Table tennis is governed internationally by the International Table
Tennis Federation (ITTF).
 The game is fast-paced, requires precision, and follows specific
rules to ensure fairness and consistency.
1. Objective of the Game
The objective is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and
onto the opponent’s side in a way that they cannot return it legally.
2. Number of Players
•Singles: One player vs. one player.
•Doubles: Two players per team, alternating shots.
3. Equipment
•Table: 2.74 m (9 ft) long, 1.525 m (5 ft) wide, 76 cm high.
•Net: 15.25 cm (6 in) high.
•Ball: 40 mm diameter, plastic, and weighs 2.7 grams.
•Racket (bat/paddle): Any size/shape, but the blade must be flat and
rigid. One side must be red and the other black.
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 4. Scoring System
 A game is played to 11 points.
 A player must win by at least 2 points.
 Matches are usually best of 5 or 7 games.
 Point is awarded for each rally, regardless of who served.
5. Serving Rules
 The ball must rest on the open palm and be tossed at least 16
cm (6.3 inches) into the air.
 The server must hit the ball behind the end line and above the
table level.
 In singles, the serve can go anywhere on the opponent’s side.
 In doubles, the serve must go diagonally, from right to right.
6. Service Rotation
 Players alternate serves every 2 points.
 At 10–10 (deuce), serves alternate after every point.

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 7. Let Service
 A "let" is called if:
 The serve touches the net but still lands correctly.
 There’s an external interruption.
 The point is replayed.
8. Legal Return
 After the ball is served, it must be struck only once and must
bounce on the opponent’s side of the table.
9. Doubles Rules
 Players must alternate hits in a rally.
 Serve must go from the server’s right-hand box to the receiver’s
right-hand box.

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 cont’d
10. Faults
A point is lost if a player:
 Fails to make a correct serve or return.
 Allows the ball to bounce more than once on their side.
 Hits the ball before it bounces on their side (volley).
 Moves the table or touches the net.
 Uses the racket or body to obstruct the ball's trajectory.
11. Umpiring
•Matches are officiated by an umpire and sometimes an
assistant umpire.
•In professional games, an ITTF-approved referee may oversee
proceedings.
12. Match Structure
 Matches are generally played as:
 Best of 5 games (first to 3 wins)
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 Or Best of 7 games (first to 4 wins)
 Basic Skills of Table Tennis
 To play table tennis effectively, players need to develop a
combination of technical, physical, and mental skills. Below are
the essential basic skills every beginner should learn to build a
strong foundation in the sport.
1. Grip
 How you hold the racket determines control, spin, and power.

Types of Grips:
1. Shakehand Grip (most common worldwide): Similar to
shaking hands.
 The Shakehand Grip is the most popular and widely used grip in
table tennis, especially in Europe and the Americas, but also
common among international professionals.
 It's named because it resembles the act of shaking hands with
the racket.

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 How to Hold the Shakehand Grip

Step-by-Step Guide:
1.Hold the racket like you are shaking
someone’s hand.

2.The thumb rests on the front side of

the handle (blade's rubber), slightly
angled.

3.The index finger lies along the

backhand rubber, giving support.

4.The remaining three fingers (middle,

ring, pinky) wrap around the handle
naturally.

5.Keep your grip relaxed, not tight or

stiff.
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 2. Penhold Grip (popular in Asia)
 The Penhold Grip is one of the two primary grips in table tennis,
named for the way a player holds the racket—like holding a pen
or chopsticks. It is especially popular in Asia, particularly in
China, Japan, and Korea.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1.Hold the racket vertically, as if you’re

holding a pen or writing instrument.
2.Wrap your thumb and index finger around
the front of the handle (the blade’s face).
3.The remaining three fingers rest on the
back of the paddle, either:
oSpread out (Chinese style), or
oCurled together (Japanese/Korean style).
The racket is held with the forehand side
facing the opponent, and most shots are
played with one side of the racket.
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 Strong Forehand Grip

 The strong forehand grip

produces a somewhat closed
racket face on all forehand
strokes.
 If you are a right-handed
player, rotate the V between
the thumb and forefinger from
the top of the handle slightly
to your right.
 This grip supports strong
forehand strokes, but puts the
racket in a weak position for
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the backhand.
 Neutral Grip
 The neutral grip is a basic
shake-hands grip, with the
racket becoming a direct
extension of the hand.
 This grip gets its name because
it produces a neutral angle (the
racket is straight up and down)
for both backhand and forehand
strokes.

 The neutral grip supports every

kind of stroke and requires no
grip change between forehand
and backhand strokes.
 I strongly recommend this grip
for new players.
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 Strong Backhand Grip
 The strong backhand grip is
the opposite of the strong
forehand grip.
 It produces a closed racket
face on all backhand strokes

 In this case, a right-handed

player rotates the V between
the thumb and forefinger
from the top of the handle
slightly to the left.
 This grip supports strong
backhand strokes, but puts
the racket in a weaker
position for the forehand.

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 Minor grips
1.Seemiller Grip
2.V Grip

1. Seemiller Grip
 In the Seemiller grip, the racket is held similarly to the
shakehand grip, but with a 90 degree turn so that the thumb
and index finger are used to grip the sides of the bat.
 Both forehand and backhand are played with the same side of
the bat, although the bat can be turned to use the other side.
 It is typically used with a combination bat.
 This grip is named after Dan Seemiller, who first popularized
the grip in the 1970’s, and enjoyed world level success with it.

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 Cont’d

Advantages
 The Seemiller grip allows good
wrist movement on the forehand
stroke, giving a powerful
forehand topspin. It is also good
for blocking on both sides.
Seemiller grip – front view.
 Because the one side of the bat
© 2006 Greg Letts
is used for both forehand and
backhand, the grip does not have
the problem of a crossover point
that the shakehands grip has.
Disadvantages
 The amount of wrist movement
is hampered on the backhand
side, limiting the ability to Seemiller grip – back view.
topspin the ball heavily, or hit © 2006 Greg Letts
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 2.V Grip
 The V-grip is when the blade is held between the index and
middle finger, spread apart at first to form a letter V.
 When the blade is in place, the index and middle fingers curl
down the blade, gripping it, and the ring and pinky fingers are
wrapped around the handle of the paddle.
 The thumb can be placed wherever it feels most comfortable for
the player.
advantage
 This grip also allows wide-angled shots and more control.
 more leverage, and more power and spin in attacking
disadvantage
 balls shot towards the player’s elbow are difficult to return
without fast footwork

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 Stance (Ready Position)

 The correct stance helps you react quickly and stay balanced.

 Feet shoulder-width apart

 Knees slightly bent

 Body leaning forward

 Racket in front of you at chest level

 Stay on your toes, ready to move in any direction.

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 Footwork
 Good footwork positions you correctly to hit each shot with
balance and accuracy.

 Side shuffle: Move side to side without crossing feet

 Quick steps: Small steps to adjust position

 Pivoting: Turn on one foot for wide shots

 Efficient movement helps maintain control and

recover quickly

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 Loop:
 Topspin Stroke: A loop is an attacking stroke with heavy
topspin, causing the ball to arc high and jump forward upon
landing on the opponent's side.

 Variations: Loops can be varied in terms of spin and speed,

with different trajectories and amounts of topspin.

 Looping: This technique is used to put pressure on the

opponent and force errors
Counter Drive:
 Countering Offensive Shots: Counter-driving is a technique
used to return attacking shots like loops and smashes

 Counter-drives aim to redirect the ball with speed and control,

often producing a similar spin as the incoming shot

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 Flick:
 Flicks are short, attacking strokes, often based on the push,
used to surprise the opponent in close-to-the-net situations

Smash:
 A smash is a forceful attacking stroke, usually executed when
the ball is high and within reach, aiming to end the rally.

 Smashing can be done with both forehand and backhand,

requiring strong wrist action and body rotation

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 Push:
 Pushing is a defensive technique used to gently return the ball,
often close to the net.
 Pushes are characterized by controlled placement and can be
used to disrupt the opponent's rhythm.
 Pushes can be executed with topspin or backspin, depending on
the situation.

Chop:
 Chops are defensive strokes with heavy backspin, causing the
ball to drop downward after hitting the opponent's side.
 Chops can also be executed with no-spin or sidespin variations.
 Chops are often used to slow down the game and disrupt the
opponent's attacking rhythm

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 Defensive style in table
tennis
 Defensive players focus on controlling the opponent’s
attacks, returning shots with consistency, spin, and
placement rather than speed or power.

Key Characteristics:
 Emphasis on spin, control, and placement
 Often played further from the table
 Focus on forcing opponent mistakes

Common Defensive Techniques:

 Push: A backspin stroke used to keep the ball low and short.
 Chop: A heavy backspin stroke used to return strong topspin
shots.
 Block: A quick, short movement to return fast shots close to
the table.
 Lob: A high, defensive shot played from a distance 08/03/2025
27 to reset
the rally.
 Strengths:
 Hard to break through with spin-heavy shots
 Frustrates aggressive players
 Effective against overly aggressive or inconsistent
opponents

Weaknesses:
 Less opportunity to win points directly
 Requires excellent footwork and anticipation
 Vulnerable to well-placed smashes and loop drives

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 Offensive style in table tennis

 Offensive players aim to dictate the pace of the game, using

power, speed, and spin to score quick points and pressure
opponents.

Key Characteristics:
 Fast-paced, aggressive mindset
 Played closer to or mid-distance from the table
 Seeks to finish points with loops or smashes

Common Offensive Techniques:

 Loop: A topspin-heavy shot used to attack backspin balls.
 Drive: A flat, fast shot to apply pressure.
 Smash: A powerful finishing stroke against high balls.
 Flick: An attacking stroke against short or low serves.
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 Strengths:
 Ability to finish points quickly
 Puts opponent on the defensive
 Exploits weak returns effectively

Weaknesses:
 More prone to errors under pressure
 Requires excellent timing and consistency
 Riskier when out of position

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 Comparison Table

Aspect Defensive Style Offensive Style

Goal Keep the ball in play Win points aggressively

Position Farther from the table Close or mid-

distance

Spin Heavy backspin (chop, push) Topspin (loop, drive)

Risk Level Low risk Higher risk

Typical Tools Chops, pushes, lobs, blocks Loops, drives, smashes,

flicks, Playing Strategy Wait for mistakes Force errors or hit

winners
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 stroke
 In table tennis, forehand and backhand strokes are
fundamental techniques.
 Forehand strokes are executed on the dominant side of the
body (right side for right-handed players).
• Swing Path: Involves a full arm swing with a slight upper
body twist, generally moving from the right side of the
body (for right-handed players) across the body.
• Muscle Usage: Primarily uses the biceps brachii and
deltoid muscles
 Backhand strokes are executed on the non-dominant
side. These strokes differ in their swing path, muscle usage,
and the resulting spin and power.
• Swing Path: Shorter swing, primarily using the forearm
and wrist, with a smaller body rotation.
• Muscle Usage: Primarily uses wrist flexors and finger
extensors
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 service
Backspin service
Backspin is where the bottom half of the ball is rotating away from
the player, and is imparted by striking the base of the ball with a
downward movement.

Topspin service
Like driving, topspin serves can be done by hitting the top of the
ball with a flat racket, or like looping, by grazing the top of the ball
with a closed racket for more spin

Sidespin service
Simply hit the back of the ball in a left-to-right or right-to-left
motion, as desired. To make the stroke easier try to holding the
racket in front of you and brushing the bottom of the ball in a
pendulum motion.

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