Spectator's Guide to Table Tennis

Everything you need to know to understand and appreciate the world's fastest racket sport

By Daniel Rutenberg – USATT Certified Coach, DFW Table Tennis (DFWTT)

Quick Facts

Get up to speed with these essential table tennis facts before watching your first match.

Olympic Sport

Since 1988 Seoul Olympics

World's 2nd Most Popular

After soccer globally

Fastest Racket Sport

Ball speeds up to 90+ mph

For Everyone

All ages and skill levels

Ping-Pong vs. Table Tennis?

Both terms are correct! Perhaps we should call the serious sport table tennis, and the fun basement or game room pastime version ping-pong.

It doesn't really matter what you call it, but make sure you come out and play it in an organized facility or club to appreciate the many virtues of the fastest racket sport in the world.

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Rules & Regulations

Understanding the basic rules will help you follow and enjoy the action during matches.

Table Tennis Balls

Usually white or orange, 40mm in diameter, made from celluloid. The ball can travel up to 90 miles per hour!

Racket Requirements

Must use ITTF/USATT approved rackets. Key rules:

  • Sandpaper surfaces are illegal
  • Racket must be black on one side, red on the other
  • Most recreational paddles are approved unless purely recreational

You win a point when:

  • •Your opponent fails to return your shot (ball can hit boundary lines or table edge)
  • •Your opponent misses the ball or serves illegally
  • •Your opponent hits the ball into the net and it comes back to their side
  • •Your opponent hits the ball wide or too far (first bounce goes off the table)
  • •Your opponent hits the ball before it bounces on their side (no volleying allowed)
  • •The ball bounces twice on your opponent's side before they hit it
  • •Your opponent moves the table, touches it with free hand, or touches the net during play

Tournament Etiquette

Understanding proper etiquette enhances the experience for players and spectators alike.

Table Tennis Glossary

Attacker
A type of player who attempts to loop or smash as many balls as possible, overpowering an opponent.
Blade
A paddle or racquet without any covering.
Block
Used to return an attack shot. The racquet is held in front of the ball with little movement before contact.
Chop
Used to create underspin. The shot is executed by slicing underneath and grazing the bottom or back of the ball.
Defender
This player pushes, chops, blocks, and tries to force his/her opponent into making a mistake. Defenders rely on their ability to return every ball and wearing down an opponent.
Third Ball Attack
Begins with a serve, an opponent's return, and an attack of the opponent's return.
Fifth Ball Attack
Begins with a serve, an opponent's return, a loop or strategically placed drive, an opponent's return, and ends with a point-winning put away.
Hardbat
Also called 'Classic Table Tennis'; players are required to use paddles covered only with short-pimpled rubber, without sponge. Proponents claim that the reduced spin produces longer rallies balancing offense and defense.
Hit
A slower version of a smash.
Let
A rally in which play stops and the point is not scored.
Let Serve
When the serve hits the net and lands on the opponent's side. Players serve again. It is often incorrectly called a net serve.
Loop
A long sweeping upward stroke that just grazes the top half of the ball to create tremendous topspin. A good loop goes nearly straight up if it strikes a vertical paddle, and is used as a rallying shot, to set up a smash, or as a put away shot itself.
Penhold
This grip generally gives the player the best forehand, but a weaker backhand. Popular in Asia, the racquet is held as if you were holding a pen, with the racquet tip pointing mostly downward.
Pips In
A smooth rubber surface on the racquet face.
Pips Out
A rubber surface on the racquet covered with bumps or dimples.
Rally
When the ball is in play.
Smash
The fastest shot in table tennis and almost impossible to return, a smash averages 60 mph and reaches upwards of 100 mph.
Serve
Used to put the ball into play. Each player alternately serves two points until a player scores 11 points. If the score reaches 10-10, then the game shall be won by the first player to take a two-point lead.
Shakehands
The most popular grip in the world, it is held by basically shaking hands with the racquet. This grip generally gives the best balance of forehand and backhand shots.
Table
Nine feet in length and five feet in width. It is supported so that the upper surface, termed the playing surface, is lying on a horizontal plane two feet, six inches above the floor.

Ready to Experience Table Tennis?

Now that you understand the game, come watch a tournament or try playing yourself! DFWTT welcomes players and spectators of all levels.

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