Table tennis is now a world wide sport that is enjoyed by millions. The main company ITTF organise tournaments for all people and all ages, if you are interested then you should check at local clubs and centres.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
I have been playing table tennis for about 5 years now and I still enjoy it.
It is a fast moving game and you need very fast reactions to play at the highest level.
I go to a local club every Friday night. We get coached by a former professional who gives us tips such as stroke play and body movement. Also Mondays and Fridays a few friends and me practice at in a local school hall which caters for table tennis.
I play in the Premier division for the G.I A team. We have won the Premier division for the past two years running and we have also been successful in the local cup tournament.
At only 18 I am the youngest player of our team. My personal achievements out of the team include. Winning the Bedfordshire county championship two years in a row, Junior League champion, Junior Doubles champion and Premier division league champion.
I have to say that when I first went to the practice sessions on a Friday I was told by the coach that I was no good and didn’t stand a chance of getting anywhere and he even told me not to come back but I stuck at it and made good work and I practiced against a wall in my house trying to do anything to get better.
Then one day he came over to me and asked me to represent the club in the county championship, I was honoured. Then when the Saturday came round I beat everyone they threw at me, and then came the final. I had come up against the second best player in the league (me being the first). We are still great rivals in the adult league.
It was a strange final with no one gaining the upper hand. He went 2-0 up needing 1 more game to win but I played my best and won the next 2, it went down to a decider. In the final game it was 10-2 to me and I needed 1 more point and he served long to more or less hand me the title!!!!!!!
That night was the presentation and I was thrilled to be going. We collected our trophies but I still don’t think he has got over it.
SHOT TECHNIQUES OF THE GAME
Grip
There are many types of grip ranging from pencil hold to a very loose Chinese style hold. The most preferred grip is the two-finger hold. This is done by taking a grip on the handle and placing two fingers on the side of the rubber that is less used (backhand). You can then apply a lot of topspin with successful results. There are many other styles like the two-finger grip but using one, three and four fingers, but four fingers makes it hard to play a backhand shot.
Forehand
Like tennis is the most commonly used shot. The best way to play this is during attacking play by putting on loads of topspin by hitting over the ball which puts the topspin on with a bit of backspin and will only be returned if the player knows how to control spin shots.
Backhand
This is the best type of shot to put topspin on but you have to have a controlled wrist. When you play a topspin backhand it is a quick wrist movement to keep it as low over the net as possible.
Cut
A cut shot is usually used in defence play. It is surprisingly enough played like cutting through an object. It is a very hard shot to perfect because you play trying to put your opponent under pressure by more or less flicking the net as it goes over. You try to hit the side of the bat as you play this shot as it gives more power and control.
Smash
If you have put your opponent under pressure by using any of the above the shots you may have forced them into playing a high loop shot leaving you with the chance of smashing the ball and winning the rally and point. You must make sure you get over the ball and don’t hit it too hard this is more about placing it with control out of your opponents reach.
RULES AND LAWS OF THE GAME
Serve
When a player is serving the ball he must have the ball in the palm of his hand. He must serve behind the edge of the table. After releasing the ball from his hand he must first hit the ball into his side of the table with it then bouncing over the net and hitting the opponents side. In doubles the serve must be diagonal across the table with the same technique. Spin is often applied to the serve so that the player serving can gain the upper hand of the rally straight away.
Winning a point
There are many ways in which you can win a point.
1) Playing a shot past your opponent :- You may a great shot which is un-returnable. If your opponent does fail to return the ball then you win the point.
2) Opponent hitting the net :- If your opponent fails to hit the ball over the net then you win the point.
3) Ball bouncing twice on your opponents side :- The ball is only allowed one bounce on your half. If there are any more than one on your opponents half you win the point.
4) Fault serve:- If your opponent fails to do the following on a serve then you win a point. If he serves behind the white line on the edge of the table, If the ball doesn’t go over the net and onto your side, If the ball doesn’t hit his side and goes straight onto yours, and also if he serves with too much power and the ball goes off the end of the table without making contact.
5) Volleys :- If your opponent volleys the ball before it has gone over the white line on the edge of the table then you automatically win the point.
6) Hand on table :- If your opponent places his hand on the table then he loses the point.
7) Abuse :- Abuse aimed towards the umpire or opponent will lose a point and maybe even the game.
EQUIPMENT
The table is 9 ft by 5 ft (2.74 m by 1.52 m) with its upper surface 30 in (76 cm) above the floor. The table is divided into opposing courts by a net 6 in (15.24 cm) high and a white stripe, running lengthwise down the centre, that is used only for doubles play. The surface of a standard table is made of 3/4-in (1.91-cm) five-ply wood, the resiliency of which is such that a standard table tennis ball. The rackets may be any shape but usually are oval and made of wood, faced with rubber or sponge that may be pimpled or smooth.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHANGED TABLE TENNIS
The most celebrated English player is the late Fred Perry who passed in 1995 who won the World title when he was only 20, he is the most talked about English player today as no one has come close to doing what he did as the game is now dominated by the Asian countries especially China who start playing at the age of 4!!
Well I hope this opinion has been helpful please leave me comments if you think I have missed anything out. Cheers Matt