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Table Tennis (Ping Pong)

Learn the essentials: equipment and table layout, serving rules, core strokes, footwork, how spin works, and simple strategies. Finish with an expanded knowledge check.

Rules & basics Strategy Quiz

Equipment & setup

Know the table • Net • Racket • Ball

Racket

Two sides with different colors (commonly red/black).
Common grips: shakehand and penhold.
Hold relaxed; keep index finger on the backhand side for control.

Table & lines

Edges count as good; sides do not.
In doubles, a center line splits each half for diagonal serves.
Keep surroundings clear for safe movement.

Net

Stretched level at 15.25 cm height.
Ball may touch the net during rallies and still be live if it crosses.
On a serve, a net touch that lands correctly is a let (redo).

Ball

40+ mm plastic; usually white or orange.
Lighter balls are sensitive to spin—watch opponent’s contact.

Rules & flow of play

Serving • Rally • Scoring • Singles vs Doubles

Serving basics

Ball on an open palm, behind the end line, above the playing surface.
Toss ~16 cm near-vertical and visible; strike as it falls.
Ball must bounce once on server’s side, then receiver’s side.
Singles: serve may land anywhere. Doubles: diagonally (server’s right → receiver’s right).
Serve that clips net and lands correctly = let (replay).

Rally & faults

After the serve, return so it bounces once on the opponent’s side.
Hitting before it bounces on your side (volley) loses the point.
Moving the table or touching it with the free hand loses the point.
Top edge counts as the surface; sides do not.

Scoring & order

Games to 11 (win by 2). Matches commonly best of 5 or 7.
Two serves each; at 10–10 (deuce), alternate each point.
Change ends after each game; in deciding game, switch when one player reaches 5.
Doubles rally order: server → receiver → server’s partner → receiver’s partner (repeat).

Core techniques

Grip • Strokes • Footwork • Spin

Grip

Shakehand: versatile backhand/forehand switching.
Penhold: compact wrist; strong close-to-table play.
Relax fingers; avoid squeezing—feel the ball on contact.

Basic strokes

FH/BH drive: flat contact, waist height, forward finish.
Push: short stroke under the ball to add backspin.
Block: short touch using opponent’s pace.

Topspin & backspin

Topspin/loop: brush up the back—ball dips forward.
Backspin/chop: brush down—ball floats and drops short.
Watch racket path to read spin; adjust bat angle accordingly.

Footwork

Ready stance: light on toes, racket in front, elbows relaxed.
Patterns: side-to-side shuffle; in-out step for short balls.
Recover to neutral after each stroke; small steps, then strike.

Strategy & patterns

Placement • Third-ball plans • Receive options

Serve & first attack

Mix short serves (FH/BH) with occasional deep fast serves.
Plan a third-ball (your next shot): loop vs push, or drive vs weak return.
Vary spin (top/back/side) and placement to limit predictable returns.

Receiving ideas

Push short backspin serves low and tight.
Flick (wristy topspin) on short topspin/sidespin serves.
Loop/drive long or half-long serves to take initiative.

Common patterns to exploit

Wide forehand, then quick to backhand (or reverse) to stretch footwork.
Deep to elbow (“crossover” point) to force indecision on grip change.
Heavy backspin short, then surprise long topspin to body.

Simple practice plan

10 min — Warm-up

FH drives cross-court (2×60 balls)
BH drives cross-court (2×60 balls)

10 min — Serve/receive

Short backspin to both halves; aim 2nd bounce near net
Partner pushes short; you flick or push tight

10 min — Pattern

Short serve → push return → third-ball loop to body
Recover and place the next ball wide

Common mistakes & fixes

Why it happens • A quick fix

Chasing with arms only

Leads to late contact and mishits.

Fix: small shuffle first, then short stroke; recover to ready stance.

Lifting backspin with flat bat

Ball dives into the net.

Fix: open angle and brush up (topspin) or push back with your own backspin.

Illegal/hidden serves

Hiding contact or tossing too low creates confusion.

Fix: open palm, visible ~16 cm toss, strike behind end line; redo as let if it clips net and lands correctly.

Free hand on the table

Touching the playing surface or moving the table loses the point.

Fix: keep balance with knees/core; let the racket hand stabilize after contact.

Quick terms

Linked definitions live in the site glossary

Deuce

10–10 tie; serve alternates every point until a 2-point lead.

Third-ball

Your planned first attack after your serve and their return.

Flick

Quick topspin wrist action against a short serve/ball near the net.

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