Dazadi.com Blog

Ping pong may seem like a simple party game played in your best friend’s back yard, but the sport is also a serious one that gained Olympic status in 1988. Though these tips may not help you make it to the gold, it’s a first step toward to basics of this game of hand-eye coordination and expert skill.

Equipment
Ping pong, or table tennis, begins with a ping pong table. You’ll need the table, two paddles and at least one ball, though more than one ball is quite helpful.

Players
If you’re just learning, choose someone to play with that is patient - preferably at about your same skill level. You need at least one other person to play ping pong.

First Serve
The official rules of the International Table Tennis Federation has the first serve determined through a coin toss. Whoever wins the draw decides if they will serve first or make the choice as to which side of the table they would like to begin.

Serving
Serving at ping pong means dropping the ball and hitting it with the paddle so that it bounces once on your side of the net and then makes it over the net to your opponent’s side.

Points
You can gain a point when your opponent is not able to return the ball to you in a rally.

Points can be given to your opponent if

• your hand touches the table or you move the table
• your serve goes into the net
• your return does not hit your opponent’s side of the table
• if you hit the ball more than once on a return
• if you touch the ball with your body

Winning
Official table tennis plays to 11 points but the winner needs to be ahead by 2 points in order to take the game. If there is a tie (like 10-10) the game continues until one side is ahead by 2 points. However, if you’re at the point in the game where you’re breaking a tie, the server alternates after each point instead of after every 2 points.

These are the basic rules of the game. In order for such a simple game to make it to the Olympics, some very strong subtleties are involved. As your game progresses you can learn more about the various spins that can affect the ping pong ball, often keeping your opponent from being able to make a return. Being able to maintain a balanced stance, excellent hand-eye coordination and a fantastic serve are all ways to perfect your ping pong game.

Regardless of your aspirations, table tennis has something for everyone. So, keep your eye on the ball and have some fun!