Sports help keep our mind and body fit and healthy. It is a form of enjoyment which is not only fun but is at the same time beneficial to our body and health. Among all the sports that one can choose from, table tennis is one sport that will definitely get you hooked.
Table tennis, also known as Ping-Pong is a game usually played by two to four players in the backyard or in the basement. This game uses plastic paddles in hand which makes distinctive noises when a ball is struck. The history of this game is said to have started in the 1200s and became widely known in England during the late 1800s. Wine corks for balls and old cigar boxes were originally used by army officers in playing this game. From something being enjoyed by army officers, the game became popular among the rich people of England as an after dinner entertainment activity, commonly known then as “wiff-waff” and eventually became a competitive sports in 1927. Since then, the sports changed tremendously not only in equipment used but also in the rule guidelines being followed. Table tennis, from a simple army game, is now considered as one of the most popular competitive sports played in different countries around the world.
Table tennis is played on a table that measures 9 ft. by 5 ft. (2.74 m by 1.52 m) and stands 2.5 ft. (76 cm) from the floor. A dark in color, edged with white stripes, and halved longitudinally (for doubles play) by another white stripe net about 6 in. in height is used in table tennis to divide the surface of the table. Table tennis also uses a celluloid ball which is about 1.5 inch in diameter and is hallow and seamless. The paddles used in this game on the other hand are wooden with round blades about 6.5 inches long and are covered in rubber.
As was aforementioned, table tennis can be played by two to four players. To play the game, the server first throws the ball in the air then hit it with the paddle. Before the receiving party hits the ball back to the server’s side, the ball should first bounce once on both the server and the receiver’s side. The objective of the game is to have the opponent miss the ball once it bounces on their side. To win a game, a player or a team should score 11 points with a margin of two points. A tennis match on the other hand, can be best of any odd-numbered games such as best of five, best of seven, etc.
Rules and regulations are being followed by players when playing table tennis. Among this is the rule of who will start the match which is often decided through a coin toss. The winner has the option to either serve or receive the ball. The winner also has the authority to decide which side of the table to use. Violations can also result in point deductions during the game. Among the situations when a player or a team may lose a point are when the table or net is touched by the player’s body or clothing, the ball bounce twice on a player/team’s side, the ball was hit twice in succession by a player, or when the player calls a volley. Another table tennis rule is that the game be completed in 10 minutes. If not, an expedite system will be employed until the end of the match.
As was earlier stated, table tennis is sport activity that is not only fun to do but also promotes physical and mental fitness. It also emphasizes endurance and keeps our reflexes sharp. As such, it is an activity that will definitely be enjoyed by the whole family.
Tischtennis (German word for Table Tennis) is one of Mica Lewis’ most favorite sports. Mica has been competing in different Tischtennis ever since she was in 6th grade.
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