Table Tennis (Ping Pong) Rules and Common Terminology Used in Olympics
Olympic Table Tennis was introduced in 1988 in the capital of South Korea. In 1962, London hosted the first Table Tennis World Championships. Men's and women's table tennis events have been part of the Summer Olympics since 1988. A total of 60 medals have been won by Chinese Table Tennis players in 37 events, including 32 gold medals out of a possible 37.
Presently, there are five events in table tennis at the Olympics: Men's Singles, Women's Singles, Men's Doubles (Teams), Women's Doubles (Teams), and Mixed Doubles. In 2008, team events took the role of double’s competitions, while mixed doubles were added for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Table of Content:
- Common Terms Used in Table Tennis
- Olympic Table Tennis Equipment
- Serving Rules for Singles in Table Tennis
- Serving Rules for Doubles and Mixed Doubles in Table Tennis
- Scoring in the Table Tennis
- Duration of an Olympic Table Tennis
- Match Breaks and Time-Outs Durations in Table Tennis
1. Most Common Terms Used in Table Tennis (Ping Pong) Match in Olympics or Other Competitive Tournaments
Some of the most frequently used words in live and television broadcasts of table tennis matches are listed below:
Rally: The time the ball is in play is defined as all of the active playtimes when players are striking the ball at one another.
Serve: Each rally must begin with a player hitting the ball after it has been thrown into the air. Until the game reaches a score of 10 to 10, players exchange serving at the start of each of the first two rallies.
Block: When a player is attacking, the opposing player may choose to try and position their bat close to the table in an effort to make a swift reply. To move the attacker off of position and force them to play a weaker shot, they will attempt to aim these blocks.
Spin: Players will hit the ball during the rally in order to give it a spin. The opponent will find it more challenging to return the ball as a result of the ball swerving and bouncing in several directions.
Smash: A player may attempt to crash down at the ball if it is high in the air. Since the ball goes so swiftly, returning these shots might be difficult. Moving back and attempting to lob the return is frequently the only choice.
Lob: Players may move back from the table by more than 5 feet and play shots into the air during some of the more entertaining moments. A player can put a great amount of spin on the ball by doing what is known as a "lob."
Backspin: Backspin, the opposite of topspin, causes the ball to float up and become longer. Defense-focused players typically play this shot when defending.
Topspin: Attacking styles are used by most players. As a result, when they strike the ball, they add a lot of topspin, which causes the ball to arc up and quickly descend onto the other side of the table. In table tennis, this is by far the most typical shot type.
Some of the most frequently used words in live and television broadcasts of table tennis matches are listed below:
Rally: The time the ball is in play is defined as all of the active playtimes when players are striking the ball at one another.
Serve: Each rally must begin with a player hitting the ball after it has been thrown into the air. Until the game reaches a score of 10 to 10, players exchange serving at the start of each of the first two rallies.
Block: When a player is attacking, the opposing player may choose to try and position their bat close to the table in an effort to make a swift reply. To move the attacker off of position and force them to play a weaker shot, they will attempt to aim these blocks.
Spin: Players will hit the ball during the rally in order to give it a spin. The opponent will find it more challenging to return the ball as a result of the ball swerving and bouncing in several directions.
Smash: A player may attempt to crash down at the ball if it is high in the air. Since the ball goes so swiftly, returning these shots might be difficult. Moving back and attempting to lob the return is frequently the only choice.
Lob: Players may move back from the table by more than 5 feet and play shots into the air during some of the more entertaining moments. A player can put a great amount of spin on the ball by doing what is known as a "lob."
Backspin: Backspin, the opposite of topspin, causes the ball to float up and become longer. Defense-focused players typically play this shot when defending.
Topspin: Attacking styles are used by most players. As a result, when they strike the ball, they add a lot of topspin, which causes the ball to arc up and quickly descend onto the other side of the table. In table tennis, this is by far the most typical shot type.
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2. Olympic Table Tennis Equipment
Table: Similar in size to a regular Table Tennis table, the Olympic table is rectangular. The playing area is 9 feet by 5 feet and 2.5 feet high. Different types of wood can be used to make different tables.
Ball: Table tennis balls with a 3-star rating and a 40mm diameter are used at the Olympics. These are routinely examined before use to make sure they are flawlessly spherical and free of small imperfections.
Racket: Professional players use rackets, which have a centre blade of wood (sometimes reinforced with carbon fibre) and are encircled by layers of sponge and rubber. Rackets are also known as paddles or bats. Different players employ rackets with a wide range of spin, speed, and control attributes. One side must be black, while the other side may be any of the authorised colours. Each side must be a different colour. Most players still use one black side and one red side when playing.
Net: Exactly six inches in height of the net on the table of Ping Pong. Despite a bit greater bend in the middle of the net, this height should remain constant throughout the whole net.
Table: Similar in size to a regular Table Tennis table, the Olympic table is rectangular. The playing area is 9 feet by 5 feet and 2.5 feet high. Different types of wood can be used to make different tables.
Ball: Table tennis balls with a 3-star rating and a 40mm diameter are used at the Olympics. These are routinely examined before use to make sure they are flawlessly spherical and free of small imperfections.
Racket: Professional players use rackets, which have a centre blade of wood (sometimes reinforced with carbon fibre) and are encircled by layers of sponge and rubber. Rackets are also known as paddles or bats. Different players employ rackets with a wide range of spin, speed, and control attributes. One side must be black, while the other side may be any of the authorised colours. Each side must be a different colour. Most players still use one black side and one red side when playing.
Net: Exactly six inches in height of the net on the table of Ping Pong. Despite a bit greater bend in the middle of the net, this height should remain constant throughout the whole net.
3. Serving Rules for Singles in the Olympic Games of Table Tennis (Ping Pong)
A coin toss is normally used to decide the first service of a match under ITTF rule 2.13.1. Players (or the umpire/scorer) sometimes hide the ball under the table in one of their hands so the other can guess which hand has the ball. By guessing correctly or incorrectly, the "winner" has the option of serving, receiving, or choosing which side of the table to use.
During gameplay, the player who serves the ball initiates the play. The server is tossing the ball in the air at least 16 cm high with his/her freehand. When the ball comes down, the server strikes the ball, which first touches his side of the table, then passes over the net (without touching it) and lands on the other side. It is important that the other player strikes back the ball before it bounces a second time.
The playing of casual games often involves players not throwing the ball upward; however, this is technically illegal and may give the serving player an unfair advantage. As the rally continues, the server and receiver alternate return attempts. In return for a serve, the server's first move is often the least predictable and most advantageous shot due to the various speed and spin options he or she has.
A coin toss is normally used to decide the first service of a match under ITTF rule 2.13.1. Players (or the umpire/scorer) sometimes hide the ball under the table in one of their hands so the other can guess which hand has the ball. By guessing correctly or incorrectly, the "winner" has the option of serving, receiving, or choosing which side of the table to use.
During gameplay, the player who serves the ball initiates the play. The server is tossing the ball in the air at least 16 cm high with his/her freehand. When the ball comes down, the server strikes the ball, which first touches his side of the table, then passes over the net (without touching it) and lands on the other side. It is important that the other player strikes back the ball before it bounces a second time.
The playing of casual games often involves players not throwing the ball upward; however, this is technically illegal and may give the serving player an unfair advantage. As the rally continues, the server and receiver alternate return attempts. In return for a serve, the server's first move is often the least predictable and most advantageous shot due to the various speed and spin options he or she has.
"Let" in Table Tennis Olympics
The Let is used when the result of a rally is not recorded, such as:
- In service, if all other conditions are met or if the ball is not blocked by a player on the receiving side, the ball strikes the net. When a player obstructs the ball, it must be above or moving in the direction of the playing surface and have not previously touched the player's court.
- When the service is provided and the receiving player is not prepared.
- A disturbance outside the player's control is to blame for their failure to provide a service, make a return, or abide by the Laws.
- The referee or assistant referee stops playing.
- If the ball touches the server's side of the table, if it does not travel past the edge, or if it touches the edge of the table and the net, it is considered a let, also known as a foul service.
4. Serving Rules for Doubles and Mixed Doubles in the Olympic Games of Table Tennis (Ping Pong)
Generally, all rules of singles apply in doubles, except for the following:
The table is divided into two doubles courts by a line painted across its long axis. The only purpose of this line is to facilitate the doubles service rule, which states that a serve must come from the right-hand "box" such that the first bounce lands once in that box and then at least once land in the opponent's right-hand box (far left box for the server), failing which the receiving pair scores a point.
Every player must take a turn at the ball. For example, if Player 1 is paired with Player 2 and Player 3 is paired with Player 4, then Player 1 is the server and Player 3 is the receiver. and the order of play shall be Player 1 - Player 3 - Player 2 - Player 4. This is how the rally goes until one side doesn't make a legitimate return and the other side wins.
Generally, all rules of singles apply in doubles, except for the following:
The table is divided into two doubles courts by a line painted across its long axis. The only purpose of this line is to facilitate the doubles service rule, which states that a serve must come from the right-hand "box" such that the first bounce lands once in that box and then at least once land in the opponent's right-hand box (far left box for the server), failing which the receiving pair scores a point.
Every player must take a turn at the ball. For example, if Player 1 is paired with Player 2 and Player 3 is paired with Player 4, then Player 1 is the server and Player 3 is the receiver. and the order of play shall be Player 1 - Player 3 - Player 2 - Player 4. This is how the rally goes until one side doesn't make a legitimate return and the other side wins.
5. Scoring in Table Tennis (Ping Pong) at the Olympics
Any of the following outcomes of the rally earns the player a point in the table tennis game:
Any of the following outcomes of the rally earns the player a point in the table tennis game:
- The rival does not perform a proper service or return.
- The ball touches anything other than the net assembly after a serve or return before being hit by the opponent.
- After being hit by the opponent, the ball travels beyond the player's court or beyond their end line without reaching their court.
- The opponent blocks the ball.
- The opposing player strikes the ball twice in quick succession. It should be noted that making a decent return off one's hand or fingers is permitted and that the hand that is holding the racket counts as a component of the racket.
- A portion of the racket blade that is not coated with rubber is used by the opponent to strike the ball.
- Someone else touches or moves the net assembly or playing field.
- In the playing area, the opponent's free hand is present.
- 13 returns were completed in a rally as a receiver using the expedite mechanism.
- In the same individual match or team match, the opponent who has received a warning from the umpire violates the rules once more. Two points will be awarded to the player on the third offense. Any unused penalty points may be carried over to the following game of the team or individual match if it hasn't already ended.
- If both players score 10, the game will be won by the player who scores 11 points first, unless the first player then gains a lead of 2 points. In such a case, the game would be won by the person who scores 10 points first. Any odd number of games, the best of which will make up a match. Matches in competitive play are usually the best of five or seven games.
6. What is the Duration of an Olympic Table Tennis (Ping Pong) Match?
Table tennis matches can be finished rather quickly. Every time a single game lasts longer than 10 minutes, the "expedite" rule is activated (and less than 18 points have been played). If expedite is required, each point must be won by the server in less than 13 shots; else, the receiver receives the point.
The expedite rule is only occasionally used thanks to how attack-oriented current table tennis is. A table tennis match in the Olympic Games is estimated to run between 30 and 60 minutes, including breaks in between games.
Table tennis matches can be finished rather quickly. Every time a single game lasts longer than 10 minutes, the "expedite" rule is activated (and less than 18 points have been played). If expedite is required, each point must be won by the server in less than 13 shots; else, the receiver receives the point.
The expedite rule is only occasionally used thanks to how attack-oriented current table tennis is. A table tennis match in the Olympic Games is estimated to run between 30 and 60 minutes, including breaks in between games.
7. Match Breaks and Time-Outs Durations in Table Tennis Olympics Matches
Toweling: Each player is permitted a brief towel break every six points in every game, beginning at 0-0. As a result, they can move over to their towel, clean their hands and faces, and take a little break.
Time-Out: During the course of a full match, each player (or doubles pair) is permitted to request one timeout period. This enables them to move over to their coach and speak with him or her for 60 seconds about their game plan moving forward. These are frequently employed tactically during crucial periods of the game.
Rest Breaks: Players are allowed a 1-minute rest interval in between each game. Players will frequently approach their coach between games to discuss strategy. The requirement that players place their rackets on the table during a break is somewhat antiquated. This was implemented so that athletes couldn't boost or swap their gear in the middle of a game.
Toweling: Each player is permitted a brief towel break every six points in every game, beginning at 0-0. As a result, they can move over to their towel, clean their hands and faces, and take a little break.
Time-Out: During the course of a full match, each player (or doubles pair) is permitted to request one timeout period. This enables them to move over to their coach and speak with him or her for 60 seconds about their game plan moving forward. These are frequently employed tactically during crucial periods of the game.
Rest Breaks: Players are allowed a 1-minute rest interval in between each game. Players will frequently approach their coach between games to discuss strategy. The requirement that players place their rackets on the table during a break is somewhat antiquated. This was implemented so that athletes couldn't boost or swap their gear in the middle of a game.
Check Out Our Other Table Tennis (Ping Pong) Blogs:
Common Terminology in Table Tennis (Ping Pong)
Top Indian Table Tennis Players
Best Table Tennis Academy in Jaipur
Everything About World Table Tennis Day
Everything About Table Tennis(Ping Pong)
Table Tennis Ping Pong Rules and Common Terminology Used in Olympics Common Terms Used in Table Tennis Olympic Table Tennis Equipment Serving Rules for Singles in Table Tennis Serving Rules for Mixed Doubles in Table Tennis Scoring in the Table Tennis Duration of an Olympic Table Tennis game Time Outs Durations in Table Tennis
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