Hobbies
Fact-checked

At Sports&Hobbies, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Ping Pong?

Matthew F.
Matthew F.

Ping pong is an indoor sport played on a table with a ball and paddles. Also known as table tennis, it began as a recreational game but developed into a worldwide sport. It is played on a scaled down tennis-like court, on top of a table with a short net crossing the middle. Players, either one or two per team, stand at the ends of the table and volley the ball over the net. The name came from a brand of equipment made for the sport in the mid-1900s, and has been used interchangeably ever since with its official designation.

A small, wooden paddle with a handle is used to serve the hollow ping pong ball across the net on one bounce. The ball, golf-ball sized but very light weight, has to be returned in the air or after one bounce over the net. A point is gained when the opponent fails to return the ball on the table, and games are played up to 11. If the game is within one point at that time, it continues until one side gains a two point advantage. In doubles and singles table tennis, the rules are the same.

A ping pong table.
A ping pong table.

The paddle may be one of many different styles and held many different ways. It may be held with a hand around only the handle, like a baseball bat. Alternately, it can be held with three fingers around the handle and the index finger extended behind the face of the paddle, for control and support. The paddle is often colored differently on each side, and it may have different textures as well, with different types of rubber. The rubber may include different degrees of stickiness or tiny bumps called pimples for different levels of ball spin.

Ping pong racket and ball.
Ping pong racket and ball.

The ping pong table is 9 ft. (2.7 m) long, 5 ft. (1.53 m) wide, and 2.5 ft. (.76 m) high. The net divides the table across the width and is 6 in. (15.3 cm) high. The table usually has a smooth coating, and official ones are either green or blue in color. The ball is allowed to hit anywhere on the table, though there is a line dividing the table lengthwise for serving in doubles play. In doubles, the serve must come from the right side of the table and land over the net on the other side of the line.

Ping pong player serving the ball.
Ping pong player serving the ball.

Ping pong was invented in England near the end of the 19th century as a recreational activity for families or friends to play at home. It was played with simple equipment and could be a fun, fast paced activity for those without high athletic skills, strength, or endurance. Table tennis has become an international game since the 1950s, dominated by many Asian countries. The game in professional competitions becomes a quick sport for those with extremely good reflexes and precise hand-eye coordination. It reached the level of Olympic competition in 1988 and has been played during the Games ever since.

Discussion Comments

Kristee

I played badminton for years before trying ping pong. After getting used to an oval racket with a long handle, it was hard to adapt to the fat little table tennis rackets.

However, since I had already honed by hand-eye coordination and swatting skills, I got the hang of it rather quickly. Ping pong is now one of my favorite games to play with people who are good at it, because I love a challenge.

DylanB
Table tennis paddles are short yet wide. I'm guessing this increases the likelihood that you will hit the ball?
orangey03

@JackWhack – It does take talent to play ping pong. You have to be reserved with your strength, and you have to learn exactly how much force to hit the ball with so that it goes to the other side but doesn't go out of bounds.

I learned this while playing on my friend's tennis table. She taught me how to feel it out, and before long, I could correctly guess how much energy to put forth.

JackWhack

I always thought “pingpong” was one word. It appears I was wrong.

I tried playing this game at an arcade with my friend once. I figured that since I had such quick reflexes, I would be great at it. I was wrong about that, too.

I apparently had too much aggression. I kept hitting the ball too hard and making it fly off the table and into the wall.

catapult43

I heard that playing ping pong is a healthy exercise for the brain. The reason is that you have to be alert, move quickly and keep balance. Brain benefits from healthy engagement.

I love it myself. There is something new on the market, where you install a gadget on the table, that throws balls at you, so there is no need for a partner. Or you can use it to sharpen your skills on your own. It has adjustments where you can practice let say only back hand, or spins, or mix it up. It makes it for a more interesting and enjoyable game.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A ping pong table.
      A ping pong table.
    • Ping pong racket and ball.
      Ping pong racket and ball.
    • Ping pong player serving the ball.
      Ping pong player serving the ball.
    • In table tennis, players stand at either end of the table and volley the ball towards each other over the net.
      By: Peter Atkins
      In table tennis, players stand at either end of the table and volley the ball towards each other over the net.