is a game played as singles (where one person plays against one person) or doubles (where

two people play against two people). The object of the game is for your team to

win 3 sets faster than the opposing team. To win a set, you must score 11 points and

be at least two points ahead. If the scores are 10-10 for example, the game

carries on until one player or pair has a two point lead.

Okay then, so how do you score these points? To score a point, you must aim to hit a small

ball with your bat (otherwise known as a paddle) over the net and onto your opponent’s side

of the table without the opponent returning the favour.

The table is 274cm long x 152.5cm wide, and the net is 15.25cm above the table surface.

There is a centreline that divides the table, but this is used in doubles only.

To start the game, a player must serve with the ball in his open palm behind the table.

The ball must travel at least 6 inches in the air and bounce once on each side of the

table for a serve to be legal. If the ball is hit onto the edge of the table

- this counts. The opponent will then try and return the

ball and make you miss hitting the ball back. This can go back and forth and is known as

a ‘rally’. Hitting the ball over a net onto the table

so that your opponent can’t return it, sounds simple enough, but in table tennis - it’s

very easy to lose points.

There’s a lot of things you can’t do in table tennis

You cannot hit the ball directly onto the ground outside the area of play.

You cannot hit the ball twice in succession. You cannot allow the ball to bounce more than

once. You cannot hit the ball before it has bounced

on your side of the table. You cannot hit the ball into the net and for

it to land on your half of the table. You cannot touch the ball with any part of

your body except with the bat. You cannot put your non playing hand on the

table. In doubles, you cannot hit the ball out of

turn. and as earlier mentioned; you must serve the

ball legally. If you commit any of these errors, this results

in your opponents being awarded a point. Once a player or a pair has won 11 points

and is at least 2 points ahead, they win a set.

First player or pair to win 3 sets faster than their opponent … wins.

Now that’s basically table tennis in a nutshell, but there’s a few things you’ll need to

understand before playing or going to a game.

For example …

Service In singles only, the ball can be served anywhere

on the table. In doubles however, the ball must touch the

opposite corners of the table and partners must alternate serves.

Each player (or pair) is given two serves before your opponent is awarded next two serves.

This goes back and forth until either a set is won, or you reach Deuce.

Deuce This where a score is tied (typically 10-10)

and each team now requires a two point lead to win. The only difference now is that you

only get one serve each as opposed to two. The first player or pair to get a two point

lead, wins the set.

Out of turn (doubles)

In doubles only, you and your partner must hit the ball alternately.

If a player hits the ball twice in succession during a rally – they have played out of

turn and the opponent is awarded the point.

As you can tell, Table Tennis is an extremely fast sport and you’ll need good reflexes

to play it properly, but over time, the rules will become easy and it’s a fun sport to

play. If you have found this video at all helpful,

please like, share and subscribe. It takes me ages to make one of these things

and good karma is very much appreciated. Be sure to follow me on twitter also, but

in the meantime, enjoy Table Tennis!

Ninh Ly, www.ninh.co.uk, @NinhLyUK