Questions about the sport of table tennis, also known as "ping-pong."
4
votes
1answer
76 views
What should I consider when buying a table tennis racquet?
I have an old paddle from my college days from over 10 years ago. It's starting to show some wear and tear most noticeably on the rubber (scratches, scuffs, etc.) due to poor maintenance and storage ...
2
votes
1answer
76 views
Effective way to learn spin in table tennis
I am 25 and I started playing table tennis 6 months ago. Since then I almost play every weekday for atleast 20 minutes. Currently I can play the standard shots. But I am not winning matches against ...
3
votes
1answer
166 views
Is this custom table tennis ladder fair?
I am going to run/administer a table tennis ladder in the department and have been reading a bit on different ladder systems. I have read the suggestions on a relevant question but, with all due ...
-2
votes
1answer
107 views
Selection trials without seeding [closed]
How do I conduct a selection trial to rank the top 10 players out of approximately 100 players in the quickest and fairest way possible without any knowledge of the skills of any of the participants?
...
1
vote
2answers
198 views
Scoring in a table tennis league
At the office, we'd like to start a table tennis league with perpetual standings. That is, as each match is completed, the scores should be logged and individual player ratings should be adjusted ...
2
votes
2answers
155 views
How can I improve my smashes in table tennis?
I realized that I tend to play really bad returns or do mistakes when I get a high and/or slow ball from the opponent in the middle of a tight rally. I think it has to do with the fact that all of a ...
4
votes
1answer
261 views
What do the cards in table tennis mean?
I saw in an Olympics table tennis match a Chinese athlete being given a red card. I think she lost the point but I'm not too sure.
So why would would some receive a red/yellow card in table tennis ...
4
votes
1answer
329 views
Interpreting table tennis racket stats
I have always been confused by the stats system that is used to rate table tennis rackets. Some companies use a three dimensional scale as: "speed", "control", "spin"; while other companies use other ...
6
votes
1answer
395 views
Can my body touch the table in table tennis?
Suppose I am about to hit a "overhead", then my stomach touches the edge of the table... Is this allowed? Can I "dive" on the table?
2
votes
1answer
100 views
Pros/cons: custom build rackets (for hobby/casual players) [closed]
I'm considering whether or not it's worth the time or the money to invest in getting parts and put together a racket for a hobby/casual player. I am not horrible in the sport but it's pretty obvious ...
1
vote
2answers
232 views
Shoes for table tennis [closed]
I've been playing at the recreation center more often and see some of the more intense players buying table tennis shoes. Are there any advantages of utilizing table tennis shoes?
Also, what would ...
4
votes
1answer
334 views
Are there drills or methods for improving reaction time in table tennis or overall?
Reaction time is critical to many sports. My sport in particular is table tennis.
Are there drills or methods that would allow you to improve reaction time? Or is it just a basis of pure repetition ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
Red and black side of table tennis raquet
There's a red and a black side on a table tennis raquet.
Does the color of the side have any significance? E.g. is the black side suppose to be used for the forehand and the red side used for the ...
3
votes
1answer
137 views
overtime rules in table tennis and in doubles
In table tennis, when both players are at 10. Who serves first? Does one pick who goes first? Or does it goto the first person that reached 10.
Also, in doubles table tennis how do those rules ...
18
votes
4answers
772 views
Is it legal in racket sports to pass the racket from one hand to the other?
Can you hit with different hands during the same
point?
set?
match?
Also, is racket throwing authorised?
4
votes
1answer
321 views
In which racket sports can you hit the shuttle (or ball) with the head?
In this video, Roger Federer hits the ball with his head. I know that in tennis, it is allowed to hit the ball with the head. And AFAIK, it's also allowed in table tennis.
Can you confirm that? And ...
7
votes
2answers
891 views
What happens when ball touches net during service?
I found some information on rules, but I never found a clear answer to what should be done when service ball touches net. Is it point for opponent, or should the service be redone? If redone - will it ...
4
votes
1answer
680 views
Doubles rules in table tennis
I curious about what the official rules are for playing doubles table tennis. It seems like every time I play, someone has a different set of rules from what I've played before. For instance,
do the ...
5
votes
2answers
88 views
the net position on a table in table tennis
Are there any rules indicating how the net is placed on a table tennis? Should it touch the top? Should it touch the table? I'm not totally sure.
It always seems that we just put it in the middle of ...
5
votes
1answer
368 views
Countering heavy top or bottom spin in table tennis?
What options are there when your opponent serves you very heavy top spin?
Often, just a slight push forces the ball to hit the ceiling.
On the flip side, is it possible to use the same strategies ...
8
votes
1answer
648 views
Table Tennis exercises by yourself and without a table?
Is it possible to improve your table tennis skills by yourself without a table as well?
If so are there exercises that one could do to improve your table tennis skills by yourself?
8
votes
3answers
444 views
Stomping after a table tennis serve or follow through?
I often see a lot of veterans stomp their feet after hitting the ball.
Why would one want to stomp after hitting the ball?
Is this purely a stylistic issue? Or does it improve ones follow-through?
10
votes
2answers
1k views
why are there different stars on table tennis balls?
What determines the rating of a table tennis ball? I know there are several different star ratings. The ratings go from 1 star to 4 star. I think there maybe a 5 star ball.
What factors determine the ...
13
votes
1answer
1k views
Why would you use oil on your table tennis raquets?
I often see vendors selling oil for table tennis racquets.
Why would one want to use oil on their table tennis racquets?
