Pttcpingpong.com

The sport of table tennis or ping pong, is a fun indoor sport for 2 or 4 people. On a casual level, families might have a ping pong table in their family rec room or basement, much like a pool or foosball table; but few know how to play table tennis or ping pong to achieve the best results. Below, we’ve outlined the basic grips (ways to hold the table tennis paddle) of table tennis, to help you maximize your performance, both recreationally and professionally.

The way that you hold your tennis table paddle can dramatically alter your performance based on what type of game you are seeking to play (whether professional or recreational), what strokes you will be predominantly using, and the like. There are three basic ways to hold or grip your table tennis or ping pong paddle: the shakehands, penhold, and seemiller grips. The shakehands grip is the most commonly used, both in family rec rooms and professional matches, as it allows for strong mobility in both forehand and backhand strokes. The penhold grip is a more antiquated grip for table tennis players, used more often by professional players seeking to surprise their opponent with a different grip. This grip affords the table tennis player a much stronger forehand predominant stroke, and disables the ease of a backhand because of grip position. Lastly, the seemiller grip was developed by 5 time US Table Tennis champion, Dan Seemiller. This grip is hardly ever used as it is considered disruptive to form, as it employs only one side of the paddle for both forehand and backhand strokes. It is a slight variation from the shakehands grip, allowing for strong control of both forehand and backhand strokes.

How to use the Shakehands Grip:

· Grip the paddle’s handle with all fingers, palm facing you.

· Extend index finger straight out along the base of the rubber part of the paddle (the actual paddle part) on one side of the paddle.

· Close thumb around the other side of the paddle (from your index finger), also along the base. Your thumb should meet the three remaining fingers wrapped around the handle of the paddle.

· Make sure your extended arm and paddle edge form a straight line. It should look like you are shaking hands at a 45 degree angle.

How to use the Penhold Grip:

· Wrap your thumb and index finger around the base of the rubber paddle (where the handle meets the paddle part).
· Your middle, ring, and pinky fingers should be folded behind the paddle and out of the way.
· The tips of your index finger and thumb should be touching.
· The grip should look as if you were holding a pen.

How to use the Seemiller Grip:

· Grip the paddle’s handle with all fingers, palm facing you.

· Extend index finger straight out along the base of the rubber part of the paddle (the actual paddle part) on one side of the paddle.

· Slightly wrap or hook your index finger around the edge of the paddle.

· Close thumb around the other side of the paddle (from your index finger), also along the base. Your thumb should meet the three remaining fingers wrapped around the handle of the paddle.

· Make sure thumb points forward towards the game.

· Make sure your extended arm and paddle edge form a straight line. It should look like you are shaking hands at a 45 degree angle.

Things to keep in mind:

· Keep your grip loose.

· Each grip preference requires a different type of paddle. Play around with the different grips and see what feels most comfortable for you, before you opt for a particular paddle.

· Choose to play a game or opponent that matches the type of grip and stroke that you are best at. For example: use a shakehands grip for a general game that will require forehand and backhand. Use a Seemiller grip for a professional game that requires a lot of blocking.

· If your grip feels uncomfortable, make sure your form is correct.

· Best thing to do if you have any questions or problems, is to ask a certified table tennis coach or locate a supplier.

The official rules of ping pong, also known as table tennis, are quite easy to learn, and it is a rewarding game for many people. A ping pong table has a short net across the center and white markings. The markings are only used when playing doubles ping pong, and can be disregarded for singles games. In a singles game, you may serve from anywhere on the table to anywhere on the table. In a doubles game, you must serve from your right to the opponent’s right side. The table must have an even surface, and the ping pong paddles should have a rubber surface. While sandpaper surfaced paddles are seen occasionally, these are prohibited by ping pong rules.

The game begins with the flip of a coin to determine which player serves first. The serve consists of tossing the ball into the air and hitting it onto the other side of the ping pong table with your paddle. It may hit the net, as long as it bounces onto the table; however, this is called a let serve and is reserved. If the ball leaves the table, the server will lose his or her point. The first player serves two points, and then it is traded off. The game is won with eleven points or by a two point differential thereafter. At 10 points, the two players alternate serving until one wins. Several games in a row will make a match, by winning say four out of seven games.

A ball in play in ping pong is called a volley. The ball may be volleyed back and forth many times without a point being lost or scored. If the server hits the ball twice in a row, misses the ball or hits it off the table, they will lose their point. If the player opposing misses the ball, the server gets the point. Points are accumulated as the players take turns serving the ball.

You may hit the ball with the paddle using either a forehand or backhand stroke. Players can use either hand to play or both hands at once. You may not bump or touch the table. If the ball hits a wall, the floor or ceiling, it is out of play and a point will be lost.

The rules of ping pong are easy to learn, and this fun game is a great activity to do with friends or family. It does not take a lot of space, can be done year round, and perhaps a ping pong table would be a good addition to your rec room or family spaces.