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1.2. Table Tennis Terminology




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This article is from the Table Tennis (Ping Pong) FAQ, by ttennis@bu.edu with numerous contributions by others.

1.2. Table Tennis Terminology

Backspin: Same as underspin.

Bat: Same as racket.

Blade: See 1.3.USATT Rules section 4

Block: Usually a topspin shot performed to counter another topspin shot,
namely, to counter a loop. This stroke is executed very close to
the table, often before the top of the bounce of the ball. The
blocker usually just angles his blade so that the ball goes back to
the other side of the table. He utilizes the opponents speed and
spin to put the ball back.

Chop: A chop is a heavy underspin shot. I it usually executed away from
the table and below the tabletop. A chop forces the ball to drop
downwards when it hits an opponents paddle.

Drive: The basic topspin shot executed close to the table. Also called a
counter, counterdrive, or smash.

Drop shot: Short placement - very close to the net. A key point in making
a drop shot is to not allow the ball to fall off the table
after the first bounce. i.e. Drop shots should bounce at least
twice on the opponents side of the table before falling off.

Flick: Also called flip. A topspin shot generated over the table close to
the net, usually with the power generated only from the upper arm
or the wrist. Used to start offense on a short ball.

Flip: Same as twirl. Second definition of Flick.

ITTF: International Table Tennis Federation, founded 1926, is the world
governing body of the sport, and its members are the table tennis
Associations of more than 140 countries; headquarter at 53 London
Rd, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN34 6AY, England, UK.

Junk: Rubber that produce no spin, such as anti-spin and long-pips.

Let: See 1.3. USATT Rules section 10 & 5.2

Lob: Usually used when in the player is in the backcourt in a defensive
situation. The player hits the ball as high as he can - usually with
a combination of topspin and sidespin. The deeper the ball lands on
the table, the more difficult it will be for his opponent to smash.

Loop: The shot that currently dominates the sport. This is an extreme
topspin shot. One the Mazunov brothers (russia) won a spin
competition being 'clocked' at 9000 rpm. A loop, when exectued
properly can curve in the air as a curveball does in baseball. This
curve allows the player to hit the ball harder and still rely on the
spin of the ball to cause the ball to dive down onto the table.
Also, a loop will 'skip' on the table top taking sharp changes in
directions. A loop will also tend to 'pop' upwards when it strikes
the opponents racket. The opponent has to deal with 1) a curving
ball, 2) a ball that changes directions when it hits the table, and
3) a ball that will jump off his racket unpredictably unless he
compensates for spin. A loop will also counter heavy spin (topspin
or underspin) from an opponent. It can be executed above or below
the tabletop, close or far away from the table.

Paddle: Same as racket.

Point: See 1.3. USATT Rules section 11 & 5.3

Ping Pong: an American table tennis equipment trademark, often referred to
the game of table tennis by the general public.

Push: A push is an underspin shot executed over the table, and usually
close to the net. This is a passive shot that is used when it is
impossible to attack a ball.

Racket: See 1.3. USATT Rules section 4

Reglue: See speedglue.

Rubber: See 1.3. USATT Rules section 4.5

Sidespin: Spin placed on a ball to allow it to curve left or right in the
air. Usually utilized in combination with the topspin of a loop.

Speedglue: See 3.4. Speedglue.

Spin: The rotation of a ball.

Topspin: Spin placed on a ball to allow it to curve down onto the table.

Twiddle: Same as twirl.

Twirl: Turning of the paddle, used for confusing opponents on which side
of the paddle is being used. Not as deceptive now due to the two
color law, namely black on one side and bright red on the other
side. Usually utilized with combination bat.

USATT: United States of America Table Tennis (formerly the United States
Table Tennis Association), founded and ITTF-affiliated in 1933, is
US' national governing body for the sport, and its backbone is the
300 affiliated clubs, whose membership ranges from 8-500 players.
Individual USATT membership with subscription to Table Tennis Today
can be purchased from USATT-sanctioned tournaments or affiliated
clubs for $20/yr, $35/2yrs, $50/5yrs, or directly from the USATT
headquarter. See 1.3. USATT Rules for address.





 

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