by Branden Barrett

Created on: April 23, 2009

Ping pong, also known as table tennis, is a game that has existed for hundreds of years. It never became a professional sport until 1926, when the International Table Tennis Foundation (ITTF) took control of it. Since then, many leagues have formed for play, and with it, the implementation of several key rules. Of course, in order to understand these rules it is essential to know how to start a game of ping pong. Its beginning, surprisingly enough, is the same as many other sports out there. Now where is that coin?

In professional play, starting order is determined by a coin flip. This is usually done by a middle party (the umpire or line judge). Another way to decide order is for a middle party to hide a ball behind their back and one of the players must choose which hand the ball is carrying. Personally I find option number two a more enjoyable way to play the 50/50 scenario. Once a player has won the toss, they then choose whether or not they want to serve or receive. 80% of the time the winner chooses to serve, as it is the serve that is the most important shot in all of table tennis. It completely directs the flow of the point and knowing how to mix it up will give you the best start in a game of ping pong.

Now the serve may appear simple, but it really takes a lot of wrist action and timing. The general rule of serving is that the player must be behind the endline of the table, with the ball in the palm of the player's free hand. The server must then throw the ball at least sixteen centimeters high. After the initial throw a player can then decide what they want to do for their starting attack. Popular serves like the drop serve, spin serve, and quick serve are all effective in their own unique way, and depending on which one you use, will determine the flow of the point. Players then switch serve every two points regardless of who wins each rally.

It is from here that the ping pong game truly begins, with players having to get to 11 points to win a set. It is also important to note that the player must win by at least two points (11-9, 12-10, etc.). Speaking of scoring, it can be done through several methods of attack, all of which are similar to how a point is one in regular tennis. Having the ball bounce twice on your opponents side, blasting a ball to either side, or forcing your adversary to hit an error are a few of the many ways in which to take a point. There are many intricacies to the game of ping pong, but as long as you know how to start a game, you can play it in any style you choose. Most importantly though - have fun with it.

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