table tennis terminology

7/30/2019 Table Tennis Terminology

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Backhand

A shot executed where the back of your hand ispointing towards the opponent, to the left of the

elbow for a right handed player and vice versa

for a left handed player.


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BackspinA type of spin used mostly on defensive shots.

When you chop down on the ball, you produce

backspin. The bottom of the ball will move awayfrom you.

Free HandThe hand not holding the racket.


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BlockA topspin shot played close to the table with the

racket making contact with the ball just after it

bounces.

Cross-courtA stroke that's hit diagonally from corner to

corner.


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Open RacketA stroke played with the striking surface of the

racket angled upwards, eg. a push or backspin

shot.

PenholdA style of grip in which the racket handle is held

between the thumb and forefinger. Used mainly

by Asian players.


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Dead ballA stroke played which returns the ball with very

little, or no spin.

DeepPlaying any shot which causes the ball to bounce

very near to your opponents end of the table.


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Double BounceWhen the ball bounces twice on one side of the

table before a return is made, causing that

player to lose the point.

DoublesA game of table tennis where two people play on

each side and alternate turns at striking the ball.


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DriveA stroke played close to the table with your

racket arm moving forward and slightly upwards

in the direction that the ball is going to travel.

FlatPlaying a stroke with minimum topspin so that

the ball travels very low over the net.


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Drop shotA shot which drops very short over the net on

your opponents side of the table. Usually played

when your opponent is positioned away fromthe table.

HeavyUsed to describe excessive spin.


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ForehandA shot executed where the palm of your hand is

facing your opponent, to the right side of the

elbow for a right handed player and vice versafor a left handed player.

KillAn aggressive shot hit with too much speed for

the opponent to return it.


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LoopAn attacking stroke where excessive topspin is

imparted onto the ball. This enables you to hit

the ball harder as the topspin will help you keepthe ball in play.

LobA defensive shot used against high-speed shots,

where the ball is returned very high in the air.


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Loose returnA return shot that is either too high, too long,

has insufficient spin or a combination of these

and therefore makes it easy for your opponentto attack or kill.

MatchA match consists of the best of any odd number

of games (usually 3, 5 or 7).


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ReceiverThe player due to strike the ball second in a rally.

ServerThe player due to strike the ball first in a rally.

ServiceThe start of a point where one player strikes the ball.


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ShakehandA style of grip in which the racket handle is held

in the palm of your hand so that the start of the

racket head fits snugly into the "V" shape formed

by your thumb and first finger - similar toshaking hands with another person.


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ShortPlaying any shot which causes the ball to bounce

very near to the net and, if not hit by your

opponent, would bounce at least twice on thetable.

PushA backspin shot usually executed over the table.


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SidespinA type of spin imparted onto the ball causing it

to move left or right before and after it strikes

the table surface.

SmashAn aggressive shot hit with too much speed for

your opponent to return it, often in response to

a high bouncing return.


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SpinThe rotation of the ball. A player can impart spin

onto the ball by using a brushing action with the

racket surface.

StrokeAny shot used by a player in a game.


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Sweet spotThe portion of the racket (usually near the

centre) which produces the best response.

TightPlaying any shot which makes it difficult for your

opponent to attack.


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TopspinA type of spin imparted onto the ball causing it

to arc over the net and down onto the table

surface.

UmpireThe person appointed to control a match.


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UnderspinA type of spin used mostly on defensive shots.

When you chop down on the ball, you produce

underspin. The bottom of the ball will moveaway from you.

RallyThe period during which the ball is in play.


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VolleyHitting the ball before it bounces on your side of

the table. A player who volleys the ball generally

loses the point.

PointA unit of scoring in table tennis.

table tennis terminology

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