Terminologies Flashcards
It consists of the best of any odd number of games (usually 3, 5, or 7)
Match
If he or she wears or carries, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface, not having touched his or her court since last being struck by his or her opponent
Obstruction
A stroke played with the striking surface of the racket angled upwards, e.g., a push or backspin shot
Open racket
An alternative name for the racket
Paddle
A style of grip in which the racket handle is held between the thumb and forefinger. Used mainly by Asian players
Penhold (grip)
A type of racket covering. A sheet of rubber on top of a layer of sponge
Pimples
- a trademarked name
- used predominantly in USA
- often used interchangeably with table tennis by the general public.
Ping Pong
The upper surface of a table tennis table which lies in a horizontal plane 76cm (2ft 6in) above the floor
Playing Surface
- a unit of scoring in table tennis
- a rally where the result is scored
Point
A backspin shot usually executed over the playing surface
Push
- the equipment used to hit the ball
- comprises of a wooden blade with rubbers affixed to it
Racket
The hand that is holding the racket
Racket Hand
The period during which the ball is in play
Rally
The player due to strike the ball second in a rally
Receiver
The person appointed to control a tournament
Referee
The racket covering. Sometimes refers only to the rubber on top of a sponge base
Rubber
A type of racket covering. A racket covering with pimples inwards or outwards on the top of a layer of a sponge, having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 4mm
Sandwich Rubber
The player due to strike the ball first in a rally
Server
The start of a point where one player strikes the ball
Service
A 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 pointing
Shakehand
Playing 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 the table
Short
- a type of racket covering
- a sheet of rubber on top of a layer of sponge
- the pimples (pips) point outwards, so the playing surface is pimpled
- depending on the length and hardness of the pimples, unusual types of spin can be imparted
Short Pimples
A type of spin imparted onto the ball causing it to move left or right before and after it strikes with playing surface
Sidespin
An aggressive shot hit with speed, often in response to a high bouncing return
Smash
- a type of glue used to affix table tennis rubbers to the blade
- previously used at regular intervals in order to increase the playing speed of the rubber, but this is no longer permitted
Speed Glue
The rotation of the ball. A player can impart spin onto the ball by using a brushing action with the racket surface
Spin
A type of racket covering used in sandwich rubbers. It is used under a sheet of rubber with pimples.
Sponge
touching the ball in play with your racket, held in your racket hand, or with your racket hand below the wrist
Strike
Any shot used by a player in a game
Stroke
A type of spin imparted onto the ball causing it to arc over the net and down onto the table surface
Topspin
The person appointed to control a match
Umpire
a type of spin used mostly on defensive shots. When you chop down on the ball, you produce underspin. The bottom of the ball will move away from you
Underspin
Hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the table. A player who volleys the ball generally loses the point
Volley
A smooth rubber with very low surface friction, used to defend against excessive spin or to confuse the opponent. This type of rubber deactivates spin and speed, returning a “dead ball”
Anti or Anti-loop or Anti-spin
The person appointed to assist the umpire with certain decision
Assistant Umpire
A shot executed where the back of your hand is pointing towards the opponent, to the left of the elbow for a right handed player and vice versa for a left handed player
Backhand
A 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 away from you
Backspin
An alternative name for the racket
Bat
The wooden part of the racket
Blade
A topspin shot played close to the table with the racket making contact with the ball just after it bounces
Block
A defensive return of a topspin stroke played with backspin, usually well away from the table
Chop
A stroke played with the striking surface of the racket angled downwards, eg.a topspin stroke or block
Closed Racket
A game of table tennis where two people play on each side and alternate turns at striking the ball
Doubles
A 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
Drive
A shot which drops very short over the net on your opponent’s side of the table. Usually played when your opponent is postponed away from the table
Drop Shot
A rule which comes into operation if a game is unfinished after 10 minutes play (or at any earlier time at the request of both players or pairs). Thereafter, each player shall serve for 1 point in turn and if the receiving player or pair makes 13 returns, the receiver shall score a point.
Expedite
A stroke played close to the table where you hit over the back or top of ball, using a loose wrist action to impart topspin
Flick or Flip
A 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 versa for a left handed player
Forehand
It is won by the player or pair first scoring 11 points unless both players or pair subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points
Game
A serve where the ball is thrown high into the air. This helps the server to increase the amount of spin and speed imparted onto the ball
High Toss Serve
The international governing body for the sport table tennis
ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation)
The most common racket covering. It consists a sheet of rubber on top of a layer of sponge. The pimples (pips) point inward, so the playing surface is smooth
Invented Rubber
A rally where the result is not scored
Let
If the ball, in passing over or around the net, touches it, provided the service is otherwise good, the serve is replayed – or – if your opponent is not ready, the serve is replayed
Let Serve
A defensive shot used against high-speed shots, where the ball is returned very high in the air
Lob
A type of racket covering. A sheet of rubber on top of a layer of sponge. The pimples (pips) point outwards, so the playing surface is implied
Long Pimples (Pips)
