3. The Rules of the Game Single 1. The server must release the ball without imparting any spin to it; then strikes the ball to land first on the server’s court before passing directly over the net to the striker’s court. 2. The ball must be thrown up by the serving hand before it can be struck. The ball maybe serve outside an imaginary continuation of the sidelines of the table. At the instant the ball is struck. The serving hand and the racket must be behind the end line of the server’s court. 3. To put the ball in play after a successful serve, the opponent strikes the ball so that it passes directly over or around the net. The ball must first land on the table before it can be struck. It must hit the opponent’s side of the table.
4. 4. Scoring. A point is a awarded to the player who made the last legal return of the ball after a valid serve. The server serves until 5 points have been scored between the two players. After 5 points server becomes the striker-out and the striker-out becomes the server. There is a change of server after every total of 5 points scored by both players. A game is won by the player who first scores 21 points. When the score becomes 20-all, the server alternates every time a point is made by any player until the game ends. When the score is 20-all, the winner is the player who can score 2 points more than the opponent. 5. Rules of Etiquette a. Before serving, see to it that the receiver is ready. b. If the opponent’s stroke is interfered by any spectator, play the point over. c. Avoid using abusive language to distract opponent’s attention.
5. The Fundamental Skills and Techniques Grip Gasp the handle of the racket as if shaking hands with it. The blade rests between the index finger and the thumb of thee playing hand. The remaining fingers curl around the handle, securing it in the palm of the hand. Have a firm grip of the racket without gripping it too tightly.
6. Body Position Neutral Position. Face thee table directly with legs slightly flexed, spread apart by 18 inches and body in the crouched position. The body weight should rest on the balls of the feet. The players should always start from the neutral position, then move into the different position for a particular shot but should return to the natural position always. Forehand Position. Move the right foot backward. Left side in facing the table.; body is about 45 degrees angle with the table. This position is used for hitting shots from the right of the forehand side of the table. Backhand Position. This is the reverse of the forehand position. It is used for hitting strokes on the backhand (left side) side of the table. Footwork. Do not cross legs when changing positions. When shifting from the neutral position to the forehand or backhand position, step forward with one foot and turn on the ball of rear foot.
7. Serving Forehand and backhand topspin serve. In a topspin serve the ball must be kept low so that the opponent cannot kill on the return. Keep the racket blade almost parallel to the table top and keep the stroking motion into a forward and upward direction. Sidespin Serve. Assume the forehand or backhand body position. The side stroking action starts sideward towards the center of the body. Make a slight forward motion of the racket.
8. Backhand chop serve. Take the backhand body position. Do as in forehand chop serve, except that the racket is started from a position in front of the shoulder of the non-stroking arm. Swing the arm across the body. Follow-through is made by extending the forehand at the elbow.
