The sport of table tennis is a great way to get some exercise and have fun with friends. It can be competitive and even become a serious pastime for some, but it all starts with hours of practice and dedication to the game. For those looking to take their game to the next level, finding a club or league is essential. You should also make sure you are getting plenty of sleep and eating well because this is a sport that requires a lot of energy.
While ping pong is the most commonly used name for the game, the correct title in UK and most of the rest of the world is table tennis. The reason is that ping pong is actually a trademarked name registered by the London toy importers Hamley Brothers in 1900 for their version of a ball game invented by John Jaques and Son at the end of the 1800s. Hamley Brothers rigorously enforced their trademark and this led to two rival organizations being established in 1901. They eventually merged into The Ping Pong Association but the name was changed to table tennis in 1922.
The rules of ping pong are similar to those of table tennis with the exception that the ball cannot touch any part of your body except your paddle hand. You may not hit the ball with any other part of your body during a rally, and hitting the ball with any part of your non-paddle hand results in a point for your opponent.