Ping pong is a fun and social sport, but it can also be competitive. To be a great ping pong player, you need to practice consistently. You can join a ping pong club or league, or just find some friends willing to play with you. Be sure to get plenty of sleep and eat well, too. This will help you stay energized and alert while playing.
In ping pong, the ball must bounce once on your side and over to your opponent’s side for a point to be scored. A game is won by the first player or team to score 11 points. If you’re tied at 10-10 (called “deuce”), the first player or team to serve gets two points. After that, service alternates at every point until a winner is determined.
A ping pong paddle is also known as a racket or bat, and it must meet certain rules in order to be used for a legal match. The paddle can be any size or shape, but it must be flat and rigid with a surface that’s at least 85% natural wood material. The paddle can also be any color except black, and it must be shown to both opponents and the umpire before each match.
You can hold your ping pong paddle in either the pen grip or the shakehand grip. Both of these grips feel similar and work well for most players. Just be sure to choose a paddle that feels comfortable in your hand and that’s the right size for you.