Ping pong (or table tennis, to be more accurate) is a fun and fast-paced sport that can be enjoyed by people of almost any age or skill level. It’s easy to learn and can be very addictive, as evidenced by its immense popularity all over the world. Even recreational players can quickly become highly skilled, with ping pong at the professional level being something to behold.
Originally invented in England near the end of the 19th century, ping pong was developed as a way to provide a recreational activity for families or groups of friends without the need for high athletic skills or strength. Its name — which is actually a trademark name registered by the London toy importers Hamley Brothers in 1900 — came from the sound that the ball makes when struck.
It’s a sport that requires fast reflexes, precise hand-eye coordination, and dexterity as players, one or two per team, volley the lightweight ball back and forth over a scaled down version of a tennis court, which consists of a table divided into equal courts by a net fixed across its middle. Typically played with rubber-coated paddles, the game is primarily an indoor sport and is popular worldwide.
When playing ping pong, it’s best to find someone who is at the same skill level as or slightly above you and with whom you can have fun. It’s also a good idea to invest in some proper equipment, although you can start out by using the cheap paddles you can buy at discount sporting stores. As you progress, however, you may want to upgrade to a customized paddle designed for your specific style of play.