Table tennis, commonly known as ping pong, is a fast-paced sport that requires a lot of energy to play well. The game is a fun way to break a sweat and bond with friends while also improving your leg, arm, and core strength without hurting your joints. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, there are a number of basic rules that all players should know before playing.
Ping pong is played by two people on opposite sides of a table with a ball, a paddle, and a playing partner. The first player or pair to score 11 points is declared the winner of the match. The game is best of five legs, and service alternates every two points.
Each point in a game of ping pong is scored when the opposing player fails to return the ball back to the server after it bounces on his side of the table. This means that you can get points by serving the ball to your opponent, and you can also get points by hitting the ball out of bounds.
When it comes to the ping pong grip, you can choose between a shakehand grip or pen grip. A shakehand grip consists of placing your fingers around the paddle’s handle, while the pen grip involves holding the paddle like you would hold a pen and wrapping your fingers loosely around it. Whichever grip feels most natural to you will help you develop a good form and hit the ball hard.