Ping pong, also known as table tennis or simply as ping pong, is a recreational activity enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It is played by two competitors (or teams of two) who use a paddle to hit a small, plastic ball back and forth over the table. The first player or team to reach 11 points wins the game. The sport has become so popular that it is now an Olympic event, featuring the best players in the world competing for the coveted gold medal.
The game’s popularity exploded in the 1950s and 1960s, as it became a cultural icon and a major social activity. The sport even served as the basis for so-called “ping pong diplomacy,” in which Cold War tensions between the United States and China were eased through a series of high-profile ping pong matches between athletes from each country.
To play ping pong, you need a table, paddle, and celluloid or plastic balls that are orange or white. The balls should be 40 mm in diameter and have a smooth coating. The paddles should be a minimum of 3.5 in. wide and have a grip made from rubber. The governing body for the sport maintains specific rules regarding the size, weight, and design of the paddle.
While ping pong is a fast-paced and highly-competitive sport, it is also an entertaining and fun way to spend time with friends or family. To improve your skills, practice basic strokes such as the forehand drive, backhand push, and smash while enhancing your footwork, stance, and spin techniques to maximize power in your shots.