Ping pong (or table tennis as it is officially known) is a fun and fast paced game that can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. It is a sport that has become incredibly popular, reaching the Olympic Games in 1988 and still being played to this day.
The game originated in England at the end of the 19th Century, first as a postprandial parlour activity, but became a worldwide sport due to it’s relatively inexpensive equipment and quick reactionary play. The name ping pong was initially taken from the sound of the ball on early bats, but later trademarked by Hamley Brothers (a London toy importer and manufacturer) for their version of table tennis manufactured by John Jaques & Son.
Whether you are just looking to have some fun with friends or get into the serious side of things, ping pong requires lots of practice and is a great way to keep fit! The best time to practice is when you are energized and alert, so make sure that you get plenty of sleep and eat well before you play.
The main difference between ping pong and table tennis is the bat or paddle that each player uses. In ping pong, each player uses the same bat throughout the match so that neither player has an advantage over the other in terms of the type of rubber on their bat or the sponge like material used to absorb the vibrations caused by hitting the ball. In table tennis, players are permitted to use a variety of bats with different types of rubbers and sponges to suit their style.