Basics About Utah Table Tennis

By Sonya Riley


In Utah table tennis also gets referred to as ping pong or wiff waff like in many other locations around the globe. The game involves four or two players who strike a ball back and forth by use of table tennis rackets. The playing ball is normally lightweight and small specifically designed for this game. The sport might be played outdoor or indoors on hard-top tables.

The origin of this game is England during 1880s. At that time it was only played by members of the upper class after dinner. Suggestions have it that the game was originally developed by officers of the British military in either South Africa or India. After the officers developed it, they took it back to their home country. During that time, books were placed at the middle of the playing platform to serve as a net.

This game has undergone a lot of enhancements and development since its first invention. As it continued to gain more popularity, companies began manufacturing equipment for the sport. The initial rackets were parchments stretched on frames. The sound generated by the rackets led to the first nick-names of the game, that is, wiff waff and ping pong. The broad popularity of the sport led to the establishment of an organization in Britain that oversaw standards and practices in the sport.

The equipment used in playing include a ball, playing platform, and racket. The specifications of the ball are outlined by international rules. It should be a lightweight ball of exactly 2.7 grams with a diameter of 40mm. According to the international rules, the sphere must bounce to a height of between 24 to 26 cm when released from a height of 30.5cm on a standardized steel block. This implies that it should have a coefficient of restitution standing between 0.89 to 0.92.

The ball is produced from a high bouncing celluloid that is packed with air or plastic materials of same kind. The color may be either white or orange depending on factors like playing platform color and environment. The ball is decorated with stars to show its quality. Three stars indicates best quality and the item may be used for official competitions.

The playing platform measures 5 feet wide, 30 inches high, and 9 feet long. The gaming surface is uniformly colored and divided into two halves using a net of 6 inches high. The players bear a racket that may be wooden on one or both sides. Commonly used kind of wood for the racket include hinoki, cypress, limba, and balsa. The blade should have an average size of 6.5 inches.

The first serve of any game is normally decided by lot, usually a coin toss. Apart from the first serve, in all the other serves, the ball should be allowed to bounce only once on the playing platform. If the ball bounces more than once or falls off the table, the serving player earns a point.

Utah table tennis is practiced on professional grounds. There are also several training facilities in which beginners can get coached by people who have experience in the sport. Charges for registering or signing in a training amenity are affordable and friendly.


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