Table tennis terminology

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Table tennis terminology is a set of English words and phrases used in the game of table tennis to
describe the game, the play and the equipment. This article lists some of them.

Antispin A smooth rubber with very low surface friction, used to defend against strong spin
or to confuse the opponent. This type of rubber is rarely (if at all) seen in modern top-level table
tennis, but is popular with amateur and veteran players.

Blade The wooden part of the paddle

Crossover The point where a player has to change from playing a forehand stroke
to backhand stroke; often a target for attack, since it is difficult to return balls aimed at this area.

Early The rising part of a ball's bounce

Inverted rubber Rubber which contacts the ball with its smooth surface, and is glued to
the rest of the bat with its pimpled surface. With a larger contact area this type of rubber
generally produces more spin than pimpled rubber, although some rubbers are designed to have
the opposite effect (see Antispin above).

Heavy Used to describe strong spin

Late The falling part of a ball's bounce

Loop A strong topspin stroke that aims to overpower the spin of the oncoming ball
(usually backspin)

Loose A return which is too high, too long, has insufficient spin or a combination of the
above. Easy for the opponent to attack or kill (compare tight, below)

Multiball Training method minimizing wasted time by using many balls which are
continuously fed to the player, either by another player or a ball robot

Penhold Style of player who grips the paddle in a manner similar to holding a pen

Pimples(Pips) Rubber which contacts the ball with its pimpled surface; produces different
effects on the spin compared with inverted rubber, due to the reduced contact area and flexibility
of the pimples

Sandwich rubber Inverted rubber, with sponge

Shakehand The most popular table-tennis grip; similar to a tennis grip, with the index
finger extended over the paddle head perpendicular to the handle
 Speed glue Glue used to attach rubber to the blade; contains a high percentage of volatile
solvents, which soak into the sponge of a rubber and increase the speed and spin of a stroke

Third ball The stroke hit by the server after the opponent's return of the serve. Because
the serve can be used to make attacking difficult for the opponent, the third ball is frequently the
first strong attacking stroke in a table-tennis rally.

Tight A return which is difficult for the opponent to attack. Always a low ball, usually in
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combination with being short, having strong backspin or both