Table Tennis: The 6 Questions You Wanted to Ask

Intro

I grew up playing table tennis in my parents' basement. Before we got a table one year for Christmas, it was one of the highlights of going to my grandparents' house. Whether we were actually playing the game or just hitting random balls at each other is another story. 

Eventually, I'd move around the country, but even then, I never seemed to find myself far from a table (the above picture was taken outside of my apartment in Southern California). 

What I didn't know then that I do now is just how popular table tennis is worldwide. According to the site Ping Sunday, there are more than 350 million players and fan across the globe. That's a lot of people! 

The International Table Tennis Federation or ITTF has 226 country associations, and table tennis was the most watched sport by the Chinese at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

It makes sense, as 7 out of the 15 Olympic medals handed out in 2020 went to the Chinese. Ma Long won the men's singles title, while Chen Meng captured gold on the women's side. 

While table tennis continues to grow in popularity, I had some questions that I wanted to get answers to. Today, we go on a fact-finding mission to learn more about the 8th most popular sport in the world. 

Is the term "Ping-Pong" Offensive?

The short answer here is "no," ping-pong is not an offensive term, and here's why: 
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• Ping-pong and table tennis go hand in hand. The name originated as one of the early trademarked names for the game in the late 19th century along with names like "gossima" and "whiff-whaff".
• Both the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the IOC (International Olympic Committee) use "ping-pong" in their organizations' names, indicating it is an accepted term.
• "Ping-pong" is often used colloquially or informally to refer to table tennis, though some purists prefer the full name "table tennis" in formal or promotional contexts.
• There are no associations with racial stereotypes or derogatory connotations with the term "ping-pong" itself.
• Some consider it overly informal for serious international table tennis competition, but not fundamentally offensive or discriminatory.
• Within parts of the Asian American community, the phrase "ping-pong player" has sometimes been used stereotypically or dismissively to typecast Asian Americans, but that is due to the stereotype itself rather than the term.

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When used appropriately to refer to the sport itself, "ping-pong" is considered a neutral, non-offensive term. It is routinely included in rulebooks, tournament names, and table tennis organizations.

Why is Table Tennis so Popular in China?

China vs Korea men's table tennis at 2012 Olympic Games

• Early History - The sport was introduced into China in the late 1800s and started gaining popularity in the early 1900s. It was seen as an elegant leisure activity for the urban elite.
• Accessibility - Table tennis requires minimal equipment and space, making it highly accessible across all levels of society. It can be played recreationally or competitively.
• National Pride - China has dominated Olympic and world table tennis competitions since the 1950s. The success of Chinese players and teams has made it a major source of national pride.
• Government Support - The Chinese government promoted the sport heavily since the 1950s, seeing it as means for national fitness and international success. Huge investments were made into training programs and facilities.
• Role Models - Star Chinese players like Zhuang Zedong, Deng Yaping, and Ma Long became cultural heroes and inspired new generations of players.
• Grassroots Growth - Schools, workplaces, and communities across China incorporated ping pong into activities, driving widespread participation.
• Social Activity - Table tennis became a popular social activity across age groups, played casually at home, work, or in public spaces.
• Olympic Stage - China's table tennis Olympic gold medals raised the sport's profile and visibility within China and internationally.

What are the 5 Basic Rules of Ping-Pong?

While we've probably all played some version of ping-pong, I'd be lying if I said I know all the formal rules. Rather than rattle off multiple pages, the key points can pretty much be summed up in these 5 statements. 

1. The ball must bounce once on each side of the table before players can hit it. The ball can only be hit once before it bounces.
2. The serve must start with the ball behind the endline and be tossed up from an open palm. The ball must be hit so it bounces first on the server's side, then the opponent's side.
3. Players alternate hitting the ball back and forth across the net until a point is scored. Points are scored if the ball isn't returned properly over the net.
4. A game is won by the first player to reach 11 points. However, they must win by a margin of 2 points.
5. Matches are best of 5 or 7 games. Each game starts with a serve and players switch sides after each game. In the final possible game, players switch sides when one player reaches 5 points.

Are Ping-Pong and Table Tennis the Same?

So, while the terms are often used interchangeably, there are some differences. ​In general, ping-pong refers to more informal, recreational play, while table tennis denotes professional, regulated competitive play at the highest levels.

• Ping-pong tends to imply a more recreational, less formal version of the game. Table tennis connotes serious, Olympic-level, competitive play.
• Equipment standards are more strict in official table tennis compared to casual ping-pong. The balls and paddles are regulated by the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation).
• The table dimensions and net height are slightly different in ping-pong vs. table tennis. Ping-pong uses a lower net and smaller playing surface.
• Ping-pong can be played with hardbat paddles without rubber surfaces and more basic balls. Table tennis uses specialized rubber-coated paddles and plastic balls.
• The formal rules of table tennis are more extensive than casual ping-pong house rules. The serve, scoring, and regulations differ.

Why do Table Tennis Players say "Cho"?

There are a few reasons why table tennis players might say "cho" while playing:
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• Exhalation - "Cho" is an exhalation sound that players make as they hit the ball, similar to a grunt in tennis. It allows them to exert force and breathe out.
• Timing - Saying "cho" can help with timing the moment of contact with the ball during a stroke. The sound becomes integrated into muscle memory.
• Rhythm - The vocalization establishes a playing rhythm and cadence that the player gets into.
• Energy - Some players feel saying "cho" helps them put power into their shots and release energy.
• Intimidation - A loud "cho" directed at the opponent may be used to intimidate them or suggest confidence.
• Habit - For some players, saying "cho" simply becomes an ingrained habit from their training and rituals.
• Culture - In Asia, particularly China, shouting "cho" is very common in table tennis as part of the culture. It spreads by imitation among peers.

So in summary, "cho" can help with power, timing, rhythm, and intimidation but is also a cultural phenomenon among Asian table tennis players. It becomes an ingrained verbal tick.

Are There Any Great Table Tennis Books?

Admittedly, there haven't been many published on the sport, but I do have two recommendations. 

1. 100 Days of Table Tennis

Buy On Amazon

Dubina is a former pro and used to run a table tennis academy in the state of Ohio. For full disclosure, he was recently arrested, and while I don't know any details regarding his case, I'll let you make the decision about his book. 

2. Table Tennis Tactics for Thinkers

Buy On Amazon

Hodges is a USATT Certified National Coach and Hall of Famer and knows a thing or two about the sport. This is a super-informative book that will challenge how you think about the game.

Final Thoughts

Table tennis or ping-pong is a tremendous "life sport," that is easy to play recreationally, and good way to burn a few calories with a friend. 

Several years ago, I was at a "ping-pong bar," and I noticed comedian Frank Caliendo in a heated match with a friend. Frank was actually pretty good, and I've always been a fan of his comedy, especially his Jon Gruden bits. 

I hope you enjoyed today's piece. For more articles, please check out the rest of our Blog.