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As a ping pong enthusiast, you can’t help but wonder about the history of ping pong. Basically, most people think that table tennis or ping pong started out in China. This is a common misconception although China produces some of the best table tennis players in the world.
So, here is a brief history of ping pong or table tennis to accurately know about its humble beginnings.
Our story begins in England in the year 1880. Table tennis at that time was played by Victorians of the era as a recreational activity. During those times, dinner parties were often associated with table tennis games as a form of entertainment to the guests.
During that time, tennis was a very popular sport. However, because people wanted to play tennis but didn’t want to go outside in their formal attire, they invented a small version of tennis, which is now commonly known as table tennis. Often played indoors, this game became widely popular among most people in England.
During this era, the corks from champagne bottles and knotted pieces of strings were used as the balls. The paddles were lids of cigar boxes. As you can see, table tennis in those times was quite primitive. This is due to the fact that there was no existing table tennis sporting goods store.
However, because of the popularity of the game, a lot of people who wanted to start their own business started opening up sporting goods and designed paddles and specially made balls for table tennis. With this, ping pong developed to be a sport rather than a recreational game.
From these humble beginnings, you will see that the sport of ping pong eventually became very popular among many people.
Today, you will see international tournaments and quite a lot of sporting goods store that sells different kinds of ping pong accessories. You will have access to different kinds of paddles with different handles, and there are even shoes that are specifically designed for playing table tennis.
From corks and cigar lids, table tennis became one of the most popular sports in the world.
So, the next time you think about table tennis originating in China, you should try thinking again. Table tennis or ping pong as most people call this sport, originated in the 1880 in England as a humble recreational game to entertain dinner guests.

The game of ping pong is definitely very exciting. It is a fast paced game where you are always on your toes and alert. Now, if you are a ping pong player who wants to learn about the different tactics in order to win points, you will want to watch videos of ping pong on YouTube or other video sharing websites.
Here, you will see that you will be able to access different ping pong videos that you can watch for entertainment or for learning. From legendary ping pong matches to instructional videos, you will see that you will be able to find it on video sharing websites such as YouTube.
You will also find different kinds of videos that are specified for different ping pong skill level. If you are a beginner, you will find different videos that will be able to explain about the basics of ping pong, such as the different grips on the ping pong paddle, and also about the official rules of ping pong.
Another great thing about online videos is you will also learn about the proper equipment that you need in order to start playing ping pong as well as what equipment you should choose.
You need to know the fact that every person has different needs when it comes to their ping pong equipment. They will vary in the style of the way they play and also vary in the grip they use. What this means is that they will also need different equipment in order to play at an optimum level.
You will also learn about the different strokes used in ping pong and how to properly execute them. With these educational videos, you will be able to add some strokes to your ping pong arsenal and surprise your opponents.
If you have a favorite professional ping pong player and you want to watch them play in order to learn from them, you will see that you can easily find it on video sharing websites. You will find numerous matches of your favorite professional ping pong players and in fact, you can also find legendary matches of past ping pong legends.
There are also entertaining videos where ping pong players displays their skill with the paddle and the ball. In fact, there is even a video where the player tumbled and dove just to reach the ball.
These are the things that you can get in ping pong videos online. So, the next time you want to learn more about ping pong, about the different tactics and tricks to win, and also watch different matches that features your favorite professional ping pong players, watching it online on YouTube or other video sharing websites is your number one choice.

Ping pong is indeed one of the most popular sports that many people from all over the world play today. It is a fast paced sport that requires good reflexes and also good hand to eye coordination. However, in order to win in ping pong, you need to remember that this game is more than just a physical game where you need quick reflexes. It is also a game that requires quick thinking.
Because ping pong is a very fast game, it will also require you to think ahead of your shots in order to know where to place your next shot. Although quick reflexes can help you achieve victory, it is always important that your mind be able to process different kinds of strategy as you are playing the game.
Another thing about ping pong is that most beginners are often psyched out by more experienced players. More often than not, many beginners tend to keep the scores in their head. Because of this, they tend to become nervous, tense up, and unable to concentrate on the game.
Try not to think about the scores and just hit the ball and focus on your strategy.
You should also be able to analyze your opponent effectively. What this means is that you need to try and anticipate what kind of shots they will give you next. Studying your opponent will help and you can also try psyching them out by hitting a few unexpected drives. Even if the drive misses, they will think that you are an aggressive player and will focus more on their defense. Always remember that most of the time, aggressive players win.
You also need to remember that thinking too much will take a lot of time and will tend to let you lose time to react on the ball given to you. Just hit the ball and just think of another next move once you determine what ball your opponent is giving you.
Also, by studying your opponent, you will be able to determine their strengths and weaknesses. Early on in the game, try testing their backhand, forehand, and also give them different kinds of serves as well as different ball situations. By doing this, you will be able to have an idea on what their weak spot are that you should abuse and what strength they have that you should avoid.
These are the things that you need to remember about playing ping pong. Even if you have good reflexes and are fast in moving around, the key to victory is by knowing how to think and creating a strategy. Think of ping pong as a fast paced chess game where you need to outsmart your opponents in order to win.

In any sport, a player must be fit in order to bring out his or her competitiveness and beat their opponents. By being fit, you will be able to run faster, jump higher, throw things farther and have more stamina. So, just how does being physically fit improve the way you play ping pong?
When you are a beginner, being physically fit isn’t that important in table tennis. It is fun and there is little or no competitive atmosphere when you play. You just have fun and hit some balls around. Nobody cares. All you need to have in a beginner level is that you should be able to climb a flight of stairs without looking like a wheezing blob when you reach the top.
Basically, it will depend on the level you are in when it comes to playing ping pong.
When you reach the intermediate level, you will see that physical fitness will become more important when playing ping pong. Your opponents will be better when it comes to placing shots on different parts of the table, and you will be balancing and shifting your weight at lot, not to mention the amount of footwork you will go through.
Scoring points is also tougher here and you will need to be stronger in order to give your opponent that point winning drive.
If you get to the advanced level in ping pong, you really need to be physically fit. You will go through long rallies and long rallies mean long games. You have to have a lot of stamina as well as get your muscles to develop in order to prevent burning oxygen while your muscles contract.
To become physically fit in playing table tennis, here are a few aerobic and anaerobic exercises and workouts that you can do.
The first exercise is walking. This is a low impact exercise, and it is also a great way to shed off those extra pounds as well as improve your blood circulation. Improved blood circulation means more oxygen will be delivered to various parts of the body which means more stamina.
You can also start working out on a stationary bicycle. This will not only increase your stamina, but it will also make your leg and thigh muscles stronger especially if you increase the resistance level of the machine. Stronger leg muscles will mean better balance and better footwork when playing table tennis.
For weight training, you may want to try the machines for leg presses and leg crunches. Abdominal exercises are also a must as your swings will be more powerful as the strength of the swings you make will start at your abs. Your biceps and triceps should also be developed in order to provide more strength to your swings.
These are the exercises that you should do in order to become physically fit to play competitive ping pong. As you can see, being physically fit means a lot in table tennis. With it, you will be able to retain your balance effectively, have stronger swings, and you will also have better stamina to give you the edge against your opponents.

As a ping pong player, you need to consider the fact that your equipment is an investment that you need to take care of. Although the equipment isn’t that expensive compared to other sporting equipment; not taking care of your ping pong equipment will not only cause you to constantly purchase replacements but it will also affect the quality of your performance whenever you play ping pong.
One thing that you need to take care of is your paddle and the rubber glued on it.
In order to protect your ping pong paddle and the rubber, you will want to purchase a paddle case. With this, you will be able to effectively protect your ping pong paddle from accidental drops and bumps. You can either choose from a canvas case or there are also some available hard cases that will be able to offer heavy duty protection to your paddle.
If you own a customized paddle, you know how expensive it can be to get one specially made for you. Now, what if you left your paddle on a bench and someone sat on it? It can be quite frustrating and it will indeed cost you a lot of money to get another one made. But, if you are just a beginner, with a pre-made paddle you will want to settle for the canvas type paddle case.
Another thing that you need to protect is the rubber attached to your paddle. This is the one responsible for gripping the ball and making it spin. Without it, you will only achieve weak or little spins on the ball. The rubber will grip the ball and it will also provide you with control.
After a game, you will want to clean the rubber with a water based rubber cleaner that is specially formulated to clean ping pong paddle rubber. With this, it will get rid of the dust, oil and other contaminants that it accumulated during the game. You will be able to get this in your local sporting goods store. With it, you will keep your rubber as good as new.
After cleaning it, you will also want to further protect it from accumulating dust and other contaminants again. In addition to the paddle case, you will want to get a protection sheet. This is a plastic sheet with light adhesive that sticks to the rubber. Be sure to place these sheets on both sides of your paddle to ensure maximum protection of both rubbers.
These are the ways on how you can take care of the ping pong paddle and the glued rubber. By remembering these things, you can be sure that you will be able to keep your ping pong paddle and rubber as good as new.

As a person who joins ping pong competitions, you’ll really want to win. Whether you play for the prize or the glory, winning is definitely a satisfying experience as all your hard work pays off. However, you can’t expect to win every time. Sometimes, you will also lose because of a more skilled opponent or maybe you just made too many mistakes and you weren’t focused enough before the match started.
Even if you are number one in the world, you can still be defeated by someone who is just a beginner in the competitive ping pong arena. Being defeated by someone who is less skilled or who has less experience than you can definitely be frustrating. You will often ask yourself why and how.
To answer your questions, you might want to review the match. By reviewing your match, you will be able to know what happened and why the less experienced and less skilled opponent beat you in a simple match.
You can do this by getting someone to record all your matches. By recording your matches through a DVD camcorder, you will be able to spot your strengths as well as your weaknesses. You will also spot your mistakes that may have cost you the tournament.
Usually, you can remember the game by using your brain. However, you have to remember that other people are the ones who can easily spot your mistakes. You may think that you did everything right but if you record it you will see yourself in a different perspective.
This is why recording your matches through a camcorder can help you improve your game. It is a better way to spot your weaknesses, and it will also be a better way to learn from your mistakes.
Ping pong isn’t something that you can master or perfect. It is a game where you will continuously make mistakes over and over again. In fact, even the number one professional ping pong player today makes mistakes. You need to remember that we are only human and we will make mistakes.
So, in order for you to correct your mistakes and improve your performance when you play ping pong, you will want to record your matches.
As you can see, recording your matches through a camcorder will definitely help you out in improving your skills in ping pong. Through this method, you will be able to learn from the mistakes you’ve made during a match and help you try and minimize your weaknesses.

Ping pong isn’t just about whacking a ball as most beginners think. Ping pong is also about learning how to hit the ball strategically and correctly in order to win a point. There are a few paddle strokes that you need to learn in order to have a competitive edge against other players or be on the level with more experienced players.
By learning the different ping pong paddle strokes, you will be able to hit the ball correctly and with more power and also with more precision. Using the correct paddle stroke in the right situation will give you good accuracy or control of the ball as well as giving it power and spin that can win a match.
The first stroke that you need to learn is the push. This kind of stroke is simple as you will just guide the ball to your opponent’s side of the table. It may not have a lot of power or spin but this stroke can guarantee a safe way for you to return a serve. Usually this stroke is aimed close to the net or you can try pushing the ball long so it will bounce deep on your opponent’s side of the table.
The block is where you return a powerful shot or a heavily spun ball. This kind of stroke doesn’t require you to swing the ball. Because the shot you will be returning is already very powerful, you don’t need to exert more power by swinging your paddle. All you need is to block the ball and you will see that the ball will return to your opponent’s side of the table.
The kill stroke is another stroke that you should learn about in ping pong. This is also called a drive, smash or slam. This stroke is used to win the point with speed. Although it can be blocked, you will see that this will keep your opponent on the defensive position as you continue on attacking.
When you encounter a drive, the counter-drive stroke is the best thing you can use. What you need to do is make solid contact with the ball with your paddle without putting some spin on it. Try hitting the ball with this stroke as it is on the top of its bounce and stroke when it is at eye level. Just do it with little follow through as too much follow through will either take the ball too long that it will not bounce at your opponent’s side of the table or you will be too late to get back in position to counter another drive. This is a great stroke to sustain rallies and also a strategy to plan a counter attack.
The chop is also a great stroke that you should know about in ping pong. With a firm wrist, brush the underside of the ball with a chopping motion as the ball falls back after the bounce. This will create an under spin which can be very tricky for your opponent to counter.
These are some of the available strokes that you should learn in order to have more power, control and spin to the ball when playing ping pong. With the different strokes available, you can be sure that you will be able to improve your game and become better at playing ping pong.

Do you want to be good in playing ping pong? If you do, then you may want to learn about the different types of serves in the game in order to have the advantage.
When playing ping pong, you need to remember that the person serving the ball will have the advantage. They will be the one who will be able to attack first and leave the receiving end in a defensive position. However, not knowing what kind of ball to serve will turn the table in a blink of an eye and the person serving will be the one who will be in the defensive position.
Basically, the serve will require you to let the ball bounce once on your side of the table and once on your opponent’s side of the table. However, you need to remember that there are a variety of serves that can work to your advantage. If you are a beginner, you will usually serve a flat serve that will have a little spin on the ball. If you watch ping pong competitions, you will see that the player serving will put some spin on the ball in order to manipulate it and make it work to their advantage.
The different serves are top-spin, side-spin, back-spin and a no-spin.
When you are serving a top spin serve, you have to slide the paddle over the top of the ball. This will make the ball curve downward during its flight and will skip after it hits your side of the table. The spin will cause the ball to accelerate very fast and works best if it hits the far end of the table on your opponent’s side.
The side spin serve is where you bring the paddle across your body. For the right handed player, this will generate a clockwise spin and counterclockwise spin for the left handed player when you view the ball from above. The great thing about this kind of serve is that when your opponent hits the ball flat, there is a greater chance that the ball will deflect at an angle and not hit the table.
The back spin or the under spin serve is very useful against less experienced players. To serve this kind of ball, you will need to make a chopping motion with the paddle as you hit the ball. This ball is very hard to attack and is great for aggressive players and beginners.
The no spin serve is a great way to confuse your opponents. Try serving spin serves twice and then on your third serve, try out the no spin serve. Your opponent will expect you to serve a spin serve but ends up with a no spin serve that is very fast and will leave them with less time to react and more chances of making a mistake.
These are the different serves that you must learn in ping pong. By mastering these serves, you will be able to have the advantage over your opponents.

In any kind of sport, you need to practice and go through training in order to become better when playing the game. In ping pong, you also need to train in order to have a better chance in winning games and also have an advantage over your opponents.
A lot of people think that ping pong is a simple game that can be effectively played by anybody and that it requires little or no practice in order to play a good game. However, you need to consider that although this sport doesn’t require a lot of movement, you have to consider that this is a fast paced game where it can be very challenging for both players.
The thing about ping pong is that it is more than just getting the ball to the other side of the table. You also need to think quickly and make the right decisions in a very fast manner.
Playing ping pong is like playing chess. You need to think about what strategy you need to apply in order to beat your opponent and force them to make a mistake when hitting the ball and winning. As soon as your opponent serves the ball or as soon as they return the ball to your side of the table, it is important that you should immediately decide on where you should place the ball.
Basically, finding your opponent’s weakness in ping pong is the key to victory. Accurately placing shots to your opponent’s weakness will force them to give you an easy ball and let you prepare for the big finish, which is the drive.
Another important aspect about the game is ball manipulation. There are a lot of paddle stroke techniques that you need to know in order to confuse your opponent with the different kinds of spins that you can apply to the ball to force your opponent to make a mistake and give you an easy ball which is essential for a big drive.
You also need to remember that it is also important to know how to recover from your mistakes. For example, if you gave your opponent hits an easy ball that will let them prepare for a big drive, you need to know how to read the type of swing that your opponent is going to hit the ball with. It can be a big drive or it can be a swing that will give the ball a spin. By knowing how to read the swing of your opponents, you will be able to know what to do next in order to recover from your mistakes.
Being the person serving the ball is perhaps the most advantageous position in table tennis. You need to know how to give the ball different spins in order to make your opponent return an easy ball. With it, you will be able to have the advantage and allow you to win the game.
These are some of the basics on how you can improve your game in ping pong. By knowing about ball manipulation and practicing your reflexes as well as knowing how to decide on what strategy you need to go for, you will be able to win more games.

If you join ping pong tournaments, you know that it is more than just knowing how to play the game with your physical skills. Everyone who enters the tournament is determined to win and everyone will also want to beat everyone else for the prize or for the glory.
Whatever your reason to win is, you will want to know how to prepare yourself properly in order to have the edge against your opponents.
You know that practicing your skills with the paddle and the ball is important. However, have you ever considered the fact that ping pong is also a mental game? You also need to be mentally prepared in order for you to bring out the best in your game. By being mentally prepared, you will be focused, and your decision making skills will be a lot better.
You have to remember that table tennis isn’t just about quick reflexes and good skills with the paddle. It is also about knowing what to do and being able to strategize. Ping pong will require you to think of the moves you need to do in order to win a point and you need to think fast.
So, here is an example of a mental workout that you might want to do the day before your match. It will only take you about 5 to 10 minutes to do this exercise.
The first thing that you need to do is focus on the game. Clear everything from your mind and just think about the upcoming game. Try to relax and breathe deeply and concentrate on the tactics that you need to do in order to beat your opponent in the match.
Visualizing your strategy will make it clearer for you to focus on the match.
There are basically three mental preparation techniques that you can do. The first is called mental play, which involves relaxing your mind by freeing it from irrelevant things. The second is the visual kinetic perception where you will exercise your mind to face unexpected conditions, and the last technique is the distinctive points, which you will use to correct any mistakes you do in the game.
With these techniques, you will see that you will be able to concentrate more on the game and handle any mistakes you make when you are playing.
What you need to achieve is an excited condition before the game starts and at the same time, you should be able to concentrate on the things that you need to do to win.
These are the mental preparations that you need to do before a ping pong match. With your mind clear from any irrelevant thoughts, you can be sure that you will be able to focus more on the game and bring out your best.