Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Table Tennis Is a Pastime That Never Gets Old

Table tennis, or ping-pong, is a game in which two opponents hit a small ping pong ball back and forth across a table, divided by a net, using ping pong paddles. Created in 1926, table tennis has changed and become more of a sport over the decades and has even been classified as an Olympic sport. While created originally as a favorite hobby for the young and old alike, this game has become a competitive sport, and has been redesigned by many players to accommodate their wants and size of social gatherings. You can even find any type of table to meet your sporting needs.

While the original table tennis table was a hard table approximately 9 feet long and 5 feet wide, many different types have been created to accommodate more than just two players, and to give the player a different feel when competing. There are many options available, such as a triangular table to allow 3 players to play, an octagonal table that allows 4 players to play, and even a hexapong table designed to allow 6 players to compete at once. In colleges across the world, young adults have even created their own version of this multi-faceted game called beer pong. While there are no official rules or table guidelines for this version of table tennis, the general idea is to get your ping pong ball into your opponents beer cup, which in turn has them consume the entire glass of beer. The first person to give up is considered the loser, while the remaining opponent in crowned champion.

Choosing a paddle is just as important as choosing the table you will be playing on because different table tennis paddles offer different speeds, spins, and will be easier to control based on the type of grip you choose. While paddles are generally made up of wood covered in some sort of thin rubber material, choosing a paddle with a straight handled grip is the best option which will give the player more flexibility and control. If playing professionally, choosing something sturdy with a sponge like cover is the best option, while really anything that allows you to hit the ball with ease will work for in-home play.

Ping pong is one of the few pastimes that refuses to go out of style. With new techniques, tables, and rules created with every generation, this sport is sure to stay in style for decades to come. This is truly a pastime that never gets old.

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