MAPEH8 PEH Q2W7&8D3: Introduction to Table Tennis (History, Goal, and Skills)

Learning Goals

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. Describe the origin and historical development of table tennis.
2. Explain the goals and importance of table tennis as a sport.
3. Identify and demonstrate basic skills used in table tennis.

Key Ideas & Terms

• Table Tennis (Ping-Pong) – a fast-paced indoor sport played by striking a lightweight ball across a table divided by a net.
• Racket (Paddle) – the implement used to strike the ball.
• Serve – the act of putting the ball into play at the start of a rally.
• Rally – the continuous exchange of shots until a point is scored.
• Spin – the rotation of the ball affecting its path and bounce.
• Footwork – the movement of the feet to position the body for strokes.
• Stroke – a hitting action (e.g., forehand, backhand, push, block, smash).

Quick Recall / Prior Knowledge

Activity: Sports Connection – Match each sport to its main equipment.

1. Badminton
2. Table Tennis
3. Volleyball

a. Shuttlecock and racket
b. Paddle and lightweight ball
c. Ball and net (hands to strike)

Show Answer

1 → a (Badminton)
2 → b (Table Tennis)
3 → c (Volleyball)

Mini-Reflection: What do you notice about how the ball/object is hit in each sport?

Show Answer

Different striking tools or body parts are used—badminton uses a racket, table tennis uses a paddle, and volleyball uses the hands.

Explore the Lesson

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1) Introduction

Table tennis—also known as ping-pong—is a rapid indoor sport built around precision, timing, and placement. This section explores its history, goal, and skills so you can understand how the game evolved and what makes it exciting and accessible.

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2) History of Table Tennis

• Origins: Emerging in late 19th-century England, table tennis began as an after-dinner parlor game using household items (books as rackets, corks or golf balls as balls, books or string as a net).
• Names: The onomatopoeic nickname “ping-pong” led to trademarks; the sport’s standard name is Table Tennis.
• Organization: The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) formed in 1926; the first World Championships occurred the same year.
• Olympics: Table tennis debuted at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Guiding Question: Why did the sport thrive indoors?

Show Answer

Early players adapted dining rooms for play, making weather irrelevant and space requirements small; this accessibility encouraged rapid growth.

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3) Goal of the Game

The objective is simple: score points by making the opponent unable to return the ball correctly. Players do this by varying speed, spin, and placement, while avoiding faults (net contact, missed table, illegal serve).

Checkpoint 1 – Reflection: How is this similar to other net games you know?

Show Answer

Like badminton or tennis, the rally crosses a net and ends when one side cannot legally return the shot.

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4) Core Skills

Grip

• Shakehand: Feels natural for beginners; balanced for forehand and backhand.
• Penhold: Common in Asia; offers unique angles, especially close to the table.

Guiding Question: Which grip would you start with and why?

Show Answer

Most beginners choose the shakehand grip for its comfort and balanced stroke access.

Stance & Footwork

• Ready position: knees bent, weight forward, paddle centered.
• Footwork patterns: side-step shuffle, pivot, cross-step when needed.

Show Answer

Good footwork positions your body for cleaner contact and better control, increasing consistency.

Basic Strokes

• Forehand/Backhand Drive: Controlled forward swing for attack.
• Push: Gentle, low shot to keep the ball short.
• Block: Defensive contact against fast balls.
• Smash: Powerful finishing stroke.

Guiding Question: Which stroke requires the quickest reaction?

Show Answer

The block, since you must react instantly to high-speed shots.

Serving Essentials

• Toss the ball at least ~16 cm upward before contact.
• Strike from behind the end line; first bounce on your side, then over the net.
• Vary spin and placement to control the rally’s start.

Understanding Spin

• Topspin: Dips downward on the far side; good for aggressive play.
• Backspin: Floats and stays low; useful for defense and short play.
• Sidespin: Curves sideways; effective on serves and openings.

Real-Life Connection: Spin is like a curveball in baseball—changing flight and bounce to outsmart opponents.

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5) Benefits of Playing Table Tennis

• Physical: Hand–eye coordination, reflexes, agility, aerobic activity.
• Mental: Focus, decision-making, stress relief.
• Social: Inclusive, space-efficient, playable in schools and homes.

Checkpoint 2 – Mini Quiz: Which item below is not a typical benefit?

1. Improved reaction time
2. Teamwork with six players per side
3. Enhanced concentration
4. Reduced stress

Show Answer

B – Table tennis is played solo or doubles, not six per side.

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6) Comparison with Other Sports

Table tennis shares a net-and-racket structure with tennis and badminton but differs in scale and mechanics: a smaller surface, lighter ball, and emphasis on spin and reaction make it highly accessible.

Guiding Question: Why might schools without large courts prefer table tennis?

Show Answer

It needs minimal space and inexpensive gear and can be set up indoors year-round.

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7) Case Study – A Beginner’s Journey

Carla started with an awkward grip and frequent misses. By switching to the shakehand grip and practicing footwork and basic drives, she reached 10-shot rallies. Adding spin later made her offense harder to read.

Reflection: What life lesson from Carla applies to your studies?

Show Answer

Improvement comes from patient, step-by-step practice and honest feedback—useful in academics and daily tasks.

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8) Mini-Summaries

• History: England (1800s), ITTF (1926), Olympics (1988).
• Goal: Win points via speed, spin, and placement.
• Skills: Grip, stance, footwork, strokes, serve, spin.
• Benefits: Physical, mental, and social gains; high accessibility.

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9) Extended Thinking

Critical Thinking: How can schools with limited equipment still teach table tennis effectively?

Show Answer

Improvise paddles, use lightweight balls or balloons, and set a rope or books as a net; focus on stroke drills and rallies.

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Closing Reflection

Table tennis blends history, precision, and quick thinking. Understanding its goal and skills prepares you to play for fitness and fun—anytime, anywhere.

Example in Action

Worked Example 1: History

When and where did table tennis originate, and what objects were first used as makeshift rackets and balls?

Show Answer

England, 1800s; books as rackets; cork or golf ball as the ball.

Worked Example 2: Olympic Sport

In what year did table tennis officially become part of the Olympic Games?

Show Answer

1988 (Seoul Olympics).

Worked Example 3: Goals

What is the primary goal of playing table tennis during a match?

Show Answer

Score by making the opponent unable to return the ball correctly.

Worked Example 4: Skills – Grip

Which grip is most commonly recommended for beginners, and why?

Show Answer

Shakehand—natural feel and balanced access to both sides.

Worked Example 5: Benefits

Name two benefits of playing table tennis for students.

Show Answer

Better hand–eye coordination/reflexes; improved focus/stress relief.

Now You Try

1. Which spin causes the ball to dip downward quickly?
   Show Answer

   Topspin.
2. What do you call the continuous exchange of shots?
   Show Answer

   Rally.
3. Why are stance and footwork important?
   Show Answer

   They position you for timely, controlled contact.
4. What was the original popular name before “table tennis”?
   Show Answer

   Ping-Pong.
5. How does table tennis promote social interaction?
   Show Answer

   Casual or competitive play, doubles teamwork, and easy setup encourage bonding.

Try It Out

1. In which country did table tennis originate?
   Show Answer

   England.
2. What year did table tennis join the Olympics?
   Show Answer

   1988.
3. What is the primary objective of playing table tennis?
   Show Answer

   To score by making the opponent fail to return the ball correctly.
4. Name the two most common paddle grips.
   Show Answer

   Shakehand and Penhold.
5. Which stroke is a powerful, downward finisher?
   Show Answer

   Smash.
6. Define rally in table tennis.
   Show Answer

   The continuous exchange of shots until a point.
7. Why is spin important?
   Show Answer

   It changes flight/bounce, making returns harder.
8. One physical benefit of table tennis?
   Show Answer

   Improved hand–eye coordination/reflexes/agility.
9. One mental benefit?
   Show Answer

   Better focus and decision-making.
10. How can students play without official equipment?
    Show Answer

    Improvise paddles, use light balls, set a rope/books as net.

Check Yourself

Part A: Multiple Choice

1. Where did table tennis originate?
   1. China
   2. England
   3. Japan
   4. United States
   Show Answer

   B. England
2. In which year did table tennis become an Olympic sport?
   1. 1926
   2. 1960
   3. 1988
   4. 2000
   Show Answer

   C. 1988
3. Which grip is most recommended for beginners?
   1. Penhold
   2. Shakehand
   3. Reverse
   4. Overhand
   Show Answer

   B. Shakehand
4. Main objective of table tennis?
   1. Keep the ball in play forever
   2. Score points by opponent errors
   3. Hit as hard as possible
   4. Play until someone gets tired
   Show Answer

   B. Score points by making the opponent miss or return incorrectly
5. Which stroke is defensive and used to stop a fast ball?
   1. Smash
   2. Block
   3. Push
   4. Drive
   Show Answer

   B. Block

Part B: True or False

6. The original name was “ping-pong”.
   Show Answer

   True.
7. Serves require an upward toss before striking.
   Show Answer

   True.
8. The ball is heavier than a tennis ball.
   Show Answer

   False.
9. Spin has little effect on movement.
   Show Answer

   False.
10. Table tennis is mainly an outdoor sport.
    Show Answer

    False.

Part C: Short Answer

11. Define rally.
    Show Answer

    Continuous exchange of shots until a point is scored.
12. Name two common grips.
    Show Answer

    Shakehand and Penhold.
13. Purpose of footwork?
    Show Answer

    To reach ideal position for controlled strokes.
14. One physical and one mental benefit.
    Show Answer

    Physical: coordination/reflexes; Mental: focus/decision-making.
15. Why is table tennis highly accessible?
    Show Answer

    Small space, low-cost gear, year-round indoor play for all ages.

Go Further

1. Timeline Creation: Plot origins, ITTF (1926), first Worlds (1926), Olympics (1988).
   Show Guidance

   Mark dates and add brief notes on significance.
2. Interview a Player: Ask about enjoyment, key skills, and benefits.
   Show Guidance

   Compare responses with lesson takeaways to spot patterns.
3. Improvised Equipment: Build a simple setup with books as paddles and string as a net.
   Show Guidance

   Ensure safety and enough space for basic rallies.
4. Skills Drill: Alternate forehand/backhand bounces on the paddle.
   Show Guidance

   Count consecutive contacts; aim to beat your personal best.
5. Research Task: Compare promotion of table tennis in another Asian country with the Philippines.
   Show Guidance

   Look at training systems, popularity, achievements, and school support.

My Reflection

Complete this 3-2-1 Reflection in your notebook:

• 3 Things I Learned about table tennis (history, goal, skills).
• 2 Skills I Want to Practice.
• 1 Question I Still Have.