Table Tennis Honor

Recreational Activities

Requirements

1. Write a paragraph of at least 10 lines explaining how the practice of table tennis began in your country.

   Answer: In Brazil, table tennis arrived in the early 20th century, brought by European immigrants (especially the English) and, later, also by Japanese immigrants, who helped popularize the sport. At first it was played recreationally in clubs in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Over time, the sport became organized and the Brazilian Table Tennis Confederation (CBTM) was founded in 1979, going on to coordinate competitions and state federations. Today table tennis is played in schools, clubs and churches throughout the country, being one of the most popular racket sports in Brazil. — Hugo Calderano, from São Paulo, is the best table tennis player in the history of the Americas — he reached 3rd place in the ITTF world ranking in 2023, the first Brazilian/South American to achieve that position in more than 90 years of the sport on the continent.

2. What is the difference between ping-pong and table tennis?

   Answer: Ping-pong and table tennis are the SAME game; the difference lies in the context and formality. PING-PONG is the popular/informal name, played recreationally (at home, churches, clubs), with flexible rules and any equipment; the term 'Ping-Pong' is even a registered trademark. TABLE TENNIS is the official name of the competitive sport, regulated by the ITTF (world) and the CBTM (Brazil), with strict rules, approved equipment (table, net, ball, and paddle in standardized dimensions), and an Olympic presence since 1988. — The ITTF changed the ball from 38 mm to 40 mm in 2000 and later from celluloid to ABS plastic in 2014 — changes that reduced the speed of play, making it more television-friendly, a demonstration of how an official sport is constantly refined technically.

3. What is the equipment necessary to play a match?

   Answer: Equipment needed for a match: (1) official TABLE — 274 cm long × 152.5 cm wide × 76 cm high, matte green or blue, divided in half by a white line; (2) NET — 15.25 cm in height × 1.83 m in width, stretched across the center of the table; (3) BALL — plastic, 40 mm in diameter, 2.7 g, white or orange; (4) RACKET — wooden blade covered with rubbers (one red face and one black face), approved by the ITTF. Sports clothing and appropriate footwear are also recommended. — The two-color rule for rackets (one red face and one black face) was instituted in 1983 by the ITTF to prevent players from deceiving their opponents about the type of rubber in use — before that, both faces could be the same color with different effects.

4. How many and what are the types of grips?

   Answer: There are TWO main grips: (1) CLASSIC / Handshake (Shakehand grip) — the racket is held as in a handshake, with the thumb and index finger resting on the blade and the other fingers on the handle; it allows good use of both forehand and backhand, being the most common among Westerners and Europeans. (2) PEN (Penhold grip) — the racket is held like someone holding a pen, with the thumb and index finger on the front of the handle and the other fingers behind; it favors the forehand and wrist agility, being traditional among Asians. Each one has variations (e.g.: Chinese and Japanese/Korean penhold). — The Brazilian Hugo Calderano uses the European (classic) Shakehand style — his technique is considered a world reference for the combination of forehand power and backhand versatility, training developed in Germany since he was 14 years old.

5. Which organization is responsible for regulating the practice of table tennis at the world level? And at the national level?

   Answer: At the WORLD level: ITTF — International Table Tennis Federation, founded in 1926 in Berlin, currently headquartered in Lausanne (Switzerland); it brings together more than 220 national federations and is responsible for official rules, the world ranking, the international calendar, and Olympic qualification. At the NATIONAL level (Brazil): CBTM — Brazilian Table Tennis Confederation, founded in 1979, affiliated with the ITTF; it organizes national championships, the Brazilian ranking, and coordinates the state federations of the sport in the country. — The ITTF is one of the oldest international sports federations — it was founded on the initiative of William Henry Lawes (England) and Ivor Montagu (a member of the English nobility who became president of the organization for decades), pioneers who organized the first World Championship in London in that same year of 1926.

6. Name at least 15 official table tennis rules adopted in your country.

   Answer: 15 official rules: (1) Table 274×152.5×76 cm; (2) Net 15.25 cm high; (3) Plastic ball 40 mm/2.7 g; (4) On the serve, the ball is thrown up from the open palm, vertically, at least 16 cm; (5) On the serve, the ball bounces first on the server's side and then on the opponent's side; (6) The serve alternates every 2 points; (7) The set is won by whoever reaches 11 points with a 2-point advantage; (8) If the tie persists at 10-10, play continues until there is a 2-point difference; (9) The match is best of 5 or best of 7 sets; (10) A point is scored when the opponent fails to return, lets the ball bounce twice, or sends it out/into the net; (11) The ball may touch the net during the rally and remains valid; (12) On the serve, if the ball touches the net and lands correctly, it is replayed (let); (13) It is a fault to touch the table with the free hand or to move it; (14) You cannot hit the ball before it bounces on your own side (a volley is a fault); (15) The paddle must have one red face and one black face, approved by the ITTF. — The rule of matches being best of 5 or 7 sets was standardized in 2001 — before, sets went up to 21 points, a change that reduced the time of each match and made the sport more television-friendly, part of the ITTF's strategy to grow its Olympic audience.

7. What are the official standards for paddles, tables, balls, and nets?

   Answer: RACKET: blade predominantly of wood (at least ~85% natural wood), covered with rubbers approved by the ITTF — mandatorily one RED face and the other BLACK, with the ITTF logo/registration visible. TABLE: 274 cm × 152.5 cm × 76 cm in height, matte green or blue surface, central white line 3 mm wide, returning the ball with a uniform bounce of about 23 cm when dropped from 30 cm. BALL: plastic (ABS), 40 mm in diameter, 2.7 g, white or orange, matte. NET: net+posts assembly 15.25 cm in height, extending 15.25 cm beyond each side edge (total width 1.83 m), taut and touching the table surface along its entire length. — The ITTF maintains an 'Approved Equipment List' with certified rubber models — using non-approved rubber in official tournaments results in automatic disqualification, a policy applied since the 1990s to guarantee technical equality among athletes.

8. Have a paddle in accordance with the rules and know how to keep it clean and well maintained.

   Answer: Have an ITTF-certified racket (wooden blade + red and black rubbers on the faces). Maintenance: (1) clean the rubbers after each use with a slightly damp cloth (only water or a specific cleaner); (2) dry with a soft cotton cloth. — Table tennis rubber loses 'spin' (its ability to generate spin effect) over time due to wear of the surface coating — professional athletes change rubbers every 1-2 weeks in high-level competition, while amateurs can use them for 6-12 months without major noticeable loss.

9. Participate in a championship using the rules adopted by the official institution responsible for table tennis in your country.

   Answer: Register for an official tournament of the CBTM or of an affiliated state/municipal federation (e.g.: FPTM in São Paulo, FEMTM in Minas Gerais), school tournaments, JEMs (Municipal Student Games), the Adventist Table Tennis League (LATM) or university events. — There are more than 350 official tournaments per year in Brazil registered by the CBTM — from the youth category (up to 11 years old) to the veteran category (40+), allowing practitioners of any age to find competitions suitable for registration and real practice.