Table tennis words · Intermediate
The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.
I · Intermediate · 25 words · Step 2 of 2Scoring terms
Obstruction
A player obstructs the ball if they, or anything they wear or carry, touch it when it is above the playing surface or heading towards it, before it has touched their court. The opponent scores the point.
The ruleWhat happens if the ball hits you in table tennis?Double hit
Deliberately striking the ball more than once in a row loses the point.
Moving the table
A player who moves the playing surface, or touches the net assembly, with their body or anything they wear or carry, loses the point.
Serving terms
Outcomes and match format
Para table tennis
Table tennis for players with impairments, including wheelchair players. The Laws have special rules for wheelchairs, for example about keeping contact with the seat when the ball is struck.
See also: Table
The ruleHow is wheelchair table tennis different?Equipment and grip terms
Blade
The wooden part of the racket under the rubber. It is flat and rigid, with at least 85% natural wood by thickness.
Sponge
The layer of cellular rubber between the blade and the outer pimpled rubber in sandwich rubber. It adds speed and spin.
Long pips
A type of rubber with longer rubber spikes that behaves unpredictably and can reverse an opponent's spin.
See also: Rubber
Anti-spin rubber
A smooth rubber that grips the ball very little, used to confuse opponents who rely on heavy spin.
See also: Rubber
Serve variations
Pendulum serve
A common forehand serve where the paddle swings like a pendulum to generate spin.
Tomahawk serve
A serve where the paddle motion looks similar to swinging a small axe, often producing sidespin.
Ghost serve
A serve disguised so well that the type of spin is very hard for the opponent to read.
Short serve
A serve kept low and close to the net so it bounces twice on the opponent's side if left alone.
Long serve
A serve hit deep and fast toward the back of the table, often used to catch an opponent off guard.
See also: Table
Tactical and match terms
Third ball attack
A tactic where a player serves, then attacks hard on the very next shot they get, using the serve to set up the point.
Fifth ball attack
The server's second attack. The serve is ball one, the return ball two, the server's third-ball attack is ball three, the return ball four, and the server attacks again on ball five.
See also: Server
Counter-loop
Returning an opponent's topspin loop with another aggressive loop rather than a defensive block.
Half-long serve
A serve that bounces near the edge of the table, tricky to judge as either short or long.
See also: Table
Timeout
A break of up to one minute that a player or pair may claim once during an individual match. The player or the designated adviser may request it.
Also called: time-out
Expedite system
A rule that speeds up a slow game. It starts after 10 minutes of play in a game, or when both players ask, but not if at least 18 points have been scored. Each player then serves for one point at a time, and the receiver wins the point after making 13 correct returns in a rally.
Playing style terms
Chopper
A defensive style of player who stays far from the table and relies on heavy backspin returns to wear down attackers.
All-round player
A style that mixes attacking and defensive shots depending on the situation, rather than sticking to one approach.
Two-winged looper
A player who attacks with topspin loops from both the forehand and backhand sides.
Blocker
A player who stays close to the table and redirects an opponent's power back at them with minimal swing.
See also: Table