Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Table Tennis Table

The table tennis table is the most essential piece of equipment in the game. Without one, there is no way anyone can play the sport known as ping pong. But for enthusiasts, it can be frustrating because a cheap table tennis table is not easy to find, and you might have to pay a lot of money for one. They have become more affordable nowadays, with many more suppliers being able to provide them at much lower prices due to reduced manufacturing costs.

But are the table tennis tables nowadays of poorer quality then due to the cheaper prices? It really depends on what and which brand of table one finds and buys. If an unrecognizable brand is chosen, do not expect to get any value for money. However, if a trusted brand of table tennis table is selected, then expect durability and longevity of use, which is very important for a higher ticket piece of equipment compared to say ping pong balls or even a racket which are so much cheaper.

There are also different designs of table tennis tables. Depending on what your requirements are, you might prefer a table tennis table that provides a higher bounce or one that serves a faster pace. It comes down to what type of player one is, and what kind of game is preferred. A table tennis table is crucial to meeting such needs and choosing the right one will require some details in these areas, having the information and knowing what is required.

Easy storing and packing might also be one of the important requirements in choosing a suitable table tennis table. There will be designs which allow breaking up the table into smaller pieces, usually in two halves, that allows it to be kept in a box, storeroom, or a corner of the home when no one is playing ping pong. Such models are also great for overseas shipping and ordering, so these could be ideal ping pong tables for anyone without access to decent types near their homes, much like ordering a ping pong DVD to learn more tricks and skills.

There are certain things to look out for when buying a new table tennis table. One of the most important is that the table has a solid foundation. It must not shake when touched, as it will spoil any effort to play the sport of ping pong using such a table. Try to determine before buying that the selected model will not have such problems. Check for reviews of different table tennis tables as they often provide a glimpse of what the various manufacturers' models can offer. If such a table is received, it is useless for playing table tennis. Return the product immediately, ask for a refund, and then purchase one with better quality and design.

It is also important to know how to choose a good table tennis table by knowing what material the table is made from. Whether it comes from wood, metal, aluminium, plastic or other types, it must all come together to give a solid and durable design. Check if there are parts which can be fixed on the ground when in use to avoid further movement, and wheels which come with the table legs that can allow the whole table to be moved from one place to another, and is ideal for an outdoor table tennis table.

Some table designs also allow the table top to be moved up or down. This allows the height of the ping pong table top to be adjusted for players of different heights, such as children, taller or shorter players. Not enough consideration is given to taller players nowadays, but always bending at the waist during a game to receive and hit shots can be a strain on the table tennis player. Ping pong is also a sport that can be played by many disabled individuals, and so having a table with such a feature will also introduce and allow more disabled individuals to enjoy the game by participating in it.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Ping Pong DVD

A ping pong DVD is becoming very popular with fans of the sport and even in the entertainment industry. As the sport grows, so does the variety and number of different titles of ping pong dvds that become available. With more people getting hooked on ping pong, or more popularly known as table tennis, there will be those who are interested in learning more about it, either the rules of the game, how to develop better ping pong playing skills, and also the history of the sport, and other stories like the best players in the world. There are even movies that have been made about ping pong and are made available on DVD.

Buying a ping pong DVD to find out more about the sport is a good way to start. This can either come in the form of a training DVD program, or stories about table tennis, its famous players or the most exciting matches and tournaments ever played in the history of ping pong. The most popular option is to acquire a ping pong instructional DVD, which can be found easily, with the only problem in knowing which title is the best. You might want to learn the rules, basics and skills of ping pong, so that you can play the game with friends. Getting such a DVD can help both you and your friends pick up its intricacies, while find out what smashes, serves and strokes are used and the best for any match.

With a ping pong instructional DVD, it can also eliminate the need for having a professional coach. This saves you money, although sometimes if the desire to become a competitive player is strong, it will help complement the use of the DVD with a personal instructor. But for most people, playing table tennis is a recreational activity, so there is no real need to have a coach. Therefore, the best solution would be to buy a ping pong DVD that teaches you how to play, and not having to spend so much money due to its cheap price.

If you are buying a ping pong instructional DVD, make sure the instructor featured on the disc has a reasonable standard, portfolio and reputation. Some of the best players in the world might have released titles that will teach the basics of the game, but many of them also include advanced table tennis skills which are mostly of interest to other players pursuing a competitive career. So, there might not be a need to always purchase a DVD title that must have a famous ping pong player teaching in it. Instead, a cheaper version could be available from a competent coach who has released a DVD.

Check to see if the DVD also includes other features that shows how to pick good table tennis paddles, positioning with regards to the table tennis table, and greater information on other table tennis equipment including nets, balls and even shoes which are most suitable to be good at the sport. There should also be advice on the exercises that one can practise in order to improve table tennis skills, stamina and endurance. These could be more applicable for serious players but it is never bad to learn how to improve your health through a sport such as this.

These DVDs will also teach specific skills of table tennis that one will need to enjoy it more. Learn things like how to develop wicked back spins, top spins, and how to smash a ball so hard that it is a killer smash that wins points during games. There is also no need to get titles from the famous players to learn their secret skills, because other instructors would also have had learned the mechanics of the skills and feature them on their own DVDs on table tennis.

Where can you find ping pong DVD without spending too much money? Cheap ones can be easily bought online via Internet stores, and they are the best source for finding the largest variety and array of titles available. A DVD on the best table tennis matches, or instructional titles are always easily found online.

Other than the more serious and professional sort of DVDs, a fan of the sport should also look out for one that is entertaining as well, to watch during breaks or leisure time. There are many movies that have been made based on plots surrounding table tennis or ping pong. Two of the most recent are the Hollywood blockbuster from Ben Stiller, Balls of Fury which is available on DVD, as well as the more culturally inclined and sensitive Ping Pong Playa dvd, which can be bought at huge discounts online. Ping pong movies from Hong Kong and China with a mix of martial arts were also made, and while the notion sounds hilarious or over the top, some of them made for very good films.

For the really hands on types, they can also look out for DVD which showcase how to build ping pong tables and other types of related equipment. These are for the handyman who knows his way around building stuff. A DVD on building table tennis tables will be perfect for those who prefer to spend less money making one themselves, instead of spending on buying one. Or it could help to make a second table for outdoor table tennis matches instead of spending extra on a second table, or even moving the existing one in and out of the house.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Ping Pong Basics

Ping pong, or the more popular term table tennis, was first invented in China. Before learning the game and becoming good at it, one has to first understand the history and tradition behind the sport which is lovingly known as ping pong in the East, but the Western world prefers the drab sounding table tennis, as they thought it was a copy of tennis, which in fact it was the opposite.

After giving birth to it, the Chinese brought ping pong to Europe and the rest of the Americas. Why is it called ping pong, and not some other name? Well, if you know Chinese, then you will get it immediately. The Chinese term for the sport is "ping pang", which therefore evolved into ping pong. Soon, this sport which could be played both indoors and outdoors where table tennis tables are set up, quickly became popular from Asia, to the Gulf area and eventually to the rest of the Western countries.

It is also understood that the name of the sport could also have been derived from the sound which ping pong balls hit the paddles, or rackets. Ping pong balls are usually made from a hard plastic or synthetic material filled with air, and when a paddle is used to strike it, the distinct ping and pong sounds will be produced. That could be one way the Chinese came up with the name, which is quite ingenious compared to table tennis, if you think about it.

With the increasing popularity of the game at that time, it was not long before ping pong or table tennis equipment became widely available. These included the requisite table tennis balls, paddles or rackets, nets and covers, as well as the essential tables on which the sport is played. There will be one player on each end of the ping pong table, with a net separating them in the middle. The players will then hit the ping pong ball to each other in an attempt to make the other miss. Table tennis is a simple game with uncomplicated rules, but one which requires a great level of skill to succeed in it at a competitive level.

The best table tennis players come from Asia and some European countries. With the relaxation of citizenship rules, other countries such as the US and Nigeria have started to import better players from China to represent them on the international stage. This might not be the best for the sport as you end up seeing ping pong players from China most of the time in international table tennis competitions, but it does raise the standard of the game. Furthermore, China players are also definitely the best in the world at the moment, followed closely by European players from Denmark and Germany.

To develop good ping pong basics, one must ensure that the equipment they use is of sufficient quality and standard. Ensure that good table tennis paddles or rackets are used, and avoid thinking that a cheap one might be enough. There are good quality and less expensive paddles, but this is the most important equipment a player will need in the sport.

Table tennis balls are a dime a dozen. They can mostly be purchased cheaply in bulk, and normal retail prices of these ping pong balls are already very low in the first place. With a table tennis table, the surface material and quality must also be good, and make sure the dimensions are correct. Also try to maintain the tables in good condition, and avoid wearing down the surface, sides and corners too much by covering them when not in use.

Modern table tennis has evolved tremendously. The basic rules of ping pong are such that each game is played to a maximum of 11 points in international competition, with matches typically involving a best of 3 or 5 games. This has allowed the sport to prosper as a spectator sport, as the matches are fast due to table tennis players serving and hitting the balls are full force and maximum speeds. In recent months, there has also been a change to the type of table tennis paddles surface that can be used in official international tournaments. This was aimed to further level the playing field. One can also learn more about the different rules, skills and technique of the sport through a ping pong DVD.

Ping pong, or table tennis, was almost exclusively an indoor sport before it became playable and popular outdoors as well. It was restricted to indoors at a time when it became immensely popular due to that fact. People found that they could play a sport without having to leave their homes, or at least stay in the comfort of indoors. But the increasing number of good outdoor table tennis tables being seen worldwide has shown that it has grown beyond the confines of four walls. Playing table tennis outdoors might be a little bit more difficult, as you would have to learn how to overcome the weather aspect such as wind, which can blow the table tennis balls off course or entirely off the table tops.

There are table tennis games made for the computer and arcades too. These were very popular many years ago when they were first created, but have died down for the most part. However, it might even be revived if the Nintendo Wii were to adapt ping pong to their console. Afterall, tennis is already available, so why not the original table tennis for arcade gamers to exercise with great fun?