Table tennis terms explained
Rally: the back-and-forth of shots until someone wins the point.
Forehand and backhand: a forehand is hit on the side of your playing hand. A backhand is hit on the other side, across your body.
Topspin, backspin and sidespin: the way the ball spins. Topspin makes it dip and jump forward. Backspin (also called underspin or chop) makes it float low. Sidespin makes it curve left or right.
Let: a serve that touches the net but still lands correctly. You play it again. Volley: hitting the ball before it bounces on your side. It loses the point.
Deuce: the score is tied at 10–10 (or later), so play on until someone is 2 points ahead. Game point and match point: the next point wins the game or the match.
Quick quiz
1. What is a rally?
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The exchange of shots until a point is won. A rally is the back-and-forth exchange of shots until someone wins the point.
2. Which spin makes the ball float and stay low?
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Backspin. Backspin (also called underspin or chop) makes the ball float and stay low.
3. What does deuce mean?
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The score is tied at 10–10 or later. At deuce play continues until one player leads by 2.
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