Ping Pong vs. Table Tennis: Which One Do You Need

Before 2011, Ping Pong and Table Tennis were seen as one single sport. But after 2011, things changed drastically. Here is a detailed rundown of all the things that you need to know about the Ping Pong vs Table Tennis debate.

Ping Pong vs. Table Tennis: The History

Before we can start with our Ping Pong vs. Table Tennis, we need to get the basics out of the way. These include history and the nomenclature analysis. This would enable us to understand the rich history of these games in order to conduct a proper comparative analysis.

The sport of table tennis has been called by many different names throughout history. Some of these names include Parlor Tennis, Indoor Tennis, Whiff-Whaff, and Gossima. In fact, Ping Pong and Table Tennis were considered to be the same sport before 2011. However, things changed with the introduction of the World Championship of Ping Pong in 2011.

When discussing the weirdly colorful history of Table Tennis and Ping Pong, we need to take special care and understand the term Gossima. A parlor game manufacturer named Jacques originally gave this name to the sport. In fact, it was the manufacturer’s attempt to popularise and rebrand the sport of Table Tennis.

Cut to 1926, an official organization named the International Table Tennis Federation was established. The federation did not choose to go with the name Gossima or Ping Pong as they thought these names were a tad bit too informal. As a result, the sport was officially named Table Tennis.

Nomenclature Analysis

The history of Table Tennis and Ping Pong is a muddled one. Even though these games started off as something similar and closely related, they eventually became two distinct sports. As a result, it is very important that we delve deeper into the nomenclature analysis of Table tennis and Ping Pong.

The term Ping Pong is actually a product of onomatopoeia. In other words, the word or phrase is meant to replicate the sound that the ball makes. In fact, the word Ping Pong has been more famous than the word Table Tennis for over 100 years now. However, now the term is used to define a different sport.

Even though Table Tennis and Ping Pong have carved their own identity, people still have a tendency to use these terms freely and extravagantly. This is because both sports share some key factors, such as play area, rackets, etc. The general rule of thumb was that Table Tennis was used in a more formal setting. Ping Pong was used to address the sport informally. But now Table tennis and Ping Pong are two different sports. So what changed?

Ping Pong vs. Table Tennis: Comparative Analysis

Since Ping Pong And Table Tennis are two separate games, it is important that we start looking at these two sports with more clarity and context. As a result, we have compiled a small list of some of the key features to see what sets these games apart. We will start with Playing Area, The Equipment, Scoring, and Popularity & Formality. Let’s go!

Playing Area

One of the first things that we would like to discuss in our Ping Pong vs. Table Tennis is the general playing area. Even though these two games are considered to be different, the general playing area shares some remarkable similarities.

In fact, Ping Pong and TT tables are even made of the same material. As a result, you will not be able to tell the difference between the two. A standard Table Tennis table should be around 9 feet in length, 5 feet wide, and 2.5 feet in height. As a result, a standard ping pong table shares the same dimension as well.

The Equipments

While playing areas might be similar between the two games, pieces of equipment differ. As a result, the gameplay becomes a little different.

In table tennis, the rackets are made of wood. A TT racket can be divided into two parts: the handle and the blade. Both the components are made using carbon fiber or wood. The blade of the racket is layered with sponges and other similar materials. This makes these rackets better suited for ball control.

Ping Pong rackets, on the other hand, come in a single variation. Like the TT rackets, these rackets also have two distinct parts: A blade and a handle. However, these rackets are not layered with sponges and rubbers. In fact, the blade of a Ping Pong racket is lined with sandpaper. This enhances the tactile feel of the rackets and changes the fundamental gameplay.

This is a seminal point of the Ping Pong vs Table Tennis conversation.

Scoring

Scoring is another area that sets Ping Pong apart from Table Tennis. A competitive game of Table tennis is played in rounds. The game is dictated by the ‘best of’ principles. The game is played for an odd number of sets. Whoever wins the most sets wins the game. Each round is played for 11 points. The player who manages to score 11 points faster wins.

With Ping Pong, Things are a tad bit different. A Ping Pong match is also played while following the proponents of ‘best of.’ However, each match is played for 15 points. The most common formats for Ping Pong are ‘Best of 3’ or ‘Best of 5’. However, Ping Pong has introduced a new rule called the double-point ball. If a server calls a double-point ball, he will be awarded an extra point if he manages to score during the serve.

This adds a tactical element to the game of Ping Pong that Table Tennis lacks.

Closing

With that, we have reached the absolute end of our list about Ping Pong vs. Table Tennis conversation. Even though these two games share some remarkable similarities. They are completely different in several other senses.

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