About Roger Watkin Expertise I can answer any question regarding tactics, offensive and defensive play, serving, how to make every point count! I can also advise on the history of table tennis.
Experience I have played table tennis since 1960 and have organised table tennis clubs.
Organizations Te Rama Table Tennis Club, Wellington, New Zealand.
NZ Table Tennis Association.
Publications New Zealand Table Tennis Association website: www.tabletennis.org.nz
Expert: Roger Watkin Date: 8/22/2001 Subject: Ping pong set-up
Question what is the standard dimension of a ping pong table?
Answer Hi jun. Here's the table dimensions from the US Table Tennis website (www.usatt.org/rules/index.shtml):
1. The Table
1.1 The table shall be in surface rectangular, 274 cm. (9 ft.) in length, 152.5 cm. (5 ft.) in width. It shall be supported so that its upper surface, termed the playing surface, shall lie in a horizontal plane 76 cm. (2 ft. 6 in.) above the floor.
1.2 It shall be made of any material and shall yield a uniform bounce of about 23 cm. (8 3/4 in.) when a standard ball is dropped from a height of 30 cm. (12 in.) above the surface.
1.3 The playing surface shall be dark colored and matt, with a white line 2 cm. (3/4 inch) wide along each edge.
1.3.1 The lines along the 152.5 cm. (5 ft.) edges or ends shall be termed end lines, and they shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions.
1.3.2 The lines along the 274 cm. (9 ft.) edges or sides shall be termed side lines.
1.4 For doubles, the playing surface shall be divided into halves by a white line 3 mm. (1/8 in.) wide, running parallel with the side lines, termed the center line. Permanent marking of the center line shall not invalidate the table for singles play. The center line shall be regarded as part of each right half court.
1.5 The playing surface shall be considered to include the top edges of the table, but not the sides of the table top below the edge.
2. The Net Assembly
2.1 The playing surface shall be divided into two "courts" of equal size by a vertical net running parallel to the end lines.
2.2 The net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension, and the supporting posts, including the clamps attaching them to the table.
2.3 The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each end to an upright post 15.25 cm. (6 in.) high, the outside limits of the post being 15.25 cm. outside the side lines.
2.4 The net, with its suspension, along its whole length, shall be 15.25 cm. (6 in.) above the playing surface. The bottom of the net, along its whole length, shall be as close as possible to the playing surface and the ends of the net shall be as close as possible to the supporting posts.
