INDOOR
TABLE TENNIS
Information, Guidance
and Recommendations
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Why choose table tennis?
Table tennis is one of the few sports where gender, disability and age are
irrelevant. Everyone can compete against each other on equal terms.
The sport is easy to pick up and play. New players can get competent quickly
but mastery of the game takes longer. It compels players to improve their skills.
These factors make it a sport that will make participants return time and time
again if there is easy access to the playing equipment.
This guide will provide you with information about the equipment you can buy
to set up indoor table tennis. It will also provide guidance about how to set up
a successful, safe and enjoyable table tennis session whether it is at home or in
a sports centre.
Table tennis is an adaptable sport, so whether your aim is to set up a social table
tennis session or to set up a formal club, this guide will provide you with some
useful information to get you started.
We have broadly described the two types of table tennis delivery here. There
is no reason why your delivery cannot be a mix of the two, however it is
important to ensure that the equipment being used will be appropriate to the
type of table tennis you intend to play.
Social Table Tennis (Ping!)
Ping! is the name given to Table Tennis England’s social table tennis delivery.
Social table tennis, often known as ping pong, is on the rise. Table Tennis
England’s Ping! project that puts table tennis tables on city streets for people to
use has proved a great success, with over half a million people playing during
the three years the event has been running. Ping pong played in new
environments, combined with music and art is taking place in many cities
across England. All this demonstrates that this new type of delivery is attractive
to a wide audience. It supports the current trend of making sport available in a
new way, one that fits into people’s daily lives, is social and inexpensive.
Social table tennis is ideal for
workplaces, schools, colleges, pubs
and clubs. It is played away from the
sports hall and in areas such as
canteens, meeting rooms or bar
areas.
The emphasis is on fun and informal
play rather than coaching and
competition. No dress code, no rules,
no structure, just pick up a bat and
play. Add in music, and somewhere
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for people to drink and eat and you have an attractive environment for people
to gather and play.
Naturally some structure and competition can come out of these sessions, but
what form this takes is in the hands of the participants themselves.
Formal Table Tennis
This is table tennis played to the rules of the sport. Coaching and competition
form the core content of these sessions. Typically run by table tennis clubs, play
takes place in a sports hall, using full size tables. Sessions will be led by a coach
and be aimed at participants who want to develop their skills and take part in
competitions.
The type of table tennis offer that is suited to you will depend on the intended
participants, the space you have available, existing table tennis provision and
equipment, plus what funds you have to invest into the sport.
Choosing the Appropriate Equipment
As with all sports there is a vast amount of equipment to choose from. This guide
will not recommend any particular brand or make, but outline the key criteria
you should look for, based on what you need.
Indoor Table Tennis Tables
It’s not table tennis without a table. This
is the most expensive piece of
equipment you will buy, so careful
consideration is needed to ensure that
you choose the right model for your
table tennis sessions.
The Ideal Standard
If space and budget allow, we recommend that the table you purchase should
meet International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) requirements which state that:
• A table should measure 2.74m long, 1.525m wide and be 76cm high.
• The ball should bounce 23cm high when dropped from a height of 30cm.
• The playing surface should be uniformly dark coloured and matt.
• We also recommend that, if possible, the table you purchase is
wheelchair friendly. A wheelchair friendly table will have the legs set
back at least 40cm away from each end.
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Don’t worry, you won’t need to get the measuring tape out! Suppliers will
indicate whether a table meets ‘ITTF Specifications’ and ‘Wheelchair Friendly’
when you browse their website or brochure.
Tables that meet this criteria will usually be called ‘match’ or ‘competition’
tables. These tables are solidly constructed and heavy so require at least two
people to move the tables.
You can expect to pay between £500 to £2,000 for each table that meet the
criteria set out above.
Budget Tables
This range of tables will usually be called ‘recreation’
or ‘home’ tables and are ideal for casual use. They
are of lighter construction and come in a variety of
sizes, from full size to mini tables. These tables are
perfect for ‘pop up’ sessions or for use where space is
limited.
Storage and Transport
All tables can be folded up for storage, however you should consider the
storage space you have available and who will be performing the task.
Rollaway tables are designed to be moved easily.
They fold in the middle and have large wheels for
easy movement, this can usually be done by one
person. These tables require bigger storage space
because of this functionality.
Some of these roll away tables offer ‘playback’
functionality. This is where one half of the table can
remain upright so that a single player can practice
their returns.
Other tables, typically the heavy weight competition tables, come in two halves
and have legs that fold into the frame. Each half can be rolled upright into
storage using the small wheels built into the frame at the net end. Two strong
people are required to put up or breakdown one of these tables. They are
however more compactly stored than the rollaway tables.
We recommend the rollaway design if the tables you use will need to be moved
often. Bear in mind that the complex engineering of the tables generally means
that it’s worth avoiding the budget versions of these tables to ensure good
durability.
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Net Sets
Some tables will come supplied with a net set and others do not. It’s worth
checking that whether you’ll need a net set when you make a purchase.
Instant Ping! Pong
An alternative to purchasing an
actual table tennis table is to use the
tables you already have. The Instant
Ping! Pong pack contains a roll net
which can clip to almost any flat
surface. It takes seconds to set up. The
set also contains bats and balls, plus
a set of play cards to get your table
tennis session started.
The versatility of the pack means that
you can play table tennis almost
anywhere. The pack is available to
order online here:
Bats
As you would expect there is a vast array of bats
available to you. It is easy to get lost in technical
information about spin, speed, attack and defence.
These factors are important for dedicated players,
and very much an individual choice. For purchasing
bats for a group, you should consider the durability
of a bat before all else.
Bats are relatively inexpensive and if made freely
available will guarantee that the tables you
purchase will be used. Ideally the bat you purchase
will have a sponge layer with a rubber surface. Hard
bats, which have no sponge layer are not recommended. You should look to
pay between £6 to £10 for a decent beginner bat.
The one drawback with wooden bats is that people, particularly children, seem
unable to resist peeling off the rubber surface. A bat made from composite
materials is worth considering as an alternative. Tough and durable, these bats
are ideal for use where supervision of participants is limited.
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Balls
Balls range in quality from one star practice balls to three-star competition
quality. The official ball colour is white or orange, but they can also be found in
a range of different colours. The official ball size is 40mm, and this is the size that
most balls you purchase will be, but other sizes are also available.
Balls of different sizes can change the game, for instance, jumbo balls slow the
game down, are highly visible and are great for those just learning the game.
Our only recommendation is that you purchase plenty of balls. They are easily
lost or broken, so having a large stock will avoid having disappointed players.
Court Surrounds
Ensuring that balls are contained within the playing
area and easily collected can be a problem. Court
surrounds are light weight frames with a pvc cover
that prevent most balls from rolling past them.
Robots
Robots are attached to one end of
the table and serve balls to the
player at the other end. They are
great for serious players to practice
their technique and equally as
good for setting up challenges for
everyone to have a go at. Prices for
these range from £200 to over
£1,000.
Equipment Suppliers
Table Tennis England has produced a list of table tennis equipment suppliers.
This list can be viewed here.
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Playing Practicalities
Table tennis is a safe sport to play
indoors. It can be played within a
confined space, and the ball will not
break fragile objects. None the less,
measures need to be taken to ensure
that the activity is safe for the
participants and other individuals in
the proximity of the playing area.
This section will be broken up in to two
sections; social table tennis and
formal table tennis because the two variations each require a different set up.
Social Table Tennis
Environment
Social table tennis should take place away from the normal sporting
environment. The aim is to make the sport accessible, so that people are
encouraged to play.
The tables should be placed in or near to areas where people congregate so
that the tables and equipment can be seen.
Space
The recommended playing area for a full-size table is 8 by 4 metres. This will
allow enough space for circulation during play. The area around the table
should be clear from any tripping hazards and with plenty of space for people
to circulate and watch the activity.
Table Location
The ball will inevitably get hit outside of the playing area, so some steps should
be taken to reduce how much disruption a loose ball and the person collecting
it might cause. This could be a particular problem if the table is set up in a public
area such as a common room or canteen.
Table tennis tables should therefore be sited in areas away from walkways and
doors in in public areas. A thorough risk assessment will need to be done before
play commences.
Dress code
There is no need to change clothes to play social table tennis. Sensible
footwear is recommended though.
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Formal Table Tennis
The information set out below is the
minimum criteria recommended to
run a formal table tennis session.
For more information about formal
table tennis facilities, you can
download our facility guidance
documents here.
Environment
Formal table tennis should take place in a sports hall or similar venue. The ideal
venue will have male and female changing rooms and accessible changing
and toilet facilities. The flooring should be a wooden sports surface.
Table tennis shouldn’t take place in an aerobics studio or squash court. These
environments are not suitable for the sport. White or mirrored walls make
tracking a table tennis ball difficult.
Space
The recommended playing space is 8 by 4 metres. Tables should be laid out in
a grid system so that the available space is filled with tables. This can be marked
out using barriers. Access to the tables should be wide enough to allow for
wheelchair access and kept clear from tripping hazards.
Dress Code
Participants should dress for activity and wear trainers. Ideally the shirt colour
will be any colour other than white, as a white top can make tracking the ball’s
flight difficult.
Looking After Your Equipment
Table Care
Tables are designed to be hard wearing but, like everything, repeated use can
result in damage being done. These tips will help extend the life of your table.
Clean the surface regularly
Even if the table is covered whilst not in use, the table will still need to be
cleaned on a regular basis. This will need to be more than a dusting and wiping.
Players will sweat during play and their sweat can get onto the surface of the
table!
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The tables should be cleaned with a nonabrasive cleaner to preserve the
surface colour. Diluted white vinegar is ideal for this purpose. Alternatively,
some suppliers sell table tennis table cleaning sprays.
Service the table
We recommend that you check the table periodically for wear and tear. The
setting up and taking down of the table will stress the moving parts. It’s worth
ensuring that the moving parts are oiled, and loose nuts tightened during the
check.
Storage
Tables should always be stored face to face, i.e., the frame should be on the
outside. This will help to prevent scratching of the surface.
Other considerations
Tables should be moved and set up/taken down only by individuals who are
trained how to do so. Children should always be supervised if they are
performing this task.
The tables should only be used for table tennis, not for use as a table during
fetes, seating or to be climbed on.
Nets
In the rush to set up or pack away nets can sometimes be harshly treated. Net
sets aren’t cheap, so care should be taken with them.
Ensure that the individuals helping to set up know how the net set works and
make them responsible for the condition of the net. Ideally it should be rolled
up and stored in its box in the same way as it was when new or stored in a sturdy
box.
Bats and Balls
Bats and balls will need to be replenished regularly. As such where table tennis is
played at an introductory level there is no need to buy top of the range
equipment. Be wary of players picking the rubber at the edges of the bat.
Regular players should be encouraged to purchase their own bat.
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Funding
Like most sports, the initial set up costs for table tennis can be expensive.
Making use of funding and grant opportunities is a great way to fund your
project. Finding the right funding opportunity can be time consuming as there
are a large number available, and each has a different set of qualification
criteria.
Table Tennis England have produced a funding guide to provide details of
national funding initiatives. You can view these here. Sport England also offers
several different funding opportunities, details of which can be found here.
Help and advice
The following organisations can help you by supporting the development of
your project.
Active Partnership Network are networks of local agencies that connect
national and regional organisations with an interest in sport to deliver a locally
focused strategy for increasing physical activity. They can provide you with
support and advice and help put you in touch with funding opportunities
specific to your region.
There are 42 Active Partnerships, you can find details of your active partnership
here.
Local Authorities often employ someone whose responsibility is to develop sport
and activity within their authority boundaries. They will be interested to hear
about your project and can help to provide specific local advice. Find your
local council contact and potential local funding streams here. Use searches
like “funding for clubs”, “sport funding” or “community funding” on council
websites.
Table Tennis England
We will be happy to provide you with advice and guidance, as well as helping
to promote your good work once the tables are in place. For general queries
and advice please visit our website for contact information or send us an email.
Website: www.tabletennisengland.co.uk
Email: help@tabletennisengland.co.uk
Disclaimer
This guidance is intended to provide helpful data and advice and whilst every effort has been made to
ensure the accuracy of the contents, Table Tennis England shall not at any time, in any circumstances,
be held responsible or liable to any party in respect of any loss, damage or costs of any nature arising
directly or indirectly from reliance placed on the guidance within it.
Table Tennis England
Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge
Milton Keynes, MK8 9LA
T 01908 208860
