📖 Glossary

A comprehensive dictionary of hardbat table tennis terminology. Use this as a reference to understand the unique vocabulary of the sport.

3-Ply Blade

A paddle blade made of three layers of wood, offering more control and a softer feel.

5-Ply Blade

A paddle blade made of five layers of wood, providing more flexibility and speed compared to 3-ply.

7-Ply Blade

A paddle blade made of seven layers of wood, providing maximum speed and stiffness for aggressive play.

All-Wood Blade

A blade constructed entirely of wood layers without carbon or composite materials. Required for hardbat play.

Backhand Drive

An attacking stroke executed on the left side of the body (for right-handers) with a forward swing motion.

Backspin

Backward rotation applied to the ball that causes it to slow down and drop quickly after bouncing. Also called underspin.

Block

A defensive stroke played close to the table where the paddle acts as a barrier to redirect the ball with minimal swing.

Chop

A defensive stroke where the paddle moves downward against the incoming ball, imparting backspin.

Counter

An offensive return of an opponent's attacking shot, redirecting power back across the table.

Dead Ball

A ball with little to no spin, making it easier to attack but harder to control. Common in hardbat rallies.

Drop Shot

A delicate shot that barely clears the net with minimal forward momentum, designed to catch opponents out of position.

Edge Ball

A ball that strikes the edge of the table and is considered legal, often resulting in unpredictable bounces.

Elo Rating

A mathematical rating system used to calculate relative skill levels of players based on match results and opponent strength.

Flick

A quick, wrist-driven attacking stroke typically used to return short balls aggressively.

Forehand Drive

An aggressive attacking stroke executed on the right side of the body (for right-handers) with a forward swing.

Half-Long Serve

A serve with moderate depth that lands near the middle of the opponent's court, designed to elicit a weak return.

ITTF

International Table Tennis Federation, the worldwide governing body that establishes rules and equipment standards.

Let

A serve that touches the net but still lands legally in the opponent's court, requiring a replay of the point.

Long Pips

Rubber with elongated pimples that reverse incoming spin, making returns unpredictable. Rarely used in hardbat.

Loop

A topspin stroke with an upward brushing motion. Less common in hardbat due to equipment limitations but still achievable.

No Sponge Rule

The core hardbat rule that prohibits the use of sponge-layer rubbers. Paddles must be made of solid wood and hardbat rubber only.

OX (Orthodox)

A smooth, pimpled rubber surface with no sponge layer. The traditional hardbat rubber that allows maximum control and spin.

Penhold Grip

An Asian-style grip where the paddle is held like a pen, typically favoring forehand-dominant play.

Pock

The distinctive sound of a hardbat paddle striking the ball. Often described as a 'pop' or 'click'.

Push

A controlled stroke that keeps the ball low over the net, typically used to return backspin serves or maintain defensive positioning.

Racket Weight

The total weight of blade and rubber combined, typically 160-200 grams for hardbat paddles.

Rally

An exchange of shots between two players, continuing until one player fails to return the ball.

Rubber Hardness

The firmness of rubber measured in degrees, typically 30-45 for hardbat rubber. Higher numbers indicate harder rubber.

Seemiller Grip

A modified shake-hand grip where the index finger extends up the backhand side of the blade for added control.

Serve

The stroke used to initiate play, where the ball must be tossed at least 6 inches and struck behind the endline.

Shake-Hand Grip

The most common grip where the paddle is held like shaking someone's hand, allowing full forehand and backhand strokes.

Short Pips

Rubber with short, stubby pimples. Provides good control but less spin generation than OX.

Sidespin

Rotation applied to the ball that causes it to curve left or right during flight, achieved by brushing the side of the ball.

Speed Glue

A banned substance that was used to increase the elasticity and speed of rubber surfaces. Now prohibited by ITTF/USATT.

Sweet Spot

The optimal hitting area on the paddle blade where maximum power and control are achieved.

Third Ball Attack

An attacking strategy where the server makes an aggressive shot on their second stroke after the opponent's return.

Topspin

Forward rotation applied to the ball that causes it to dip quickly and accelerate after bouncing.

USATT

USA Table Tennis, the governing body for table tennis in the United States, which sanctions hardbat tournaments.

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