Table Tennis Reinvented

Table Tennis Reinvented

I am able to report on the results of changing the service rules. I drew chalk lines on a regular table tennis table, one line twelve inches from the end of the table, the other twenty-four inches. This produced two possible service areas, one smaller than the other. I played with two competent players to test the results. The larger area allowed for topspin serves of reasonable pace, while the smaller area virtually excluded such serves and allowed only backspin serves. Predictably, the latter modified the traditional game more than the former. It meant that the server had a considerably reduced advantage over the receiver; indeed, if anything, it gave the receiver the advantage. The important thing is that it prolonged the rallies, because the server couldn’t any longer determine the outcome of the point. The upshot: the game was more satisfying and varied—but slower. It became more tactical and skillful. You could still hit fast balls, only not in the serve. We also played with the intermediate size service area and found it an improvement over the traditional arrangement: you could still serve fast topspin balls but not as fast. It was the same game as before but with less dependence on the serve; good for more skilled players. It is true that you feel constrained in your service because you can’t unleash what you could before, but the benefits were considerable. What I also liked is that you can vary the game according to taste by switching from one demarcation line to another, so you can play several games on the same table. We also experimented with allowing for two attempts at serve, like regular tennis, instead of the traditional one. This was less satisfactory, but had its charms; we went back to the stricter rule. Other rules on service placement can be stipulated, each having its impact on the game. You can choose as you wish. No need to stick to the traditional configuration.