As I promised in my article listing the
Top 10 Things I Love About Table Tennis, I've been gathering your feedback about what you love about this wonderful sport, and here's the results so far. Thanks to everyone who has contributed, and don't be afraid to
give your own opinion in the forum, so I can add it to the list!
Readers and Forum Members - Top Things About Table Tennis/ Ping-Pong
From NoFootwork
- One of the things I love about table tennis is that it is very democratic. You have players from all nationalities, cultural backgrounds, race, age, economic circumstance, gender, etc. that get together, play competitively, have a good time, and generally enjoy each others company.
From steve112112
- The fact that the sport is so good for your body
- The fact that the sport is so good for your brain
- That the sport can be played (well) from 7 to 80+
- That women can compete equally with men except at the highest level
From nettadave2006
- One of the things I love most about the sport is playing players who love the sport and smile or clap for any good shot or play even by their opponent.
From VictorK1
- It's very inexpensive relative to other sports
- It's highly social (except when you play against a jerk)
- It doesn't significantly favor people with particular body size/type (e.g. basketball, football, equestrian) - you can be a great player and enjoy the sport whether you are a "midget" or a "giant"
From Scott Gordon
- The nerd gets to win sometimes
- Gender, age, size, are all generally irrelevant
- There are many ways to play competitively
- Enjoyed equally at Olympic level, or as parlor game over a beer
From Carl Danner
- One of the things I like about TT is a willingness at a club to play (at least a little) with everyone. Matches go fast enough so that you can spend a little time with a low-level player and not ruin your evening.
From Sean P. O'Neill
- Disabled table tennis - seeing these athletes battle for gold, silver and bronze is almost always more exciting than able bodies going at it. It clearly is more inspirational.
- College table tennis - Great facilities, great team spirit, great team uniforms, coed competition, huge demographics, great diversity, truly international.
- ITTF - 38 to 40mm ball change, scoring changes, tie outs, junior tour, Internet TV. Changes we would never see at the national level were implemented in one swift swoop. Can't see downside in any of the new improvements.
- Family sport - Moms playing sons, Dads coaching daughters, brothers and sisters playing doubles together. Almost all great players have a family connection in our sport.
- Olympic Connection - Paralympics, Special Olympics, Junior Olympics, Senior Olympics, State Games, all add participation and excitement to your sport.
- Mental/Physical Challenge of the sport - TT truly tests both mind and body. Placement of ball, control of emotions, fitness, desire, drive, reading spin and being creative are all rewarded.
- Quality Coaches - Making a difference both on and off the court. Helping find solution and teaching life lessons. Being there to lean on in the heat of battle. Being there after the battle to help pick up pieces. Saving students precious time by showing multiple paths or options. Game changes and must be a student of the game to keep up.
- Magazine - I like the look, feel and taste of the current magazine. I hope it does well on the newsstands.
- International exchanges. For kids to learn about foreign cultures and to learn about their own while playing pong.
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