So here's a semi-serious look at the top ten things (and more!) that really irritate me about ping-pong. Rant mode on...
1. Equipment Prices
I for one just can't believe the prices of table tennis equipment these days. For example, over here in Australia, a sheet of Bryce rubber retails for over $80 AUS! And one 3 star quality ball costs over $3!I can't help thinking that players in China and Japan aren't paying anywhere near that amount. No wonder online ping-pong dealers are becoming so popular.
2. Lack of Courtesy
This covers a range of sins, including the following:- Slapping/shaking the opponent's hand while looking away at the end of the match. The handshake was supposed to be a chance to say a sincere 'Good match!' and thank your opponent. Now it looks like everyone has a plane to catch, and wants to get off the court as soon as possible.
I can understand that the modern thing is to slap hands, but how about actually looking at your opponent while you do it, so it seems like you actually want to thank him for the game?
- Mobile Phones - for goodness sake turn them off or put them on silent mode while you are in the playing hall.
- Nets and Edges - I was taught to acknowledge any nets and edges that I made, and at least say 'Sorry', (even if I didn't mean it!). Nowadays some players are actually celebrating when they win the point on a net or edge. Come on, are you honestly saying you planned it that way? If not, be quiet and be grateful you got the point.
- Spectators - I've dealt with spectator etiquette elsewhere, but I'll just mention a couple of quickies - try to clap all good points, not just the ones your favorite player wins, and don't clap when somebody serves a fault.
3. Abuse of the Table/Barriers
This is a particularly sore spot with me. Goodness knows I'm no saint, but when I get riled I always try to remember not to take my frustrations out on the surroundings. Tables especially are expensive, and it doesn't take too many people smashing their bats on the table before you ruin the playing surface.4. Serving Cheats
The service rule is getting more complicated all the time, and I realize that all of us can make the odd mistake on service now and again, but there are those players who refuse to stick to the rules, claiming old habits or just ignoring the rules completely. And then they often give the umpire a hard time when they get faulted!Suck it up people, if you want to play the sport you should know the rules and try to follow them. Deliberate hiding of the ball on service is a fault, and if you are doing it on purpose and then trying to get away with by intimidating your umpire or opponent then you are cheating. End of story.
On the flip side, I also wish the umpires would enforce the rules on hidden serves more often. Why am I spending the time to make sure my serve is fair and legal, when I am playing opponents who are hiding the ball from me?
5. Umpires Who Can't Count
Speaking of umpires, please pay attention when you are umpiring. The players have enough to do in playing the game and trying to win. They don't need to be double-checking your scoring as well.6. Players Who Rely on Excuses For Losing
I must admit that I have been guilty of this in the past. No-one likes to lose, and getting beaten forces us to acknowledge that someone else was better on the day. It's always easier to rely on a excuse for losing, than to actually sit down and face the painful fact that another player has beaten you, and then work out why. But being honest about your own weaknesses, then improving them is what will help you win the next time, not taking the easy way out and pretending you lost because of some other reason. Reality is for winners.7. Time-Outs
Personally, I think the idea of a time-out was brought in to give another chance of an advertising break when showing table tennis on television. Otherwise it's just a disruptive break in the action, usually at a critical point. If we want to watch basketball, we can look at the NBA.8. The 40mm Ball
What can I say? It was brought in to slow down the game and lengthen the rallies. But the ITTF forgot to stop manufacturers producing more powerful equipment. So here we are again, just as fast as ever, but now the extra spin of the 38mm ball that was helpful to defenders is gone, and so are most of the defenders. Nice one guys.And don't even get me started on the quality of the 40mm balls these days.
9. Speed Glue
What can I say? I like speed glue when I'm playing as an attacker, and hate it when I'm playing as a defender. Right now I'm defending again, so you do the math.
