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float

By Greg Letts, About.com

Definition: A float in table tennis occurs when a player returns a ball in such a way that there is virtually no spin on the ball.

Float balls are usually used to deceive the opponent by pretending that there is actually spin on the ball, when in fact there is none. If successful, this will often win the point by causing the opponent to hit the ball into the net or off the end of the table.

Also Known As: dead ball, no spin ball, float ball
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