Unit 29 Vocabulary: English for Table Tennis

Noun (thing)
Backhand
A stroke on the non-dominant side.
The player executed a controlled backhand, smoothly returning the ball with strategic placement and finesse, maintaining control of the rally.
Noun (thing)
Ball
The object of the game.
The table tennis ball, small and lightweight, darted across the table as players engaged in rapid exchanges and strategic maneuvers.
Noun (thing)
Block
Defending against a smash.
The player executed a solid block, absorbing the impact of the opponent's smash and redirecting the ball strategically to maintain control of the point.
Noun (thing)
Double Bounce
Ball bounces twice on one side.
The player watched as the ball double bounced on their side of the table, resulting in a point for the opponent, emphasizing the importance of returning the shot legally.
Noun (thing)
Edge
Hitting the edge of the table.
The player skillfully aimed for the edge of the table, hoping to score a point with a precise shot that would be difficult for the opponent to return.
Noun (thing)
Footwork
Movement around the table.
The player displayed excellent footwork, moving swiftly and strategically around the table to maintain optimal positioning for each shot.
Noun (thing)
Forehand
A stroke on the dominant side.
The player unleashed a powerful forehand, driving the ball across the table with speed and precision, putting pressure on the opponent to defend.
Noun (thing)
Game Point
The point that wins the game.
The player reached game point, seizing the opportunity to secure the final point needed to win the game and gain a strategic advantage.
Noun (thing)
Let
Serve hits the net.
The umpire called a let, indicating that the serve had hit the net and landed legally, requiring the server to repeat the serve and continue the point.
Noun (thing)
Match Point
The point that wins the match.
The player reached match point, focusing intently on securing the final point needed to win the hard-fought table tennis match.
Noun (thing)
Net
Divides the table.
The net stretched across the middle of the table, requiring players to hit the ball over it with precision and strategic placement.
Noun (thing)
Paddle
Used to hit the ball.
The player gripped the paddle tightly, preparing to execute a precise and powerful shot during the intense table tennis match.
Noun (thing)
Racket
Another name for Paddle.
The player carefully selected their racket, considering its weight, grip, and surface to optimize their performance in the table tennis match.
Noun (thing)
Rally
Exchange of shots.
The rally intensified as players exchanged rapid-fire shots, showcasing their agility, precision, and strategic thinking in the fast-paced table tennis match.
Noun (thing)
Return
Hitting the ball back.
The player made a skillful return, reacting quickly to the opponent's shot and placing the ball precisely to maintain control of the rally.
Noun (thing)
Serve
Starting the point.
The player executed a deceptive serve, spinning the ball and placing it strategically to gain an advantage at the start of the point.
Noun (thing)
Service Line
Where you must serve from.
The player positioned themselves behind the service line, preparing to execute a precise and legal serve to initiate the point.
Noun (thing)
Smash
An attacking shot.
The player unleashed a powerful smash, slamming the ball down onto the table with force and precision, overwhelming the opponent's defense.
Noun (thing)
Spin
Rotating the ball.
The player imparted a deceptive spin on the ball, making it curve and bounce unpredictably, challenging the opponent's ability to return the shot effectively.
Noun (thing)
Table
The playing surface.
The table tennis table, divided by a net, provided the setting for exciting and skillful competition between players.