History

With the invention of the celluloid in 1856 the beginning for the table tennis ball was made. In 1890/1891 the first celluloid balls already have been produced.

The Ball today

The ball has to be consistent round and its diameter is 40 mm. The weight is 2,7g. The ball consists of celluloid or similar plastic material and it is matt-finished or matt-orange.

Bat and ball holders are fixed on the sides and serve as boxes for balls and bats.

All table tennis tables from Sponeta correspond to the international tournament dimension:

L: 274 cm
W: 152,5 cm
H: 76 cm

When they are in the playing position (completely opened). The dimensions in the parking position (completely folded) can vary. It depends on the model.

Indoor / Outdoor

Table tennis tables can be used indoors (= i, not weather-proof) or outdoors (= e, weather-proof).

The own weight of the tabletops is compensated by gas pressure springs.

Ergo Grip

The latest handle-generation: Unbelievable feeling in the hand palm by closer gripcontact, ergonomic gripshape for absolute power transmission.

Comfort Handle

On the shortened gripa semicircle made out of EVA is attched. The game becomes much more comfortable and "more smoothly" by this foam-end.

Shock Absorber Tube

Best control of the ball in spite of playing with an offensive bat is reached by a rigid plastic tube which is linked with a non vibrating rubberring to absorb the vibrations.

Table tennis tables are ready assembled or their parts are delivered packed with assembly instruction.

Models approved by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) are labelled with the ITTF-logo as a proof. This is based on the test according to Class A with an additional test of labelling, colour, and sliding friction coefficient.

Depending on the model of the table tennis table and the constructive requirements, different locking systems are used. Fundamentally, one person can handle all of the locking systems.

SMS (Smart Manual System) 

The one-handed operation makes this system so comfortable. The striking handle is visible in any position of the table and from all sides. Drawbar underneath the tabletop unlocks both of the safety devices simultaneously. In the storage position, the tabletops must principally be brought into a vertical position, so that the locks automatically click into place. In the playing position, the locks already click very well into place prior to attaining the horizontal position. In this case, they also ensure high stability on uneven ground.

In use in S 3-86/87 e/i

Handly system

Through a two-handed operation of the metal handle underneath the metal frame, both locks on the right and left hand sides can be simultaneously unlocked. The two tabletops are brought, with the help of the handle system, from the storage position into the playing position and vice versa. In the storage position, the tabletops must principally be brought into a vertical position, so that the locks automatically click into place. In the playing position, the locks already click very well into place prior to attaining the horizontal position. In this case, they also ensure high stability on uneven ground.

In use in:
S 2-72/73i/e, S 3-72/73 i/e, S 4-72/73 i/e, S 5-72/73 i, S 6-12/13 i,
S 7-12/13, S 7-62/63,S 8-36/37
  

Rotating handle system

By turning the handle 90°, the lock of the tabletop opens depending on the direction of the rotation. After unlocking the opposite side, the tabletop can be brought from the storage position to the playing position as well as from the playing position to the storage position.

In use in:
S 1-72/73 i/e

Hook system

By lifting the hook on one side, simultaneously and gently pulling it towards the tabletop, the first lock opens. In the same way, the second lock mechanism can also be unlocked and subsequently the tabletop can be brought from the storage position into the playing position. Folding-up of the tabletops from the playing position into the storage position results without further unlocking or opening. In order to achieve this, you merely need to lift the tabletops and place them in a vertical position until the locks audibly click into place. The stability of the table is assured against pressure and tension through the presence of the constant and appropriate net set.

In use in:
S 1-12/13 i/e, S 1-26/27 i, S 3-46/47 i/e

Clasp system

The clasps serve for the stabilisation of the stand legs in the storage as well as in the playing positions. By lifting the metal hook, the safety devices unlock themselves and the stand legs of the table can be folded inward. Through a strong push of the metal stick, the diagonal support clasps lock audibly into place.

In use in:
S 7-22/23

Screw connection

The screw connection serves for the stabilisation of the stand legs in the playing position of the table. Through the loosening of the wing nuts, the legs open and can be folded inward.

In use in:
S 1-52/53 i

No special maintenance is required. The tabletop surfaces can be cleaned with a wet cloth, the locking systems shall be checked for operabiliting at least once a year.

All table tennis tables manufactured by Sponeta come with net set. Net sets approved by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)are labelled with the ITTF-logo as a proof.

Depending on the model and its design, different cartons and pallets are provided.

The ball has to be played on the half of the opponent. Before you play the ball it may jump up on your own table half only once.

It is not allowed to take the ball in the air. Before the ball strikes the opposing table half it may only touch the net or the net post. It is a mistake when the ball touches other things like clothes, the wall or the ceiling.

Serve

The ball has to be thrown up vertical behind the table.
The person who serves the ball has to play the ball with the bat so that the ball first touches his table half and then the half of his opponent.

In the case that the ball touches the net there will be a „net serve“ and so the serve has to be repeated. In the case that you do not hit the thrown up ball then it is a mistake and the opponent will get the point.

Every player will serve two times and then the opponent has to serve. There is one exception in the overtime: Beginning with a score of 10 to 10 the players will serve by turns.

At the double the person who serves has to play the ball diagonal from his forehand site to the forhand site of the opponent ( for a right hander). There are no restrictions for singles.

Rally

The ball has to be played on the half of the opponent. Before you play the ball it may jump up on your own table half only once. It is not allowed to take the ball in the air. Before the ball strikes the opposing table half it may only touch the net or the net post.

It is a mistake when the ball touches other things like clothes, the wall or the ceiling.

A ball that touches the opposing table half does only count if the ball touches the top edge on not the side of the table.

Batch

The player who receives 11 points first wins the batch. If both players have received 10 points they have to play an overtime. The one who has a winning margin of 2 points wins the batch ( 12:10 or 13:11, and so on).

After every batch the players have to do a changeover. In the essential last batch the changeover will be made immediately after one player has received 5 points.

Game

Normally a game consists of 3 winning batches. In the maximum 5 batches can be played if there is a 2:2 tie and the 5th batch brings the decision.

The ball has to be played on the half of the opponent. Before you play the ball it may jump up on your own table half only once.

It is not allowed to take the ball in the air. Before the ball strikes the opposing table half it may only touch the net or the net post. It is a mistake when the ball touches other things like clothes, the wall or the ceiling.

Serve

The ball has to be thrown up vertical behind the table.
The person who serves the ball has to play the ball with the bat so that the ball first touches his table half and then the half of his opponent.

In the case that the ball touches the net there will be a „net serve“ and so the serve has to be repeated. In the case that you do not hit the thrown up ball then it is a mistake and the opponent will get the point.

Every player will serve two times and then the opponent has to serve. There is one exception in the overtime: Beginning with a score of 10 to 10 the players will serve by turns.

At the double the person who serves has to play the ball diagonal from his forehand site to the forhand site of the opponent ( for a right hander). There are no restrictions for singles.

Rally

The ball has to be played on the half of the opponent. Before you play the ball it may jump up on your own table half only once. It is not allowed to take the ball in the air. Before the ball strikes the opposing table half it may only touch the net or the net post.

It is a mistake when the ball touches other things like clothes, the wall or the ceiling.

A ball that touches the opposing table half does only count if the ball touches the top edge on not the side of the table.

Batch

The player who receives 11 points first wins the batch. If both players have received 10 points they have to play an overtime. The one who has a winning margin of 2 points wins the batch ( 12:10 or 13:11, and so on).

After every batch the players have to do a changeover. In the essential last batch the changeover will be made immediately after one player has received 5 points.

Game

Normally a game consists of 3 winning batches. In the maximum 5 batches can be played if there is a 2:2 tie and the 5th batch brings the decision.

Safety bar avoids that somebody can get between the two parts of the tabletop.

The ball has to be thrown up vertical behind the table.
The person who serves the ball has to play the ball with the bat so that the ball first touches his table half and the the half of his opponent.

In the case that the ball touches the net there will be a „net serve“ and so the serve has to be repeated. In the case that you do not hit the thrown up ball then it is a mistake and the opponent will get the point.

Every player will serve two times and then the opponent has to serve. There is one exeption in the overtime: Beginning with a score of 10 to 10 the players will serve by turns.

At the double the person who serves has to play the ball diagonal from his forehand site to the forhand site of the opponent ( for a right hander). There are no restrictions for singles.

Table tennis – the fastest ball sport

Regarding to the velocity of the ball this statement is not correct. However it is justified as a result of the little ball run.

In Tennis there has been detected up to 250 km/h at the first serve and 100 km/h for a fast return.

Scientists have found out that the ball flight velocity of a tennis ball is about 3 times faster than a table tennis ball. But if both players stand 1 meter behind the table tennis table a ball played with 60 kilometers per hour would only need 28 hundredths of a second to cover this distance.

Scienist also estimate that the human reaction time is about 12 to 18 hundredths of a second. Good table tennis players can come really close to 12 or 13. That means that they have to react very quick.

Higher stabil ity of the tabletops is provided by tabletop connections and net set.

thickness of the top = ball rebound
table top coating = degree of gloss
sliding friction coefficient
abrasion resistance

Indoor, not weatherproof, play lines are printed by silkscreen-printing:

1* chipboard 16 – 19 mm, mulitply coated, field of use: classes C and D
2** chipboard 22 mm, multiply coated with special varnish, field of use: class B
3*** chipboard 22 – 25 mm, multiply coated with special varnish, field of use: class A plus all ITTF-approved tables

Outdoor, weatherproof, with integrated play lines:

1* melamine resin board 3,5 – 4 mm, resistant against humidity, sticked together with a metal construction, field of use: classes C and D
2** melamine resin board 5 – 10 mm, resistant against humidity, sticked together with a metal construction, field of use: classes B and C

Table tennis tables are divided into 6 types:

Type 1: Standard I
Stationary model with undercarriage for the tabletop, which is not foldable.

Type 2: Standard II (in two parts)
Stationary model with two separated tabletop halves with undercarriage, foldable.

Type 3: Semi-Compact (in two parts)
Movable table with the tabletop in two separate halves, each of them is equipped with a foldable undercarriage.

Type 4a: Automatic
Movable table with undercarriage for both halves of the table, each of them is independently foldable. Characteristics of the storage position: Distance of the table halves is about 400 mm with safety bar, storage height is about 1900 mm.

Type 4b: Compact
Movable table with undercarriage for both halves of the table, each of them is independently foldable. Characteristics of the storage position: Distance of table halves is about 100 mm, storage height is about 1650 mm.

Type 5: Super-Compact
Movable table with fully automatic undercarriage for both halves of the table, they can only be folded together.

The warranty claim is two years, according to the legal regulations.

Depending on demand, weight, and class, the table tennis tables are equipped with different types of wheels:

Ø 125 mm
Ø 128 mm with rubber surface
Ø 100 mm with and without brakes
Ø 125 mm with and without brakes