Like many other sports, table tennis began as a mild social diversion, descending along with lawn tennis and badminton from the ancient medieval game of tennis. Table tennis was popular in England in the second half of the 19th century under various trade names such as gossima and whiff-whaff. After the name ping-pong was introduced by J. Jacques & Son — from an imitation of the sound made by the ball striking the table and the vellum bats) — the game became a fashionable craze.
Table tennis is a great physical sport that can vastly improve hand-eye coordination. It is a sport where one can play on his own (with one section of the table folded upright-known as playback facility), with a partner, or with up to four people.
While there are many ways to get in shape, playing table tennis can certainly be one of the most fun. Playing table tennis can be great way to get in shape while learning some valuable skills, developing stronger hand-eye coordination, and having lots of fun at the same time.
Table tennis has become such a popular exercise that table tennis tables are springing up in homes throughout the UK.
A boxer with slow reflexes would not be a very successful boxer. A golfer with poor hand—eye coordination would be extremely frustrated on the golf course. A basketball player lacking agility would have a difficult time maneuvering past clusters of others in an attempt to score a basket.
Table tennis is an activity that can help people to improve their game play in other sports. Athletes from across the sports universe have been introduced to table tennis as a tool that can be used to help them stay at the top of their own game, whatever that may be.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson enjoy competing against one another on the golf course, and over the table tennis table. To them, table tennis is a source of relaxation and social interaction. They may or may not realize the value of the game they enjoy as a hobby. Golf requires extreme concentration, so does table tennis. They are actually practicing several skills when they play table tennis. Not only are they reinforcing their ability to concentrate regardless of distraction or level of pressure, but table tennis also helps them to improve and maintain their hand-eye coordination skills, another important component of a successful golf game.
Darryl Pinero
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