Ping Pong App: The Complete Guide to Table Tennis in Israel

Ping pong, officially known as table tennis, is one of the fastest and most accessible racket sports in the world. You can play it almost anywhere, at any age, and at any level, and it combines reflexes, precision, and social fun. In this guide you'll find everything you need to get started: what ping pong is, what gear you need, the basic rules, beginner tips, and how to find a table and partners to play with.

What exactly is ping pong?

Ping pong (table tennis) is played in singles or doubles on a table (about 2.74 by 1.525 m) with a low net across the middle. You play with a small paddle (a blade with rubber) and a light plastic ball. It's an especially fast sport built on reflexes, spin, and precision.

Why you should play ping pong

• Fast and sharpens your reflexes: the game is very fast and sharpens your reaction time and coordination.
• You can play almost anywhere: one table and a pair of paddles is all it takes, so you can play at home, at work, or in the park.
• Suitable for all ages: from kids to adults, with no extreme physical exertion.
• Social and competitive: great for a relaxed game with friends and for competitive, ranked play alike.

The gear you need to get started

Table tennis paddle (rubber on both sides)

A paddle (blade) with rubber on both sides. For beginners, a balanced paddle with a comfortable grip is recommended, as it makes it easier to control the ball.

40 mm plastic balls

Plastic balls 40 mm in diameter, the standard for the game. It's worth keeping a few balls on hand since they're light and break easily.

Lightweight indoor shoes (for competitive play)

For competitive play, lightweight indoor shoes with good grip are recommended, allowing for quick lateral movements.

The basic ping pong rules (in brief)

• Scoring: a game is won at 11 points (by a margin of 2), and the match is decided over an odd number of games (best of 5 or 7).
• Serving: the serve switches every two points.
• The bounce on the serve: the serve must bounce on both sides of the table.
• The bounce during a rally: the ball bounces only once on each side.

That's the basics, and all the finer points are best learned while playing.

5 tips for beginners

1. Proper paddle grip (shakehand): a grip like a handshake is the most common and most comfortable for beginners.
2. Use spin: spin changes the ball's path and makes it harder for your opponent, so start getting a feel for it early.
3. Return to center after every shot: get back to the center so you're ready for the next ball from any direction.
4. Read your opponent's serve: watch the paddle's motion to recognize the spin and the ball's direction.
5. Play against your own level: a balanced game improves you faster, with less frustration and more fun.

The 5 most common beginner mistakes in table tennis

• A stiff grip: a loose, relaxed grip lets you rotate the wrist quickly and control the spin.
• Ignoring spin: half the game is reading your opponent's spin. Topspin, backspin and sidespin each need a different response.
• Standing too close to the table: a short distance from the table gives you better reaction time and angle.
• Using the arm only: power comes from body and leg rotation, not just the arm.
• Underrating the serve: a serve with good spin is a beginner's biggest advantage, practice a few serve types.

The gear you need for table tennis

• Bat: beginners can use a pre made bat with a high control rating. Advanced players assemble a blade and rubbers separately.
• Balls: 40+ plastic balls, rated in stars. Three star balls are higher quality and more durable.
• Table: you can play at community centers, sports centers and many public parks across Israel.

From beginner to player: what to practice

Progress in table tennis is built in layers: first basic control and a stable forehand, then the backhand, then reading spin, and finally varied serves and footwork. Regular practice against opponents at different levels is the fastest way to improve.

How to find a ping pong table and playing partners in Israel

Ping pong tables can be found in all sorts of places: at community centers, at clubs, in parks with public tables, and of course at home too. The real challenge usually isn't the table, but finding an opponent at your level, at a time that works for you.

That's exactly why we built PlayRocket: an app that matches you with opponents by skill level and location, shows you open games to join, and helps you coordinate everything in one place, without yet another five WhatsApp groups and without endless back-and-forth. And it's not just for ping pong: also Tennis, Padel, Pickleball, Badminton, Beach Tennis, Squash, and Volleyball.

Frequently asked questions about ping pong