Table Tennis — Glossary

Every Table Tennis term explained in plain language: technique, equipment, rules and slang – with tips on avoiding the classic mistakes.

Block (Table Tennis) (Movement)

The cheapest answer to a topspin: hold a slightly closed bat in front of the ball just after the bounce and use its pace instead of adding your own.

Reading Spin (Cheat code)

The real core skill in table tennis: read which way your opponent's bat brushes the ball to know which spin is coming — then set your own bat angle to match.

Rubbers & the Two-Colour Rule (Rule)

One side of your bat must be black, the other clearly distinct from it — classically red. Over 90% of pros run inverted, the smooth, grippy standard rubber, on at least one side.

Shadow Footwork (Cheat code)

Movement patterns without a shuttle: from the middle to a corner, shadow the stroke, back to base. No partner, no hall, not a single shuttle needed.

Split Step (Movement)

A small two-footed hop timed to your opponent's strike — it makes you instantly ready to move in any direction.

Stepping Around (Forehand from the Backhand Corner) (Movement)

Moving around the ball with chassé steps so you can play your stronger forehand from the backhand corner. At elite level around 58% of all strokes are forehands.

Third-Ball Attack (Slang)

Your third stroke of the rally: serve, their return, your attack. The pattern every good serve variation is built to set up.

General

Terms from training theory that apply in every sport.

1RM (One-Repetition Maximum) (Rule)

The maximum weight you can move for exactly one clean repetition. The reference value behind almost every training plan.

BMR & TDEE (Rule)

BMR is your basal metabolic rate at complete rest; TDEE is total daily expenditure including everyday movement and training. Nutrition targets always work off TDEE.

Cadence (Movement)

Steps per minute when running, or pedal revolutions when cycling. For most runners, 170–180 steps per minute sits in the sweet spot.

Core Tension (Movement)

Active stabilisation of abdomen, back and pelvis — the bridge that lets force travel between legs and arms at all.

Deload (Cheat code)

A deliberately lighter week with volume or intensity clearly reduced, so adaptation can catch up.

DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) (Cheat code)

Delayed muscle soreness 12–72 hours after unfamiliar load. Not a measure of training quality.

Knee Valgus (Movement)

The knees collapsing inward during squats, jumps and landings. One of the key risk markers in technique analysis.

Progressive Overload (Cheat code)

The one principle no training works without long-term: the stimulus has to grow over time, otherwise adaptation stops.

RIR (Reps in Reserve) (Rule)

How many clean reps you had left at the end of a set. RIR 2 means two more were available.

RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) (Rule)

A scale for perceived effort. In strength training it usually runs 1–10, where RPE 8 means you had two more reps in the tank.

Zone 2 (Aerobic Base) (Cheat code)

The easy endurance zone where you can still hold a conversation in full sentences. The base of almost every endurance plan.