Table tennis isn’t just about quick reflexes and powerful shots—it has its own unique vocabulary. Whether you’re a beginner picking up a paddle for the first time or an experienced player sharpening your skills, understanding table tennis terms and slang makes it easier to communicate, learn faster, and enjoy every match.

In clubs, tournaments, and training sessions, players and coaches often use specific terminology to describe techniques, spins, strategies, and match situations. This complete guide to table tennis lingo breaks down the most common and essential terms, from basic words to advanced and casual expressions, so you’ll always stay confident and in the know—both on and off the table.

These are the terms every new player should know. Check out Official ITTF Rules Here.

Forehand
A shot played on your dominant side, usually the strongest and most natural stroke for beginners.

Backhand
A shot played on the opposite side of your forehand. It is often used for control and quick exchanges close to the table.

Rally
A continuous exchange of shots between players until a point is decided.

Serve
The shot that starts the point. A legal serve must be tossed upward and struck behind the table.

Let
A call made when a serve touches the net but still lands correctly on the opponent’s side. The point is replayed.

Deuce
When both players reach 10 points, the game continues until one player leads by two points.

These terms describe how the ball is hit during play.

Drive
A controlled offensive shot with minimal spin, often used for consistency.

Smash
A powerful attacking shot aimed to end the rally, usually hit against a high or weak return.

Push
A gentle shot with backspin, commonly used in short rallies or defensive play.

Block
Using the opponent’s power to return the ball with minimal movement, usually against fast attacks.

Loop
A topspin-heavy attacking shot that arcs over the net. It is a core technique in modern table tennis.

Spin-Related Table Tennis Terms

Spin is one of the most important concepts in table tennis.

Topspin
Forward spin that causes the ball to dip quickly and bounce forward. Used in loops and aggressive shots.

Backspin
Reverse spin that makes the ball slow down and stay low after bouncing. Common in pushes and chops.

Sidespin
Spin applied sideways, causing the ball to curve in the air and bounce unpredictably.

No-spin (Dead Ball)
A ball hit with little to no spin, often used to confuse opponents.

Heavy Spin
A term used to describe shots with very strong spin, making them harder to control.

Service Terminology

Serving is a major advantage in table tennis, and it has its own lingo.

Pendulum Serve
A popular serve where the arm swings like a pendulum, creating heavy sidespin and backspin.

Reverse Pendulum Serve
A variation of the pendulum serve with the spin direction reversed.

Ghost Serve
A deceptive short serve with heavy backspin that appears to bounce twice and then pulls back toward the net.

Short Serve
A serve designed to bounce twice on the opponent’s side, preventing an aggressive attack.

Long Serve
A fast serve that lands deep on the table, often used to surprise the opponent.

Match and Scoring Terms

Understanding these terms helps during tournaments and official games.

Game
A single segment of play, usually played to 11 points.

Match
A series of games, commonly best of five or best of seven.

Time-Out
A one-minute break that each player can use once per match.

Fault
An illegal action, such as an incorrect serve or missing the table.

Umpire
The official responsible for enforcing rules and scoring.

Why Learning Table Tennis Lingo Matters

Knowing table tennis lingo improves more than just vocabulary.

• Better communication with coaches and training partners
• Faster learning because instructions are clearer
• Improved match awareness during competition
• More confidence when joining clubs or tournaments

At training sessions, coaches often explain techniques using these terms. Understanding them allows players to focus on execution instead of clarification.

If you want to know the basics of table tennis, read here How to Start Table Tennis: A Beginner’s Guide