Ping Pong requirements

[tung tied]

I'm trying to determine how big a room I need for ping pong. Of course one can go on line and determine that 42' is optimal, but none of us are planning for olympic or even collegiate level play. The area I have proposed is much larger than I remember as a kid, but would like to hear from "players" how much they would need vs. that which would be acceptable.

When I was a kid, anything hit off the pole or light fixtures was still "alive". It was all more about fun than regulation requirements. I'm looking toward those parameters, and comfortable size discussions.

[Uncle Cracker]

The way you are describing it, you could play in a phone booth. But even if you don't mind cramped quarters, you still don't want people crashing into things, and severe arm and shoulder injuries can occur if you come into contact with a solid surface on a smash. I would consider 20' X 25' about minimum for safe play. Perhaps you should consider a rollaway table that you can take out onto the driveway.

[crokett]

Well if I recall correctly a standard ping-pong table is about 5'x9'. We had a table in a room that had about 2' of clearance either side of the 5' and 4-5' either side of the 9'. That was always plenty for us. I don't remember ever crashing into walls, etc trying to go after a ball.

[LCHIEN]

if you are playing "ping pong" where the balls are all arcing trajectory with no real spin vs. table tennis with huge power drives with incredible spin then you are talking two different things. If you look at the tournament play (There's a few clips available on the internet), then you will see that even with the spaces recommended the pros sometimes run out of space.

If you play recreationally then you may find about 6 feet on all sides OK to play, probably you can't go much smaller than that, maybe 4-5 feet as Crockett says. Get difficult if you play doubles and you're not going to be able to retrieve smashes. OTOH the disadvantage is equal on both sides. The lack of space will affect a defensive retriever most.

Here's some clips showing why all the space is needed (note esp. how much side-to-side space is needed sometimes):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWGVoT4L9DA

and this one showing defensive play (the guy in the foreground spends most of his time 10 feet behind the table):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgLjVieLLU

more videos:
http://www.megaspin.net/media/

[Uncle Cracker]

Well if I recall correctly a standard ping-pong table is about 5'x9'. We had a table in a room that had about 2' of clearance either side of the 5' and 4-5' either side of the 9'. That was always plenty for us. I don't remember ever crashing into walls, etc trying to go after a ball.

You would be peeling me off your walls...

[ivwshane]

I have a ping pong in my garage, 20x20 and its just barely big enough for recreational play.

4-5 feet of space at the ends of the table would probably be the minimum and about 3 feet on each side would be the minimum (4-5 would be good enough).

[LarryG]

Architectural Graphics Standards suggests a minimum of five feet of end clearance and three feet at the sides, with seven feet and four feet, respectively, being preferred.

[LCHIEN]

i think you should consider 5 feet as the very bare minimum and 7 feet preferable for casual to semi-serious play and 16 feet for serious to pro play. this is around a 5x9 table.