Table Tennis, Discus, Running, Long Jump, Javelin
Table Tennis
Table tennis, or ping pong, originated in 19th-century England. Initially played informally with books as rackets and a dining table as the surface, it gained structure in the 1880s through social clubs, leading to the formation of the English Table Tennis Association in 1902. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was established in 1926 in Berlin, marking its global regulation. Today, it’s an official Olympic sport with widespread popularity.
Marks and Dimensions
Key dimensions include table width, length, height, net width, and net length.
Scoring a Point
- If you fail to return the ball.
- If the ball does not return to your opponent’s side of the table.
- If the ball bounces two or more times on your side.
- When your serve hits the net and goes to your opponent side, and your opponent does not return it, you get a point.
- If your opponent touches the net while the ball is in play, you win the point.
Match Score
A match consists of up to 5 games. The first to win 3 games is the winner. To win a game, a player must score 11 points with at least a 2-point advantage.
Essential Skills
Key skills include grip, serve, forehand, spin, blocking, and footwork.
Serving First
At the start of the match, a player is chosen at random to serve first.
Prohibited Actions
Illegal serves, double bounces, touching the table, obstructing the ball, distracting the opponent, and equipment violations are not allowed.
Discus Throwing
Marks and Dimensions
Key elements include the throwing circle and cage.
Discus Thrower Starting Position
The discus throw involves several phases:
- Balance Phase
- Turn Phase
- Throwing Phase
- Recuperation Phase
The thrower starts with both feet slightly apart, looking towards the throwing direction. The discus is gripped with the throwing arm extended towards the back of the body, and the thrower’s head facing the ground.
Holding the Discus
The discus is supported, not gripped tightly.
Equipment
Essential equipment includes the discus, throwing circle, sector lines, measuring tape, marking flags, and scoreboard.
Attempts and Material
Discus throwers have 3 opportunities. The discus is made from plastic, fiberglass, wood, or metal.
Invalid Throws
A throw is invalid when the thrower steps out of the circle’s front or when the discus lands outside the established zone.
Running Races
Types of Running Events
Running events include hurdle races, sprint races, long-distance races, relay races, middle-distance races, and time trial races.
100m Hurdles
The distance between hurdles is 8.5m. Key terms include lead leg and trail leg.
Running Position
Runners lower to the ground, resting their feet on the starting blocks. They position their hands on the floor, lean their body slightly forward, and push off with their feet to start running.
Equipment
Equipment includes running shoes (spikes), steeplechase shoes, relay batons, and hurdles.
Starting Block Phases
- Set position
- Reaction time
- Drive phase (explosive forward movement)
- Transition (initial running phase)
- Full stride (regular running phase)
Long Jump
One of the main jumping athletics events.
Jumping Events
Jumping events include the long jump, high jump, triple jump, and pole vault.
Attempts: 3
Long Jump Marks
Key features include the long jump pit, take-off line, and runway.
Phases of the Long Jump
- Approach run
- Takeoff
- Flight
- Landing
Fouls
Fouls include running more than 40m, falling outside the landing zone, and touching or crossing the take-off line (marked with plasticine) during the jump.
Javelin Throw
A key throwing athletic event.
Marks
Key features include the runway, throwing arc, and landing sector.
Phases
The javelin throw consists of the impulse phase, realization phase, and recuperation phase.
Attempts
Athletes have 3 or 6 attempts, depending on the competition.