Tabletop Ping Pong Tournament

Ping pong paddles (or hardcover books, cutting boards as improvised paddles)

Ping pong balls (2-3 in case of losses)

A ping pong table, or a dining table with a row of books as a net

Set up your table. A regulation ping pong table is ideal, but any flat table works. Stack books in a line across the center for a net that's about 6 inches high.

Hold the paddle with a relaxed "handshake" grip. The paddle face should be slightly angled forward.

Practice the basic forehand: stand beside the table, paddle ready. When the ball comes, stroke through it with a smooth forward motion. Contact the ball in front of your body.

Serve: hold the ball flat on your open palm. Toss it up at least 6 inches. As it falls, hit it so it bounces on your side of the table first, then clears the net and bounces on the opponent's side.

Rally back and forth. The ball must bounce once on each side before being hit. Count your rally streak: "One, two, three..." Getting to 20 consecutive hits is a respectable goal.

Play a game to 11 points. You score a point when your opponent misses the ball, hits it into the net, or hits it off the table. Alternate who serves every 2 points.

Introduce spin: brush under the ball for backspin (the ball bounces low and dies), brush over for topspin (the ball dips down and kicks forward). Spin makes ping pong endlessly deep.

Hold a tournament with multiple rounds if you have enough players.

Ping pong develops reaction time faster than almost any other sport. The ball moves fast, the table is small, and decisions happen in fractions of a second.

Start with slow, controlled rallies. Speed comes naturally as skill improves. Trying to slam every ball before you can rally is a dead end.

A dining table ping pong setup actually works surprisingly well. The smaller surface means shorter rallies but more intense action.

Footwork matters even in ping pong. Stay on your toes, weight forward, ready to move in any direction. Flat-footed players can't react fast enough.

Ping pong is one of the most accessible sports in the world. A $15 paddle set and a few balls is all you need to start a lifelong hobby.