Topspin - A type of spin used on most aggressive shots, with an extreme amount being used in the loop shot. When you topspin the ball, the top of the ball moves away from you.

Spin - The rotation of the ball.

Umpire - The official who keeps score and enforces rules during a match.

Serve - The first shot, done by the server. It begins with the ball being thrown up from palm of hand and struck by the racket.

Racket - What you hit the ball with. The blade plus covering.

Loop - A heavy topspin shot usually considered the most important shot in the game. Many players either specialize in looping or in handling the loop.

Looper - A style of play where the primary shot is the loop.

Let - If play is interrupted for any reason during a rally, a let is called and the point does not count.

Match - A two out of three or three out of five games contest.

Chop - A defensive return of a drive with backspin, usually done from well away from the table. (See backspin.)

Antispin - An inverted rubber sheet that is very slick so that spin does not take on it. It usually has a very dead sponge underneath. It is mostly used for defensive shots. Also known as "anti."

Backhand - A shot done with the racket to the left of the elbow for a righthander, the reverse for a lefthander.

Block - A quick, off the bounce return of an aggressive drive done by just holding the racket in the ball's path.

Blocker - A style of play where blocking is the primary shot.

Chopper - A style of play where chopping is the primary shot.

ITTF - International Table Tennis Federation. The governing body for table tennis in the world.

Stroke - Any shot used in the game, including the serve.

Shakehands Grip - The most popular grip. It gives the best balance of forehand and backhand.