Table Tennis Ladder on Makeshift Tables
A table tennis tournament on tables made by pushing two classroom desks together, with a row of books as the net, organized as a ladder: after each short game, the winner moves up a table and the loser moves down. Students practice their strokes, adjust to different opponents, and handle winning and losing.
How to play
- Push two classroom desks together for each playing table and stand a row of books across the middle as the net; number the tables 1 to 6 in a row with 4 students at each.
- Warm up for 4 minutes with a cooperative rally at your table, one bounce per side, switching partners every minute.
- At each table, two students play a 3-minute game or to 7 points while the other two referee and call the score.
- On the whistle, each table's winner moves up to the lower-numbered table and the loser moves down; the referees step in to play at their table.
- Play six 3-minute rounds; at table 1 the winner stays, and at the last table the loser stays.
- Finish with 3 minutes for each student to note which table they ended at and which shot worked best for them.
Rules
- Before you play, make sure the desks are pushed tightly together and don't move.
- Don't lean or sit on the table when hitting.
- Serve from behind the end of the table with one bounce on each side.
- The referee's call stands; accept it and play the next point.
Variations
Easier
Play to 5 points with a cooperative serve and any number of bounces.
Standard
Play 3-minute games or to 7 points with players moving up and down tables.
Harder
The winner only moves up by winning by 3 or more; otherwise they stay at the same table.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the table for a student using a wheelchair is set at their height, and opponents serve to their forehand.
- Shyness: the student may start as a referee and join play from the second round.
- Fitness or skill level: at the top tables, players must serve backhand to level things out.
Learning goals
- Sustain rallies and win points with forehands and backhands.
- Adjust to opponents of different skill levels each round.
- Handle winning and losing respectfully.
Equipment for a class of 25
- classroom desks: 12
- paddles: 26
- ping-pong balls: 18
- books: 36
Teacher tip
The ladder sorts students by level without anyone feeling eliminated. Use old books or cardboard boxes for the net, and check that the desks are all the same height.
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