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DaveR
11-30-2007, 06:10 PM
British Wheelchair Table Tennis Association (BWTTA)

Table Tennis has been a Paralympic Games sport since 1960 but was one of the earliest sports introduced in the rehabilitation of spinal cord injury patients.

Table Tennis is a popular indoor activity because it is a keenly competitive game, requires little space and is inexpensive. It is also easy to learn and beginners can have great fun playing at a recreational level. Table Tennis improves the concentration, reaction speed and coordination of those who play and has long since been used in the rehabilitation of people with a disability.

http://www.sportfocus.com/images/dynabiz/ID59542/siteinfo/tabletennis2.jpg
Table Tennis is one of the sports that wheelchair players can competitively play against an able-bodied opponent and many wheelchair players are members of table tennis clubs in their communities. Competitions are grouped into male and female, singles and doubles with players playing in categories based on their level of disability. There is also an 'Open' competition were all classes compete to become the overall Champion.

Wheelchair play requires a lot of practice, manoeuvring the chair and playing to shot can be difficult and tends to produce a more defensive game than able-bodied table tennis making the sport both physically and mentally challenging.
For more information about table tennis contact:
Denise Barnett
(denisebrntt@aol.com)Secretary, BWTTA
3 Brentford
Wellingborough
Northants


http://www.sportfocus.com/images/dynabiz/ID59542/siteinfo/tabletennis1.jpg
Laws for Wheelchair Play Table Tennis shall be played according to the Laws and Regulations of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), as set out in their Handbook, EXCEPT for the following amendments, exceptions and alterations.
The service Law in singles play (ITTF Law 2.6)
A let (ITTF 2.9) shall be called if in service the ball:

Leaves the table by either of the receiver's sidelines (on one or more bounces).
On bouncing on the receiver's side returns in the direction of the net, or
comes to rest on the receiver's side of the playing surface.
The assistant umpire shall call let if an otherwise good service in a singles match leaves the table by the receivers side line nearest to him.However, if the receiver strikes the ball before it crosses a sideline or takes a second bounce on his side of the playing surface the service shall be considered good and no let shall be called.
The service Law in doubles play (ITTF Law 2.6.3).
A let (ITTF Law 2.9) shall be called if in service the ball:

On bouncing on the receiver's side returns in the direction of the net,
or comes to rest on the receiver's side of the playing surface.However, if the receiver strikes the ball before it takes a second bounce on his side of the playing surface the service shall be considered good and no let shall be called.
Umpires notes on service Laws.

If umpires feel that the server is deliberately serving fast let services before serving correctly this should be interpreted as gamesmanship and the ITTF's warning and penalty point system shall be used (ITTF regulation 3.5.2.).
According to ITTF Law 2.6.7the umpire may waive the requirements for a good service if he is notified before play that it is prevented due to physical disability. This will always be done for Class 1 and Class 11 players.
The assistant umpire shall call let if an otherwise good service in a singles match leaves the table by the receivers side line nearest to him.
Doubles play (ITTF Law 2.8.2).
In doubles the server shall first make a good service according to ITTF Law 2.6with the above mentioned exceptions, and the receiver shall make a good return, and thereafter either player of a pair may make good returns.
A players wheelchair shall not protrude an imaginary extension of the centre line of the table. If it does the umpire shall award the point to the opposing pair.Touching the playing surface with the free hand (ITTF Law 2.10.1.10).
When the ball is in play a player may use the playing surface to restore balance after a shot has been played (provided the playing surface has not been moved). However, the player shall not use the table as a support with the free hand while playing the ball.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs must have at least two large wheels and one small wheel.
Footrests may be fitted if required, but neither the footrests nor the feet shall touch the floor during play which shall result in the lose of a point.
In Team and Class Events no part of the body above the knees may be attached to the chair, as this could improve balance. However, should a player require some strapping or binding for medical reasons this should be noted on the classification card and it will be taken into account when assessing the player's playing class. In Open Events strapping and other aids will be allowed.
There are no restrictions on size, number or shape of cushions.Playing areas (ITTF regulation 3.2.3.1).
For Wheelchair play the area may be reduced, but shall be not less than eight metres long and seven metres wide.
The playing area must be enclosed by dark surrounds.
Leaving Racket on table during intervals (ITTF regulation 3.4.2.3).
Unless otherwise authorised by the umpire, players shall leave their rackets on the table during intervals. In all cases when the racket is strapped to the hand, the umpire will allow the player to retain his/her racket during intervals.
Tables.
Tables shall allow access to wheelchairs without obstructing the player's legs and shall allow access to two wheelchairs for doubles.
Table legs shall be at least 400mm from the end line of the table.




We have this area in the forum as we fully support the sport in all ways possible, furthermore would appreciate all players participation in the promotion of paralympics Table Tennis as i feel there is not enough coverage on our screens, this could be said of all paralympic sports.

Hovis Bread Eater
02-12-2008, 07:12 PM
Disability Table Tennis is not just for Wheelchairs

The Great Britain team have both Wheelchair players and Standing players with disabilities.

Wheelchair class of disability from Class 1 to 5 and Standing from 6 to 10

The standing classes are

Class 6 - Severe impairments of legs and arms.
Class 7 - Very severe impairments of legs (poor static and dynamic balance or Severe to moderate impairment of playing
arm or moderate Cerabal Palsy hemiplegia or diplegia playing arm included or a combination of arm and leg impairments
of which the impairment in one limb is less severe to be eligible in class 7.
Class 8 - Moderate impairments of the legs or moderate impairments of playing arm or moderate CP hemiplegia or diplegia with
good playing arm
Class 9 - Mild impairments of the legs or mild impairments of playing arm or severe impairments of non playing arm or mild cp with
hemiparesis or monoplegia
Class 10 Very mild impairments in legs or very mild impairment of playing arm or severe to moderate impairment of non playing
arm or concerning the back.

Nanism / dwarves are included in the classification system with the understanding that they will be allocated the appropriate class to the player.

The Windmill
02-12-2008, 07:56 PM
Not something I have thought about recently....but used to practice with para Olympian Janet Swan several years ago....anyone know if she is still active in the sport ?

Jose
02-12-2008, 08:31 PM
http://www.tabletennistalk.co.uk/forum/table/ormesby.gif

Me again! At Ormesby we have started sessions for people with disabilities on Wednesday mornings from 10 - 12 noon and on Wednesday evenings from 7 - 9pm. The players enjoy the sessions and we have some dedicated helpers.

On Saturday, 15th March Judy Rogers of the ETTA is coming up to the North East to run a Disability Awareness Training Day at Ormesby for all coaches, members, teachers and helpers aimed at building confidence to work and play with disabled people. Ormesby, Sunderland and Alnwick are part of this project but anyone with an interest in being involved is welcome to attend. Let me know if you are interested full details are below plus a pdf flyer to download if needed.........HERE (http://www.tabletennistalk.co.uk/forum/table/flyer.pdf)



www.ormesbytabletennisclub.org.uk (http://www.ormesbytabletennisclub.org.uk/)

A DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING DAY

Will be held at
ORMESBY TABLE TENNIS CLUB
On
SATURDAY, 15 MARCH 2008
From 11 am until 5 pm

For all
COACHES, MEMBERS, TEACHERS, HELPERS OR
ANYONE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The Training Day will consist of workshops and practical sessions, including Polybat, with some fun elements - all aimed at building each person’s confidence to work and play table tennis with people with disabilities.

The Tutor for the day will be Judy Rogers, the English Table Tennis Association’s National Equality and Child Protection Officer. A manual on working with disabled people and equipment will be provided.

Cost for the day, including lunch and manual, is only £10.

To register or for further information, please contact:

Jose Ransome
01642 322223
ajransome@aol.com (ajransome@aol.com)
Chris Rayner

Hovis Bread Eater
02-12-2008, 09:27 PM
Jose

The same weekend is the Liverpool Internationlal Disabled Competition,

Where we have 30 players participating

Thanks for the invite

Andrew Horsfield
Head Coach
BTTAD

DaveR
02-13-2008, 12:48 AM
First things first..............im so pleased we now have a representative for Table Tennis and Disabilities, the sport is as we all know open to anyone of any ability and that includes the disabled so great to have Andy here............

Jose as most of us now know gets things moving and im pleased to have her onboard also.

Hopefully we can organise and promote any events of this nature as all promote the sport in a good light.

SteveJ
02-13-2008, 01:54 AM
The whole aspect of Table Tennis and disabilities interests myself as i have many friends with similar problems but as usual get on with life, hopefully we will here more on this interesting subject.

Highside
02-13-2008, 08:40 PM
I too have seen the Table Tennis played by those in either wheelchairs or another disability and the level amazes me, nice to see we have the area on the forum as it far to often gets forgotten about.

DaveR
02-20-2008, 11:10 PM
Great idea Jose and i have attatched the pdf file so it downloads ..........

Hovis Bread Eater
03-31-2008, 02:55 PM
See this link to a video the British Paralympic Association took regarding coaching the Disabled at Table Tennis

http://www.parasport.org.uk/video_item.asp?itemid=556&itemTitle=Table+tennis+coaching+video&section=0001000100180001&sectionTitle=Coaching+video&year=1899&month=12

Hope it works

DaveR
03-31-2008, 03:08 PM
Greta link Hovis, im currently thinking of setting a whole disabilities embeded page of its own soon which can have stuff like this on all the time.

So if we have videos to add or can be added send me some and i will edit / add upload to the site direct.

The whole Table Tennis disabilities is an area to expand upon.

Jose
03-31-2008, 03:41 PM
See this link to a video the British Paralympic Association took regarding coaching the Disabled at Table Tennis

http://www.parasport.org.uk/video_item.asp?itemid=556&itemTitle=Table+tennis+coaching+video&section=0001000100180001&sectionTitle=Coaching+video&year=1899&month=12

Hope it works

The link worked well and it is an interesting video. Have passed it on.

SteveJ
03-31-2008, 03:47 PM
See this link to a video the British Paralympic Association took regarding coaching the Disabled at Table Tennis

http://www.parasport.org.uk/video_item.asp?itemid=556&itemTitle=Table+tennis+coaching+video&section=0001000100180001&sectionTitle=Coaching+video&year=1899&month=12

Hope it works

Great information and video also. Sites like this should deffinitely promote and encourage all events including Disabilities / Wheelchair Table Tennis plus, as mentioned a page for this inside the sites boundaries.

Mr Wilko
03-31-2008, 10:12 PM
there used to be a bloke who played at eldon square when i was a kid and i think he had got a medal at para olympics think he was called john hope or summit a mate of benny the perv does he still play??

Powerhouse
04-01-2008, 12:30 AM
I think the site would benefit from a disabilities page also, good idea.

Hovis Bread Eater
04-01-2008, 07:43 AM
Dave Hope retired from international competition after the European Championships in 2001. He was gold medal in Korea

Mr Wilko
04-02-2008, 09:02 PM
Hovis you are another mind of information Cheers matey

Annie
04-02-2008, 09:07 PM
Hovis you are another mind of information Cheers matey

You are quite correct Mr Wilko.

Hovis you're a great source of information, thanks for your efforts :thumbsup:

Hovis Bread Eater
04-25-2008, 04:47 PM
Bronze place play off in CLass 4 at the Athens Paralympic Games

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_aIASPfIQE&feature=related