“Table Tennis is like war. If you’re not dead, that means I am,” said Olympic silver medalist Feng Tianwei. To many, it is a game of precision in which only the best come out on top. Anyone who has played ping-pong against a truly serious player knows just how competitive it can get. Tense concentration, the thwack of the paddles, and the rhythmic bounce of the ball define the game we know and love. However, if you have ever played alongside a not-so-serious player, you will know what it is like to slam ping-pong balls at each other, simply trying to keep them off the floor. Regardless of how you play, you will quickly be captured in the spirit of the game.

If you want to hone your ping-pong skills or are simply intrigued and would like to learn the game, Greylock has a place for you: Ping Pong Club. They meet twice a month during the winter sports season, usually from 2:30 to 4:00, so that students can catch the late bus. Anyone is welcome to come, from beginners to masters. Mr. Polidoro, who leads the club, describes an average meeting, saying: “We play ping-pong and eat snacks and just goof around a little bit. So it’s not anything serious. It’s definitely open to anyone who wants to come.” Whether you’re picking up a paddle for the first time or looking to test your talent, Ping Pong Club is the place for you. Besides, who could pass up free snacks?

Ping Pong Club has had an interesting history. The club began as a stats project about ping-pong by Greylock alum, Annie Miller. That year, juniors Emily Alvarez and Maya O’Connor suggested the idea of making it into a club to Mr. Polidoro. Once the idea was pitched, Mr. Polidoro borrowed a table from the gym to launch the organization. Attendance grew quickly, and the Ping Pong Club was born!

Now entering its third year this November, the club is still going strong and has a record number of sign-ups this year. The inviting and low-pressure atmosphere has been key to this growth. “It kind of attracts all different types of kids, like kids that are athletes or not athletes… it’s kind of unique in that sense that it’s just fun,” said Mr. Polidoro. In past years, attendance has grown so much that tables have spilled out into the hallways. By using both actual ping-pong tables and portable nets on groups of desks, everyone is able to play at the same time. In the past, students were invited to participate in a local table tennis competition by an acquaintance of Mr. Polidoro. So far, the timing has not lined up and they have not had the chance to compete, however, they hope to attend this coming season. Even if they are not in any official competitions, the club often plays in a Round Robin tournament style when they meet, sometimes playing doubles or other variations.

While not all of us might think of table tennis as warfare, it is an excellent game for every level of competition and skill. The club welcomes everyone and is the perfect place to hang out with your friends while you crush them at ping-pong.