Over the table - Down the line

Jason Ferdinand Asked 8 years ago

Hi. Sometimes I hear the commentator says "over the table" and "down the line". What's the meaning of "over the table" and "down the line"? And are they the opposite?

Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Jason,

Over the table usually means that the player is hitting the ball when it is still on top of the table rather than waiting for it to come off the end.

Down the line means hitting it straight rather than cross court.  If you are both right hander, it would be hitting the ball from your forehand corner to their backhand corner or your backhand corner to their forehand corner.