HASSitting on a family ping-pong table, legs apart, racket in hand, the blond guy diligently (and with a certain dexterity) exchanges balls with his father, then laughs like a hunchback. Soberly titled “Félix, 3 years old, ping-pong”, the amateur film was put online in September 2009. In a second short video, dated May 2010, we find little Félix in a gymnasium. He runs between blocks, with or without a racket in hand, then practices exercises at the table, which he barely passes. The 2:17 minute film invites children aged 4 to 6 to join him at “baby-ping” in a club in Montpellier.
If not all table tennis players will have two Olympic medals in their pocket at the age of 17, like Félix Lebrun – this is not the main goal of the activity anyway – the recent exploits of the French team of ping are likely to give a boost to the discipline. Still little known to the public, this fun form of ping-pong officially intended for 4-7 year olds, but in practice especially for 3-6 year olds, has existed since 2009, developed by the French Table Tennis Federation (FFTT). “Baby-ping was created because some educators found it relevant to be able to welcome young children into clubs. The practice can begin when they enter kindergarten, when they are clean »describes Lucie Coulon, responsible for this program at the FFTT.
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Based on varied exercises, with technical progression throughout the year, the activity promotes psychomotor and cognitive development, but also socialization. “It’s very rich, we work on movements, races, jumps, address, aiming, coordination, grip and fine motor skills, mediated by a tool which is a racket…”lists Lucie Coulon. Born in France, baby ping is starting to spread in Europe, but has not reached China, a breeding ground for the world’s best players. The little Chinese begin directly with “traditional” ping-pong, possibly perched on benches set up in front of the table.
More than 4,000 children registered
Hoops, blocks, balls of different sizes… The equipment is inexpensive, and can be used by clubs for other activities. Only the rackets are specific (their handle is suitable for small hands). In around fifteen years, 300 supervisors have been trained and 10% of the 3,124 French ping-pong clubs now have a baby-ping section. During the 2023-2024 season, some 4,150 children were registered, or 3.3% of licensees.
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