The Rules of Table Tennis

A Game

A game is won by the player or pair who scores 11 points unless both players or pairs score 10 points. Then, the game is won by the player or pair that leads by two points (e.g., 12–10 or 13–11).

A Match

• A match consists of the best of any odd number of games. For schools, use 1, 3, 5, or 7 depending on time constraints.
• Play must be continuous throughout a match, except that any player is entitled to claim an interval of no more than 1 minute between successive games.

Some Common Questions

• Is the ball in or out if it hits the side of the table? OUT
• Do you win the game if the score is 7–0? NO. You must play to the full score.
• How many "lets" can you serve before you lose the point? AS MANY AS YOU LIKE. You never lose a point for serving a let.
• In doubles, do you serve one serve to each side of the table? NO. You only serve from your right side court to your opponent’s right court.
• If the ball hits the white line, is it in or out? IN.
• Are you allowed to lean on the table, and can your bat touch the table? YES. The only thing that isn't allowed to touch the table is your non-playing hand.
• How many faults are you allowed to serve before you lose a point? Every time you serve a fault, you lose a point.
• Can you hit the ball before it bounces on your side of the table?
  • If the ball is still in play (over the table) and you hit it on the full, you lose the point.
  • If the ball has gone past the table and you hit it on the full, you win the point.

The Table

The playing surface is rectangular, 2.74m (9ft) long and 1.525m (5ft) wide, and lies in a horizontal plane 76cm (2ft 6in) from the floor. The playing surface does not include the sides of the tabletop.

The Net Assembly

The top of the net, along its whole length, is 15.25cm (6in) high.

The Ball

The ball is made of celluloid or similar plastic material and can be white or orange. The diameter of the ball is 40mm.

The Racket

• The racket can be any size, shape, or weight.
• The surface material covering the wood must be bright red on one side and a contrasting colour on the other.

Hitting

A player hits the ball if they touch it in play with their racket held in hand or with the racket hand below the wrist.

Serving, Receiving, and Ends

• The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving, and ends is decided by lot.
• After each two points, the receiving player or pair becomes the serving player or pair.
• When both players have scored 10 points, the sequence of serving changes, with each player serving for only one point in turn.

Changing Ends and Order in Doubles

• Ends are changed at the conclusion of each game or when one player or pair reaches 5 points in the deciding game.
• In doubles, at each change of ends in the deciding game, the order is reversed by the receivers changing positions.

A Good Service

• The ball must be resting freely on the stationary open palm of the server's free hand, behind the end line, and above the playing surface.
• The server must throw the ball almost vertically up at least 16cm without imparting spin before hitting it.
• The ball must be hit so that it first touches the server's court, then passes over the net, and lands on the receiver's court.
• The ball must always be visible to the receiver during the serve.

A Good Return

The ball must pass over or around the net assembly and touch the opponent’s court, either directly or after touching the net.

Doubles Rules

• All players must take turns hitting the ball.
• When serving, the ball must touch the right half-court of both the server and the receiver.
• At each change of service, the previous receiver becomes the server, and the partner of the previous server becomes the receiver.

Scoring a Point

A player scores a point if:

• The opponent fails to make a good service.
• The opponent fails to make a good return.
• The ball touches anything other than the net before being hit by the opponent.
• The opponent obstructs the ball.
• The opponent moves the playing surface.
• The opponent's free hand touches the playing surface.
• In doubles, if the opponent hits the ball out of sequence.

Basic Rules of Table Tennis

If you prefer watching a video, we have a one where Alois and Jeff discuss the basic rules of table tennis. Enjoy!