Discussion
One of my friends said you should appologize for any net or edge balls that you made, is this true?
And does this have anything to do with some players like Schalger who raise their finger after a point sometimes, did he just make an edge ball?
Hi Chris,
It is part of Table Tennis etiquette to apologise for a net or edge ball. Normally this is done by raising your hand so the actions you described Schlager taking before were probably in response to an edge or net.
I'd be interested to hear from our readers about
What part of the table is considered to be in and what part is out... What happens if you hit the edge?
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Ji-Soo Woo Posted 15 years ago
I think it's just common-sense sportsmanship to apologise for a bit of luck...nothing specific to table tennis. You see professionals lift their finger to acknowledge lucky shots...not just tips and edges but also mishits.
Having said that, some professionals barely seem to make an effort to apologise at all. They first run around pumping their fists, and then half-raise an imperceptible finger when the opponent's back is turned.
Generally speaking, in my experience, regular club players are much more friendly than professionals (I guess less at stake!). People don't just lift a finger, but verbally apologise as well (or maybe people are just more friendly in laid-back Canberra!).
Personally, I don't think all edges are the same. If I hit a great shot, and I AIM for the corner, and it would have been a winner anyway but it partially clips the edge of the table - I actually consider that not a question of luck. In that case I generally don't apologise. But if I've been totally outplayed in a rally and would have lost it but get a lucky tip that turns the tide, I would be extremely apologetic.
Similarly, whether or not I get angry with an opponent not apologising depends on the nature of the tip/edge.
Andrew T Posted 15 years ago
Jackson Warren Unknown Posted 15 years ago
jamie champion Posted 15 years ago
i love it when i get a net or an edge ball but i always apologize coz i hate it when other people don't apologize. the net can also help when someone smashes it and it comes off the net alot slower thats always handy.
mike richardson Unknown Posted 15 years ago
Steve Reilly Unknown Posted 15 years ago
I played fairly regularly in the British National League & occasionally in the German Bundesliga in the early 80's. Being British it was common courtesy to apologise for a lucky edge or net and "one should never applaud an opponents mistake" However we often liked to follow the examples (many bad!) of the top district, regional and International players by celebrating our own lucky (or was it accurate?) shots and then going on to celebrate our opponents poor concentration errors (or was it "forced" ?)
Of course it upset me many times when my opponent would cheer his own luck then celebrate my every mistake, forcing me to loose more focus/concentration!!! MY SOLUTION eventually was, and still is today, to immediately say; "GOOD HIEGHT, GOOD LENGTH or GOOD WIDTH" closely followed by "CANT BEAT ACCURACY LIKE THAT" as I stare back at my gloating opponent and pointing at the net or edge whilst focusing my mind on the next point.
Psychology is so important in our sport, learning to control & use it often helps!!
As an ITTF coach & course conductor, nowadays (thanks to Alois Rosario) I still have agreat belief in accuracy and consistency training in every aspect of our sport. Our youngest cadets learn thier basics by completing skills awards and it doesn't take very long for a 10 year old to consistantly hit a 30cm (12") vertical target from any area of thier court. Eventually they become proficient with repetitively hitting a 15cm and smaller vertical target................ so can we train to hit the edge or net and put the ball exactly where we want it from both wings????
At least we don't need to argue like John McEnroe that "The ball WOZ on the line!!!" unless the umpire and opponant are blind & deaf!!!
antriksh Unknown Posted 15 years ago
OF course i geet annoyed when an edge occurs but then on the contrary i never appologise or raise finger(lol)
I also never knew that u raise ur finger to appologise
raul dominguez Unknown Posted 15 years ago
of course i hate when i lose a point in that way. in my case, i dont spect courtesy when my opponent has a lucky point, so, if my opponent dont apologyze i dont care. be in that way is better for me, so i dont feel angry with anybody.
Zhihao Toh Posted 15 years ago
Yes, I always apologise for any nets and edge balls regardless of the nature. Most of the time I don't get annoyed when my opponents don't apologise, because I can understand that they are happy that they are lucky enough to hit an edge or net ball.
However, I would like to share with you guys about one of my friends, who plays with me alot of times, used to apologise in the past matches. But now, in the recent matches we play together, whenever he made any net/edge balls against me, not only he doesn't apologise, he laughs wiwth sarcarsm and says "Yes! HAHAHAHAHAHA!". Truthfully speaking, I got very annoyed at that moment, and I played more aggressively for the rest of that match.
We totally had 16 match encounters, and I won it all. He didn't get to win my in any match, so far, at most he can only pull me off 2 games in a best of seven match. If this is the reason of why he is laughing instead of being polite and apologise for a net/edge ball, I would consider him a sore loser. Another factor that I can say that, is after a match, when I went up to shake his hand, he ran away from me and made me chase him. I was very annoyed at that moment too.
Hmm, I can't believe such players exists, and worse still, it's a friend that I know!
Mark Taylor Posted 15 years ago
Brian C Unknown Posted 15 years ago
If your opponent doesn\'t apologize and that makes you upset, then it\'s a weakness in your game. Stop expecting it. Whether your opponent apologizes or not should not make any differences to your game. If your opponent celebrates after every point, don\'t let that bother you either. The more weakness you show, the more your opponent will exploit it.
Janzy Unknown Posted 15 years ago
Keith Unknown Posted 15 years ago
Since the laws of physics work the same for both players, at least on this planet, "apologizing" for a lucky net or edge ball is simply silly. Luck is luck, is luck...it's not as if one player has a physcal advantage in getting edges or nets. Some players may seem to get more edge balls, but that's simply because they probably try to play a larger percentage of their returns close to an edge.
Personally, the only time I want an edge to be discussed is just so that both players (in a non-refereed match) agree.
I would rather see most players put their apologetic energy into discontinuing the embarassing "cho!" after every won point, regardless of how the point was won. If the purpose of apologizing for edges and nets is to demonstrate sportsmanship the vast majority of "cho!ers" could demonstrate a heck of a lot more sportsmanship by quitting the "cho!" stuff and forget apologizing for the edges and nets.
pingpongfreak Unknown Posted 15 years ago
i agree with what Keith said. there really is no need for apologizing when it comes to luck.
i was at at a table tennis tournament 2 monthas ago and i realized everyone was apologizing for lets, nets, and edges. soon i got kind of annoyed. if you made an edge and your oppent dived in an attempt to recieve it, then you shold say sorry, but just an edge is no big deal. apologies are really for something bad you did purposely.
martin Law Posted 15 years ago
gian crispino Posted 14 years ago
Stefan Liew Posted 14 years ago
Ali K Posted 14 years ago
I agree with Keith. I don't see the point in apologising. And I really don't like it when people apologise after they smash a high return from the opponent (caused by a net/side-edge), because if they were truly sorry, they wouldn't smack it.
Buy Ogon Posted 14 years ago
Marcus Anbau Posted 13 years ago
I allways say sorry after a net or edge ball, cause thats not the way I like to make points. It doesnt anoy me if opponents dont aknowledge their luck. No opponent has been celebrating my own mistakes yet, that would propably annoy me, but I would try to control it.
I do get annoyed at my cursed luck if opponent gets lots of net and edge balls (more than 7 or allways the matchball), though again I try to control my feelings. Every time I do get annoyed I play bad and get more annoyed and play even worse:)
Sally Mander Posted 13 years ago
Justin Lance Posted 13 years ago
I generally do raise a hand or finger and say sorry for edge and net shots.
The only exception is when they had no way of getting the shot back anyway.
John Johnson Posted 13 years ago
Do footballers say sorry to the goalkepper when they shoot in the post and in?
Luck is just a part of the sport.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 13 years ago
Hi John,
It is interesting how different sports handle luck. Footballers might not apologise for hitting the crossbar but Tennis players generally do if they get a lucky break by hitting the top of the net.
Richard Weaver Posted 13 years ago
I do agree on apologies for Net\'s and Edge\'s, However, during the spirit of the game and if it is friendly game. I would jokingly say "I deserved that" (If I was losing). Just to add some humour and enjoyment in the game. I would definitely apologise for the luck in competition though.
Nick Ungson Posted 12 years ago
I ask myself, "What would Timo Boll do?"
And the answer is always, "Be a perfect sportsman. And apologize for any nets or edges."
moataz liontoxicator Posted 12 years ago
Dan Williams Posted 12 years ago
I get annoyed if its close and the opponent doesn\'t apologize.
Julio Torres Posted 12 years ago
I laught and then I apologize
Steve Vaugier Posted 12 years ago
Gordon Hume Posted 12 years ago
OK, guys, parts of this thread have been an interesting, almost philosophical, discussion on the ethics of our great sport, but this is all turning a bit ugly now so can we close the subject down without any more arguments? Please? :)
Thanks for all your interesting points.
Gord
Hannah Sunley Posted 12 years ago
I always apoligise for my nets and edges just because I know it sucks when it happens to you and you cant get to the shot in time. I dont mind whether people apoligise or not but it's just the common courtesy I think.
Emil Palm Posted 12 years ago
James Lindberg Posted 12 years ago
I don't see the point in apologizing at all. I'm pretty sure that a lot of us hit the ball as long as possible to get as close to the edge. If we are getting "edge" shots, I think that we earned them.
Same with net shots. Some are trying to get as close as possible and/or as low as possible.
Why should we apologize, the skill in getting as close to the edge/net should be praised, not apologized for.
AmekunRaiane Rivadeneira Posted 12 years ago
well this is an interesting topic got bored reading all the comments xD Sorry :)) too long
imo.... why apologize? shouldnt you try to aim at the edge or aim for a cord ball.... it will give your opponent a hard time to hit it
if some1 can summarize everything that was written here
that would be great
thx guys
Leslie Yin Posted 12 years ago
Oliver Posted 12 years ago
i think that if you try to aim 4 the net, youll miss a great many. Plus it does not have potential, it is too hard. otherwise we will have the wttc full of nets and edges 99/100 balls!
Wilson Cheah Posted 12 years ago
Personally I would apologize if I know that the shot I made was a complete fluke and not intentional. In a case such as hitting the side that your opponent is wide open and skimming the edge of the table, if it's impossible to get in the first place, then probably I won't apologize in that case.
To respond to a lot of people though about practicing to hit the edge or the net- it's an interesting concept since that's actually what they do in badminton, they train to hit the net so the birdie will drop straight down. In table tennis it's another story though. If you really think about the speed the ball's traveling in a such a small limited space, it would take pinpoint precision and timing to do intentional nets/ edges, and if anyone is able to achieve that (which I doubt) then there would be no entertainment in the sport anymore as people would just keep doing nets/ edges every single point. The whole point of sports is not just for competition but also entertainment.
Arjun Patel Posted 12 years ago
Well it seems table tennis is kind of a polite game till you keep apologizing
Aseem Aggarwal Posted 12 years ago
some guy said sorry to me because he won the point when the ball hit the net and i was further away from the table. I think it just sarcastic and i said better be
Reynel Obordo Posted 12 years ago
I would raise my hands and say "Sorry" haha thats my routine
Justin O'Toole Posted 11 years ago
Hi fellow pingskillers i always apoligise when i get a net or and edge as i believe it the right thing to do. Ettiquite is 100% important. Whether the other compeditor opologises to me well that's up to him. I am far to buisy trying to play good winning table tennis to get upset if he does not opologise for his nets and edges.
utkarsh agarwal Posted 11 years ago
is the volley rule follow nowdatys?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Utkarsh,
If you volley the ball when it is past the table it is still your point because the ball has already gone out. This rules has changed in the last few years.
Esteban Mendez Posted 11 years ago
I have to apologize for being lucky? I didn't know that. It's interesting to know how differently other people from other countries view things. I'm a Hispanic from south Texas in the USA and where I'm from, nobody in my school apologizes. When my opponents or even myself score by netting it or edging it, we simply laugh it off. It's common knowledge in my area. We don't laugh because we're rude, we laugh because of the excitement and joy and I do it because i think it's funny. We're a humorous bunch with a funny bone. I'm serious. Even if my opponent scores by being lucky, we both laugh and I say "that was a good one". It's no big deal.
Sean Maynard Posted 11 years ago
Okay you may not totally agree with me but I have a few points of views on this...I understand it can be perceived as a kind of a cheap shot, but at the same point it is still a part of the game. I personally sometimes aim for the net. I know there was a subject on here on tactics and well that's one of my tactics to gain an edge. I personally don't "apologize" but at the same time I do not gloat about it either. I think the sportsman thing to do is not to go wooohooo I got the point but to just play the next point and move on. After all a baseball player does not apologize to the other team for hitting a grand slam home run. An un-catchable ball that's not fair...again part of the game. I find net shots to be a little less impossible then edge shots but I don't get mad about them. I accept them for what they are and move on to the next point. Sometimes I do apologize especially if an edge shot happens off a serve or something to that nature but what I really apologize for is going for a slam or a smash and completely missing the table or hitting them dead on without hitting the table...that is something I never do intentionally and I think is a jerk move if you do. Those absolutely I apologize for or the edge of the bat and send it off into orbit somewhere lol and then I just get embarrassed anyway lol. This has definitely been an interesting conversation with a lot of interesting and valid points from both ends.
Joseph Durbin Posted 11 years ago
I agree with Steve. If you want to practice edge shots, go for it!! I think you will probably miss most of the time and that will benefit me. If you can actually pull it off, then you are definitely a better player than me. I won't apologize for my edges or nets. I think it is part of the game and if it was unintentional and complete luck, I think it is sportsmanlike and mature for both people to laugh about it and go to the next point.
nick- you are much nicer and level headed though.
Ricky G Posted 11 years ago
I feel badly after reading all of these as I actually will win all my points on the net or edge if I can! I guess I must send out 12345555 apologies.
ujjval verma Posted 11 years ago
Its about sportsmanship...
Some players want to be ruthless and that gives them great edge and aggression for the play... they only smile, and its game a tactic so I don't complain !!!
John Nguyen Posted 11 years ago
when my friend get lucky he will be like "I'm the master"
Hossam Samy Posted 11 years ago
when I hit a net ball, I feel annoyed more than my opponent. I feel like I don't deserve the point.
Sasha Savic Posted 11 years ago
I see there is a true debate about this. I think that hitting the net is not on purpose, it simply happens because of rotation of the ball, amount of spin or strength given to it. In my experience, those things usually happen when you hit flat, and, if it is hard enough, if you hit the net, you will probably win the point. It is a little bit annoying, but, it wasn't intentional. Still, I think it is fair to apologize, because it wasn't your intention to play like that.
Tim Stephens Posted 11 years ago
Always good to apologize after the point for and edge or net ball. Danny Seemiller Sr. has said in the past "It is pure skill.", to get them. It shows you are keeping the ball low and hitting good angles and good deep balls. It is good to say sorry, but you are quietly saying to yourself...YES!!!
Federico Prepose Posted 11 years ago
In my opinion the player who committed accidentally the edge ball or net ball during a smashing rally apologizes because it interrupted a fine sequence of smashing, looping, counter spinning, etc. which every table tennis player truly loves. Every player loves a good game right? That means giving everything you've got to counter the opponents move and the same time displaying your awsome skill to counter it, and unfortunately it was disrrupted by an edge ball or net ball, so were not able to do the strategy to contibnue a good return which is sometimes frustrating and that is why some players apologize.
Sammy Serea Posted 11 years ago
Hi there Alois,
I myself always apologise for a net or side ball by raising my hand and possibly even saying sorry out loud, but I never get annoyed if my opponent doesn't.
I do it because it's proper etiquette, but I'm never actually sorry for having won the point ;)
And the only time when I do say something to an opponent for getting a point off a net or side ball, is not because I am annoyed, but it is because I want to get him or her out of their groove - make them feel a bit bad about not having apologised ;)
Cheers,
Sam
Ralph Goodman Posted 11 years ago
Absolutely, just out of good sportsmanship it should be done. In every racquet sport I played, it was standard practice for those that didn't put winning above everything else. I don't look for any hidden motives and I appreciate the gesture.
Joe J Posted 11 years ago
Never apologize.
Joel Van Brimmer Posted 10 years ago
Does your opponent have to apologize for your ball just barely misses the table, or if you hit the net and the ball does not roll over? It seems like this type of etiquette should go both ways. If you have to apologize for good luck then they should have to apologize for bad luck. Or you can just move on to the next point and not say anything.
Kaustubh Kulkarni Posted 10 years ago
I apologize only when it happens accidentally. I do not apologize when I do it purposely.
Jean Balthazar Posted 10 years ago
I think it's quite simple: you apologize whenever the ball gets an unpredictable behaviour, for any reason, because your opponent didn't get a fair chance to hit it back. This is true for net shots, table edge shots, but also when you hit the ball with the edge of your racket or with your finger and the ball doesn't go in the direction your gesture indicated.
I think this is just basic politeness and yes, I get annoyed when others don't do it.
Ciao,
J-B.
maarten koopmans Posted 9 years ago
I believe you should Always apoligise for a net or a edge ball, it is a showing of good sportsmanship. everyone should do it and yes, I do get annoyed by players who do not apologise for this kind of ball.
syd montgomery Posted 9 years ago
I always apologise it is good manners although inside you are relieved to have won the point if my opponent does not then it annoys a bit so no chance of me saying sorry or putting hand up after that it becomes war Lol
D K Posted 9 years ago
I apologize but just as a habit.
I feel no emotions about it.
I also do not have problem with my opponent not apologizing for it.
I consider it my own fault if I miss let/edge shot.
I would train purposefully against such shots if it would be possible to make a let/edge consistently.
Joe Bailey Posted 9 years ago
I personally apologise after hitting the net or the corner of the table, though I have won many matches by hitting the net, which I'm not sorry about! I miss more by hitting the ball into the net anyway.
Tushar Verma Posted 9 years ago
I apologise for a net ball or the edge and never get annoyed if an opponent does not apologise because its his wish to apologise.
Bennett Brown Posted 8 years ago
I don't apologize because its part of the game
Kelvin Woelk Posted 8 years ago
I confess I do not usually apologize, though I understand why some consider it the polite thing to do. But in the context of a match, I feel it's kind of a pointless gesture and even a little distracting. Net shots are just going to happen. I don't think many players actively try for them. And of course a competitive player will aim toward an edge or a corner when it is advantageous to do so. I assume my opponent is playing to win just like I am, and I've never had anyone offer or ask to replay an edge or net point, so I just don't see the need for apologies when they occur.
Dima Shevchenko Posted 8 years ago
I would have said "luck" and raised my hand (if training). No I don`t get angry if opponent doesn`t apoligize. I often here that they apoligize atleast the more experienced players.
rajeev bhalerao Posted 8 years ago
I do apologize but don't expect the same from the opposite side
Kristina Cechova Posted 7 years ago
Hello there :) I just have a question. My friend says, I should not be apologizing for the net during the game. It is stronger than me to apologize immediately even though the game continues. So is it against rules to apologize (to talk) during the game?
For your question, I do not mind if the opponent doesnt apologize. But some of my friends are crazy about not recieving apology :D
nischay tibrewal Posted 7 years ago
I apologize just by raising my hand or sometimes I also say sorry.
Yes it's really annoying specially edges really are
Rohan Keogh Posted 7 years ago
I usually apologise but I don't get upset if my opponent doesn't. At our level occasional mishits and good luck are part and parcel f the game.
Joon Yoo Posted 5 years ago
I apologize unnecessarily for almost everything, lol. A few times, I've even apologized for dishing out really hideous serves that either went out or hit my own table edge.
You don't have to apologize to me; it's cool, I don't mind. But what DOES bother me? There are two people at my club who literally cheer "YESSSSS!" and pump their fists when they hit netballs or edge balls.
I have vowed to never let them win against me. So far, so good.
Nigel C Posted 5 years ago
I have known some people to apologize too soon! The ball catches an edge and one person apologizes only for the other player to make a winning shot. I also apologize after a mishit that wins a point but that I didn't mean. A few days ago I served backhand and managed accidentally to hit the ball on the back of my hand and then on the bat before the ball went over the net. I lost the point (in the rally) but I think my opponent wasn't sure why I apologized.
I think I'd rather be polite and sporting and smile than grumpy and winning.
R Baggy Posted 5 years ago
I do not mind if they apologize or not, it will not affect my play. The net and the edges of the table is part of the playing environment that you need to deal with. If you can let the ball touch the net in order to win a point that's an advantage in your part the same thing hitting the ball on the edge of the table. But I do apologize.