Noise obstruction

Table Tennis Rules

Last updated 10 years ago

bryan george

bryan george Asked 11 years ago

Is it a foul if the opponent starts talking to himself in middle of the match or the audience is too noisy?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Bryan,

If there is a sudden unexpected noise then the umpire can call a let.  At major events there is noise all the time so it never really comes up.  If however you are at an event with one court only being played and there is a loud noise the umpire may call a let.  You would find that the players sometimes both stop playing and will almost call a let themselves.

If your opponent is distracting you with their talking then you have a right to ask the umpire to  ask them to stop.  It is a distraction that shouldn't be allowed.


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ganesh burra

ganesh burra Posted 10 years ago

Hi Alois,

             During a point while hitting or smashing the ball can opponent make sound like ah, come'on etc, like in Tennis?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago

HI Ganesh,

In the Handbook for Match Officials they have this clause:

An example of behaviour which might justify action by the umpire is shouting during play, in annoyance or elation, but in deciding how to react the umpire should take account of the environment in which it occurs. If the general noise level is so high that the player’s shouting is hardly noticeable, it is more sensible not to stop play but to wait until the end of the rally before speaking to the offending player.


ganesh burra

ganesh burra Posted 10 years ago

Thank you



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