Rule Change: Edge Balls out or a let

Thanks Alois and others for your comments.

First to Alois, I'm not talking about edge balls the way you described, I'm talking about the obvious ones that nobody disputes. The ones where you're into a rally and both are trying their hardest and one person accidently overplays it and hits the edge causing both players to gasp. I have NEVER seen anybody dispute an OBVIOUS edge ball. The ones you're talking about seem to be already causing controversy so maybe playing the let would stop this??

Thomas, the issue I have with "it's part of the game" is that it's not really part of the game. It happens during a game, yes, just like a ball coming from another table happens in a game. Why don't we keep playing those points instead of calling a let?? It's an unecessary part of the game. I see it as a "conditions of play are disturbed in a way which could affect the outcome of the rally".  I don't see people training to try and hit egdes or anyone training to get back accidental edge shots so why is this 'part of the game'? Your comment of "(and nobody can really do them on purpose)" sort of emphasises this point, doesn't it? Which then brings me to why I always apologise - because I didn't mean it.  Don't you feel bad when you win a point by accident??? Or do you feel good that you got lucky, ie you trained so hard to get a lucky shot?

And I don't think "it happens to everybody the same so nobody has an advantage". If your opponent does it 3 times before you do 1, are you not psychologically at a disadvantage? I don't know you personally but I've read other people on here that it affects, when they've done NOTHING wrong.

I just think that edge balls cause more harm psychologically (leading to bad sportsmanship) than at least playing a let would.

Judging edge balls would lead to a lot of disputes I think. It's already hard enough sometimes to decide if a ball is "in" or "out" when it touches the left of right edge of the table while coming from the outside ("did it touch the corner or the side?" I.e. "was the outgoing angle bigger than the incoming angle?") Now imagine applying this to all the edge balls. Lots of them are obvious, but a good amount of them are really not and bounce just a fraction less than they would have normally. Any long ball oddly bouncing could be called "lets" by more or less honest players. I have a player in my club who puts so much spin on his topspins that they have a deadly low rebound. So any time one of these lands on the white line, it looks like an edge ball. So I'd gladly avoid these situations and rather count on the fairness of lady luck to balance things for both players more or less. I think it's very similar to the "ball hits the finger + the racquet" topic: gives an unfair advantage to the author, but so hard to judge that all in all, we're better off accepting them all.

"Judging edge balls would lead to a lot of disputes I think. It's already hard enough sometimes to decide if a ball is "in" or "out" when it touches the left of right edge of the table while coming from the outside ("did it touch the corner or the side?" I.e. "was the outgoing angle bigger than the incoming angle?") Now imagine applying this to all the edge balls. Lots of them are obvious, but a good amount of them are really not and bounce just a fraction less than they would have normally."

Jean, I'm confused here. You sound like calling it a let is a bad thing but when making the above statement, it just reinforces the need to call it a let and be done with the disputes and just go on with the game. The first half of your comments sounds like you're agreeing with me then the 2nd half is the opposite.

Does anyone have any comment on my idea that an edge ball c/would fall under the description of Rule 2.09.02.04?

Hi Beauford,

I don't think 2.09.02.04 relates to edges. The way I read it is if the court is disturbed then a let can be called. So if something from another court entered your court or if someone ran into the court. I think the ball hitting the edge doesn't disturb the conditions of play.

Personally I'd like to keep it as is. I do think it would complicate things by calling lets on edges. It's an interesting idea though and always good to hear people's thoughts.

Hi Jeff,

I think you misunderstood me. I'm not saying 2.09.02.04 applies to edges. I'm saying edges could come under this rule as a rule change.

I'm finding it hard to comprehend (other) comments on here saying stuff along the lines of "it's too hard to work out edges as they are" so instead of calling a let and getting on with it, lets keep it as it is and keep it consusing and disruptive to the game...

I think that the issue is that at the moment it is a little disruptive but it might become more disruptive when players start claiming that any ball near the edge actually hit the edge and should be a let.

Hi Beauford,

I'll try to rephrase: Yes, an edge ball gives you an unmerited advantage, so in the spirit of the rule you referred to, yes we may call them "lets" BUT telling whether a ball landing in the edge area did hit the edge or did not, judging by its bounce, is too difficult in some cases (not all of them are that obvious), THEREFORE calling all of them "in" still is the better option overall.

Calling only the "obvious" ones "lets" is not possible, since nobody will agree on what is "obvious" and what is not. You need a clear definition.

And yes, you're right, sometimes chance leans more towards one of the two players during a single game or even a whole match. Some points are also more important than others, so when you're unlucky on those ones, that can hurt. But overall, let's say over one year, lucky and unlucky days should more or less be balanced.

Hi Jean,

Gotta disagree with you a bit there. I think the obvious ones ARE more common than the 'more difficult' ones, therefore calling a let and getting on with the game, giving nobody an advantage, would be the better way to go.

I'm sure you and others here have been playing a lot longer than me, but in all my time playing (competition), I've not seen anybody claim an edge ball when it's not. I think I must play a different class of player than you guys (as I play in the lower ranks). It must be more serious (and less sportsmanlike) in the upper ranks???

What I do see is somebody getting lucky a few times in a game and you can clearly see the affect it has on the other person and the rest of their game. I'm just arguing that as it's not part of the game (as in I don't train for it), then it's not fair and therefore should be classed at least a let. If it was fair and part of the game then there'd be no need to apologise for getting a lucky shot.

I just like things to be fair for both players. I don't think getting an edge (obvious or not) is fair.

Edge balls are totally unpredictable, uncontrollable and always a surprise - that´s exactly why I like them. To me, that adds spice to the game. After all...it´s PLAYING table tennis - I dont want to get too serious about it.