Racket and free hand rules
Rules
nischay tibrewal Asked 7 years ago
Hello sir, I want to ask what happens if the ball touches the playing hand or forearm, game continues or we lose point immediately ? Second, what if the playing hand touches the table while game play ? It will be a great help if you can mention the ITTF rulebook rule number for these issues.
Thank you
Alois Rosario Answered 7 years ago
Hi Nischay,
If the ball touches the playing hand and goes back on it is a good shot. Up to the wrist is considered part of the bat. Therefore if it hits the forearm it is a point against you.
2.5.7 A player strikes the ball if he or she touches it in play with his or her racket, held in the hand, or with his or her racket hand below the wrist.
The only thing that isn't allowed to touch the table is your non playing hand. Therefore if the playing hand touches the table that is OK.
2.10.1 Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point
2.10.1.11 if an opponent's free hand touches the playing surface
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Gabriel Orozco Posted 7 years ago
Would it be okay to hold the racket by its rubber? I once slammed the ball to my opponents backhand side, he switched hands and held the racket by its rubber and hit it back. He missed the shot, but I was wondering if he did would be legal?
Arjan van Luttikhuizen Posted 7 years ago
It's legal to switch the racket between hands during a rally, at least there are no rules indicating otherwise that I know of. At that point your racket hand and free hand simply switch roles. There also isn't any rule stipulating where a racket should be held. As long as the material is competition legal one is allowed to hold it in any way they see fit.
nischay tibrewal Posted 7 years ago
Thank you Alois sir
No problems Nischay.
Beauford P Posted 7 years ago
Hi Alois,
How old/new is rule 2.10.1.11?
I was playing roughly a year ago against an opponent (who is a registered umpire with TT Victoria). I hit the ball short so it just fell over the net. He was forced to stretch across the table to get to it, but because he's of short stature, he rested his opposite hand so not to fall and get to the ball. He ended up smashing the ball which I couldn't get back. BUT if he didn't rest his opposite hand, he would not have gotten to the ball.
I asked if him touching the table was illegal, but another registered umpire that happened to be watching our game, and my opponent, both said that the rule is you CAN rest your hand on the table, you can even stand on the table!! As long as the table doesn't 'move'. Therefore him resting his opposite hand and NOT moving the table was ok so he won the point.
I'm not sure how long my opponent has been a registered umpire with TT Vic, but the other umpire watching is a respected umpire, so I just took his word for it, but rule 2.10.1.11 says the complete opposite??
Your thoughts?
tim gerg Posted 8 months ago
I think somewhere on this site you said that anyone that touches the table (would be 4 if playing doubles) with their free hand commits a fault.
question 1:
2.10.1.11 rule only mentions the opponent
Question 2
does touching the table refer to the playing surface or does it incl;ude the sides and/or table legs?
these questions are not meant to be argumentative; I want to be properly knowledgeable if I try and invoke a rule while playing