Table Tennis Rules
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Here we answer your question- What are the rules of table tennis? Once you review this guide, you should know enough of the table tennis basics to play an entire match by the book. This tutorial is part of phase 1 in our FREE Beginner to Intermediate Table Tennis lesson plan.
Very quickly, if you just started taking table tennis seriously it is essential to play with the best custom table tennis blade and rubber options for beginners. All players eventually had to make an unnecessary second purchase after realizing how much better they perform than premade equipment. Of the essential equipment for table tennis, getting a custom paddle is the most important.
Finally, here is our no-nonsense overview of the rules in table tennis:
1. Keeping Score
Official matches are played as best of 5 or 7 games. Modern games are played to 11 points, and a player must win by at least 2 points for a game to finish. Otherwise the score can go up infinitely until someone creates a 2 point lead for the win
2. Service
Players switch every 2 points until the score reaches 10-10, at which point they alternate serves every single point
The server must throw the ball with an open palm at least 6 inches up and let it fall at least 6 inches down before making contact. Contact must be behind the endline and above the playing surface
The serve must be visible, i.e the server should not hide the serve by making contact behind the body, placing the non-dominant arm or head in front of the contact, etc.
The ball must touch the server's side of the table before crossing over the net and bouncing on the receiving side bouncing at least one time.
If the ball does not pass over the net or misses the table on either side, the receiver is awarded the point
A "let" is called when:
The ball hits the net during the serve but still lands on the correct receiving side of the table
Other disruptions occur, such as interference from an outside source. For example a ball flying in from another game, a player shouting, etc.
The server replays the serve without penalty. Let's can happen over and over without a limit
3. Rally Rules
The receiving player must return the ball so that it bounces on the opponent's side of the table and not their own. From this stage and beyond if a player hits their own side of the table, they lose the point
a single time before the opponent returns it. If the opponent lets the ball bounce a second time on their side, they lose the point
The ball must hit the top surface or top corner of the edge of the able to count as landing. If it clearly misses the table of hits the side, this is considered a miss
Obstructions: Players cannot place their non-playing hand on the table. Players can hit the ball with any part of their paddle or the playing hand while swinging the paddle without being penalized. If the ball touches any other part of the body, the head, neck or any limbs the point is lost
5. Faults
A player loses a point if:
They fail to make a valid service or return
The ball does not hit the opponent’s side
The ball goes off the table and out of bounds
They hit the ball before it has crossed the net
6. Switching Sides
Players switch sides:
After one player reaches 5 points in a game
In the deciding game, players switch sides after one player reaches 5 points
7. Equipment Specifications
Table Dimensions: The table is 9 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 2.5 feet high
Ball: The standard ball is 40 mm in diameter and weighs 2.7 grams, usually made of plastic
Paddle (Racket): Players can use any size paddle. The playing surface must be flat and covered with rubber, and each side must be a different color. The same color rubber on both sides is not permitted
White Shirts: Players must not wear white shirts which could create blind areas for opponents during points being played with a white ball
8. Player Conduct and Etiquette
Behavior: Players are expected to maintain good sportsmanship, avoid distracting their opponents, and refrain from excessive celebration or negative reactions
Timeouts: Players may request a timeout (typically 1 minute) during a match, usually allowed once per game
9. Special Situations
Injuries: If a player is injured, they can receive treatment but may have time limits
Environmental Interruptions: If play is interrupted by outside factors (like noise or movement), a let may be called
Having a general understanding of the rules of table tennis can make playing competitive matches more comfortable for everyone. The rules provide a general guideline that keeps winning, and losing, a measurable and objective process. When there is a standard put into place, and we follow it, it keeps the game fair for all.
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