Chapter II

Table Tennis
Introduction:
Welcome to the dynamic and fast-paced world of table tennis! This module is designed to
provide you with a comprehensive understanding of table tennis, including its history,
equipment, techniques, rules, and gameplay. Whether you're a beginner or have some prior
experience, this module will help you develop your skills and knowledge in this exciting indoor
sport.
1. History and Evolution
What is Table Tennis?
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong and whiff-whaff, is a sport in which two or four players
hit a lightweight ball, also known as the ping-pong ball, back and forth across a table using small
solid rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net. Except for the initial serve,
the rules are generally as follows: players must allow a ball played toward them to bounce once
on their side of the table and must return it so that it bounces on the opposite side at least once. A
point is scored when a player fails to return the ball within the rules. Play is fast and demands
quick reactions. Spinning the ball alters its trajectory and limits an opponent's options, giving the
hitter a great advantage.
Table tennis is governed by the worldwide organization International Table Tennis Federation
(ITTF), founded in 1926 by William Henry Lawes of Wymondham, the nine founding members
being Austria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Germany, Hungary, India, Sweden and
Wales. ITTF currently includes 226 member associations.[3] The table tennis official rules are
specified in the ITTF handbook.[4] Table tennis has been an Olympic sport since 1988,[5] with
several event categories. From 1988 until 2004, these were men's singles, women's singles, men's
doubles and women's doubles. Since 2008, a team event has been played instead of the doubles.
Origins: Discover the origins of table tennis and its development from an indoor variation of
tennis to a competitive sport.
Historical Milestones: Explore key moments in table tennis history, including its inclusion in the
Olympics.
The sport originated in Victorian England, where it was played among the upper-class as an
after-dinner parlour game.[1][2] It has been suggested that makeshift versions of the game were
developed by British military officers in India around the 1860s or 1870s, who brought it back
with them.[6] A row of books stood up along the center of the table as a net, two more books
served as rackets and were used to continuously hit a golf-ball.[7][8]
The name "ping-pong" was in wide use before British manufacturer J. Jaques & Son Ltd
trademarked it in 1901. The name "ping-pong" then came to describe the game played using the
rather expensive Jaques's equipment, with other manufacturers calling it table tennis. A similar
situation arose in the United States, where Jaques sold the rights to the "ping-pong" name to
Parker Brothers. Parker Brothers then enforced its trademark for the term in the 1920s, making
the various associations change their names to "table tennis" instead of the more common, but
trademarked, term.[9]
The next major innovation was by James W. Gibb, a British enthusiast of table tennis, who
discovered novelty celluloid balls on a trip to the US in 1901 and found them to be ideal for the
game. This was followed by E.C. Goode who, in 1901, invented the modern version of the racket
by fixing a sheet of pimpled, or stippled, rubber to the wooden blade. Table tennis was growing
in popularity by 1901 to the extent that tournaments were being organized, books being written
on the subject,[7] and an unofficial world championship was held in 1902. In those early days,
the scoring system was the same as in lawn tennis.[10]
Although both a "Table Tennis Association" and a "Ping Pong Association" existed by 1910,[10]
a new Table Tennis Association was founded in 1921, and renamed the English Table Tennis
Association in 1926.[11] The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) followed in
1926.[1][12] London hosted the first official World Championships in 1926. In 1933, the United
States Table Tennis Association, now called USA Table Tennis, was formed.[1][13]
In the 1930s, Edgar Snow commented in Red Star Over China that the Communist forces in the
Chinese Civil War had a "passion for the English game of table tennis" which he found
"bizarre".[14] On the other hand, the popularity of the sport waned in 1930s Soviet Union, partly
because of the promotion of team and military sports, and partly because of a theory that the
game had adverse health effects.[15]
In the 1950s, paddles that used a rubber sheet combined with an underlying sponge layer
changed the game dramatically,[1] introducing greater spin and speed.[16] These were
introduced to Britain by sports goods manufacturer S.W. Hancock Ltd. The use of speed glue
beginning in the mid 1980s increased the spin and speed even further, resulting in changes to the
equipment to "slow the game down". Table tennis was introduced as an Olympic sport at the
Olympics in 1988.[17]
2. Equipment and Playing Area
Table and Net: Learn about the specifications of a standard table tennis table, net height, and the
importance of a level playing surface.
The table is 2.74 m (9.0 ft) long, 1.525 m (5.0 ft) wide, and 76 cm (2.5 ft) high with any
continuous material so long as the table yields a uniform bounce of about 23 cm (9.1 in) when a
standard ball is dropped onto it from a height of 30 cm (11.8 in), or about 77%.[26][27] The
table or playing surface is uniformly dark colored and matte, divided into two halves by a net at
15.25 cm (6.0 in) in height. The ITTF approves only wooden tables or their derivates. Concrete
tables with a steel net or a solid concrete partition are sometimes available in outside public
spaces, such as parks.[28]
Rackets: Understand the different types of rackets, their components, and how to choose the right
one for your playing style.

Players are equipped with a laminated wooden racket covered with

rubber on one or two sides depending on the grip of the player. The ITTF uses the term
"racket",[31] though "bat" is common in Britain, and "paddle" in the U.S. and Canada.
The wooden portion of the racket, often referred to as the "blade", commonly features anywhere
between one and seven plies of wood, though cork, glass fiber, carbon fiber, aluminum fiber, and
Kevlar are sometimes used. According to the ITTF regulations, at least 85% of the blade by
thickness shall be of natural wood.[32] Common wood types include balsa, limba, cypress, and
hinoki, which is popular in Japan. The average size of the blade is about 17 centimetres (6.7 in)
long and 15 centimetres (5.9 in) wide. Although the official restrictions only focus on the
flatness and rigidity of the blade itself, these dimensions are optimal for most play styles.
Table tennis regulations allow different rubber surfaces on each side of the racket.[33] Various
types of surfaces provide various levels of spin or speed, and in some cases they nullify spin. For
example, a player may have a rubber that provides much spin on one side of their racket, and one
that provides no spin on the other. By flipping the racket in play, different types of returns are
possible. To help a player distinguish between the rubber used by his opposing player,
international rules specify that one side must be black while the other side must be a bright color
clearly distinguishable from black and from the color of the ball.[32] The player has the right to
inspect their opponent's racket before a match to see the type of rubber used and what color it is.
Despite high-speed play and rapid exchanges, a player can see clearly what side of the racket
was used to hit the ball. Current rules state that, unless damaged in play, the racket cannot be
exchanged for another racket at any time during a match.[34]
Balls: Explore the characteristics of table tennis balls, including size, weight, and quality
standards.
The international rules specify that the game is played with a sphere having a mass of 2.7 grams
(0.095 oz) and a diameter of 40 millimetres (1.57 in).[24] The rules say that the ball shall bounce
up 24–26 cm (9.4–10.2 in) when dropped from a height of 30.5 cm (12.0 in) onto a standard steel
block thereby having a coefficient of restitution of 0.89 to 0.92. As of 2015, balls are now made
of a polymer instead of celluloid, colored white or orange, with a matte finish. The choice of ball
color is made according to the table color and its surroundings. For example, a white ball is
easier to see on a green or blue table than it is on a grey table. Manufacturers often indicate the
quality of the ball with a star rating system, usually from one to three, three being the highest
grade. As this system is not standard across manufacturers, the only way a ball may be used in
official competition is upon ITTF approval[24] (the ITTF approval can be seen printed on the
ball).
The 40 mm ball was introduced after the end of the 2000 Summer Olympics; previously a 38
mm ball was standard.[20] This created some controversies. Vladimir Samsonov, the World No.
1 table tennis professional at the time, threatened to pull out of the World Cup, which was
scheduled to debut the new regulation ball on 12 October 2000.[25]
3. Basic Techniques
Grips: Master the various grip techniques used in table tennis, including the shakehand grip and
penhold grip.
The Shakehand Grip
The shakehand grip as the name suggests is very similar to the posture used when shaking hands.
2. The Penhold Grip
As the name implies, this grip is similar to holding a pen for writing. Traditional Chinese
penhold grip involves using only one side of the racket for both backhand and forehand strokes.
There are many minor differences in the way players place their fingers for this grip. The
following shows one way to hold the penhold grip.

Strokes: Learn essential strokes like the forehand drive, backhand drive, topspin, and backspin.
Understand the mechanics and applications of each stroke.
The forehand drive is generally a forehand that needs the player to hit the ball directly without
any rotating to the other side of the table. It is generally utilized as a consistency exercise.
The forehand drive is stroke players use for attacking opponents. The purpose of this shot is to
make the ball land on the opponent’s baseline. Players use forehand drive as an attacking sign
on the opposition. Moreover, your goal is to throw the ball close to the opponent’s baseline of
the table.
The forehand drive is in four parts, which are stance, backswing, strike, and finish. When you get
these steps perfectly, you can easily do a primary forehand drive.
How to Play a Forehand Drive in Table Tennis?
1. Correct Position
The first step to getting a forehand drive is knowing how to position yourself. You can only hit
the ball right when you have the correct stance. Your feet should be set apart at least shoulder-
width. Some coaches will insist on two shoulder-widths apart. If you are a right-handed player,
you can place your right foot slightly further back from your left.
Keep your knees in a bent position while your body looks like you are leaning forward. Your
weight should be resting on the balls of your feet and not on your heels. Also, put your two arms
forward towards the direction of the incoming ball. This is the stance you take for a forehand
drive.
2. Right Backswing
The next part you should work on is your backswing. This is the part where you target the ball
that is being sent to you. If you don’t have the proper backswing, you won’t put enough force to
make your shot and eventually lose control of the ball. To get your backswing, you need to rotate
your body to the right side from your hips and move your weight on your back foot. It would help
if you remembered to keep your position on the same stance.
3. Reasonable Strike
The strike comes as a forward movement when you want to hit the ball. In this case, you are
doing the exact opposite of the backswing. You will need to rotate your body on the left or front
side of your hips.
Your weight will move from your back foot to rest on the front foot. Your racket angle should be
closed so that you can hit the ball at its peak after it bounces. Then you leave a small gap
between your body and elbow.
4. Quick Restore
The finish is the point where you end your shot. At this stage, you should ensure you don’t over-
rotate and finish with your racket behind your neck. Your finish should end with your
racket pointing in the direction where you hit the ball. After you make your strike, the racket
should move forward and upwards.
Finally, it needs to be quickly restored to a ready-to-hit position for the next shot.
Table Tennis Backhand Drive Technique
What is Backhand Drive in Table Tennis?
The backhand drive is usually associated with a topspin shot. However, the two are different
because players raise their arms higher so the ball goes a little higher than a topspin in this type
of shot.
For a forehand drive, you will need to use the front of your hands to produce this stroke, but
the backhand drive requires ls players to use the backside of their hands.
The difference between the forehand drive and backhand drive can also be seen in the body’s
movement. Players are not expected to do a full-body rotation like the forehand drive.
The backhand drive is usually taught as a second shot by coaches and is used to control rallies.
You can use this stroke as a counterstroke, especially when playing offensive.
The backhand drive, like the forehand drive, can be played in four parts. This breakdown allows
you to understand how you can quickly master the shot. Some players find it difficult learning
the backhand drive, but with these simple steps, you can make the stroke with ease.
How to Play a Backhand Drive in Table Tennis?
1. Correct Position
Your stance should keep you directly in the line of play. Your feet also have to be facing the same
direction, but it would normally point diagonally at the opponent’s backhand corner. Like the
forehand drive, your feet should also be set wide apart slightly. Your body should be crouched,
and your arms are facing your front while it is bent at the elbow.
2. Right Backswing
The backswing position for a backhand drive does not require anybody rotation. You also don’t
need to transfer your weight on any foot. If you are a right-handed player, you can move your
body back in a way that looks like you are leaning on your left hip. The racket angle should be a
bit closed for a backhand drive.
3. Reasonable Strike
Your strike should be straightforward. Your racket should be positioned facing the direction of
the ball and also upwards. It would be best if you used your elbow for movement as a beginner
because one of the mistakes players make is applying more of their wrist to make a shot. It would
help if you remembered to keep the racket angle closed throughout the time you make your
strike.
4. Quick Restore
The finish like the forehand drive will leave your bat in the direction of where the ball was hit. It
would be best if you had your seem slightly bent but not completely straight. Finally, it would
help if you also restored the posture like a forehand drive quickly.
Common Terms used for the Racket.
Paddle and Bat. Then there are the different parts of the racket. Blade is a term used for the part
that you hit the ball with, the head of the racket. The rubber that goes over the blade is called
rubber. Then you have the handle.
Common Terms used for playing table tennis.
Backhand - A shot done with the racket to the left of the elbow for a right hander, the reverse
for a lefthander.
Block - A quick, off the bounce return of an aggressive drive done by just holding the racket in
the ball's path.
Blade - Wooden part of bat.
Chop - A chop is a heavy under spin shot. I it usually executed away from the table and below
the tabletop. A chop forces the ball to drop downwards when it hits an opponents paddle.
Shakehand - The most popular grip. It gives the best balance of forehand and backhand.
Stroke - Any shot used in the game, including the serve.
Chopper - A style of play where chopping is the primary shot.
Drop shot - Short placement - very close to the net. A key point in making a drop shot is to not
allow the ball to fall off the table after the first bounce. i.e. Drop shots should bounce at least
twice on the opponents side of the table before falling off.
Forehand - Any shot done with the racket to the right of the elbow for a right hander, the
reverse for a lefthander.
Game Point - Last point of a game.
Heavy - a shot is heavy then it just means it has a lot of spin.
Let - Service ball hitting the net or a distraction that causes the point played over.
Lob - Usually used when in the player is in the backcourt in a defensive situation. The player
hits the ball as high as he can - usually with a combination of topspin and sidespin. The deeper
the ball lands on the table, the more difficult it will be for his opponent to smash.
Paddle - Same as racket.
Penholder - A type of grip giving the best possible forehand but the most awkward backhand of
the conventional grips.
Rally - The period in which the ball is in play.
Smash - A put away shot. Ball is hit with enough speed so the opponent can not make a return.
THE LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS

2. THE TABLE

2.1.1 The upper surface of the table, known as the playing surface, shall be
rectangular, 2.74m long and 1.525m wide, and shall lie in a horizontal plane
76cm above the floor.
2.1.2 The playing surface shall not include the vertical sides of the tabletop.
2.1.3 The playing surface may be of any material and shall yield a uniform bounce
of about 23cm when a standard ball is dropped on to it from a height of
30cm.
2.1.4 The playing surface shall be uniformly dark coloured and matt, but with a
white side line, 2cm wide, along each 2.74m edge and a white end line, 2cm
wide, along each 1.525m edge.
2.1.5 The playing surface shall be divided into 2 equal courts by a vertical net
running parallel with the end lines, and shall be continuous over the whole
area of each court.
2.1.6 For doubles, each court shall be divided into 2 equal half-courts by a white
Centre line, 3mm wide, running parallel with the side lines; the centre line
shall be regarded as part of each right half-court.

2.2 THE NET ASSEMBLY

2.2.1 The net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension and the supporting
posts, including the clamps attaching them to the table.
2.2.2 The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each end to an upright
post 15.25cm high, the outside limits of the post being 15.25cm outside the
side line.
2.2.3 The top of the net, along its whole length, shall be 15.25cm above the
playing surface.
2.2.4 The bottom of the net, along its whole length, shall be as close as possible
to the playing surface and the ends of the net shall be attached to the
supporting posts from top to bottom.

2.3 THE BALL

2.3.1 The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40mm.

2.3.2 The ball shall weigh 2.7g.
2.3.3 The ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be
white or orange, and matt.

2.4 THE RACKET

2.4.1 The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat
and rigid.
2.4.2 At least 85% of the blade by thickness shall be of natural wood; an adhesive
layer within the blade may be reinforced with fibrous material such as carbon
fibre, glass fibre or compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than 7.5% of
the total thickness or 0.35mm, whichever is the smaller.
2.4.3 A side of the blade used for striking the ball shall be covered with either
ordinary pimpled rubber, with pimples outwards having a total thickness
including adhesive of not more than 2.0mm, or sandwich rubber, with
pimples inwards or outwards, having a total thickness including adhesive of
not more than 4.0mm.
2.4.3.1 Ordinary pimpled rubber is a single layer of non-cellular rubber, natural
or synthetic, with pimples evenly distributed over its surface at a density
of not less than 10 per cm² and not more than 30 per cm².
2.4.3.2 Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single
outer layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled
rubber not being more than 2.0mm.
2.4.4 The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the
blade, except that the part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers
may be left uncovered or covered with any material.
2.4.5 The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering material or
adhesive on a side used for striking the ball shall be continuous and of even
thickness.
2.4.6 The surface of the covering material on a side of the blade, or of a side of
the blade if it is left uncovered, shall be matt, bright red on one side and
black on the other.
With effect 1st October 20211, the surface of the covering material on a side
of the blade, or of a side of the blade if it is left uncovered, shall be matt,
black on one side, and of a bright colour clearly distinguishable from black
and from the colour of the ball on the other.
2.4.7 The racket covering shall be used without any physical, chemical or other
treatment.
2.4.7.1 Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour due to
accidental damage or wear may be allowed provided that they do not
significantly change the characteristics of the surface.
2.4.8 Before the start of a match and whenever he or she changes his or her
racket during a match a player shall show his or her opponent and the
umpire the racket he or she is about to use and shall allow them to examine
it.

2.5 DEFINITIONS

2.5.1 A rally is the period during which the ball is in play.

2.5.2 The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm
of the free hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally
is decided as a let or a point.
2.5.3 A let is a rally of which the result is not scored.
2.5.4 A point is a rally of which the result is scored.
2.5.5 The racket hand is the hand carrying the racket.
2.5.6 The free hand is the hand not carrying the racket; the free arm is the arm of
the free hand.
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.
2.5.8 A player obstructs the ball if he or she, or anything he or she wears or
carries, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing
surface, not having touched his or her court since last being struck by his or
her opponent.
2.5.9 The server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally.
2.5.10 The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally.
2.5.11 The umpire is the person appointed to control a match.
2.5.12 The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire with
certain decisions.
2.5.13 Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that he or she was
wearing or carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally.
2.5.14 The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions.

2.6 THE SERVICE

2.6.1 Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's
stationary free hand.
2.6.2 The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without
imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16cm after leaving the palm of the free
hand and then falls without touching anything before being struck.
2.6.3 As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his or her
court and then touches directly the receiver's court; in doubles, the ball shall
touch successively the right half court of server and receiver.
2.6.4 From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of
the playing surface and behind the server's end line, and it shall not be
hidden from the receiver by the server or his or her doubles partner or by
anything they wear or carry.
2.6.5 As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm and hand shall
be removed from the space between the ball and the net.
The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and
its indefinite upward extension.
2.6.6 It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or the
assistant umpire can be satisfied that he or she complies with the
requirements of the Laws, and either may decide that a service is incorrect.
2.6.6.1 If either the umpire or the assistant umpire is not sure about the legality
of a service he or she may, on the first occasion in a match, interrupt
play and warn the server; but any subsequent service by that player or
his or her doubles partner which is not clearly legal shall be considered
incorrect.
2.6.7 Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a correct service
where he or she is satisfied that compliance is prevented by physical
disability.

2.7 THE RETURN

2.7.1 The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it touches
the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly.

2.8 THE ORDER OF PLAY

2.8.1 In singles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make
a return and thereafter server and receiver alternately shall each make a
return.
2.8.2 In doubles, except as provided in 2.8.3, the server shall first make a service,
the receiver shall then make a return, the partner of the server shall then
make a return, the partner of the receiver shall then make a return and
thereafter each player in turn in that sequence shall make a return.
2.8.3 In doubles, when at least one player of a pair is in a wheelchair due to a
physical disability, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall
then make a return but thereafter either player of the disabled pair may
make returns.

2.9 A LET

2.9.1 The rally shall be a let:

2.9.1.1 if in service the ball touches the net assembly, provided the service is
otherwise correct or the ball is obstructed by the receiver or his or her
partner;
2.9.1.2 if the service is delivered when the receiving player or pair is not ready,
provided that neither the receiver nor his or her partner attempts to strike
the ball;
2.9.1.3 if failure to make a service or a return or otherwise to comply with the
Laws is due to a disturbance outside the control of the player;
2.9.1.4 if play is interrupted by the umpire or assistant umpire;
2.9.1.5 if the receiver is in wheelchair owing to a physical disability and in service
the ball, provided that the service is otherwise correct,
2.9.1.5.1 after touching the receiver’s court returns in the direction of the net;
2.9.1.5.2 comes to rest on the receiver's court;
2.9.1.5.3 in singles leaves the receiver’s court after touching it by either of its
sidelines.
2.9.2 Play may be interrupted
2.9.2.1 to correct an error in the order of serving, receiving or ends;
2.9.2.2 to introduce the expedite system;
2.9.2.3 to warn or penalize a player or adviser;
2.9.2.4 because the conditions of play are disturbed in a way which could affect
the outcome of the rally.

2.10 A POINT

2.10.1 Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point

2.10.1.1 if an opponent fails to make a correct service;
2.10.1.2 if an opponent fails to make a correct return;
2.10.1.3 if, after he or she has made a service or a return, the ball touches
anything other than the net assembly before being struck by an
opponent;
2.10.1.4 if the ball passes over his or her court or beyond his or her end line
without touching his or her court, after being struck by an opponent;
2.10.1.5 if the ball, after being struck by an opponent, passes through the net or
between the net and the net post or between the net and playing surface;
2.10.1.6 if an opponent obstructs the ball;
2.10.1.7 if an opponent deliberately strikes the ball more than once in succession;
2.10.1.8 if an opponent strikes the ball with a side of the racket blade whose
surface does not comply with the requirements of 2.4.3, 2.4.4 and 2.4.5;
2.10.1.9 if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, moves the
playing surface;
2.10.1.10 if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, touches the
net assembly;
2.10.1.11 if an opponent's free hand touches the playing surface;
2.10.1.12 if a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence established by
the first server and first receiver;
2.10.1.13 as provided under the expedite system (2.15.4).
2.10.1.14 if both players or pairs are in a wheelchair due to a physical disability
and
2.10.1.14.1 his or her opponent does not maintain a minimum contact with the
seat or cushion(s), with the back of the thigh, when the ball is struck;
2.10.1.14.2 his or her opponent touches the table with either hand before striking
the ball;
2.10.1.14.3 his or her opponent’s footrest or foot touches the floor during play.
2.10.1.15 if, where an opposing doubles pair includes at least one player in a
wheelchair, any part of the wheelchair or a foot of a standing player
crosses an imaginary extension of the centre line of the table

2.11 A GAME

2.11.1 A game shall be won by the player or pair first scoring 11 points unless both
players or pairs score 10 points, when the game shall be won by the first
player or pair subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points.

2.12 A MATCH

2.12.1 A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of games.
2.13 THE ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS

2.13.1 The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving and ends shall be
decided by lot and the winner may choose to serve or to receive first or to
start at a particular end.
2.13.2 When one player or pair has chosen to serve or to receive first or to start at
a particular end, the other player or pair shall have the other choice.
2.13.3 After each 2 points have been scored the receiving player or pair shall
become the serving player or pair and so on until the end of the game,
unless both players or pairs score 10 points or the expedite system is in
operation, when the sequences of serving and receiving shall be the same
but each player shall serve for only 1 point in turn.
2.13.4 In each game of a doubles match, the pair having the right to serve first shall
choose which of them will do so and in the first game of a match the
receiving pair shall decide which of them will receive first; in subsequent
games of the match, the first server having been chosen, the first receiver
shall be the player who served to him or her in the preceding game.
2.13.5 In doubles, at each change of service the previous receiver shall become
the server and the partner of the previous server shall become the receiver.
2.13.6 The player or pair serving first in a game shall receive first in the next game
of the match and in the last possible game of a doubles match the pair due
to receive next shall change their order of receiving when first one pair
scores 5 points.
2.13.7 The player or pair starting at one end in a game shall start at the other end
in the next game of the match and in the last possible game of a match the
players or pairs shall change ends when first one player or pair scores 5
points.

2.14 OUT OF ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING OR ENDS

2.14.1 If a player serves or receives out of turn, play shall be interrupted by the
umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall resume with those
players serving and receiving who should be server and receiver
respectively at the score that has been reached, according to the sequence
established at the beginning of the match and, in doubles, to the order of
serving chosen by the pair having the right to serve first in the game during
which the error is discovered.
2.14.2 If the players have not changed ends when they should have done so, play
shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and
shall resume with the players at the ends at which they should be at the
score that has been reached, according to the sequence established at the
beginning of the match.
2.14.3 In any circumstances, all points scored before the discovery of an error shall
be reckoned.

2.15 THE EXPEDITE SYSTEM

2.15.1 Except as provided in 2.15.2, the expedite system shall come into operation
after 10 minutes’ play in a game or at any time when requested by both
players or pairs.
2.15.2 The expedite system shall not be introduced in a game if at least 18 points
have been scored.
2.15.3 If the ball is in play when the time limit is reached and the expedite system
is due to come into operation, play shall be interrupted by the umpire and
shall resume with service by the player who served in the rally that was
interrupted; if the ball is not in play when the expedite system comes into
operation, play shall resume with service by the player who received in the
immediately preceding rally.
2.15.4 Thereafter, each player shall serve for 1 point in turn until the end of the
game, and if the receiving player or pair makes 13 correct returns in a rally
the receiver shall score a point.
2.15.5 Introduction of the expedite system shall not alter the order of serving and
receiving in the match, as defined in 2.13.6.
2.15.6 Once introduced, the expedite system shall remain in operation until the end
of the match.

1. GAMES ARE PLAYED TO 11 POINTS

A Game is played to 11 points. A Game must be won by two points. A Match is generally the
best three of five Games.
2. ALTERNATE SERVES EVERY TWO POINTS
Each side of the table alternates serving two points at a time. EXCEPTION: After tied 10-10
(“deuce”), service alternates at every point. Can you lose on a serve in ping pong? Yes! There is
no separate rule for serving on Game Point.
3. TOSS THE BALL STRAIGHT UP WHEN SERVING
How do you serve the ball in ping pong? Hold the ball in your open palm, behind your end of the
table. Toss at least 6” straight up, and strike it on the way down. It must hit your side of the table
and then the other side. NOTE: Once the ball leaves the server’s hand it is in play, and so counts
as the receiver’s point if the ball is missed or mis-hit.
4. THE SERVE CAN LAND ANYWHERE IN SINGLES
There is no restriction on where the ball lands on your side or your opponent’s side of the table.
It can bounce two or more times on your opponent’s side (if so, that’s your point), bounce over
the side, or even hit the edge.
5. DOUBLES SERVES MUST GO RIGHT COURT TO RIGHT COURT
The serve must bounce in the server’s right court, and receiver’s right court (NOTE: landing on
center line is fair). Doubles partners switch places after their team serves twice.
6. A SERVE THAT TOUCHES THE NET ON THE WAY OVER IS A “LET”
Can the ball hit the net in ping pong? Yes, during a RALLY, if it touches the top of the net and
then otherwise lands as a legitimate hit. BUT not when serving. If a served ball hits the net on
the way over and otherwise legally bounces in play, it’s a “let” serve and is done over. There is
no limit on how many times this can happen.
7. ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY
Doubles partners must alternate hitting balls in a rally, no matter where the ball lands on the
table.
8. VOLLEYS ARE NOT ALLOWED
Can you hit the ball before it bounces in ping pong? No. In regular tennis you may “volley” the
ball (hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the net). But in table tennis, this results in a
point for your opponent. NOTE: When your opponent hits a ball that sails over your end of the
table without touching it and then hits you or your paddle, that is still your point.
9. IF YOUR HIT BOUNCES BACK OVER THE NET BY ITSELF IT IS YOUR POINT
If you hit the ball in a rally or on a serve and it bounces back over the net after hitting your
opponent’s side of the table (due to extreme spin), without your opponent touching it, that is your
point.
10. TOUCHING THE BALL WITH YOUR PADDLE HAND IS ALLOWED
What happens if the ball hits your finger or hand during a ping pong rally? If the ball touches
your PADDLE hand and otherwise results in a legal hit, there is no rule violation and play shall
continue as normal. Your paddle hand includes all fingers and hand area below the wrist. But
what if the ball touches a player’s body anywhere else during a ping pong rally? You may not
touch the ball with your non-paddle hand for any reason. It will result in a point for your
opponent. BUT if your opponent’s hit sails over your side of the table without touching it, and
hits any part of you or your paddle, that is still your point.
11. YOU MAY NOT TOUCH THE TABLE WITH YOUR NON-PADDLE HAND
You may touch the ball or the table with your paddle hand (after reaching in to return a short
serve, for example), or other parts of your body. NOTE: If the table moves at all from your
touching it during a rally, that is your opponent’s point.
12. AN “EDGE” BALL BOUNCING OFF THE HORIZONTAL TABLE TOP SURFACE
IS GOOD
An otherwise legal serve or hit may contact the top edge of the horizontal table top surface and
be counted as valid, even if it bounces sidewise. The vertical sides of the table are NOT part of
the legal playing surface.
13. HONOR SYSTEM APPLIES TO DISAGREEMENTS
If no referee is present during a match and the players disagree on a certain call, the “honor
system” applies and the players should find a way to agree, or play the point over. Ping pong
carries a tradition of fierce but fair play. Help us keep it that way!

Link for rules in table tennis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSKpxB3rOB8

https://www.tabletennisday.com/blog/how-to-play-drive-in-table-tennis.html

References:
https://www.britannica.com/sports/table-tennis
https://www.rookieroad.com/table-tennis/equipment-list/
https://www.tabletennisday.com/blog/how-to-play-drive-in-table-tennis.html
2021 ITTF Handbook
The International Table Tennis Federation Avenue de Rhodanie 54 1007 Lausanne Switzerland