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Lesson 14-15 - Rules and Regulations

Table tennis matches are played to 11 points, with the winner needing a two point lead. Players alternate serving every two points, except at deuce where it is every point. When serving, the ball must be tossed and struck upwards, landing anywhere in singles but in the right court for each player in doubles. Volleying the ball before it bounces is not allowed, and if a serve touches the net on the way over it is a let serve with a first warning.

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193 views1 page

Lesson 14-15 - Rules and Regulations

Table tennis matches are played to 11 points, with the winner needing a two point lead. Players alternate serving every two points, except at deuce where it is every point. When serving, the ball must be tossed and struck upwards, landing anywhere in singles but in the right court for each player in doubles. Volleying the ball before it bounces is not allowed, and if a serve touches the net on the way over it is a let serve with a first warning.

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dayannaaa0304
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TABLE TENNIS BASIC RULES

1. GAMES ARE PLAYED TO 11 POINTS


- A match is played to 11 points. It must be won by two points. A match is generally the best 3 of 5.

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 the ball 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 anywhere on your opponent’s side, 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. ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY


- Partners must alternate hitting balls in a rally, no matter where the ball lands on the table.

7. 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 or “first warning” serve.

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.

11. 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 sideways. The vertical sides of the table are NOT part of the
legal playing surface.

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