Table Tennis Rules5 Sep

Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is a fast-paced indoor sport played with small paddles and a lightweight ball. You can play the game as singles or doubles.

So let’s get into the rules and start playing!

Here are our table tennis tips:

1. Scoring System

• In scoring, a player earns a point when their opponent fails to return the ball properly. A player also gets a point if their opponent hits the ball out of bounds. Additionally, the player earns a point if their opponent makes a mistake on their serve!
• The first player wins the game by reaching 11 points, with at least a two-point lead. If the score reaches 10-10, play continues until one player leads by two points.
• Securing a Victory: Matches usually consist of either 5 or 7 games.

2. Serving

• The ball must be held in the open palm of the server’s free hand and tossed upward at least 16 cm (6 inches) before being struck.
• The server must hit the ball. It should first bounce on their side of the table. Then, it must go over the net. Finally, it should bounce on the opponent’s side.
• In doubles, the server must hit the ball diagonally from their right side to the right side of the opponent’s court.

Rotation of Service:

• During singles matches, participants switch serving roles after every two points.
• In doubles, each player serves for two points, and then the serve rotates to the next player in sequence.
• If the score reaches 10-10, players alternate serves after every point.

3. The Rally

• Return: Players must return the ball so it bounces on the opponent’s side of the table after clearing the net.

Winning a Rally: A rally is won when the opponent:

• Unable to hit the ball back before it bounces twice on their end.
• Hits the ball into the net.
• Hits the ball off the table without it touching the opponent’s side.
• Strikes the ball with anything other than the racket or the racket hand.

4. Let

• Let Service: If the serve touches the net and lands correctly in the opponent’s court, it is a “let” and the serve is replayed.
• A let happens when outside interference interrupts play or when the receiver isn’t ready.

5. Doubles Specific Rules

• Players take turns hitting the ball, and no player can hit it twice in a row.
• After every game, players switch their positions at the table. In the final game, they switch ends when one player scores 5 points.

So, now you have the table tennis rulebook let’s play! Remember to reserve a table at Brio Leisure here! We have a variety of tables across Cheshire West for you to enjoy!

Related articles