The basic rules of casual table tennis are quite simple; two or four players hit a ball back and forth over a net. Points are earned when an opponent fails to return the ball. The first side to score eleven points, with a two point lead, is declared the winner. Once players decide to play at a more competitive level, the rules become more complex and are enforced with more consistency. In an effort to keep the game fair, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) constantly reviews and makes changes to the rules. For the most up-to-date guidelines be sure the visit the ITTF website.
A player’s racket must be black on one side and red on the other. This is true whether the player is using rubber on one side or both sides of their blade. Rubber sheets must be approved by the ITTF. These are authenticated by having both the ITTF logo and the manufacturer’s logo or trademark visible on the blade, typically above the handle. The rubber must be free of tears and chips that could significantly affect game play. Tears and chips may be acceptable as long as they do not impact the way the ball plays after it hits the imperfection in question. The umpire of the match has the discretion to determine if a rubber is legal or illegal. If you challenge his ruling the referee will make the final decision about eligibility. Once your table tennis racket is selected for a match, you cannot change rackets unless it becomes badly damaged, at which point you will need permission to make a substitution. When a change is made after a game has started, you will be required to present the new racket for review by your opponent and the umpire.
The net used for a match must consistently measure 15.25 cm above the playing surface from one end of the net to the other. The bottom of the net should be as close to the playing surface as possible. The ends of the net should be as close to the supporting posts as possible. The playing surface is to be rectangular and measure 2.74m long and 1.525m wide. It is to be positioned horizontally 76cm above the floor. The playing surface can be constructed of any material as long as it yields a uniform bounce of approximately 23cm when a table tennis ball is dropped onto the table from a height of 30cm. The playing surface must be uniformly dark colored with white side lines and must have a matte finish.
A regulation table tennis ball must be a sphere with a diameter of 40mm. It must weigh 2.7g. Balls are to be constructed of celluloid or similar plastic material. They can be orange or white but must have a matte finish.
Official rules specify that the winner of a match is the player who wins three out of five games. To be proclaimed the winner of a game, a player must score eleven points and have a two point lead. A point is awarded if a player’s opponent does not make a good service or a good return; if after a good service or good return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being hit by the opponent; if the ball goes beyond his end line and does not touch the court after being hit by the opponent; if the opponent obstructs the ball or double hits the or hits with a side of the racket with a surface that does not meet requirements; if the opponent or anything the opponent wears or carries moves the playing surface or touches the net assembly; if the opponent’s free hand touches the playing surface while the ball is in play; or if the doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence that was established by the first server and first receiver. No point is awarded if the rally results in a let. A let results when a ball is served and the other player and his partner, if playing doubles, are not ready and do not attempt to hit the ball; a ball that is served well hits the net assembly; if failure to successfully complete a service or return is the result of a disturbance which is outside of the player’s control; or if play is interrupted by the umpire or referee.
Each player serves two points in a row before serving position changes. If a game is tied with a score of 10-10, each player will serve one point before serving position changes. After each game the players change table sides. In the final game, players rotate sides when the first player earns five points. For a serve to be considered legal the ball must remain above the level of the playing surface and in view of the server’s opponent. The ball must rest in the server’s stationary palm and be tossed in the air at least six inches before being struck. The ball can only be struck when it is on the way down from the toss and must be struck so that it first bounces on the server’s side and then the opponent’s side. If a serve is not legal the umpire can call a fault against the server. The umpire is not required to issue a warning but if they do, they will only issue one.
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Where can I find the rules for SINGLES table tennis???? Could you email them to me? Thank you very much.
Tom
This post does contain the rules for singles table tennis. If you would like a more detailed listing of the rules of table tennis, we recommend visiting USATT’s website.