The
table tennis rules are divided into these two sections:
What you need to know to play a fun game of ping-pong
Sometimes all you want to know are the basic rules to play a friendly
match of ping pong. This section is for you. If you want more offical
rules, read the section below.
In
singles, the center lines serve no purpose, so ignore them.
Scoring
A match is played best 3 of 5 games (or 4/7 or 5/9). For each game, the
first player to reach 11 points wins that game, however a game must be
won by at least a two point margin.
A point
is scored after each ball is put into play (not just when the server
wins the point as in volleyball).
The
edges of the table are part of the legal table surface, but not the
sides.
Flow
of the Match
Each player serves two points in a row and then switch server. However,
if a score of 10-10 is reached in any game, then each server serves only
one point and then the server is switched. After each game, the players
switch side of the table. In the final game (ie 5th game), the players
switch side again after either player reaches 5 points.
Legal Service
The ball must rest on an open hand palm. Then it must be tossed up at
least 6 inches and struck so the ball first bounces on the server's side
and then the opponent's side.
If the
serve is legal except that it touches the net, it is called a let
serve. Let serves are not scored and are reserved.
Equipment
The paddle should have a red and a black side. The ball should be either
orange or white and 40 mm in size. The table should be 2.74 meters long,
1.525 m wide, and 0.76 m high.
Official ITTF Rules
Current as of January 2003
2 THE LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS
2.1 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
as
close as possible to the supporting
posts.
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 2mm, or
sandwich rubber, with pimples inwards or outwards, having a total
thickness including adhesive of not more than 4mm.
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 sq. cm
and not more than 50 per sq. cm.
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
2mm.
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.
2.4.7 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.
4.4.8 At the start of a match and whenever he changes his
racket during a match a player shall show his opponent and the umpire
the racket he 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.
2.5.7 A player strikes the ball if he touches it in
play with his racket, held in the hand, or with his racket hand below
the wrist.
2.5.8 A player obstructs the ball if
he, or anything he wears or carries, touches
it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface
and has
not passed beyond his end line, not
having touched his court since last
being struck by his 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 was wearing or
carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally.
2.5.14 The ball shall be regarded as
passing over or around the net
assembly if it passes
anywhere other than between the net and the net post or between the net
and the playing surface.
2.5.15 The end line shall be regarded as
extending indefinitely in both directions.
2.6 A GOOD 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 court and then, after passing
over or around the net assembly,
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 any part of
the body or clothing of the server or his doubles partner.
2.6.5 It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that
the umpire or the assistant umpire can
see that he complies with the requirements for a good service.
2.6.5.1 If there is no Assistant Umpire, and the umpire is
doubtful of the legality of a service he may, on the first occasion
in a match, warn the server without awarding a point.
2.6.5.2 If subsequently in the match a service by that player or
his doubles partner is of dubious legality, for the same reason
or for any other reason, the receiver
shall score a point.
2.6.5.3 Whenever there is a clear failure to comply with the
requirements for a good service, no warning shall be given and the
receiver shall score a point.
2.6.6 Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for
a good service where he is satisfied that compliance is prevented by
physical disability.
2.7
A GOOD RETURN
2.7.1
The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it passes
over or around the net assembly and
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 good service,
the receiver shall then make a good return and thereafter server and
receiver alternately shall each make a good return.
2.8.2 In doubles, the server shall first make a good service,
the receiver shall then make a good return, the partner of the server
shall then make a good return, the partner of the receiver shall then
make a good return and thereafter each player in turn in that sequence
shall make a good return.
2.9 A LET
2.9.1 The rally shall be a let
2.9.1.1 if in service the ball, in passing
over or around the net
assembly, touches it, provided the service is otherwise
good or the ball is obstructed by the receiver or his 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
partner attempts to strike the ball;
2.9.1.3 if failure to make a good service or a good 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.
2.9.2 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 penalise a player;
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 his opponent fails to make a good service;
2.10.1.2 if his opponent fails to make a good return;
2.10.1.3 if, after he has
made a good service or a good return, the ball touches anything other
than the net assembly before being
struck by his opponent;
2.10.1.4 if the ball passes
beyond his end line without touching his court, after being struck by
his opponent;
2.10.1.5 if his opponent obstructs the ball;
2.10.1.6 if his opponent strikes the ball twice successively;
2.10.1.7 if his 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;
2.10.1.8 if his opponent, or anything his opponent wears or
carries, moves the playing surface;
2.10.1.9 if his opponent, or anything his opponent wears or
carries, touches the net assembly;
2.10.1.10 if his opponent's free hand touches the playing
surface;
4.1.6.4
if a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence established
by the first server and first receiver;
4.1.6.5
as
provided under the expedite system (2.15.2).
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 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 where both players or
pairs have scored at least 9 points,
the expedite system shall come into operation if a game is unfinished
after 10 minutes' play or at any earlier time at the request of
both players or pairs.
2.15.1.1 If the ball is in play when the time limit is reached,
play shall be interrupted by the umpire and shall resume with service by
the player who served in the rally that was
interrupted.
2.15.1.2 If the ball is not in play when the time limit is reached,
play shall resume with service by the player who received in the
immediately preceding rally.
2.15.2 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
good returns the receiver shall score a point.
2.15.3 Once introduced, the
expedite system shall remain in operation until the end of the match.
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