Rules

• A win is granted to whoever scores 11 points first. If both opposing teams score 10 points (deuce), whoever gains a two-point lead wins.

• A match is the best of any odd number of games - commonly 3, 5, or 7 games.

• Before starting the game, who’s going to serve first is commonly decided by a coin toss. The winner chooses either to serve first, let the opponent serve first, or decide which end of the table he’ll play first. If the winner chooses to serve, his opponent will get to choose which end of the table he’ll play at. If the last option was chosen, the opponent will get to decide if he will serve or the winner.

• Players are forbidden to touch the table with the hand not holding the racket, and to move the table.

• Expedite rule - begins after 10 minutes of play with less than 18 points have been scored. Each player will serve alternately for one point, and the receiver must make 13 returns in a row to win, or else the point goes to the server.

Service

• Each player has two serves each, and service alternates between opponents until someone scores 11 points. In a deuce, service alternates after a point, until someone gains a two-point lead.

• The ball should be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server’s end line in order to serve.

• First, you will hold the ball in the palm of your non-playing hand, and throw it upwards. The moment you throw the ball up, the ball is “in play”. Then you will hit the falling ball with your racket, which is held in your playing hand. Third, the ball must bounce once on your side of the table and at least once on the opponent’s side of the table. If the ball bounces more than once on their side, they will lose a point. The same goes for your team. Your opponent, then, must hit the ball back over the net to return the serve.

• If the ball touches the net and still bounces on your opponent’s side, the service must be replayed.

• If the ball touches the net but doesn’t bounce on your opponent’s side, the server loses a point.

• During a rally, you lose a point if the ball hits the net but does not hit your opponent’s side. But the rally continues if it still goes over and bounces on your opponent’s side.

• Receivers can stand anywhere and return the ball in any position.

• If the server uses a backspin, which results in the ball going back over the net towards the server after bouncing on the receiver’s side, the receiver must still hit the ball before it bounces back to the server or the receiver loses a point.

Rally

• During a rally, a point is being decided, and both players can stand anywhere and play in any position.

Doubles

• Each player still has two serves and the service alternates every two points between teams, as well between players on the same team.

• After every two points, the receiving player becomes the server, and the partner of the server becomes the receiving player.

• The service is the same in singles, except that rather than the ball bouncing ANYWHERE on the table, it must bounce only on the RIGHT half part of the table for the server and receiver.

• The receiver will return it, then the server’s partner will hit it back, followed by the receiver’s partner and so on.

A Player Loses A Point When:

Ball

• Weighs 2.7g

• A small white or orange celluloid ball

• Comes in a variety of sizes from 38mm to 54mm in diameter.

Rubber, Racket, or Paddle

• Made of wood and rubber

• It is used to hit the ball back and forth on the table.

• Divided into two parts—handle and blade

Table Tennis Table

• In tournaments, tables must be 9ft long, 5ft wide, and placed 30 inches above the ground.

• Comes in either green, blue, or black

• Made from hardboard, has smooth surface

Net and Post

Grips

Ready Position

Backhand Push

• Used for short balls to stop the opponent from making an attacking shot

• Stand close to the end line. Using a short stroke, your racket arm should move from the elbow in a horizontal plane while your free arm must point to the ball.

• Knock the ball on its back bottom to create slight backspin

Forehand Push

• Same as a backhand push but using the forehand

• Stand close to the table. Using a short stroke, your racket arm should move from the elbow in a horizontal plane while your free arm must point to the ball.

• Knock the ball on its back bottom to create slight backspin

Backhand Drive

• Used when the opponent plays his shot wherein the ball approaches you with height and/or depth. This stroke’s purpose is to play aggressively and stop the opponent from playing an attacking stroke.

• Stand close to the table. Using a medium stroke, move forward your racket arm and a little upwards in the ball’s direction, while your free arm should point towards the ball.

• The racket angle is slightly downwards, and by keeping a loose wrist, you can create topspin when you move your arm forward.

Forehand Drive

Side to Side

• The main pattern that is used when close to the table, doing small side to side shuffling steps.

• Right-handed: From the ready position, to move from backhand to forehand, move your left foot, then your right, then your left foot again, and then your right.

• To move from forehand to backhand, you move your right foot first.

In and Out