Official Table Tennis Rules

It might sound boring to write about ping pong or table tennis rules, but it isn’t boring! Hopefully not. If you’re just a recreational player or a novice, this article will aim to explain all of the imaginary table tennis rules that pop up on tables around the world. I’ll also give a brief review of the essential table tennis rules. If you’re a professional player, I hope you’ll benefit from this post as well. Table tennis has a few odd and complicated rules and regulations, which I’ll highlight and ask your opinion on.

This post will list the most important rules of table tennis, also called ping pong, and should put an end to the numerous arguments that are occurring on a daily basis worldwide.

Official Ping Pong Rules Including All pieces of equipment

The Table

The table’s upper surface, known as the playing surface, must be rectangular, 2.74m long by 1.525m broad, and 76cm above the floor in a horizontal plane. The playing surface must be uniformly dark in color and matt, with a 2cm wide white sideline along each 2.74m edge and a 2cm wide white end line along each 1.525m edge. 

A vertical net running parallel to the end lines shall divide the playing surface into two equal courts and shall be continuous throughout the whole area of each court. The playing surface may be made of any material and must provide a uniform bounce of around 23cm when a standard ball is dropped from a height of 30cm on it.

A white centerline, 3mm wide, running parallel to the sidelines, divides each court into two equal half-courts for doubles; the middle line is considered part of each right half-court. The vertical sides of the tabletop are excluded from the playing surface.

The Net Assembly

The net assembly must use the net, its suspension, and the supporting posts, as well as the clamps that secure them to the table. The top of the net must be 15.25cm above the playing surface all the way around.  The net shall be suspended from an upright post 15.25cm high at either end, with the post’s outside boundaries 15.25cm outside the sideline. The bottom of the net must be as close to the playing surface as feasible along its length, and the ends of the net must be as close to the supporting posts as possible.

The Ball

The ball’s diameter should be 40 mm, and it should be spherical. The weight should be 2.7 g. A celluloid ball, or a similar type of plastic, shall be black, white, or orange.

The Racket

Ping-pong rules aren’t very strict when it comes to the racket. The players can utilize any size, shape, or weight of the racket. The blade of the racket, however, must be flat, rigid, and composed of at least 85% natural wood (by thickness).

The ITTF has amended the table tennis rules regarding the racket, requiring that the material covering one side of the blade be matte black on one side and vibrant color on the other (different from black and the ball’s color). After the 2020 Summer Olympics, this new rule took effect on October 1, 2021.

Before the match begins, each player must expose their racket to their opponent and the umpire, as well as anytime they replace it with a fresh one. The umpire and the opponent both have the right to inspect the racket.

Definitions

• Rally In tennis, a rally refers to the time when the ball is in play.
• In tennis, the ball is in play as soon as it is placed in service before being intentionally projected on the palm of the freehand for the rally until it is decided as a point or a let.
• A let is a rally in which no points are awarded.
• Points are rallies that result in a particular result.
• In tennis, the racket hand is defined as the hand that carries the racket.
• In tennis, free hands are the hands that do not carry rackets, while free arms are the arms that are free of rackets.

The Service

The serving rules for ping pong can be complicated, particularly when it comes to the order in which they are served in doubles. However, there are some basic serving rules you should know.

The ball must then be thrown upwards, rising at least 6.3 inches (16 cm) and falling without contacting anything before being hit by the server. The ball must bounce on the server’s side of the table before touching the opponent’s.

If the umpire and assistant umpire aren’t sure about the legality of the service the first time it happens, they can stop the game and warn the server. All subsequent services by that player or their doubles partner that do not follow the official service regulations will be ruled incorrect.

The Return

After being served or returned, the ball must be struck so that it lands on the opponent’s court, either directly or after passing through the net assembly.

The Order Of Play

In doubles, the server makes a service, the receiver makes a return, the server’s partner makes a return, the receiver’s partner makes a return, and then each player in turn in that sequence makes a return.

When at least one player of a doubles pair is in a wheelchair due to a physical impairment, the server must serve first, then the receiver must return, but either player of the disabled pair may return after that. However, no element of a player’s wheelchair or a standing player’s foot may extend beyond the imagined extension of the table’s centerline. If it does, the umpire will give the opposing pair the point.

In singles, the server makes the initial service, the receiver follows with a return, and then the server and receiver alternate making returns.

The Order of Serving, Receiving, and Ends

According to current table tennis rules, the winner of a random draw has the option of playing first, receiving first, or starting the match at a specific end of the table. The other player or team must make the opposite decision.

After every two scored points, the order of serving and receiving switches — the server becomes the receiver and vice versa until the game is over. When both players or teams have scored 10 points (a deuce) and the expedite system is in effect, this does not apply. The order of serving and receiving is the same in these instances, but the players only serve once (1 point in turn).

Out Of Order Of Serving, Receiving, Or Ends

Table tennis rules also allow for penalties for players who serve out of turn. When an umpire notices a player serving or receiving outside of the specified order at the start of the match, the umpire has the authority to stop play. At the obtained score, the game will proceed to the serving and receiving sequence. Similarly, if the umpire notices that the players have not moved the table ends when they should have, the game will be called off. When the players transfer courts, the game will continue.

The good news is that the players will not lose any of their points until the error is uncovered.

A Let

In a variety of circumstances, a rally has been deemed a loser. A rally is a let if a served ball touches the net assembly (but the service must be otherwise legal), if the server makes the service when the receiver (or the receiving team) isn’t ready (doesn’t try to hit the ball), or if a player fails to serve or return the ball due to circumstances beyond their control.

A Point or Score

A player can score a point in table tennis in a number of different ways (supposing the rally isn’t a let), including:

• When their opponent makes a bad serve.
• When their opponent fails to reciprocate the favor.
• When they served or the returned ball comes into contact with something before the opponent does (the net assembly is an exception).
• When their opponent hits the ball and it flies over their side of the table or past their end line without striking their court.
• When an opponent intentionally doubles hits the ball.

A Game

A game is won by the first player or pair to score 11 points unless both players or pairs achieve 10 points, in which case the game is won by the first player or pair to gain a 2-point advantage.

A Match

The best of any odd number of games will make up a match.

The Expedite System

When both players or teams request it, or when a game lasts 10 minutes or more, the expedite system is used in ping pong. The mechanism, however, will not activate if the players or teams have scored 18 points or more in a game.

There are two options when it comes to serving once the expedite system has been implemented. The first is when the ball is in play when the time limit is reached and the game is stopped, and the second is when the ball isn’t in play when the system is supposed to be turned on. In the first scenario, the play will resume with a service by the player who served in the previous rally, whereas in the second scenario, the action will resume with a service by the receiver from the previous rally.

It’s noteworthy to note that if a receiving player or team returns the ball successfully 13 times in a rally, they will be awarded a point. Furthermore, until the game ends, each player will serve once (1 point every turn).

The expedite system will be in use until the match is finished.

Service Rules

• It is important to start the service with an open palm. By doing so, you prevent spinning while starting the service.
• You must throw the ball vertically, for a distance of at least 16 cm. This keeps your opponent from being surprised when the ball goes straight out of your hand.
• The ball must remain above and behind the table in order to serve effectively. This stops you from making any crazy angles and offers your opponent a chance to counterattack.
• The server must get their free arm and hand out of the way after throwing the ball. This gives the receiver a clear view of the ball.

Doubles Rules

The service should be offered diagonally from the server’s right to the receiver’s right. This prevents you from messing up the other pair before they’ve even hit a ball. A doubles team must alternate hitting the ball. This makes doubles difficult. There will be no frontcourt/backcourt tennis.

When a service is switched, the prior receiver becomes the new server, and the previous server’s partner becomes the receiver. This ensures that everyone completes their tasks. You’ll be back at the beginning of the cycle after eight points.

Basic Rules

Usually, a match is played as the best 3 of 5. Whoever scores 11 points first wins. After a ball is served, one point is scored. Players switch off serving for two points each during the game. In the event that the score (or score range) reaches 10, then each player will serve one point and the server will be switched. It is necessary to play until one player is ahead of the other by at least two points.

What is legal service?

The ball should be held in the open palm of the server’s steady free hand behind the end line for a legal serve. The ball must be thrown upwards, rising at least 6.3 inches (16 cm) and falling without contacting anything before being hit by the server. The ball must bounce on the server’s side of the table before touching the opponent’s.

A Let Serve

 If the ball goes through the net and onto the opponent’s side. It’s known as a “let serve.” You can serve again without losing a point. It’s absolutely legal. If the ball touches the ball and falls to the ground. You will be penalized.

 If the ball goes through the net and onto the opponent’s side. It’s known as a “let serve.” You can serve again without losing a point. It’s absolutely legal.

If the ball touches the ball and falls to the ground. You will be penalized.

Net Serve or Let Serve

 If the ball touches the net it is called let serve instead of Net serve.

Fault Serve

If the ball is not verticle during the service, it will be a fault serve.

Scoring Rules

A match has several sets. Each set finishes when the player reaches 11 points or 2 points wins after 10-10 scores.

Deuce Rule

if the score of 10-10 has been reached, then each server serves only one point.

Frequently Asked Questions