Rules of the Game ​
The rules seem very complicated when written down - but don't panic -they are much easier in real life and you will very quickly pick them up!
Serving​
- Service changes every 2 points
- The ball rests freely on the open palm of the hand
- The hand holding the ball must be above the level of the table
- The ball should be thrown upwards at least 16cm (just over 6")
- The ball should be struck when it is falling and behind the table
- The ball should first bounce in the server's court, then in the opponent's court
- Service can be diagonal and also in a straight line in singles
- Service can be replayed when the ball touches the net or the posts before touching the opponent's side of the table (a let), when the ball touches the net then is struck in volley by the opponent without it touching his/her court or when the receiver is not ready.
Service in Double
- Service must be diagonal, from the right half court to the opponent's right half court
- After that, play can cover the whole table, but each player must take his turn
- A1 serves to B1 for 2 serves, B1 then serves to A2 for 2 serves, A2 then serves to B2, B2 serves to A1 and continuing in this way for every 2 serves
- Following service each player takes turns to return the ball
- Additionally a doubles team scores a point when its opponents make one of the following errors:- at service the player lets the ball bounce on his/her left court or on opponents' left court, a player hits a ball out of turn.
Adding up the Points
- A game consists of 11 points
- The point goes to the player who succesfully ends a rally
- The score of the server is announced first
Scoring
A player scores a pont when his opponent commits one of the following errors:-
- He/she isn't able to return the ball
- He/she returns the ball outside the opposite side of the table
- He/she lets the ball bounce more than once in his own court before returning it
- He/she touches the ball more than once
- He/she hits the ball in volley above his/her side of the table
- He/she moves the table during play
- He/she touches the net or posts
- His/her free hand touches the table
- He/she makes a bad serve
During Rally Play:
- If the ball touches the table surface it is declared 'in'
- If it touches the side (the edge, not the white line) of the table it is declared out
- A player is not allowed to strike the ball in volley, unless the opponent's ball leaves the table and is struck in volley behind the table, in which case the point goes to the striker.
