Basic Rules for Table Tennis
The sport of table tennis, also commonly known as ping pong, is a popular sport around the world. Essentially, it is like tennis but on a table top. Players hit a lightweight ball back and forth over a net to each other using paddles.
the serve - The Table: A standard table tennis table measures 9 feet (2.74 meters) in length and 5 feet (1.525 meters) in width. The table sits 2.5 feet (76 centimeters) above the ground, with the playing surface divided by a net that stands 6 inches (15.25 centimeters) high and stretches the width of the table.
- Objective: Players using paddles to hit a lightweight ball back and forth across the net, scoring points when the opponent fails to return the ball within the rules.
- Scoring: A player or doubles team earns a point when the opponent fails to return the ball within the rules. The first player or team to 11 points (or 21 points in some variations) wins the game, provided they have a margin of at least two points over their opponent. Play continues until one player or team gains a two-point advantage to win the game.
- Match Play: Matches can be played in singles (one player against another) or doubles (two players on each side). A match typically consists of best of five or seven games, with the player or team winning the majority of games declared the overall winner.
- Serving: The serve alternates between players after every two points, with specific rules governing the serve including tossing the ball upwards and striking it so that it bounces on the server's side of the table before crossing the net.
- Trajectory: Players must strike the ball in a manner that produces a legal trajectory over the net. The ball must travel directly over the net or around it to land on the opponent's side of the table. Shots that curve around the netpost or hit the top of the net and go over are considered legal, as long as they touch the opponent's side of the table.
- Touching the Table or Net: Players are not allowed to touch the table or net with any part of their body or racket during play. Doing so results in a point awarded to the opponent.
Related Pages
- Scoring in Table Tennis
- Equipment for Table Tennis
- Fitness for Table Tennis
- Anthropometry for Table Tennis
- List of Table Tennis Polls
- Rules of Sports
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