Official Rules of Table Tennis

To solve your garage or office problem, we’ve summarized the ping pong rules from the United States of Table Tennis here. This list is not exhaustive, but we found that many of these are common reasons among many players. Whether you call it ping pong, table tennis, or whiff wff, these official table tennis rules should help you stay on track.

GAMES ARE PLAYED TO 11 POINTS

A game played to 11 points. Two wins in one game. One game is usually the best of five games.

ALTERNATE SERVES EVERY TWO POINTS

Each side of the table serves two points at a time. OVERVIEW: After 10-10 (“deuce”) is tied, the portion changes every point. Do you miss a serve in ping pong? Yes! Game Point has no special rules about services.

TOSS THE BALL STRAIGHT UP WHEN SERVING

How do you serve the ball in ping pong? Hold the ball in your open hands behind your desk. Throw at least 6 “and come down. Hit one side of the table, then the other. NOTE: Once the ball leaves the hands of the server, it is in play, so if the ball is lost or mishit, it counts as a receiving point.

THE SERVE CAN LAND ANYWHERE IN SINGLES

There are no restrictions on where the ball is on the table for you or your opponent. Can jump twice or more on your opponent’s side (if so, that’s your idea), side jump, or hit the edge.

DOUBLES SERVES MUST GO RIGHT COURT TO RIGHT COURT

The serve must jump to the right court of the server and the right court of the receiver (NOTE: the center line of the fair landing). After the doubles partner team serves twice, they switch places.

A SERVE THAT TOUCHES THE NET ON THE WAY OVER IS A “LET”

Can the ball hit the net in ping pong? Yes, if it touches the top of the net during the RALLY and lands as a legal stroke. But not in the service. If the served ball hits the net on the fairway and is legally played, it is “allowed” and ends. There is no limit to how many times this can happen.

ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY

Pairs of partners can exchange balls during the rally, regardless of where the ball is on the table.

VOLLEYS ARE NOT ALLOWED

Can you hit the ping pong ball before it bounces? Not. In regular tennis, you can “volley” the ball (hit the ball before it hits the net). But in table tennis, it gives your opponent a point. Hint: When your opponent hits the edge of the table and then hits the ball that hits you or your chin, it’s your mind.

IF YOUR HIT BOUNCES BACK OVER THE NET BY ITSELF IT IS YOUR POINT

If you hit the ball on a layup or serve and after your opponent hit the edge of the table (due to overspin), return to the net without hitting your opponent, that’s your opinion.

TOUCHING THE BALL WITH YOUR PADDLE HAND IS ALLOWED

What happens if the ball hits your finger or hand while playing ping pong? If the ball touches your PADDLE hand and is legally hit, there is no violation and play continues as usual. Your thumb includes all the fingers below the wrist and palm. But what if the ball hits a player’s body somewhere else in a table tennis game? You cannot touch the ball with your non-jaw hand for any reason. It will score points for your opponent. But if your opponent’s shot floats over the edge of the table and hits you or your clothesline, that’s your opinion.

YOU MAY NOT TOUCH THE TABLE WITH YOUR NON-PADDLE HAND

However, you may touch the ball or the table with your hand (for example, after a short serve) or any other part of your body. ANSWER: If the table moves completely from touching the table, it is your opponent’s idea.

AN “EDGE” BALL BOUNCING OFF THE HORIZONTAL TABLE TOP SURFACE IS GOOD

Another legal service or stroke can make contact with the upper edge of the upper surface of a horizontal table and can be considered fair even if tipped to one side. The vertical side of the table is not part of the legal playing field.

HONOR SYSTEM APPLIES TO DISAGREEMENTS

If there is no referee in the game and the players disagree on a particular call, the “honor system” is used and the players must find a way to agree or play. Ping pong continues the tradition of fierce but fair game. Help keep it that way!