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TABLE TENNIS DEFINITIONS and RULES:
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A “rally” is the period during which the ball is in play.
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A ball is “In Play” once the ball is intentionally projected in service.
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A “let” is a rally, the result of which is not scored.
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A “point” is a rally, the result of which is scored.
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To “strike” is to touch the ball with the racket while carried in the racket hand, or with the racket hand below the wrist.
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To “volley” is to strike the ball in play without it having touched the playing surface on the player’s side of the net since last being struck by the
opponent.
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The “server” is the player required to strike the ball in a rally.
- The part of the playing surface nearest the s
erver and to his right of the center line is called the “server’s right hand court” and to his left the
“server’s left hand court.”
The part of the playing surface on the other side of the net from the server and to his left of the center line is called t
he “receiver’s right hand
court.”
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A player “obstructs” the ball if he, or anything he wears or carries, touches it in play when it is above or traveling towards the playing surface,
not having touched his court since last being struck by his opponent.
THE ORDER OF PLAY:
In singles:
The server makes a good service and then the receiver makes a good return. Thereafter, server and receiver alternately each make a
good return.
In doubles:
The server makes a good service and the receiver returns the ball. Then the partner of the server makes a good return, followed by
the partner of the receiver returning the ball. Thereafter, each player alternately in that sequence makes a good return.
A GOOD SERVICE:
Service begins with the ball resting on the open palm of the free hand. The server then projects the ball upwards and strikes it before the ball
touches anything. From the start
of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of the playing surface and
behind the server’s end line, and it shall not be hidden from
the receiver.
In singles:
After striking it, the ball must first touch the server’s own court, and pass directly over the net or around the net assembly, then
touching the receiver’s court.
In doubles:
The ball must first touch the
server’s right half-court or center line, pass over the net, and then touch the receiver’s right half-court or
center line.
A GOOD RETURN:
The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it passes over or around the net assembly and touches the
opponent’s court,
either directly or after touching the net assembly.
A LET:
The rally is a let
:
- If the ball is served, and in passing over or around the net it touches the net or its supports, provided the service is otherwise good or the ball
is obstructed by the receiver or his partner.
- If a service is delivered when the receiver or his partner is not ready, except that a player may not be considered unready if he or his
partner attempts to strike the ball.
- If owing to an accident outside his control, a player fails to make a good service or a good return or otherwise violates a rule.
- If it is interrupted for correction of an error in playing order.
LOSS OF POINT:
Unless the rally is a let, a player loses a point
:
- If he fails to make a good serve.
- If he fails to make a good return.
- If his ball touches the same court twice consecutively.