Object
of the Game
2
players or doubles teams try to be the first to reach a score of 21.
Points are scored and lost according to the system laid out in "Scoring."
Matches are generally played in best 2-of-3 or 3-of-5 series.
Starting:
Choosing
Sides
- Players
and teams should use a coin toss, number throw, or similar method
to decide who serves first.
- The
team that wins the coin toss may choose to serve or receive first,
and at which end of the table they prefer to start.
- After each game, teams/players alternate ends.
Serving
- The
server is the player who starts the game by putting the ball into
play.
- Stand at your end of the table holding the ball in the palm of your
free hand.
- Throw the ball straight up in the air. As it falls, hit it so it
makes one bounce on your half of the table and lands on the other
side.
- If the serve skims the net, it is a let, and the server must serve
again.
- If it touches the net and lands on the floor, the server loses the
point.
- If the serve hits the net, the server loses the point.
- The server is active until five points have been scored (combined
points of both sides).
- Players
or teams alternate serving every five points.
- Because the game must be won by 2 points, at 20 to 20, players/teams
alternate serving after each point.
The Receiver
- The receiver is the player who receives the ball from the server and
returns it over the net.
- If you are the receiver, remember: The ball must not bounce twice on
your side of the table and you can hit the ball only once to return
it.
- Try to hit the ball on its highest peak and you will have a better
angle hitting it back onto the opponent’s side.
- If your return touches the net and goes over, it’s okay.
- If it goes into the net, it is bad news! You lose a point.
- If your return goes over the net but misses the table, bad news
again! You lose another point.
- Should your returning ball touch the edge of the table on your
opponent’s side, that’s great! It’s very hard to return an edge ball.
As long as the ball hits the edge while dropping, it counts.
- Should the ball hit the side of the table top, it is not considered
an edge ball and will not count.
Game
Play
The
two sides volley the ball back and forth to each other, limiting bounces
to one per side and alternating serving every five points.
- The
ball may not bounce twice on the receiver's side of the table.
- The ball may be hit only once on a return.
- If
the return touches the net and goes over, it is a let and play continues.
- If the ball is hit into the net, the player loses a point.
- If the return goes over the net but misses the table, the player
loses a point.
- A returning ball that touches the edge of the table on the opponent's
side is legal, and very difficult to return. Should the ball hit the
side of the table top, however, it is not considered an edge ball
and does not count.
- It is legal to hit the ball around the side of the net to land it
on your opponent's side.
Scoring:
Player earns one point
- If
your opponent fails to return an in-bounds shot. Edge shots, shots
that land inside the white line, and shots that touch the white line
are considered in-bounds.
- If you hit the ball off the table but it lands on your opponent's
paddle before it touches the floor or wall. This may seem odd, but
this rule is designed to prevent volley play.
Player loses one point
- If
you miss the ball.
- If you hit the ball into the net, including the top of the net, and
it lands on your side of the table.
- If you hit the ball so the first bounce hits the floor or the wall.
- If you hit the ball before it bounces on your side of the table.
No volley is allowed.
- If the ball bounces twice on your side of the table before you hit
it.
- If you move the table or touch the net during play.
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