About

What is it

Table tennis, also called Ping-Pong, ball game similar in principle to lawn tennis and played on a flat table divided into two equal courts by a net fixed across its width at the middle. The object is to hit the ball so that it goes over the net and bounces on the opponent’s half of the table in such a way that the opponent cannot reach it or return it correctly. The lightweight hollow ball is propelled back and forth across the net by small rackets (bats, or paddles) held by the players. The game is popular all over the world. In most countries, it is very highly organized as a competitive sport, especially in Europe and Asia, particularly in China and Japan. (www.britannica.com)

Tournament Rules

Scoring and Games

Games are played to 11 points
Players serve two serves each, alternating. A player does not have to win specifically off their own serve in order to win a point
If a game ties at 10-10, a player must win by 2 points. In this situation, players serve one serve each, alternating
In competition, games are played best of 5 (first to win 3 games) or best of 7 (first to win 4 games). Social games can also be played best of 3 (first to win 2 games)

Legal Serving

You must throw the ball up straight, from a flat palm, at least 6 inches (16cm)
Your toss and service contact must be behind the table surface (not over)
You cannot hide the ball from the ball toss to contact, with any part of your body
If the ball hits the net during service, it is a let, the point is replayed. There is no limit or point deductions for let serves.

Equipment Basics

A table tennis racket must be one side black, one side (recently approved) any approved color
The officially approved ball is the 40mm+ plastic ball
The dimensions of an approved table tennis table are: 9ft long, 5ft wide, and 2.5ft high
The approved height of a table tennis net is: 6 inches

Files

PDF: International Table Tennis Federation Handout