TT Rules

Service and return

1. The ball must be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server's end line

(or an imaginary extension of it). This essentially means that the server must stand

behind the end of the table to serve. It involves holding the ball in the palm of your

non-playing hand and throwing it upwards.

2. The ball must remain behind the endline and above the upper surface of the table,

known as the playing surface, at all times during the service. The server cannot use

his/her body or clothing to obstruct sight of the ball; the opponent and the umpire must

have a clear view of the ball at all times. If the umpire is doubtful of the legality of a

service they may first interrupt play and give a warning to the server. If the serve is a

clear failure or is doubted again by the umpire after the warning, the receiver scores a

point.

3. If your opponent allows the ball to bounce more than once on their side of the table, they

will lose the point.

4. If the ball touches the net and still bounces on your opponent's side of the table, the

service must be replayed. However, if the ball touches the net and does not bounce on

your opponent's side of the table, the server loses the point.

5. Each player has five consecutive serves and deuce is at 20-20. At deuce, service

alternates until one player or pair gained a two point lead. In doubles, each player still

has two serves and the service still alternates every two points between teams, but it

also alternates between players on the same team.

6. For doubles the service itself is exactly the same as in singles except that, rather than

the ball bouncing anywhere on the table, it must bounce only on the right half portion of

the table for both the server and the receiver.

7. For doubles Scoring the receiver returns it, then the server's partner must hit it next

followed by the receiver's partner and so on.

8. White line is included in both singles and doubles as playing area. So if the ball falls on

the white line it will not be considered as a point.

9. If the ball touches the table, but is outside the playing area then it will be counted as a

‘Out’ and a point will be counted.

Scoring

To score a point, you must keep the ball in play longer than your opponent.

1. A player loses a point if he Fails to make a good serve (eg. throwing the ball in the air

and failing to hit the ball or failing to hit it onto his opponent's side of the table)

2. Allows the ball to bounce twice on his side of the table

3. Does not hit the ball after it has bounced on his side of the table

4. Does not hit the ball onto his opponent's side of the table

5. Hits the ball before it has bounced (i.e.volleying the ball) unless it's obviously not going

to bounce on his side of the table

6. Hits the ball twice in succession (i.e. a double hit)

7. Puts his non-playing hand on the table or net or moves the table

8. Obstructs the ball with any part of his body or clothing (unless it's obviously not going to

bounce on his side of the table)

9. Hits the ball out of turn when playing doubles