Rules and how to play

Learn the basic rules of the game, how to score and the tricky doubles rotation!

Just Starting Out In Table Tennis?

The aim of the game is simple; hit the ball over the net onto your opponent’s side. The ball should bounce once on the opponent’s side of the table. A point is won by you if your opponent is unable to return the ball or if they hit the ball before it bounces on their side of the table (unless the ball has already cleared the table).

Scoring

Winner is the first to 11 points
If the score is 10-10, them game continues until one of the players has gained a lead of 2 points
Points are won irrespective of who has served
Matches can the best of 3, 5 or 7 games – or any odd number you like!

Serving

The ball must first bounce on your side and then on your opponent’s side of the table
If the ball touches the net and goes over, it’s a ‘let’ – retake the serve
If the ball hits the net and doesn’t go over, or flies off the table without bouncing on your opponents side, you lose the point
There are no second serves
The ball should rest freely on the open palm of the server, above the level of the table
The ball should be projected vertically (at least 16cm)
In singles you can serve from anywhere and to anywhere on the table
Change servers every 2 points
If the score reaches 10-10 change server every point

Serving-Doubles

Service must be diagonal, from the right half court (marked by a white line) to the opponent’s right half court.
Service changeover in doubles is as follows:

At the start of a game, the serving team will decide which player will serve first. The first player to serve is A1 and;
A1 serves to B1 (2 services)
B1 then serves to A2 (2 services)
A2 then serves to B2 (2 services)
B2 serves to A1 2 services)
Repeat

At the end of game 1 and the start of game 2, team B will take the first serve; B1 must serve to A1. A1 then serves to B2 and so on.

Rotation Rules For Doubles

In doubles, you should alternate hitting the ball with your partner. So, for example,

A1 serves the ball to B1
B1 plays to A2
A2 plays to B2
B2 plays to A1
then this is repeated
A1 plays to B1 ….and so on.