Table Tennis: Rules and Equipment

• Rules of Table Tennis

Table

• The table is a rectangular surface measuring 9 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 2.6 feet high.
• The surface of the table must be a uniform, dark, and matte color.
• The surface of the table is called the playing surface.

End Lines

• End lines define the limits of the playing surface.

Side Lines

• Side lines define the sides of the playing surface.

Net

• The playing surface is divided into two equal areas by a net.
• The net is parallel and equidistant from the end lines, specifically 4.5 feet from each end line.
• The net is 6 inches high above the playing surface.

Ball

• The ball is spherical, with a diameter of 40 millimeters.
• The ball weighs no more than 2.5 grams.
• The ball is made of celluloid or similar plastic, and is either white or matte yellow.

Racket

• The racket can be of any size, shape, and weight.
• The racket surface is flat and covered with ordinary granulated rubber.
• The granules face outwards, with a thickness of no more than 2 millimeters.
• The rubber sheet (sponge + rubber) cannot be more than 4mm thick.

Sequence

• The sequence is the time during which the ball is in play.

Point

• A point is a sequence where the result alters the score.

Null Ball

• A null ball is a sequence that does not alter the score.

Server

• The server is the player who hits the ball first during a sequence.

Receiver

• The receiver is the player who hits the ball after the server hits the ball during a sequence.

Game

• The first player to reach 11 points wins the game.
• If the game is tied at 10 points, the first player to score two consecutive points wins.

Matches

• Matches can be best of three games, best of five games, or best of seven games (e.g., 3-2, 5-3, 7-4).

Good Service

• The ball must be placed on the palm of the server's free hand.
• The free hand must remain stationary and above the level of the playing surface.
• The ball must be tossed at least 16 centimeters into the air.
• The ball must first bounce on the server's side of the table, then bounce on the receiver's side, without touching the net.

Choice of Sides and Services

• The choice of sides and service is determined by a draw (e.g. flipping a coin).
• The winner of the draw chooses either the side or the service.
• The opponent facilitates the unchosen option.

Change of Sides and Services

• Players change sides after each game.
• Service changes every two points until the end of the game, unless the score is tied at 10.
• At 10-10, the service alternates after each point.
• Players change sides in the last possible game of a match when one player reaches five points.

Incorrect Side Change

• If players switch sides incorrectly, they must correct the error as soon as it is discovered.
• Points scored before the error is discovered are valid.

Null Ball (Net)

• If the ball touches the net, the net posts or the net support while passing over the net, it is a null ball, provided:
• The service was otherwise good (bounced on the server's side first and then on the receiver's side).

Warnings

• Under no circumstances may the ball bounce twice consecutively on either side of the table.
• The ball cannot touch any part of a player's body or clothing, except for the racket or the hand holding the racket below the wrist.
• The ball cannot be hit more than once by either player.
• The surface of the table can only be contacted by the racket during a return, provided the table remains still and does not move.
• Contacting and displacing the table with part of the body results in a lost point.
• Players are not allowed to put their free hand on the playing surface during the game.
• Players are prohibited from uttering any type of word during a sequence, unless it is a sign of effort or exertion.