Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a popular sport enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It's a great way to stay active, improve hand-eye coordination, and have fun. To play the game correctly, it's important to understand and follow the rules. Below are 10 essential rules of table tennis that every player should know.
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The Serve: The serve must be made with one hand, and the ball must be tossed up at least 6 inches before it is hit. The ball must also hit the server's side of the table before it goes over to the opponent's side.
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The Return: The opponent must hit the ball back over the net and onto the server's side of the table. The ball can be hit with any part of the racket as long as it is not touched by the fingers.
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The Score: A point is scored when the opponent fails to return the ball, hits the ball out of bounds, or hits the ball into the net. The first player to reach 11 points wins the game, as long as they are ahead by at least 2 points. If the score reaches 10-10, the game continues until one player is ahead by at least 2 points.
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The Let: A let is called when the ball hits the net and goes over to the opponent's side, or when the ball goes out of bounds on the opponent's side. The point is not scored, and the serve is replayed.
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The Faults: A fault is called when the server fails to toss the ball up at least 6 inches before hitting it, or when the ball hits the server's side of the table before going over to the opponent's side. A fault also occurs if the ball is hit twice in succession, or if the ball is hit with the fingers.
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The Time-Out: A time-out can be called by either player during the game for a maximum of 10 seconds. Only one time-out can be called per game.
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The Expedite System: The expedite system can be used if a game is taking too long. Under this system, the ball must be hit back and forth at least every 10 seconds. If this rule is not followed, the point is awarded to the opponent.
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The Order of Serve: The order of serve is determined by a coin toss at the beginning of the match. The winner of the coin toss chooses which side of the table they want to start on and serves first. After each point, the serve alternates between the players.
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The Change of Sides: The players change sides of the table every 5 points. If the game goes to 11 points, the players change sides again when one player reaches 7 points.
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The Dead Ball: A dead ball is called when the ball is not in play, such as when it is being retrieved after it goes out of bounds. The ball must be hit back into play before it becomes a dead ball again.
Following these rules will help ensure that you and your opponent are playing the game correctly and fairly. Remember, table tennis is a game of skill and sportsmanship, so always play with respect and good etiquette. With these rules in mind, you'll be well on your way to enjoying the game of table tennis and improving your skills.
Take a look at a collection of Table Tennis Tables here.