20 Common Sense Rules of Table Tennis
The following are 20 common sense rules of table tennis:
Format of play: Table tennis matches are usually divided into singles and doubles matches, with singles being one-on-one and doubles being two-on-two.
Racket Regulations: Each player must use a racket that complies with the regulations of the International Table Tennis Federation.
Serve Rules:
To serve, the ball must be placed in the palm of the hand that is not holding the racket, with the palm open and flat, and the ball should be stationary.
Throw the ball to a height of at least 16 centimeters and hit the ball.
The serve is to be within the prescribed area, i.e. behind the end line of the serving side and above the level of the playing surface.
The serve must not be covered and the referee must be able to see the action.
Penalty for Failure to Serve:
If a player fails to raise the ball above 16 centimeters in height on the serve, the opponent receives a point.
If a player fails to hit the ball in the opponent's half of the court when serving, the opponent scores a point.
Scoring Decision:
A player must hit the ball back into the opponent's half of the court during the match or the opponent scores a point.
If a player hits the ball off the sideline or baseline during the game, the opponent scores a point.
If the ball hits the opponent's body or clothing, the opponent scores.
If the ball hits the opponent's racket, the opponent scores. (Subsequent combinations of the ball hitting the racket and other parts of the body are less frequently penalized in actual matches by specific rule breakdowns.)
Valid Shot: The ball is validly struck when it is touched with the racket in the hand or below the wrist of the player holding the racket. The ball is a valid shot if it goes directly over or around the net device, or if it touches the net device and then touches the opponent's table area. If the ball touches the net device and then touches the opponent's table area, the ball shall be served again.
Sequence of play: The players shall take turns to serve, and each set shall be won by 11 points. After the score reaches 10-all, the teams will exchange serves until one team is ahead by two points.
Match system: The matches are usually decided by two out of three, three out of five or four out of seven.
Venue Requirements: The matches are played on a standard table tennis table, with the size of the table surface and the height of the net clearly defined.
Serving rights and choice of venue: Before the start of the match, the decision of which side will serve first and the choice of venue is usually made by guessing or tossing a coin. For example, the winner of a fistfight can choose to serve first or choose the court first; when a coin is tossed, the player who guesses correctly on the face of the coin can choose accordingly.
Returning Rule: A return is valid if the ball touches the table surface of the opponent's side of the court, so that the ball goes directly over or around the netting device or touches the netting device and then touches the opponent's side of the court. The hand should not touch the table without the racket, nor should any other part of the body touch the table. In doubles, partners should take turns to return the ball.
Re-serve: If the ball touches the net and still lands on the opponent's table, the serve is invalidated, no points will be scored for both players, and the ball will be re-served; a re-serve may be awarded if the ball is interfered with during the serve.
Break: There is a break of not more than 1 minute between sets.
Time-out: a short period of time to wipe sweat after every six points of play in a set, or when positions are exchanged in a tie-break; a doubles player or a team of doubles players may request a time-out of not more than one minute in a match; a time-out should be initiated by a player or a designated off-court coach in singles matches, or by a player or team captain in team matches.
Referee's Time-Out: When the referee corrects an incorrect serve or reception (in doubles), imposes a service rotation, warns or penalizes an athlete, or interferes with a legal shot.
ROTATIONAL SERVE: In an 11-point set, if neither team reaches a score of 9-9 or more (e.g., 1-2 or 9-8) within 10 minutes, the point is suspended. The team that has the right to serve resumes and must win the game within 12 rounds; if it loses the game or does not score within 12 rounds, the opposing team scores, and so on until the game is decided.
Dress Code: Athletes are usually required to wear sportswear and must not wear clothing that interferes with the game or may cause interference to the opponent.
Balls: Table tennis balls used in matches must conform to FIBA standards, with specified diameters and weights.
Behavior: Players should maintain good sportsmanship and behavior during the game, and should not intentionally interfere with opponents, abuse the referee, or engage in other uncivilized behavior. For example, they must not intentionally yell or speak words that are offensive.
Grievance and Arbitration: If there is any disagreement about the penalty in the match, players can make a grievance in accordance with the stipulated procedures, and the final interpretation right belongs to the Arbitration Committee.
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