In ping pong, you do not have to serve to score. Here's how scoring works in different scenarios:
1. Scoring on the Serve
- Faulty Serve by Opponent: If the server makes a service fault, such as not tossing the ball high enough, not starting the serve from behind the end - line, or hitting the net and the ball not landing on the opponent's side, the receiver scores a point. For example, if the server fails to toss the ball vertically upwards at least 16 cm, the referee will award the point to the receiver.
- Return of Serve: After a legal serve, the receiver can score if they successfully return the ball in a way that the server cannot return it correctly. This could be because the server hits the ball out of bounds, into the net, or fails to make a legal return according to the rules.
2. Scoring After the Serve
- Rallies: Most points in ping pong are scored during rallies. Once the serve and return of serve have occurred, the players continue to hit the ball back and forth. The player who is able to make a shot that the opponent cannot return legally scores a point. For instance, if a player makes a powerful forehand drive that the opponent can't reach, they win the point.
- Double - Bounce or Other Violations: If a player allows the ball to bounce more than once on their side of the table during a rally, or if they hit the ball before it has crossed the net to their side (except in some special cases like when the ball is clearly going to go out of bounds), the opponent scores a point.
So, in summary, while the serve is an important part of the game, points can be scored by either the server or the receiver regardless of who served, based on the correct execution of shots and adherence to the rules during the serve and subsequent rallies.
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