Ping - pong, also known as table tennis, is governed by a set of rules established by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Here are the fundamental rules:
1. Equipment
- Table: The table is 2.74 meters long, 1.525 meters wide, and 0.76 meters high. The playing surface is usually dark - colored and matte, divided into two equal halves by a net.
- Net: The net is 15.25 cm high and stretches across the full width of the table. It must be suspended by a cord attached to two upright posts, 15.25 cm outside the side lines at each end of the table.
- Ball: The ball is spherical, with a diameter of 40 mm and a mass of 2.7 grams. It is made of celluloid or similar plastics, and is white or orange in color, with a matte finish.
- Racket (Paddle): The racket can be of any size, shape, or weight. However, at least 85% of the blade's thickness must be natural wood. The hitting surface on both sides must be covered with either ordinary pimpled rubber (pimples outwards, total thickness including adhesive not more than 2 mm) or sandwich rubber (pimples inwards or outwards, total thickness including adhesive not more than 4 mm). The two sides of the racket must be of different colors, typically red and black.
2. Scoring
- Points: A player scores a point when:
- The opponent fails to make a correct service.
- The opponent fails to return the ball so that it touches the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly.
- The ball touches the opponent or their clothing or equipment, except the racket hand below the wrist.
- The opponent strikes the ball twice successively.
- The opponent strikes the ball with a side of the racket blade whose surface does not comply with the regulations.
- The ball passes over the player's court or beyond the end - line without touching the player's court, after being struck by the opponent.
- The opponent obstructs the ball.
- The opponent moves the playing surface while the ball is in play.
- The opponent's free hand touches the playing surface while the ball is in play.
- Game: A game is won by the first player to reach 11 points, provided they have a lead of at least 2 points. If the score reaches 10 - 10 (deuce), the game continues until one player has a 2 - point lead.
- Match: A match is usually the best of an odd number of games, such as best of 3, 5, or 7 games.
3. Service
- Starting Position: The server must stand behind the end - line of their court, and the ball must be held in the open palm of the free hand, behind the end - line and above the level of the playing surface.
- Ball Toss: The ball must be tossed vertically upwards, without spin, to a height of at least 16 cm.
- Striking the Ball: While the ball is descending, the server must strike it so that it touches first their own court and then, after passing over or around the net assembly, touches the opponent's court.
- Visibility: The server's free arm and hand must not obstruct the view of the ball from the receiver. The entire service action must be visible to the receiver at all times.
- Doubles Service: In doubles, the server must serve from the right - hand half of their court to the right - hand half of the receiver's court. After the first service, each player in turn serves for two points until the game is won.
4. Receiving and Play
- Returning the Ball: The receiver must return the ball so that it touches the server's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly.
- Continuous Play: Play continues until a point is scored. The ball is in play from the moment it is projected from the hand in service until the rally is decided as a point.
- Doubles Play: In doubles, partners must alternate in hitting the ball. The order of serving, receiving, and hitting must be followed strictly. If the serving side wins a point, the same server serves the next point. If the receiving side wins a point, they become the serving side, and the player who was receiving the previous serve now serves.
5. Other Rules
- Time - Out: A player may request a time - out once per game, for a maximum of one minute. Time - outs are usually used for strategic reasons, such as to change tactics or to rest briefly.
- Equipment Checks: Players are allowed to check their equipment during breaks in play, but any changes to the racket must be approved by the umpire.
- Umpire's Decisions: The umpire's decisions on points, service, and other aspects of the game are final. However, players can appeal certain decisions to a referee in some competitions.
- Ping Pong Game is a world popular ball sport where you have to score points by attacking, confronting and defending.
