Table Tennis Rules

Players and Substitutes

  1. A singles team consists of one (1) player and a doubles team consists of two (2) players.  An exact number of two (2) players are required to start a doubles match. 
  2. There are no substitutions of players allowed during any match.
  3. Open teams have no gender restrictions.

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Equipment

  1. Paddles and balls will be made available to players for checkout at the time of their match.
  2. Players may provide their own paddles for competitive play.

Matches

  1. A match shall consist of the best two-of-three games.
  2. In the first two games, a game shall be won by the player first scoring 21 points unless the score is 20-20, in which case, the game shall be won by the first player subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points with a cap of 25.
  3. The third game shall be won by the player first scoring 11 points unless the score is 10-10, in which case, the game shall be won by the first player subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points with a cap of 15.

Service

  1. Service in the first game shall be decided by rock-paper-scissors. The team that does not serve first in game one, will serve first in game two
  2. Service will alternate every five points. If the score is tied at 20-20, service will alternate each point.
  3. The server should state the score each service, saying their teams score first.

Ball in Play

  1. The ball is in play from the moment at which it is projected from the hand in service until:
    1. It has touched one court twice consecutively
    2. It has, except in service, touched each court alternately without having been struck by the racket intermediately
    3. It has been struck by any player more than once consecutively
    4. It has touched any player or anything that is worn or carried except the racket or racket hand below the wrist.
    5. On the volley, it comes in contact with the racket or racket hand, below the wrist.
    6. It touches any object other than the net or supports.
    7. A let is declared if the receiver is not ready to return the service and makes no attempt to strike at the ball.
    8. The rally is a let if the ball becomes split or otherwise fractured in play.

Scoring

  1. A point will be score on each play, unless a let is declared
  2. A point will be scored when:
    1. The opponent fails to make a correct service
    2. The opponent fails to make a correct return
    3. After a player has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck by the opponent
    4. The ball passes over his/her court or beyond his/her end line without touching his/her court, after being struck by the opponent
    5. The opponent obstructs the ball
    6. The opponent intentionally strikes the ball twice successively
    7. The opponent, or anything the opponent wears or carries, moves the playing surface
    8. The opponent, or anything the opponent wears or carries, touches the net assembly
    9. The opponent's free hand touches the playing surface
    10. The opponent touches the table with either hand before striking the ball

Page last modified March 21, 2023
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