Official Ping Pong Rules – Complete Guide to Table Tennis Rules

If you are a beginner who is looking for some guides on Ping Pong rules and wants to learn how to play ping pong, then this guide is all you need to clear all the countless confusion and arguments regarding the table tennis official rules. 

The Table Tennis game is also popularly known as Ping Pong, played in the majority of countries globally. People play this game at the local level, state level, and even national and international level. This guide offers complete insights into the Ping Pong rules that every beginner must know.

What is Ping Pong Game? 

Ping Pong, also known as Table Tennis is a game played with rackets on a stationary table. This game can be played individually (one-on-one), or in teams of two players, that is, singles or doubles. The Ping Pong game first originated in the 19th century in England and is now popular worldwide. 

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The game is governed by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). It is also responsible for providing the complete official rules of table tennis. The game officially made entry in the 1988 Summer Olympics and has since been a popular event in the Olympic games. 

General Ping Pong Rules 

Here are the official table tennis rules for players in the singles and doubles format of the game. 

• You can serve two times before your opponent gets a chance to serve two times in the game as per the latest serving rules in ping pong based on the ITTF handbook.
• A let or replay is called when the receiver is not ready for the service but anyway service is attempted.
• The game is played on a rectangular table measuring 2.74 meters long 1.525 meters wide and 0.76 meters high.
• The net of the table tennis must be 6 inches high and divide the table into two equal parts on each side.
• The table tennis ball must be 40 mm in diameter and weigh around 2.7 grams.
• The winner of the coin toss chooses to serve first, receive first, or pick a side on the table. 
• The server must toss the ball at least 16 centimeters upward before striking it to the other side.
• The ball must first bounce on the server’s side, then cross the net and bounce on the receiver’s side at least once before they make the hit.
• In the singles game of tennis, the serve can land anywhere on the opponent’s side. Also, two or more ball bounces can be made on the opponent’s side.
• Volleys in the tennis game are not allowed as per the ping pong official rules of serving.
• Players have to switch serves every two points until the game ends. 
• If a score reaches 10-10 deuce, each player must continue playing until one player gains a two-point lead in the game. 
• If a player reaches eleven points with a two-point lead, they become the winner.

Also Read: Discover Bowling Techniques for Beginners!

How to Play Ping Pong?

The Objective 

The main goal of the table tennis game is to make a valid score of points by landing the ball on the opponent’s side of the table in such a way that your opponent misses to hit the ball straight. You become the winner if you manage to score 11 points with at least two points ahead of the other player in the game.

Setup

1. Table Tennis Table 

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You will require an official table tennis with a dimension of 2.74 x 1.53-meter rectangular table as per the official ping pong rules. The table is split into two halves where players stand on the opposite side of each other facing the board. A net is kept in between using two poles attached to the table. The height of the table tennis stands at a height of 15.25 centimeters. 

Dimension of Table tennis table: 2.74 x 1.53 meter 

Height of Table: 15.25 centimeters

2. Table Tennis Racquet

The tennis racquet, also known as ‘paddle’ is made of wood with dimensions of size 17 centimeters long and 15 centimeters wide. Its handle is made of rubber playing surface with either black or red color which also helps the player get a better grip over the racquet.

Length of the Racquet: 17 centimeters

Width of the Racquet: 15 centimeters

3. Table Tennis Ball

A table tennis ball is used to play the ping pong game which is usually of white or orange color weighing around 2.7 grams and is spherical. The diameter of the table tennis ball as per the ping pong rule is 40 millimeters. 

Diameter of the ball: 40 millimeters

Weight of the ball: 2.7 grams

4. Playing Area

The playing area must be sufficient to host the table tennis game smoothly. A playing area as per the ping pong serve rules must be at least 14 meters long and 7m wide. The height clearance must be at least 5 meters. 

Length of the playing area: 14 meters (45.9 ft)

Breadth of the playing area: 7 meters (23 ft)

Serving Rules in Ping Pong 

As per the rulebook of ITTF for ping pong serve rules, we have summarized serving rules for table tennis below.

• Players have to start service with the ball placed on the open palm of the serving player’s free hand. This practice prevents the ball from spinning in the air.
• The tennis ball must be tossed in a vertical direction for at least 16 centimeters upward before being struck with the racquet. 
• The ball must be hit when it is traveling downward from the toss and not while rising. 
• The ball must be placed above and behind the table throughout the serving period as per the ping pong rule.
• The tennis ball must always be visible to the player and lie above the playing surface during the serve.
• It is the responsibility of the player to keep the ball from hiding with any part of the server’s body or cloth during the serve.
• The ball must not be spinned during the serve and the player/server must ensure that the ball bounces on their side first before crossing it to the opponent’s side.
• The server must ensure that the ball is visible to the opponent. He/she must ensure that their hands and free arms are out of the way after throwing the ball.
• If the ball touches the net and still lands on the opponent’s side then the service must be attempted again as per the table tennis serving rules.
• The server must not serve the ball before the receiver (opponent) is ready. However, if the receiver attempts to hit the serve, then it is counted as play.

Double Ping Pong Rules

• Players must alternate shots in a doubles tennis game.
• The service must be done diagonally. Players from the right-hand side of the table must serve to the right-hand side of the receiver.
• Players in a double game must strike the ball in an alternate mode to make it more interesting and challenging. 
• During the change of service, the previous receiver in the game becomes the new server in the game. 

Timing Rules 

• If a table tennis game lasts more than 10 minutes with points less than 18 then the expedite system is activated. 
• Players have to serve alternately for one point at a time. 
• The receiver wins the point if they return the ball continuously thirteen times without losing the rally.
• The expedited system continues until the match ends once activated. 
• In case of disagreements in the absence of a referee, players have to accept the “honor system”.

Gameplay

Ping pong games can be played in single or doubles format, that is, either solo or in a partnership of 2 players. Let’s learn how to play table tennis game below. 

Serving Play

• As per the ping pong rules of serving, the first service is decided based on a coin toss or by lot.
• In the table tennis game, one player or server or umpire hides the tennis ball in one hand and the other player guesses the correct hand of the ball. 
• If they choose the correct hand, they get a chance to choose which side of the table and might get a chance to serve first.
• A player serving the ball starts the game where they hold the ball with an open palm and toss the ball without spinning. 
• The server strikes the ball with a racket in a way that it lands on the receiver’s court and touches the court on the opponent’s side without touching the table tennis net. 
• The ball must first bounce on the server’s court before crossing over to the opponent’s side.
• The server must make sure that no part of the server’s body or clothing obstructs the view of the ball.
• In a doubles match, the serve must be diagonal i,e. From the right-hand side to the opponent’s right-hand side or vice versa.
• If the ball touches the net but lands correctly, it is a let serve which must be replayed again. 

Returning Gameplay

• The receiver must hit the ball before it bounces twice on their side of the table.
• The ball hit by the receiver must pass over the net and land on the opponent’s side. 
• The receiver must be ready to receive the ball before the serve is made otherwise the server will be declared invalid. 
• Shots must be alternated during a rally until one player fails to return the ball correctly to the opponent’s side.
• If the ball touches the net and lands on the opponent’s side is a valid delivery. 

Serve Alternation and End Line

• Table tennis players have to alternate serves after every 2 points in the game as per the table tennis serving rules. 
• After each game, players have to switch sides to ensure fair play on each part.
• In the final game of ping pong, players switch sides when the first player in the game reaches 5 points in the game.

The Scoring System

Table tennis players make a legal point when their opponent fails to make their side of the shot. Some of the cases where you will gain a point are mentioned below.

• When your opponent fails to make a legal serve or a legal turn. 
• You gain a valid point if your opponent ball hits and misses the table.
• If your opponent ball hits twice in succession, they lose a point. 
• You will also gain a point if your opponent strikes the ball with the wrong side of the racket. 
• You will gain a foul point if the opponent touches the net or moves the table without valid permission.
• If your opponent obstructs the ball before it bounces on their side they lose a point in the game. 
• If a service is missed on either side, the player missing the service loses a point.
• If a shot goes inside the net or does not cross to the other side, the player making this shot loses a point.

Winning 

You will win if you reach 11 points in the game with at least a lead of two points in the game. If both players are at a 10-10 deuce, then the game continues until one player leads by two points in the game. The player who wins the majority of the games wins the overall match. 

Common Myths of Table Tennis Rules With Correct Facts 

Some myths are quite common and often confused as ping pong rules. Let’s address these common myths about the table tennis rules and replace them with facts about the game. 

“Winning Point is 21 and not 11”

If you are someone who is playing tennis after a long gap, then you might take the winning point to be 21, but as per the recent changes in the ITTF rules the winning point for a game of table tennis is 11 points with at least 2 points lead. If there is a deuce (10-10), then the game continues till someone makes a lead of two points in the game. 

“You don’t have to serve diagonally in ping pong game”

In a game of table tennis, you don’t have to serve diagonally, it is true in the case of a single table tennis game but for a doubles tennis game you have to serve the ball diagonally which means if serving from the right side of the table, you have to serve to the right side of the opponent. 

“You are not allowed to hit around the net”

Some of the players think that you cannot hit around the net in table tennis but the fact is just the opposite; you can hit around the net. The table tennis ball can hit the net and land on the opposite side of the server’s side with one bounce at least.  

“If the ball hits you, then it is a valid point”

Many players in table tennis consider service valid if it touches the body of the player and consider it for points. However, it is not valid as the point is not considered until it hits the table tennis table. 

“Attempt shot early when you throw the ball upwards during service”

This is one of the most interesting myths in the mind of a beginner who is just starting with the table tennis game. You have to throw the tennis ball vertically and wait for it to descend and then make your hit to get the best shot and even score a point if the receiver misses. 

FAQs

What are the rules for ping pong?

Some general rules of table tennis are given below.

• The ball must first bounce on your side and then on your opponent’s side of the table.
• If the ball touches the net and goes over its a “let” situation, you have to repeat the serve again.
• If a table tennis game lasts more than 10 minutes with points less than 18 then the expedite system is activated. 
• The server must toss the ball at least 16 centimeters upward before striking it to the other side.
• Players have to switch serves every two points until the game ends. 
• If a player reaches eleven points with a two-point lead they become the winner.

What are the 10 basic rules of table tennis?

• A game of table tennis is played for 11 points.
• Each side of the table must alternate service two points at a time.
• Players must toss the ball vertically above when serving.
• The serve can land anywhere in a single table tennis game.
• Doubles service must land diagonally i,e. Right-hand side of the table to the right-hand side of the other side.
• Double partners in table tennis must alternate hitting balls for a rally.
• Volleys in the game are not allowed.
• If your hit makes one bounce back over the net then it is counted on the service hand. 
• Do not touch the table tennis ball with your paddle hand during the rally.
• The honor system comes into effect during the absence of a referee in the game of tennis.

Is ping pong played to 11 or 21?

A ping pong game is played for 11 points, where a player who makes eleven points with at least a 2-point lead becomes the winner based on the latest ITTF ping pong rule. 

How is ping pong scored?

Scoring is made in the game of ping pong based on certain conditions.

• When your opponent misses a shot.
• If the service is not returned to your side, you gain a point.
• If a shot from your opponent goes into the net, you earn a valid point.
• If your opponent touches the table or net with their free hand during the game, you get a point.
• If a shot is made off the table without touching the table, your opponent loses a point.

What are the rules for serving in ping pong?

• The service in the game must start with an open palm.
• The ball needs to be thrown vertically for at least 16 centimeters before attempting the shot.
• The server must keep their free arm and hand out of the way throughout the game.
• The tennis ball must always be visible to the player and lie above the playing surface during the serve.
• The server must not serve the ball before the receiver (opponent) is ready. 

What is the illegal way to serve in ping pong?

An illegal way to serve is to move your hand high and drop the ball while attempting the serve in ping pong. If the ball is less than 16 centimeters high, then it is an illegal serve. 

What is the rule for a serve fault in table tennis?

If a player fails to serve correctly and balls fall on the ground after being thrown without touching the table, it is counted as a fault and as a result, the opponent loses one point. The serve is not repeated under this fault as per the ping pong rules of serving.

How to play ping pong basics?

You can easily play ping pong with a racket, a table, and a tennis ball. You have to hit the ball with your racket, ensuring the ball lands on the opponent’s side and the opponent hits the ball back. You have to continue making strokes until you reach 11 points in the game with at least a lead of two points from the opponent, which makes you the winner. 

What is the obstruction rules of table tennis?

An obstruction is said to occur when a player touches the ball with their body or the clothes they might be wearing. The ball is in the course of traveling to the table but has yet not touched any part of the court table which delivers a point to the opponent side. 

Do you have to wait for the ball to hit your side in ping pong?

Yes, players must wait for the ball to make at least one bounce on their side of the table. The bouncing of the ball on your side of the tennis table is known as Volley. 

What is an illegal serve in ping pong?

Service is not legal when a player serving the ball does not toss it at least 16 centimeters above the playing surface before making a hit. This condition is known as illegal service in Ping pong. The opponent in the game gets a point for an illegal serve.

What is the fastest Ping Pong serve on record?

The fastest ping pong serve was made by a tennis player named Asuka Sakai. The highest speed recorded during the serve made by her was 54 kilometers per hour. 

What is the best Ping Pong serve?

The most popular and famous ping pong serves are shovel, backhand, and pendulum serve. These three serves are considered to be the most successful in table tennis history.