Ping pong, also known as table tennis, is a popular sport known for its fast-paced rallies and strategic gameplay. To ensure fair play and an enjoyable experience, it's essential to understand the rules of the game. Here, we've outlined the key rules every ping pong player should know.1. Scoring System
Each game is played to 11 points, with a player needing to win by at least two points. Matches typically consist of the best three out of five games.
2. Alternating Serves
Players alternate serves every two points. However, when the score ties at 10-10 (deuce), serves alternate with each point. A serving mistake can cost you a point, even at game point.
3. Serving Technique
To serve, toss the ball at least 6 inches straight up from an open palm behind your table end of the table. The ball must first hit both your side, then cross the net to hit your opponent's side. If you miss or mis-hit after the toss, your opponent is awarded a point.
4. Singles Serving Flexibility
In singles, the serve can land anywhere on the opponent's side of the table. A Point are awarded if the ball bounces more than once on the opponent’s side or hits the edge of the table.
5. Doubles Serving Precision
In doubles, the serve must travel diagonally from the server’s right court to the receiver’s right court, With the centre line acting as a valid boundary. After every two serves, partners switch positions to maintain rotation.
6. Net Rules
If the ball hits the net during a rally and still lands legally, on the opponent's side, the play continues. However, if a serve that touches the net but lands correctly in the opponent’s court, it results in a let serve, allowing for an unlimited number of re-serves until a clean serve is made.
7. Doubles Rally Hitting
In doubles, partners must take turns hitting the ball during rallies, regardless of where the ball lands on their side.
8. No Volleying
In ping pong, volleying—hitting the ball before it bounces on your side—is not allowed and results in a point for the opponent. However, if the ball travels over your side and touches you without bouncing, the point still goes to you.
9. Spin Points
A serve or rally hit that spins back over the net after hitting the opponent's side, without being touched, counts as your point.
10. Paddle Hand Contact Permitted
Touches with your paddle hand below the wrist are allowed, as long as they result in legal play. Any other body contact with the ball results in a point for the opponent, except when the ball is accidentally hit by your opponent.
11. Table Contact Rules
Only your paddle hand is allowed to touch the table. If any other part of your body or your movement causes the table to move during play, your opponent wins the point.
12. Edge Ball Validity
Hits that land on the horizontal edge of the table are valid, but the vertical sides of the table are not considered part of the area.
13. Playing with Honor
In the absence of a referee, players should resolve any disputes using the honor system, maintaining the tradition of fair play in the game.
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