Official Table Tennis Rule

Did you know that the rules of table tennis specify the amount of time you're allowed to take before and during a match?

Well, actually it's the additional Regulations which deal with these specific issues.

They specify ... the amount of time you're allowed to practice on the match table before you start ... the breaks you're allowed to take and how long they can be ... and how to deal with time-wasting.

So, let's take a look at the first official table tennis rule which deals with time limits ...

Rule 3.04.03 states that you're entitled to practise on the match table for up to two minutes immediately before the start of your match.

But as soon as you've finished your warm up period, you must start your match ... even if you don't use all of the two minutes you're allowed.

You're also not allowed to receive advice or instructions from your coaches or advisers after your warm up period ... you must start your match immediately.

One of the oldest table tennis rules is that "play shall be continuous". However if, for example, the ball goes outside the playing area, you obviously can't continue playing until it's returned.

Therefore the intention of this official table tennis rule is to prevent deliberate time-wasting tactics.

These include ... repeated bouncing of the ball ... long pauses before serving or receiving .... and prolonged discussions with your doubles partner.

The umpire is required to firmly discourage all of these time-wasting tactics and issue warnings where necessary.

However, this "continuous play" rule has now been amended to allow for some authorised breaks in play.

Rule 3.04.04 now states that play shall be continuous throughout an individual match ... except that a player is entitled to certain defined breaks.

During a game there is now an official table tennis rule dealing with two types of authorised breaks ... Towelling down and a Time-out.

1. Towelling down

   The towelling down rule means that you're now allowed a brief break for towelling down at the following designated times only ...

   • after every 6 points (from the start of each game), and
   • at the change of ends in the last possible game of a match

   The umpire must ensure that these breaks are as short as possible so that players don't use them to gain extra rest time or deliberately try to disturb the rhythm of their opponent.

   Before the towelling down rule was introduced, some players were towelling down after every point, particularly when their match was closely contested.

   Because this was being used as a blatant delaying tactic, this new official table tennis rule was introduced.

   However ... as the purpose of this rule is to prevent you from using your towel as a delaying tactic, you are allowed to towel down at other times as long as it doesn't interrupt the continuity of play. For example, when the ball is being retrieved from outside the playing area.

   Also, if you wear spectacles, the umpire may allow you additional short breaks between rallies so that you can clean your spectacles.

   And, if you use reversed rubbers on your racket, you'll also be allowed to wipe off any sweat which gets onto them, as otherwise this will adversely affect your shots.

    

   The second type of break you're now allowed under this official table tennis rule is a ...

    

2. Time-out

   During an individual match a player (or pair in doubles) may claim one time-out period of up to one minute.

   Each player or pair (or their captain or adviser on their behalf) can claim this time-out by making a T-sign with their hands. However, this can only be claimed between rallies.

   The umpire will then suspend play and hold up a white card on the side of the player or pair making the request.

   A special signboard is then placed on the court of the player or pair making the request.

   Play is resumed when this player or pair is ready to do so, or at the end of 1 minute, whichever is the sooner.

   The special signboard is then removed from the table and a white marker is placed near the score indicator, next to the score of the player or pair who requested the time-out.

If you're playing a match (which is usually the best of 3, 5 or 7 games), you're allowed to take a maximum break of up to one minute between games. But, if you don't take all of that one minute, you can't claim extra time at the next interval.

Although you don't have to take a break between games, if any player wishes to take it, it must be allowed.

If you do take a break, you must leave your racket on the table during the break and you mustn't remove it without the specific agreement of the umpire.

If, with the agreement of the umpire, you remove your racket for any reason, the umpire and your opponent must be given the opportunity to inspect your racket, or its replacement, before the next game starts.

If you're playing a team match, your team-mate has to start his match as soon as yours has finished.

However, if the same player is required to play in successive matches, he may claim an interval of up to five minutes between those matches.

During the course of a match there are a number of reasons why the umpire or referee may allow you to take a break.

The main reasons are ...

1. Injury or accident

   If you are temporarily incapacitated by an accident - and provided that in the opinion of the referee the suspension isn't likely to be unduly disadvantageous to your opponent - he may allow a suspension of play of up to 10 minutes in order to give you time to recover.

   However, you're not allowed to have a break for any disability which you already had (or could reasonably be expected to have) at the beginning of the match, or for reasons related to your state of fitness.

   So this official table tennis rule means that you can't have a break for things like cramp or exhaustion, but you may be allowed to take a break if you're incapacitated as a result of an accident, for example, an injury caused by a fall.

   However, once you've been granted a break to recover from an injury, no further breaks will normally be allowed during that match ... except .... where the first interval was very short, another brief interval may be allowed for treatment provided that it's not likely to be prejudicial to your opponent and that the total period for which play is suspended during the match doesn't exceed 10 minutes.

    

2. Bleeding in the playing area

   A game must be suspended immediately if anyone in the playing area is bleeding. And you can't resume until that person has received medical treatment and all traces of blood have been removed from the playing area.

    

3. Damaged equipment

   If the table, net or ball are damaged or broken, replacements will be made and/or play will be transferred to another table.

   The same applies if the lighting fails or if there's a serious disturbance to the playing area.

   However, if your racket is damaged, you're not allowed to have a break in order to fetch a new racket. You must have a spare racket with you.

If you take a break in accordance with these table tennis rules, you have to remain in or near the playing area except with the permission of the referee.

During intervals between games and for time-outs, you have to remain within 3 metres of the playing area, under the supervision of the umpire.

There's also an official table tennis rule which deals with how long a game of table tennis can last. This is the "Expedite" rule.

What do the rules of table tennis say about this? Find out here ...

For more information about the rules of table tennis, take a look at my other articles which explain the Official Laws of Table Tennis and the additional Regulations in more detail.