Rules in Table Tennis

The service rules in table tennis are probably the most complex of all the table tennis rules ... so it's probably no surprise that the questions I'm asked the most, relate to the service rules.

So let's take a look at a few of these rules and I'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the service rules in table tennis ... with the answers!

1. Can my serve bounce more than once on my opponent's side of the table?

   Yes ...

   As long as your service bounces once on your side of the table, and at least once on your opponent's side of the table, it will be legal (assuming you have complied with the other service rules which I explained here).

   Of course ... although your service can bounce more than once on your opponent's side of the table, if it does, you win the point because your opponent must hit it before it bounces twice.

   This means that you can choose whether to serve "short" or "long".

   A good tactic would be to serve "short" (i.e. make the ball bounce just over the net) if your opponent is standing away from the table, or serve "long" (i.e. make the ball bounce near to the white end line) if your opponent is standing close to the table and expecting a "short" serve.

    

    

2. Can my serve go off the side of the table on my opponent's side?

   Yes ...

   As long as your service bounces once on your side of the table, and at least once on your opponent's side of the table, it can then go off the side of the table.

   The only two occasions when your service cannot go off either side of the table are ...

   • If your opponent is a wheelchair user

     or

   • If you are playing doubles. In doubles you can only serve to the right half of the table, so obviously your serve cannot go off the left hand side of the table.

    

    

3. Can I serve from anywhere?

   No ...

   You must serve from behind the white line at your end of the table.

   So, in other words, you cannot stand by the side of the table to serve. You must be behind the white end line or an imaginary extension of it in both directions.

    

    

4. What happens if my serve hits the net?

   Rule 2.09 says that if the ball hits the net, but still hits your opponent's side of the table or he obstructs/volleys it before it hits the table, it will be a "let".

   NB. A player obstructs the ball if he, or anything he wears or carries, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface, not having touched his court since last being struck by his opponent.

   No point will be scored and your serve must be replayed (assuming you have complied with the other service rules in table tennis which I explained here).

    

    

5. What happens in doubles if my serve hits the net and is deflected into the left hand court? Is it a "let"?

   No. You lose the point ...

   A serve will only be a "let" if it's good in all respects apart from touching the net ... or if your opponent obstructs/volleys it after it touches the net.

    

    

6. Can I serve on match point?

   Yes, absolutely ...

   This was a question I'd never been asked before!

   I was asked whether you can serve when you have game or match point, or whether you can only win the game or match when your opponent is serving.

   The rules in table tennis state that you have two serves, and then your opponent has two serves. So if you happen to be serving at game/match point ... all the better!

   By the way ... if you played table tennis prior to 2001, you'll probably know that each player used to have five serves each and that games used to be up to 21 points.

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.