Table Tennis Question about A Good Return

by Gerald Smith
(Calahoo, Alberta, Canada)

Is the opponent allowed to have their racket on your side of the table (hit the ball on your side of the net)?

This could happen if I were to hit the ball high in the air and close to the net with a chop.

It could hit on their side of the table and run up the net and over to my side.

They would have to reach over the net to hit the ball.

I think I saw somewhere that the players are not allowed to move their racket over the net or in an upwards line above the net.

Some of our players say it is OK to pass over the net and its line to hit the ball, but I don't think it is so.


----- Martin's Reply -----


Thanks for your question.

It is OK to reach over the net to hit the ball.

(It's not allowed in tennis, but it is in table tennis)

It would be a good return.

The player and his racket can be anywhere they like when they hit the ball.


You'll also find further details of what constitutes a good return here ...

www.allabouttabletennis.com/basic-table-tennis-rules.html