Table Tennis Rules Question - Edge or Side

by Sunil
(India)

I have a table tennis question about the rules of table tennis.

What happens if the ball touches the side (not the corner) of the table while returning the serve?


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


Sunil,

Thanks for your question.

If the ball touches the side of the table at any time, it is "out".

The upper surface of the table is known as the playing surface and it includes the 2cm white line along the sides and ends, plus the top edges, but not the vertical sides.

Therefore, if the ball hits a white line or a top edge of the playing surface it is "in" (good). But if the ball hits a vertical side it is "out" (not good).


You'll find all the details about hitting lines, nets, edges and sides on my page at ...

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