The answers to these questions can be found within rule 2.01 which defines the size of the table and the playing surface.

So let's first take a look at what that rules says.

It states that a table tennis table must be...

2.74m (9 feet) long,
1.525m (5 feet) wide and
76cm (2 feet 6 inches) high

Additionally, it must have...

• a white side line, 2cm wide, along each 2.74m edge and
• a white end line, 2cm wide, along each 1.525m edge

And for doubles play...

• each court must be divided into 2 equal half-courts by a white centre line, 3mm wide, running parallel with the side lines.

 

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The playing surface is defined as the upper surface of the table which includes the 2cm white line along the sides and ends, the 3mm white line down the middle, plus the top edges.

However, the vertical sides are NOT part of the playing surface.

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).

Additionally, when playing doubles, the centre line is regarded as part of each right half-court, so if the ball hits the centre line when serving, it is "in" (good).

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So now that we know that the white lines are part of the playing surface, they do not usually cause any problems.

The main problem comes when you need to decide whether the ball has hit a top edge of the playing surface.

You see, whilst it's easy to say that the top edges are part of the playing surface and the vertical sides are not, it can sometimes be very difficult to decide whether the ball actually touched the top edge of the table or whether it touched the vertical side.

Well, the only way you can decide whether the ball touched the top edge or the vertical side is to watch the flight path of the ball before and after it touched the table.

If you think about it logically, the laws of gravity and common sense will help you determine what happened in most cases.

Edge = a good return

If the ball passed over the playing surface before hitting the edge of the table, then the ball must have hit the top edge and therefore the return must be good.

After all, it would be almost impossible for the ball to pass over the playing surface and then hit the vertical side.

Ball hitting the top edge of the table = in

Side = not a good return

But if the ball was played from below the level of the playing surface and did not pass over the playing surface before it touched the table, it will almost certainly have touched the vertical side and be out/not good.

Ball hitting the side of the table = out/not good

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Other scenarios...

However, there are other situations where it's not so easy to decide whether the ball has hit the top edge or the vertical side. For example, when a player hits his shot from a wide position and from above the height of the playing surface.

In that situation the best way to decide whether the ball actually touched the top edge or the vertical side is to watch the flight path of the ball after it hit the table.

If the ball travelled in an upward direction after touching the table, then it's reasonable to assume that the ball must have touched the top edge and therefore be a good return. But if it travelled in a downwards direction it's more likely that it touched the side of the table and therefore not be a good return.

This video clip shows a disputed point during the 2008 Olympic Games Men's Singles semi-final between Wang Hao of China (red shirt) and Jorgen Persson of Sweden (yellow shirt).

Wang Hao hits the ball from a wide forehand position above the height of the playing surface, but you can clearly see the flight of the ball going in a downwards direction after striking the vertical side of the table, so the point was correctly awarded to Persson because the vertical side of the table is "out".

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This video clip shows a point during the 2008 Olympic Games Men's Singles semi-final between Ma Lin and Wang Liqin of China.

Ma Lin (blue shirt) hits the ball from a forehand position and you can clearly see the flight of the ball going in an upwards direction after striking the top edge of the table, so the point was correctly awarded to Ma Lin because the top edge of the table is "in".

What happens if the ball touches the net during service?

Well, if the ball touches the net and still bounces on your opponent's side of the table, the service must be replayed.

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).

It doesn't matter how many times the ball hits the net, the service is replayed until such time as it's a legal or foul service.

Note: The net posts and clamps are part of the "net assembly", so if the ball hits them, it's the same as if it hit the net itself.

Here's an example of a player (Adam Szudi of Hungary) serving three consecutives services which hit the net. His service is replayed until he serves a correct service at the fourth attempt...

However, if the ball touches the net and doesn't bounce on your opponent's side of the table, the server loses the point.

During a rally

If the ball touches the net during a rally, play continues until the rally is concluded.

It is also within the rules to hit the ball around the net, rather than over it.

Law (rule) 2.07.01 states that for a good return...

"The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it touches the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly"

This means that the ball remains in play if it hits the net or travels over or around the net, and/or under the net posts and still bounces on your opponent's side.

If your opponent does not keep the ball in play, your opponent loses the point.

Here's a fantastic example of the ball being played around the net by Xu Xin of China - and he wins the point...

And here are two more examples of the ball being played around the net posts and/or under the net posts during a rally.

Both perfectly legal ... and great shots too!