Table Tennis – Student Handout
Definitions
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A rally is while the ball is in play.
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A let is a rally that is not scored.
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A point is a rally that is scored.
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The racket hand is the hand holding the racket.
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The free hand is the hand not holding the racket.
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A player strikes the ball if he/she touches it with his/her racket while he/she is playing.
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A player obstructs the ball if he/she, or anything he/she wears or carries, touches the ball while
he/she is playing. For example, the player touches the ball in a way that will prevent his/her
opponent from making a good return.
Ø Player obstructing the ball: He/she touches the ball while playing when it is above or
travelling towards the playing surface, and it has not yet touched his/her court since last
being hit by the opponent (The ball must bounce on his/her court before being able to hit
the ball). In this case, the opponent would receive a point.
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The server is the player who is striking the ball first in a rally.
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The receiver is the player who is striking the ball second in a rally.
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The umpire is the person who controls a match.
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The assistant umpire is the person who assists the umpire with certain decisions.
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The end line extends indefinitely in both directions.
Scoring
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A table tennis game is played best 3 of 5 games (or 4/7 or 5/9). Basically, the match consists of
the best of any odd number of games.
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For each game, the first player to reach 11 points wins that game; however, a game must be won
by at least a two-point margin (for example, 11-9).
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If both players or pairs have 10 points, the game shall be won by the first player or pair gaining a
lead of 2 points (for example, 12-10).
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The edges of the table are part of the legal table surface, but not the sides.
Flow of the Match
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Each player serves two points in a row and then switches server. However, if the game is tied 1010, then each server serves only one point and then the server is switched.
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After each game, the players switch side of the table.
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In the final game (e.g. the 5th game), the players will switch sides again after either player
reaches 5 points. For example, if the score is 5-4 in the 5th game, the players will switch sides.
Legal Service
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At the start of the service, the ball must rest on an open hand palm, behind the end line and above
the level of the playing surface.
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The player must then toss the ball upwards at least 6 inches and he/she must hit the ball. The ball
must first bounce on his/her court and then the opponent's side.
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In singles, the ball can bounce anywhere on both sides of the table.
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In singles, the service alternates between opponents every two points (regardless of winner of the
rally). For example, I will serve twice, and then my opponent will serve twice, and so on.
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HOWEVER…if both players reach 10 points, the service alternates after each point, until one
player gains a two-point advantage.
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In doubles, the server must hit the ball into the service box on the right side of the table for both
the server and the receiver (see picture below).
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In doubles, the service still alternates every two points between teams, but it also alternates
between players on the same team.
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If the serve is legal except that it touches the net, it is called a let serve. Let serves are not scored.
The player will then serve again.
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There is no limit on the number of times you can replay the service when it has hit the net.
The Return
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When returning the ball, the player must hit the ball, and the ball must pass over the net so that it
touches the opponent’s court.
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When playing doubles, players must alternate shots once a point is in play. If one player puts the
ball into play on the serve, his/her partner hits the return when their opponent sends it back. It
does not matter which player is closest to the ball -- it only matters whose turn it is to hit.
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Once you hit the ball in doubles table tennis, you must get out of the way for the next shot
and allow your partner to hit it.
The Order of Play
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In singles, the server shall first make a service, and the receiver shall then make a return. The
server and receiver then take turns to make a return.
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In doubles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return, the partner
of the server shall then make a return, the partner of the receiver shall then make a return, and so
on.
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When two players who are in wheelchairs due to a physical disability are a pair playing doubles,
the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return but then, either player
may make returns.
A Let
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If the serve is legal except it touches the net, it is called a let serve.
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If a player serves the ball, but his/her opponent is not ready, the rally shall be a let (As long as the
opponent does not try to hit the ball in the process).
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The rally shall be a let if there is a disturbance outside the control of the player, and the player
cannot make a service or return because of this disturbance.
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The rally shall be a let if the play is interrupted by the umpire or assistant umpire.
A Point
Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point:
• If an opponent does not make a correct service;
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If an opponent does not make a correct return;
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If, after he/she has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net before
being hit by an opponent;
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If the ball passes over the court or beyond the end line without touching the court, after being hit
by an opponent;
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If an opponent obstructs the ball;
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If an opponent purposely hits the ball two times in a row;
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If an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, touches the net or moves the playing
surface;
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If an opponent's free hand touches the playing surface;
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If a doubles player hits the ball when it is not his/her turn.
Grips: 2 types – Shakehand and Penhold
Ready Position
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Make students show you the ready
position
Knees bent and slightly leaning
forward
Feet are shoulder width apart
Racket should be table height and in
front of the body
Basic Serving
4 Basic Table Tennis Strokes:
1. Ready position
- Ball in flat palm.
- Racket and ball are held behind the end line.
2. Backswing
- Toss the ball up at least 15cm.
- Racket moves back and behind the ball.
3. Forward movement
- Racket moves forward.
- Contact the ball.
4. Follow through
- Follow through forward.
1. Forehand Drive
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Start with racket beside you at hip height
Contact the ball with a brushing up action
Follow through forward and up
2. Backhand Drive
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Feet shoulder width apart and square to the table
Start with racket in front of the stomach
Follow through forward and up close to head height
Contact the ball with an upward brushing action
3. Forehand Push
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Feet side on at 45º angle to the table
Racket starts besides the body at hip height
Come forward and down with the racket and brush underneath the ball
Finish with the racket close to the table with the palm facing upward
4.Backhand Push
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Feet shoulder width apart and square on to the table
Start with the racket in front of the stomach
Move the racket forward and down brushing underneath the ball
The racket finishes close to the table and the palm down
Forehand Topspin
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Feet are side on at 45º to the table.
The racket starts low and vertical (approximately knee height), with the racket moving forward and up,
brushing the ball, finishing above head height
The ball will dip quickly on the other side of the table due to the topspin