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Rules
of table tennis - Official ITTF rules
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Official Rules of table tennis as stipulated by the
ITTF
(International Table Tennis Federation. These are the official rules, which most countries abide by, for tournaments
and competitions in their countries.
| 2 |
THE LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.01 |
THE TABLE |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.01.01 |
The upper surface of the
table, known as the playing surface, shall be rectangular, 2.74m long and
1.525m wide, and shall lie in a horizontal plane 76cm above the floor. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.01.02 |
The playing surface shall
not include the vertical sides of the tabletop. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.01.03 |
The playing surface may be
of any material and shall yield a uniform bounce of about 23cm when a
standard ball is dropped on to it from a height of 30cm. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.01.04 |
The playing surface shall
be uniformly dark coloured and matt, but with a white side line, 2cm wide,
along each 2.74m edge and a white end line, 2cm wide, along each 1.525m
edge. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.01.05 |
The playing surface shall
be divided into 2 equal courts by a vertical net running parallel with the
end lines, and shall be continuous over the whole area of each court.
|
7/15/2003 |
| 2.01.06 |
For doubles, each court
shall be divided into 2 equal half-courts by a white centre line, 3mm
wide, running parallel with the side lines; the centre line shall be
regarded as part of each right half-court. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.02 |
THE NET ASSEMBLY |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.02.01 |
The net assembly shall
consist of the net, its suspension and the supporting posts, including the
clamps attaching them to the table. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.02.02 |
The net shall be suspended
by a cord attached at each end to an upright post 15.25cm high, the
outside limits of the post being 15.25cm outside the side line. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.02.03 |
The top of the net, along
its whole length, shall be 15.25cm above the playing surface. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.02.04 |
The bottom of the net,
along its whole length, shall be as close as possible to the playing
surface and the ends of the net shall be as close as possible to the
supporting posts. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.03 |
THE BALL |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.03.01 |
The ball shall be
spherical, with a diameter of 40mm. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.03.02 |
The ball shall weigh 2.7g. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.03.03 |
The ball shall be made of
celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be white or orange, and
matt. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.04 |
THE RACKET |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.04.01 |
The racket may be of any
size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.04.02 |
At least 85% of the blade
by thickness shall be of natural wood; an adhesive layer within the blade
may be reinforced with fibrous material such as carbon fibre, glass fibre
or compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than 7.5% of the total
thickness or 0.35mm, whichever is the smaller. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.04.03 |
A side of the blade used
for striking the ball shall be covered with either ordinary pimpled
rubber, with pimples outwards having a total thickness including adhesive
of not more than 2mm, or sandwich rubber, with pimples inwards or
outwards, having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than
4mm. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.04.03.01 |
Ordinary pimpled rubber
is a single layer of non-cellular rubber, natural or synthetic, with
pimples evenly distributed over its surface at a density of not less than
10 per cm2 and not more than 30 per cm2. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.04.03.02 |
Sandwich rubber is
a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single outer layer of
ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled rubber not being
more than 2mm. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.04.04 |
The covering material
shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the blade, except that the
part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers may be left uncovered
or covered with any material. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.04.05 |
The blade, any layer
within the blade and any layer of covering material or adhesive on a side
used for striking the ball shall be continuous and of even thickness. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.04.06 |
The surface of the
covering material on a side of the blade, or of a side of the blade if it
is left uncovered, shall be matt, bright red on one side and black on the
other. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.04.07 |
Slight deviations from
continuity of surface or uniformity of colour due to accidental damage or
wear may be allowed provided that they do not significantly change the
characteristics of the surface. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.04.08 |
At the start of a match
and whenever he changes his racket during a match a player shall show his
opponent and the umpire the racket he is about to use and shall allow them
to examine it. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05 |
DEFINITIONS |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.01 |
A rally is the
period during which the ball is in play. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.02 |
The ball is in play
from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm of the free
hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is
decided as a let or a point. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.03 |
A let is a rally of
which the result is not scored. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.04 |
A point is a rally
of which the result is scored. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.05 |
The racket hand is
the hand carrying the racket. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.06 |
The free hand is
the hand not carrying the racket; the free arm is the arm of the
free hand. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.05.07 |
A player strikes
the ball if he touches it in play with his racket, held in the hand, or
with his racket hand below the wrist. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.08 |
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. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.05.09 |
The server is the
player due to strike the ball first in a rally. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.10 |
The receiver is the
player due to strike the ball second in a rally. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.11 |
The umpire is the
person appointed to control a match. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.12 |
The assistant umpire
is the person appointed to assist the umpire with certain decisions. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.13 |
Anything that a player wears
or carries includes anything that he was wearing or carrying, other
than the ball, at the start of the rally. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.14 |
The ball shall be regarded
as passing over or around the net assembly if it passes anywhere
other than between the net and the net post or between the net and the
playing surface. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.05.15 |
The end line shall
be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.06 |
THE SERVICE |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.06.01 |
Service shall start with
the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's stationary free
hand. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.06.02 |
The server shall then
project the ball near vertically upwards, without imparting spin, so that
it rises at least 16cm after leaving the palm of the free hand and then
falls without touching anything before being struck. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.06.03 |
As the ball is falling the
server shall strike it so that it touches first his court and then, after
passing over or around the net assembly, touches directly the receiver's
court; in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court
of server and receiver. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.06.04 |
From the start of service
until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of the playing
surface and behind the server's end line, and it shall not be hidden from
the receiver by the server or his doubles partner or
by anything they wear or carry. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.06.05 |
As soon as the ball has
been projected, the server’s free arm shall be removed from the space
between the ball and the net.
Note: The space between the ball and the net is defined by
the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.06.06 |
It is the responsibility
of the player to serve so that the umpire or the assistant umpire can see
that he complies with the requirements for a good service. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.06.06.01 |
If the umpire is doubtful
of the legality of a service he may, on the first occasion in a match,
declare a let and warn the server. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.06.06.02 |
Any subsequent service of
doubtful legality of that player or his doubles partner will result in a
point to the receiver. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.06.06.03 |
Whenever there is a clear
failure to comply with the requirements for a good service, no warning
shall be given and the receiver shall score a point. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.06.07 |
Exceptionally, the umpire
may relax the requirements for a good service where he is satisfied that
compliance is prevented by physical disability. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.07 |
THE RETURN |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.07.01 |
The ball, having been
served or returned, shall be struck so that it passes over or around the
net assembly and touches the opponent's court, either directly or after
touching the net assembly. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.08 |
THE ORDER OF PLAY |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.08.01 |
In singles, the server
shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return and
thereafter server and receiver alternately shall each make a return. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.08.02 |
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 thereafter each player in turn in
that sequence shall make a return. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.08.03 |
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 thereafter either player of the disabled pair may make returns.
However, no part of a player’s wheelchair shall protrude beyond the
imaginary extension of the centre line of the table. If it does, the
umpire shall award the point to the opposing pair. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.09 |
A LET |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.09.01 |
The rally shall be a let |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.09.01.01 |
if in service the ball, in
passing over or around the net assembly, touches it, provided the service
is otherwise good or the ball is obstructed by the receiver or his
partner; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.09.01.02 |
if the service is
delivered when the receiving player or pair is not ready, provided that
neither the receiver nor his partner attempts to strike the ball; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.09.01.03 |
if failure to make a
service or a return or otherwise to comply with the Laws is due to a
disturbance outside the control of the player; |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.09.01.04 |
if play is interrupted by
the umpire or assistant umpire. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.09.01.05 |
if the receiver is in
wheelchair due to a physical disability and in
service the ball, provided
that the service is otherwise correct, |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.09.01.05.01 |
leaves the receiver’s
half after touching it in the direction of the net; |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.09.01.05.02 |
comes to rest on the
receiver's half; |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.09.01.05.03 |
in singles leaves the
receiver’s half after touching it by either of its sidelines. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.09.02 |
Play may be interrupted |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.09.02.01 |
to correct an error in the
order of serving, receiving or ends; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.09.02.02 |
to introduce the expedite
system; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.09.02.03 |
to warn or penalise a
player or adviser; |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.09.02.04 |
because the conditions of
play are disturbed in a way which could affect the outcome of the rally. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.10 |
A POINT |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.10.01 |
Unless the rally is a let,
a player shall score a point |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.10.01.01 |
if his opponent fails to
make a correct service; |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.10.01.02 |
if his opponent fails to
make a correct return; |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.10.01.03 |
if, after he has made a
service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly
before being struck by his opponent; |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.10.01.04 |
if the ball passes over
his court or beyond his end line without touching his court, after being
struck by his opponent; |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.10.01.05 |
if his opponent obstructs
the ball; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.10.01.06 |
if his opponent strikes
the ball twice successively; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.10.01.07 |
if his opponent strikes
the ball with a side of the racket blade whose surface does not comply
with the requirements of 2.4.3, 2.4.4 and 2.4.5; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.10.01.08 |
if his opponent, or
anything his opponent wears or carries, moves the playing surface; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.10.01.09 |
if his opponent, or
anything his opponent wears or carries, touches the net assembly; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.10.01.10 |
if his opponent's free
hand touches the playing surface; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.10.01.11 |
if a doubles opponent
strikes the ball out of the sequence established by the first server and
first receiver; |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.10.01.12 |
as provided under the
expedite system (2.15.2). |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.11 |
A GAME |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.11.01 |
A game shall be won by the
player or pair first scoring 11 points unless both players or pairs score
10 points, when the game shall be won by the first player or pair
subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.12 |
A MATCH |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.12.01 |
A match shall consist of
the best of any odd number of games. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.13 |
THE ORDER OF SERVING,
RECEIVING AND ENDS |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.13.01 |
The right to choose the
initial order of serving, receiving and ends shall be decided by lot and
the winner may choose to serve or to receive first or to start at a
particular end. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.13.02 |
When one player or pair
has chosen to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular end,
the other player or pair shall have the other choice. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.13.03 |
After each 2 points
have been scored the receiving player or pair shall become the serving
player or pair and so on until the end of the game, unless both players or
pairs score 10 points or the expedite system is in operation, when the
sequences of serving and receiving shall be the same but each player shall
serve for only 1 point in turn. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.13.04 |
In each game of a doubles
match, the pair having the right to serve first shall choose which of them
will do so and in the first game of a match the receiving pair shall
decide which of them will receive first; in subsequent games of the match,
the first server having been chosen, the first receiver shall be the
player who served to him in the preceding game. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.13.05 |
In doubles, at each change
of service the previous receiver shall become the server and the partner
of the previous server shall become the receiver. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.13.06 |
The player or pair serving
first in a game shall receive first in the next game of the match and in
the last possible game of a doubles match the pair due to receive next
shall change their order of receiving when first one pair scores 5
points. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.13.07 |
The player or pair
starting at one end in a game shall start at the other end in the next
game of the match and in the last possible game of a match the players or
pairs shall change ends when first one player or pair scores 5
points. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.14 |
OUT OF ORDER OF SERVING,
RECEIVING OR ENDS |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.14.01 |
If a player serves or
receives out of turn, play shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as
the error is discovered and shall resume with those players serving and
receiving who should be server and receiver respectively at the score that
has been reached, according to the sequence established at the beginning
of the match and, in doubles, to the order of serving chosen by the pair
having the right to serve first in the game during which the error is
discovered. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.14.02 |
If the players have not
changed ends when they should have done so, play shall be interrupted by
the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall resume with the
players at the ends at which they should be at the score that has been
reached, according to the sequence established at the beginning of the
match. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.14.03 |
In any circumstances, all
points scored before the discovery of an error shall be reckoned. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.15 |
THE EXPEDITE SYSTEM |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.15.01 |
Except where both players
or pairs have scored at least 9 points, the expedite system shall come
into operation if a game is unfinished after 10 minutes' play or at any
earlier time at the request of both players or pairs. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.15.01.01 |
If the ball is in play
when the time limit is reached, play shall be interrupted by the umpire
and shall resume with service by the player who served in the rally that
was interrupted. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.15.01.02 |
If the ball is not in play
when the time limit is reached, play shall resume with service by the
player who received in the immediately preceding rally. |
7/15/2003 |
| 2.15.02 |
Thereafter, each player
shall serve for 1 point in turn until the end of the game and if the
receiving player or pair makes 13 returns the receiver shall score a
point. |
8/29/2006 |
| 2.15.03 |
Once introduced, the
expedite system shall remain in operation until the end of the match. |
7/15/2003 |
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