Tournament Details

THE LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS

DEFINITIONS

• A rally is the period during which the ball is in play.
• 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.
• A let is a rally of which the result is not scored.
• A point is a rally of which the result is scored.
• A player strikes the ball if he or she touches it in play with his or her racket, held in the hand, or with his or her racket hand below the wrist.
• A player obstructs the ball if anything he or she wears or carries, touches it in play when it is above or traveling towards the playing surface, not having touched his or her court since last being struck by his or her opponent.
• The server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally.
• The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally.
• The umpire is the person appointed to control a match.
• The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions.

THE SERVICE

• Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's stationary free hand.
• 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.
• As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his or her court and then touches directly the receiver's court; in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court of server and receiver.
• 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 or her doubles partner or by anything they wear or carry.
• As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm and hand shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net. The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension.
• It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire can be satisfied and umpire may decide that a service is incorrect.
• If the umpire is not sure about the legality of a service he or she may, interrupt play; but any subsequent service by that player which is not clearly legal shall be considered incorrect.
• Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a correct service where he or she is satisfied that compliance is prevented.

THE 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.

A LET

The rally shall be a let:

• If in service the ball touches the net assembly, provided the service is otherwise correct or the ball is obstructed by the receiver or his or her partner;
• If the service is delivered when the receiving player is not ready, provided that the receiver does not attempt to strike the ball;
• 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;
• If play is interrupted by the umpire;

Play may be interrupted

• To correct an error in the order of serving, receiving or ends;
• To warn a player;
• Because the conditions of play are disturbed in a way which could affect the outcome of the rally.

A POINT

Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point

• If an opponent fails to make a correct service;
• If an opponent fails to make a correct return;
• If, after he or she has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck by an opponent;
• If the ball passes over his or her court or beyond his or her end line without touching his or her court, after being struck by an opponent;
• If an opponent deliberately strikes the ball more than once in succession;
• If an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, moves the playing surface;
• If an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, touches the net assembly;
• If an opponent's free hand touches the playing surface;

A GAME

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 or otherwise as decided by the umpire;