FOREHAND

BACKHAND

SERVE

DEFENCE

Play the Game - Table Tennis  -

Rules -

A GAME:
unless both players or pairs points scores 11 A game is won by the player or pair who •
player or pair that leads by two points score 10 points, then the game is won by the
i.e. 12 – 10 or 13 - 11 etc.
A MATCH:
• For schools use 1, 3, 5.or best of any odd number of games A match must consist of the .
7 depending on time constraints.
led to claim an throughout a match except that any player is entit Play must be continuous •
ve games. interval of not more than 1 minute between successi
SOME COMMON QUESTIONS:
ble? Is the ball in or out if it hit the side of the ta •
OUT
Do you win the game if the score is 7 - 0? •
NO. You must play to the full score.
point? How many “lets” can you serve before you lose the •
ving a let. AS MANY AS YOU LIKE. You never lose a point for ser
the table? In doubles do you serve one serve to each side of •
to your opponent’s right court. NO. You only ever serve from your right side court
If the ball hits the white line is it in or out? •
IN.
at allowed to touch the table? Are you allowed to lean on the table and is your b •
e table is your non-playing hand. YES. The only thing that isn't allowed to touch th
u lose a point? How many faults are you allowed to serve before yo •
Every time you serve a fault you lose a point.
e of the table? Can you hit the ball before it bounces on your sid •
you hit it on the full you lose the point. If the ball is still in play, (over the table) and
on the full you win the point. The first If the ball has gone past the table and you hit it
he full. mistake counts i.e. the ball going out of play on t
full the point stops. E

Table Tennis requires fast reflexes and speed across the court. There are three types of teams in Table Tennis –

singles, doubles and mixed. 

Using small, solid racquets, one team serves the ball across the net and the opposing team hits it back until a

team fails to return the ball.

If the ball hits the net on a serve, it is called a ‘let.’ No points are lost for a let. 

If the ball does not land on the opponent’s side of the net, it is called a ‘fault.’ A point is lost for each fault. 

Serve

The player must be positioned behind the end line for the serve. 

The ball should be thrown to a height of around 16cm above the table surface and after being hit, should bounce

once on the server’s side of the net before bouncing on the opponent’s side. 

Scoring

The first team to score 11 points is deemed the winner. If the score reaches 10-10, the first team to score 2 points

will be the winner. 

Equipment 

Racquet

Made of wood, the racquet head is covered with a layer of rubber.There are no size or weight restrictions so

Table Tennis racquets are generally varied in these elements. They are colloquially referred to as paddles.

 Table

A Table Tennis table is 274cm long, 152cm wide and 76cm high. They generally have a dark green or blue coloured

wooden top, however some tables are covered in a synthetic material. The choice of table top material is not restricted

but the ball must bounce 23cm when the ball is dropped from a height of 30cm. 

Ball

The ball is made from a lightweight plastic weighing 2.7g. It has a diameter of 40mm and is coloured white or orange

depending on the colour of the table.
 

Table Tennis Rules

l   To commence playing Table Tennis (singles) one player stands behind the table right of the centre service mark and

serves into the right service court across the table. When serving the ball must bounce once before and after the net.
 
l   If the server misses the service  he or she loses the point. If  the ball touches the net  but still goes over, the service i

s called a 'let' and the server gets to try again. 

 l When the service  goes over the net and bounces into the service court, the opponent hits the ball back straight

over the net after the first bounce and play continues until someone misses. Players must wait for the ball to bounce

once before hitting it.

l To start the second point, the server stands behind the table  just left of the centre mark and serves into the left

service court.

l   After each point the server changes side to serve. The service changes from one player to another after every

five points scored.

l   In doubles the players on the same team must hit the ball alternately

l   The ball is only allowed to bounce once.

What is your grade?

Where to Play
www.tabletennis.org.au

Australian Table Tennis STARS