🏓 Rules of Table Tennis : How to Play Table Tennis Or Ping Pong : Table Tennis Rules EXPLAINED

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive guide on how to play table tennis, also known as ping pong. It explains that the game can be played by two or four players, with the goal of reaching 11 points to win a set and winning multiple sets to claim the match. The video details the table dimensions, net height, and key rules, including service procedures, scoring, and player rotations. It also clarifies points, legal and illegal moves, and situations requiring a replay (lets). Perfect for beginners, this tutorial aims to teach viewers how to play table tennis correctly while encouraging them to enjoy the game.

Takeaways

• 🏓 Table tennis, also known as ping pong, can be played by two or four players.
• 🎯 The main objective is to reach 11 points to win a set and win the best of 3, 5, or 7 sets to win the match.
• 📏 The table is 9 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 2.5 feet above the ground, with a 6-inch-high net.
• 🪙 A coin toss determines which player serves first.
• ✋ The service must start with the ball in an open palm, above and behind the table.
• ⚡ During a serve, the server's free hand must be out of the way, and the ball must bounce on their side first, then over the net to the opponent's side.
• 🔄 Players must rotate ends and switch who serves after each game; in the deciding game, ends swap after 5 points.
• 🏆 A set is won by reaching 11 points, but if both players reach 10, a two-point lead is required to win.
• ❌ Points are scored when a player fails to serve legally, return the ball, hits the ball twice, touches the table with their free hand, or in doubles, strikes out of sequence.
• ⚠️ A 'let' occurs when the ball hits the net on a serve, an umpire interrupts, or a player is not ready, requiring a replay.
• 😊 Following these rules ensures fair play and helps you enjoy table tennis properly.

Q & A

What is another name for table tennis?

Table tennis is also known as ping pong.

How many players can participate in a game of table tennis?

Table tennis can be played by either two players (singles) or four players (doubles).

What is the objective of table tennis?

The objective is to be the first player to reach 11 points to win a set and then win the best of three, five, or seven sets to ultimately win the game.

What are the standard dimensions of a table tennis table?

A table tennis table is nine feet long, five feet wide, and two and a half feet above the ground, with the net hung six inches above the table.

How is the first server determined in table tennis?

The toss of a coin determines which player serves first.

What are the basic rules for serving in table tennis?

The server must start with the ball in an open palm, keep the ball above and behind the table, and after tossing, move their free hand out of the way. The ball must first bounce on the server’s side and then over the net to the opponent’s side.

What happens if the ball hits the net and does not go over during play?

If the ball hits the net and doesn’t go over, the point goes to the opposing player or team, and there are no second serves.

How does scoring work in table tennis?

A player scores a point when the opponent fails to make a legal serve or return, the ball touches the opponent's body, a player strikes the ball twice in succession, a player touches the table with their free hand, or in doubles if the opponent strikes the ball out of sequence.

What is a 'let' in table tennis?

A let is a situation requiring a replay, such as when the ball hits the net during a serve before touching the opponent's court, an umpire interrupts the game, or one player is not ready.

When do players swap ends and serving roles during a match?

After each game, players rotate ends and change who serves and receives first. In the deciding game of a match, players swap ends after either player reaches 5 points.

How does a player or team win a set if both sides reach 10 points?

If both players or teams score 10 points, the first player or pair to gain a two-point lead wins the set.

What determines the overall winner of a table tennis match?

The overall winner is the player or team that wins the majority of sets in the match, whether it is best of three, five, or seven sets.