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Delete - Last Modified By: ALO at 7/10/2013 3:15:11 PM
Choice of - The winner of the coin toss decides whether to serve or receive or chooses an end of the table to commence at. The loser of the toss makes the choice on that neglected by the winner of the toss.
- The player who serves first in the first game also serves first in game 3 and 5.
- Ends are changed at the completion of each game and at the first score of 5 during the deciding game.
Service - For a serve to be good:-
• the ball must be stationary on the open and flat palm of the free hand and be
visible at all times.
• the free hand must be behind the base line and above the table height.
• the ball must be tossed upwards and struck only on its decent.
• the ball, after being hit, must bounce in the server's half of the table, clear the net
and then bounce in the opponent's half of the table. ( If the ball touches the net or
net post bouncing in the opponent's half the serve is taken again i.e. a ' LET ".
• no spin can be imparted to the ball when it is tossed into the air.
- If the player serving misses the ball all together the point is lost i.e. the ball is in play once it is tossed upwards from the palm.
Change of Service - The right to serve changes after each two points unless the score reaches 10 each ( Deuce ) after which it changes every point.
Scoring - The winner of each game is the first player to 11 points. If the score reaches 10 each ( DEUCE ) an advantage of two points is required.
- A point is scored each time a rally is completed.
- Matches are usually the best of 3 or 5 games.
- A point is scored if the opponent:-
• misses the ball
• hits the ball into the net
• hits the ball off the table
• serves a fault
• lets the ball bounce twice on their half
• double hits the ball
• hits the ball on the full ( bat or bat hand )
• touches the playing surface with the free hand
• hits the ball directly into any object ( e.g. light, roof, chair )
• moves the table
• touches the net or net posts with bat or body
• catches or touches the ball before it has had a chance to bounce on their half.
Let - A point is replayed if:-
• a correctly served ball hits the net or net post on its way to the receiver's half
• a player is obstructed through no fault of their own ( e.g. noise or ball from another
table)
• the service receiver was not ready and makes no attempt to return the ball
• the ball breaks during a point
• expedite ( see later ) comes into play during a rally.
Edge Ball - A ball that hits the top edge of the table is good. A ball that hits the side of the table is not good.
Net - The ball is good if it comes over or around the net or under the net supports provided it hits the top of the table.
Expedite - If a game lasts more than 10 minutes the expedite rule applies to the rest of that game and any subsequent game.
- Each player serves in turn and if the service and next 12 shots of the server are returned by the receiver the server loses the point. The returns of the receiver are counted aloud ( 1 to 13 ) by an official other than the umpire.
Doubles Rallies - During a point the ball must be hit alternately by each player ( i.e. no player can return the ball twice in succession )
Choice of Service - In the first game the pair serving first may decide which player will begin serving first and the pair receiving may decide which player will receive first.
In each subsequent game the pair serving first may decide who will begin serving first but the first receiver must be the player who served to them in the previous game. ( i.e. in each game a player will hit to and receive from the opposite player to the previous game )
Service for - Service is always from the right hand court to the opposite right hand court. A ball on the Doubles line is good.
- Service changes every two points at which point the player who was serving changes
places with their partner.
- The service order will run as follows. If A and B are playing 1 and 2:-
• First 2 points - A serves to 1.
• Second 2 points - 1 serves to B.
• Third 2 points - B serves to 2.
• Fourth 2 points - 2 serves to A.
Sequence continues as above until the game is won or 10 all ( DEUCE ) is reached. At
DEUCE each player serves once at a time in the same rotation as above.