Ping pong, or table tennis, has internationally recognized rules based on standard equipment, serve, score, and illegal moves. A game is won when a player reaches 11 points, provided they are ahead by two points. The first serve is determined by a coin toss, and the server serves two points before exchanging with their opponent. The ball can be thrown back and forth many times, and a match must be won by two points. Other rules include not moving or bumping the table and not allowing any part of the body or clothing to touch the table while the ball is in play.
The official rules of ping pong, otherwise known as table tennis, are internationally recognized and easy to learn. The rules of the game are based on standard equipment, serve, score and illegal moves. The basic equipment is two paddles, a smooth net table and regulation ping pong balls.
Table tennis rules start with having a level table that has a short net in the center. For singles matches, the white lines on the table mean nothing. In doubles, you must serve diagonally from right to left. The paddles have rubber mats; sandpaper surfaces are not allowed. A game is won when a player reaches 11 points, provided he is ahead by two points. Several games in a row can create a match, such that the champion wins the most odd games, such as 4 out of 7. You switch sides between each game in a match.
Which player gets the first serve is determined by a coin toss. A serve involves tossing the ball in the air and hitting it as it descends such that it bounces once to your side of the net, then bounces over the net to land anywhere on your opponent’s side. The first player serves two points, then the serve is exchanged so your opponent serves for two points, and so on. It is okay for the ball to hit the net initially, as long as it continues and then lands on the opponent’s side. This is called a let serve and the server is allowed to reserve the ball.
When the ball is in play, it is called an exchange in the rules of ping pong. The ball can be thrown back and forth many times. If the server misses the ball, hits it twice in a row, or hits it somewhere off the table, the server loses the point. If your opponent has served and you miss the ball, your opponent wins the point. A match must be won by two points, so with a score of 10-10, Ping Pong rules dictate that each serve be exchanged until someone goes two ahead.
Other Ping Pong rules include allowing a player to hold the racket with one hand, or switch from one hand to the other, or even use both hands at the same time. However, you are not allowed to move or bump the table, nor have any part of your body or clothing to touch the table while the ball is in play. The ball is out of play if it touches a wall, ceiling or another person’s body. It’s officially out of bounds and someone just won or lost a point.
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