Scoring and Games

Games are played to 11 points
Players serve two serves each, alternating. A player does not have to win specifically off their own serve in order to win a point
If a game ties at 10-10, a player must win by 2 points. In this situation, players serve one serve each, alternating
In competition, games are played best of 5 (first to win 3 games) or best of 7 (first to win 4 games). Social games can also be played best of 3 (first to win 2 games)

Legal Serving

You must throw the ball up straight, from a flat palm, at least 6 inches (16cm)
Your toss and service contact must be behind the table surface (not over)
You cannot hide the ball from the ball toss to contact, with any part of your body
If the ball hits the net during service, it is a let, the point is replayed. There is no limit or point deductions for let serves.

Equipment Basics

A table tennis racket must be one side black, one side (recently approved) any approved color
The official approved ball is the 40mm+ plastic ball
The dimensions of an approved table tennis table are: 9ft long, 5ft wide, 2.5ft high
The approved height of a table tennis net is: 6 inches

Official Rules of Table Tennis

ITTF Rules - January 2022
USATT Rules - January 2022
USATT Rule Interpretation and Precedents
Service Judge Protocol
Coaching Rules Guidelines - Effective Immediately - December 2016

For any questions regarding the official rules of table tennis, please contact the Head of the USATT Rules Committee, Roman Tinyszin at iuroman@comcast.net

Rules of Table Tennis

Loading...