Rules
Field of Play
The playing space shall be rectangular and not less than 14m long, 7m wide and 5m high, but the four corners may be covered by surrounds of not more than 1.5m length.
The following equipment and fittings are to be considered as part of each playing area: The table including the net assembly, umpires tables and chairs, score indicators, towel and ball boxes, printed numbers identifying the table, surrounds, floor mats, boards on the surrounds indicating the names of players or Associations.
The playing area shall be enclosed by surrounds about 75cm high, all of the same dark background colour, separating it from adjacent playing areas and from spectators.
In World and Olympic title competitions the light intensity, measured at the height of the playing surface, shall be at least 1000 lux uniformly over the whole of the playing surface and at least 500 lux elsewhere in the playing area; in other competitions the intensity shall be at least 600 lux uniformly over the playing surface and at least 400 lux elsewhere in the playing area.
The background shall be generally dark and shall not contain bright light sources or daylight through uncovered windows or other apertures.
The flooring shall not be light-coloured, brightly reflecting or slippery and its surface shall not be of brick, ceramics, concrete or stone; in World and Olympic title competitions the flooring shall be of wood or of a brand and type of rollable synthetic material authorised by the ITTF.
Racket Control
It is the responsibility of each player to ensure that racket coverings are attached to their racket blade with adhesives that do not contain harmful volatile solvents.
A racket control centre shall be established. The racket control centre will test rackets, according to the policy and procedure established by the Executive Committee on recommendation from the Equipment Committee, to ensure that rackets abide by all ITTF regulations including, but not limited to, racket covering thickness, flatness and presence of harmful volatile substances. Rackets that do not pass the racket control test cannot be used in the above listed competitions and the player will be liable to penalties according to the policy and procedure in place at the time.
A properly ventilated area shall be provided for the attachment of racket coverings to rackets, and liquid adhesives shall not be used anywhere else at the playing venue.
Scoring
A rally is the period during which the ball is in play.
The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm of the free hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is decided as a let or a point.
A let is a rally of which the result is not scored.
A point is a rally of which the result is scored.
Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point:
- if an opponent fails to make a correct service;
- an opponent fails to make a correct return;
- if, after he has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck by an opponent;
- if the ball passes over his court or beyond his end line without touching his court, after being struck by an opponent;
- if an opponent obstructs the ball;
- if an opponent obstructs the ball;
- if an opponent strikes the ball twice successively;
- if an opponent strikes the ball with a side of the racket blade whose surface does not comply with the rules;
- if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, moves the playing surface;
- if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, touches the net assembly;
- if an opponent's free hand touches the playing surface;
- if a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence established by the first server and first receiver;
- as provided under the expedite system.
A game is won when a player or pair reach 11 points or when at 10-10 a player has a 2 point advantage.
A match between two players or pairs consists of an odd number of games (i.e. 3,5,7).