Basic rules of the game

The winner of a game is the first to 11 points. There must be a gap of at least two points between opponents at the end of the game though, so if the score is 10-10, the game goes in to extra play until one of the players has gained a lead of 2 points. The point goes to the player who successfully ends a rally, regardless of who has served.

A match can consist of the number of games you like, just make sure you agree this in advance!

A player takes two serves before the ball switches to the opponent to serve, except during periods of extra play where it changes each time. The first person to serve at the start of the game can be determined in many different ways, we’ll leave that up to you to decide! Service can be diagonal or in a straight line in singles

Service must be diagonal, from the right half court (marked by a white line) to the opponent’s right half court.

Service changeover in Doubles is as follows:

At the start of a game, the serving team will decide which player will serve first. The first player to serve is A1 and;

A1 serves to B1 (2 services)

B1 then serves to A2 (2 services)

A2 then serves to B2 (2 services)

B2 serves to A1 2 services)

Repeat

At the end of game 1 and the start of game 2, team B will take the first serve; B1 must serve to A1. A1 then serves to B2 and so on.

In doubles, you should alternate hitting the ball with your partner. So, for example,

A1 serves the ball to B1

B1 plays to A2

A2 plays to B2

B2 plays to A1

then this is repeated

A1 plays to B1 ….and so on.

The ball must first bounce on your side and then in your opponents. Your opponent must allow the ball to hit their side of the table before trying to return this.

The ball must pass cleanly over the net – if it ‘clips’ the net and goes over, it is a ‘let’ and the serve is retaken. If it hits the net and doesn’t go over, the point goes to the other player/team. There are no second serves.