GAME

A game shall be won by the player or pair first scoring 11 points unless both players and pairs score 10 points, when the game shall be won by the first player or pair subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points.

MATCH

A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of games.

SCORING
A point is won by a player when the opponent cannot hit the ball with a racket over the net and onto the other side of the table. A game is won by being the first player to win 11 points, and be at least 2 points ahead of his or her opponent. If both players have won 10 points, then the first player to get a 2 point lead wins the game. A match is the best of 7 games in the Mens Singles and Womens Singles events, and the best of 5 games in the Mens Team and Womens Team Events. In the team events, the first team to win 3 matches is the overall winner.

 The score begins at 0-0, and the server will serve first. Each player gets to serve for two points in a row, and then the other player has to serve. The server must serve the ball so that it touches his side of the table once, then bounces over or around the net, and then touches his opponent's side of the table. A serve that touches the net assembly (the net, net posts, and net clamps) on the way, but still touches his side first and then the opponent's side on the second bounce, is called a let serve (or just let) and must be replayed, with no change to the score. There is no limit on how many lets the server can serve in a row. The receiver will then attempt to return the ball over or around the net so that it bounces first on the server's side of the table. If he cannot, the server wins the point. If he does, the server must hit the ball over or around the net so that it bounces first on his opponent's side of the table. If the server cannot, the receiver wins the point. Play continues in this manner until either the server or the receiver cannot return the ball legally, in which case the other player wins the point. When a point is won, that player adds one to his score. If a score of 10-all is reached, both players will only serve 1 serve each until the game is won. The score is called out with the server's score first. In the final possible game of a match, when the first player (or doubles team) reaches 5 points, the players must change ends.

SERVICE
The ball must always be visible to the receiver throughout the serve - it must never be hidden. The ball must be always be behind the endline of the table, and above the level of the playing surface.

 The ball must be throw up near vertically at least 16cm (around the height of the net), and must be hit on the way down, not the way up. If the umpire is doubtful whether a serve is legal, he may warn the player. If any more of the player's serves are of doubtful legality, the umpire will fault the player and award the point to his opponent. If a serve is clearly illegal, the umpire will fault the player and give the point to his opponent.

1. As soon as the free hand (the hand holding the ball in service) and arm has projected the ball upwards, the free hand/arm must be immediately removed to the side. In other words, the free arm must not remain in any area between the ball and the receiver- it has to be out of the line of sight of the receiver and the ball as demonstrated in the attached Power-point presentation, video streams and photos. 2. If the server could imagine a triangular space created by the ball and both net posts, then extends this space upwards to head level, the server must then ensure that no part of his body or clothing enters this space (or remains in this space) after he projects the ball upwards in service. This will ensure that the space between the ball and the receiver remains clear of any obstructions. This is a simple way to ensure that the service meets the legal requirements. 3. A slight modification from current services is required. Players must learn, in forehand services, to swing their free arm out of the way as fast as possible to create a legal, open and visible service.

THE ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS

After each 2 points have been scored the receiving player or pair shall become the serving player or pair and so on until the end of the game, unless both players or pairs score 10 points or the expedite system is in operation, when the sequence of serving and receiving shall be the same but each player shall serve for only 1 point in turn.

The player or pair serving first in a game shall receive first in the next game of the match, and in the last possible game of a doubles match the pair due to receive next shall change their order of receiving when first one pair scores 5 points.

The player or pair starting at one end in a game shall start at the other end in the next game of the match and in the last possible game of a match the players or pairs shall change ends when first one player or pair scores 5 points.

Obstructing the Ball An obstruction only occurs if a player touches the ball surface, or traveling towards the playing surface, and has not yet touched his side of the court. (Law 2.5.8) It is not an obstruction if the ball has passed over the endline, has passed over the sideline going away from the table, or is moving away from the playing surface.

 Hitting the Ball It is legal to hit the ball with the fingers of your hand that is holding the
racket, or even the racket hand below the wrist, provided that only one contact is made. Double hits are not allowed, so you may not hit the ball with the fingers of your racket hand, and then hit the ball with your racket. It is legal to switch the racket between hands during the point, although it is rare to find a player that does this. A player may not throw the racket at the ball in order to hit the ball.

If a player drops his racket, he must pick up the racket in order to hit the ball. The ball must be hit by a racket.

TOWELLING, REST PERIODS AND TIME-OUTS

You are allowed to towel off every 6 points during a match, starting from 0-0. You are also allowed to towel off at the change of ends in the last possible game of a match. Each player (or team in doubles) is allowed to claim 1 time-out period of up to 1 minute during a match, by making a T-sign with the hands. Play resumes when the player(s) who called the time out are ready, or when 1 minute has gone by, whichever happens first. You are allowed a maximum rest period of 1 minute between games. During this rest period you must leave your racket on the table, unless the umpire gives you permission to take it with you.