Table Tennis
Starting a Game
The first service is decided normally by a coin toss. It's also common for one player to hide the ball in one hand, allowing the other player to guess which hand the ball is in. The guess gives the "winner" the option to serve, receive or choose which side of the table to use.
Service and return: In game play, the player serving the ball begins a play. The server first stands with the ball and tosses the ball directly upward. The server strikes the ball with the racket on the ball's descent so that it touches first his court and then touches directly the receiver's court without touching the net assembly.
The ball must remain behind the endline and on the playing surface, of the table at all times during the service. The server cannot use his body or clothing to obstruct sight of the ball; the opponent and the umpire must have a clear view of the ball at all times.
If the service is "good", then the receiver must make a "good" return by hitting the ball back before it bounces a second time on receiver's side of the table so that the ball passes the net and touches the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly. Thereafter, the server and receiver must alternately make a return until the rally is over.
Service and return: In game play, the player serving the ball begins a play. The server first stands with the ball and tosses the ball directly upward. The server strikes the ball with the racket on the ball's descent so that it touches first his court and then touches directly the receiver's court without touching the net assembly.
The ball must remain behind the endline and on the playing surface, of the table at all times during the service. The server cannot use his body or clothing to obstruct sight of the ball; the opponent and the umpire must have a clear view of the ball at all times.
If the service is "good", then the receiver must make a "good" return by hitting the ball back before it bounces a second time on receiver's side of the table so that the ball passes the net and touches the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly. Thereafter, the server and receiver must alternately make a return until the rally is over.
