Lesson 4: Key Rules and Fouls

Understanding the rules keeps the game fair and fun. Here are the most important ones:

Touches:

• Each side gets a maximum of three touches to return the ball.
• You may use any body part except the hands and arms.
• You cannot touch the ball twice in a row with the same body part.

Doubles Rule:

• In doubles, teammates must pass to each other at least once before returning the ball over the net.

Serving:

• The serve uses one touch above the table surface.
• The first serve can use any body part (except hands/arms); the second serve must not use the feet.
• Each side gets two attempts to serve legally. A serve touching the net is a fault.

Smashes:

• Each player or pair is allowed two smashes per set that send the ball out of the field of play. Beyond that, it is penalised.

Edgeball:

• If the ball hits the edge of the opponent's side, the rally is replayed.

Common Fouls (opponent wins the point):

• Using hands or arms
• More than three touches
• Touching the table or opponent
• Committing a double fault (two failed serves)