How to Keep Score in Table Tennis

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:KeepScoreTableTennis
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How to Keep Score in Table Tennis

Introduction

Scoring table tennis doesn't include "loves" and "deuces" like court tennis. Instead, players battle their way to 11 points (although some people may choose to play to 21).

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Give yourself a point if your opponent faults on both the first and second serve attempts. A player faults if he or she fails to hit the ball over the net.
2

Step Two

Award yourself a point if your opponent fails to hit a clean return shot. This could include hitting the ball past the table, hitting the ball into the net or failing to hit the ball altogether.
3

Step Three

Reward yourself with a point if your opponent strikes the ball twice consecutively. This often happens when a player strikes the ball awkwardly off the side of the paddle.
4

Step Four

Give yourself a point if your opponent moves the playing surface while the ball is in play. A player should not have his or her hand resting on the table.
5

Step Five

Enjoy another point if your opponent obstructs the ball in play. An example of this is making contact with the ball by hand instead of by paddle.
6

Step Six

Note that a game is won when either player/team reaches 11 points, unless both players (or teams) tie at 10 each. The game is then immediately decided when one player (or team) takes a 2-point advantage (for example, a final score of 13-11).
7

Step Seven

Call out the score of the game before every service, making sure to announce the server's score first.

Tips & Warnings

  • In regulation competition, matches are either the best of three games (in which the first player to win two games is victorious) or the best of five games (in which the first player to win three games is victorious).
  • Table tennis rules also include changing ends and changing service; see Related Sites for details.

Overall Things You'll Need

  • Table Tennis Paddles
  • Table Tennis Playing Tables
  • Table Tennis Video
  • Athletic Gear
  • Table Tennis Balls
  • Table Tennis Nets
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