The rare cases people argue about
Rare situations, and the ones people argue about.
A · Advanced · 8 rules · Step 3 of 4Scoring and winning
Rallies, points and doubles
- What happens if the ball hits you in table tennis?It is obstruction, and the point is lost, if a player or anything they wear or carry touches the ball while it is above the table or travelling towards it, before it has bounced on their side.
- Is a double hit allowed in table tennis?An accidental double hit is legal: only deliberately hitting the ball twice loses the point.
Time, coaching, cards and officials
- What happens if a table tennis player is injured?The referee may suspend play for up to 10 minutes if a player is hurt in an accident, such as a fall.
- Can a coach talk to a player during a table tennis match?Yes.
- What do yellow and red cards mean in table tennis?A yellow card is a warning for bad behaviour.
- Who are the officials in table tennis, and can a player challenge a call?Each match has an umpire and an assistant umpire.