What happens if the ball hits you in table tennis?
A · Advanced · Rallies, points and doubles · 2 of 8It 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. If the ball has already passed beyond the end line without bouncing, it is out, and being hit by it costs nothing.
How it works
- Obstruction needs three things: the ball is in play; it has not touched the player's court since the opponent struck it; and it is above the playing surface or travelling towards it.
- A ball that has passed beyond the end line, or is moving away from the table, cannot be obstructed.
- "Anything they wear or carry" means what the player had at the start of the rally, including clothing and the bat.
Tricky cases
The shot was going long and hit my bat behind the table. Whose point?
Yours. The ball had passed beyond your end line without touching your court.
I caught a ball over the table that was plainly going out. Whose point?
Your opponent's. While the ball is above the playing surface it does not matter where it was heading.
The ball hit my shirt at the side of the table, heading away. Is it obstruction?
No. The ball was neither above the playing surface nor travelling towards it.
Why the rule exists
A player may not stop a ball that might still land. Once the ball can no longer hit the table, there is nothing left to protect.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ITTF Laws | As above | L2.5.8; L2.5.13; L2.10.1.4, 2.10.1.6 |
From the rule book
ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws 2.5.8, 2.5.13, 2.10.1.4 and 2.10.1.6. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITTF Statutes (PDF).