Table Tennis Rules – Definitions

Table Tennis Rules – Definitions

2.5 DEFINITIONS

2.5.1 A rally is the period during which the ball is in play.

2.5.2 The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm of
the free hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is
decided as a let or a point.

2.5.3 A let is a rally of which the result is not scored.

2.5.4 A point is a rally of which the result is scored.

2.5.5 The racket hand is the hand carrying the racket.

2.5.6 The free hand is the hand not carrying the racket; the free arm is the arm ofthe free hand.
2.5.7 A player strikes the ball if he or she touches it in play with his or her racket,
held in the hand, or with his or her racket hand below the wrist.

2.5.8 A player obstructs the ball if he or she, or anything he or she wears or carries,
touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface,
not having touched his or her court since last being struck by his or her
opponent.

2.5.9 The server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally.

2.5.10 The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally.

2.5.11 The umpire is the person appointed to control a match.

2.5.12 The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire with certain
decisions.

2.5.13 Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that he or she was
wearing or carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally.

2.5.14 The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions.