MAPEH8 PEH Q2W7&8D4: Playing Table Tennis (Rules, Scoring, Strategies, and Generalizations)

Learning Goals

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. Identify the official rules of table tennis regarding scoring, serving, and faults.
2. Describe the facilities and equipment used in table tennis according to standard regulations.
3. Apply the rules in simple drills or classroom-based table tennis activities.

Key Ideas & Terms

• Service – the act of putting the ball into play by the server.
• Fault – a violation of the rules that awards a point to the opponent.
• Let – a rally that does not count and is replayed (e.g., serve touches the net but lands correctly).
• Rally – the sequence of hits from the service until a point is scored.
• Scoring System – games to 11 points, win by 2; matches best of 5 or 7 games.
• Table Dimensions – 2.74 m × 1.525 m; 76 cm high.
• Net Assembly – height 15.25 cm across the table width.
• Racket (Paddle) – wooden blade with rubber (one red side, one black side).
• Ball – plastic, 40 mm diameter, 2.7 g.

Quick Recall / Prior Knowledge

Activity: Spot the Difference – Which statements apply to table tennis?

1. The court is the same size as a badminton doubles court.
2. The playing surface is a table measuring 2.74 m × 1.525 m.
3. The net is 1.52 m high.
4. The ball is struck with a wooden paddle covered with rubber.

Show Answer

✅ Numbers 2 and 4 apply to table tennis.
– Table size: 2.74 m × 1.525 m (76 cm high).
– Paddle: wooden blade with rubber faces.

Explore the Lesson

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Rules of Table Tennis

Scoring

• Game to 11 points; win by 2.
• Matches: best of 5 or 7 games.

Why win by 2?

Show Answer

It ensures a clear margin of victory and reduces the chance of a single lucky point deciding the game.

Service

• Toss at least 16 cm upward.
• Strike the ball behind the end line; first bounce on server’s side, then opponent’s.
• Let: serve touches net but lands correctly → replay.

Checkpoint: Which is a service fault?

1. Toss 5 cm
2. Toss 16 cm
3. Serve bounces once each side

Show Answer

A – the minimum toss is 16 cm.

During Rally

• Ball must land on the table; a second bounce on one side ends the rally.
• Hitting with the free hand/body is illegal.
• Touching the table with the free hand is a fault.

Doubles Rotation

• Players serve two points in turn; service passes to opponents.
• Teammates must alternate hits during rallies.

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Facilities

Table

• Size: 2.74 m × 1.525 m; height 76 cm.
• Dark surface; 2 cm white sidelines/end lines; center line used in doubles.

Net

• Length: ~1.83 m; height 15.25 cm; tensioned and level.

Playing Area

• Recommended competitive space: ~14 m × 7 m × 5 m (L×W×H).
• Good lighting and non-slippery floor.

Why so much space?

Show Answer

Fast rallies require lateral and backward movement; space prevents collisions and supports fair play.

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Equipment

Ball

• Plastic, 40 mm diameter, 2.7 g, matte white or orange.

Racket (Paddle)

• Blade: at least 85% natural wood.
• Rubber coverings: one red, one black (visibility of spin).

Why red and black?

Show Answer

To let opponents see which rubber is used; each side may produce different spin/speed.

Uniform

• Comfortable shirt/shorts or skirt; non-marking shoes; no reflective distractions.

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Why Standards Matter

Consistent rules, facilities, and equipment ensure fairness, safety, and smooth progression from school play to official competitions.

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Case Study – School Tournament

Before the finals, the referee checks net height, ball size, and lighting. A sagging net is corrected. Disputes are avoided because standards are followed.

Reflection: Why enforce standards even at school level?

Show Answer

To maintain fairness, reduce arguments, and prepare students for higher-level play.

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Mini-Summaries

• Games to 11; win by 2; legal serve toss ≥16 cm.
• Table 2.74 × 1.525 m; 76 cm high; net 15.25 cm.
• Ball 40 mm/2.7 g; paddle has red/black sides.
• Ample playing space supports safety and performance.

Example in Action

Worked Example 1: Scoring

A game reaches 10–10. What must happen for one player to win?

Show Answer

Continue until a 2-point lead is reached (e.g., 12–10).

Worked Example 2: Service Rule

A player tosses the ball 8 cm and serves. Legal?

Show Answer

No. Toss must be at least 16 cm upward.

Worked Example 3: Table Dimensions

State the official table dimensions.

Show Answer

2.74 m × 1.525 m × 76 cm (L×W×H).

Worked Example 4: Equipment

Why one black and one red rubber?

Show Answer

To indicate which side is used; different rubbers can create different spins.

Worked Example 5: Faults

Player touches the table with the free hand during a rally. Outcome?

Show Answer

Fault—opponent scores a point.

Now You Try

1. Net height?
   Show Answer

   15.25 cm.
2. Ball specs (size/weight)?
   Show Answer

   40 mm, 2.7 g.
3. Define a rally and how it ends.
   Show Answer

   Exchange of shots from serve until a point due to a fault/miss.
4. How does doubles service rotate?
   Show Answer

   Each player serves two points; service passes; teammates alternate hits.
5. Play fairly without a standard table—how?
   Show Answer

   Use a sturdy similar-sized table, rope/books as net, apply official rules.

Try It Out

1. How many points to win a game?
   Show Answer

   11, with a 2-point lead.
2. What if the score is 10–10?
   Show Answer

   Play continues until someone leads by 2.
3. Minimum toss height for a legal serve?
   Show Answer

   16 cm.
4. Official table length and width?
   Show Answer

   2.74 m × 1.525 m.
5. Playing surface height?
   Show Answer

   76 cm.
6. Serve touches net but lands correctly—what is it?
   Show Answer

   A let serve; replay the point.
7. Standard net height?
   Show Answer

   15.25 cm.
8. Why red and black paddle sides?
   Show Answer

   To signal which rubber is used; helps read spin.
9. Official ball size and weight?
   Show Answer

   40 mm, 2.7 g.
10. Free hand touches table during play—result?
    Show Answer

    Fault; opponent gets the point.

Check Yourself

Part A: Multiple Choice

1. A standard game is played up to:
   1. 9
   2. 11
   3. 15
   4. 21
   Show Answer

   B. 11
2. Lead needed to win:
   1. 1
   2. 2
   3. 3
   4. 4
   Show Answer

   B. 2
3. Minimum legal toss height:
   1. 5 cm
   2. 10 cm
   3. 16 cm
   4. 20 cm
   Show Answer

   C. 16 cm
4. Official table dimensions:
   1. 3.0 × 1.8 × 80 cm
   2. 2.74 × 1.525 × 76 cm
   3. 2.5 × 1.5 × 70 cm
   4. 2.0 × 1.2 × 60 cm
   Show Answer

   B. 2.74 × 1.525 × 76 cm
5. Official ball diameter:
   1. 35 mm
   2. 38 mm
   3. 40 mm
   4. 45 mm
   Show Answer

   C. 40 mm

Part B: True or False

6. A player may touch the table with the free hand during play without penalty.
   Show Answer

   False.
7. A let serve touches the net but lands correctly and is replayed.
   Show Answer

   True.
8. In doubles, teammates may hit the ball consecutively.
   Show Answer

   False—must alternate.
9. Net height is 15.25 cm.
   Show Answer

   True.
10. Matches are usually best of 5 or 7 games.
    Show Answer

    True.

Part C: Short Answer

11. Define a rally.
    Show Answer

    Exchange of shots from serve until a point is scored.
12. Serve lands only on opponent’s side—what is it?
    Show Answer

    Fault; point to the opponent.
13. Why red/black paddle sides?
    Show Answer

    To show which rubber is used; helps read spin and speed.
14. Official ball weight?
    Show Answer

    2.7 g.
15. Why is the playing area larger than the table?
    Show Answer

    To allow safe movement and fair play during fast rallies.

Go Further

1. Draw the Court: Sketch and label dimensions, net height, lines.
   Show Guidance

   Table 2.74 × 1.525 m; height 76 cm; net 15.25 cm; lines 2 cm.
2. Service Demonstration: Record a legal 16 cm toss serve.
   Show Guidance

   Use a wall mark or ruler to check toss height.
3. Equipment Comparison: Price official balls/paddles vs improvised.
   Show Guidance

   Make a pros/cons table (durability, cost, performance).
4. Fault Watch: Watch a match and note 3 lets/faults.
   Show Guidance

   Focus on serves, net touches, doubles rotation errors.
5. Community Setup: Plan a low-budget facility.
   Show Guidance

   Use sturdy tables, rope nets, shared paddles; apply rules consistently.

My Reflection

Short Writing: Imagine you are the referee in a school table tennis match. Which three rules would you prioritize and why?