USATT singles cheat sheet
Table Tennis
USATT table tennis singles rules abbreviated. When in doubt, see official rules.
Serve toss must rise about 16 cm from an open palm and go near vertically, without adding spin from the hand.
From start to contact, the ball cannot be hidden by your body, free arm, or clothing from the receiver and umpire.
Service alternates every two points, except at deuce where players alternate service every point.
01
Match format
- Games: first to 11, win by 2.
- Match: best of 3, 5, or 7 games (event decides).
- Toss: winner picks serve, receive, or end; loser picks remaining.
- When to switch sides: switch after each game. In the match-deciding game, switch when either player first reaches 5 points.
02
Service
- Start: ball stationary on an open, flat palm; hand behind the end line and above the table surface.
- Toss: near-vertical, at least ~16 cm (6 in), no imparted spin; strike on the way down.
- Bounces: your half first, then receiver’s half. If it touches the net and lands correctly, it’s a let (replay).
- Visibility: receiver must see the ball from toss to contact — don’t hide the serve with your body, arm, or clothing.
03
Service order
- Singles: 2 serves in a row, then switch server.
- Deuce: from 10–10, alternate one serve at a time.
04
Rally & legal return
- After the serve: let the ball bounce once on your side, then return it so it hits the opponent’s half.
- Volley: you may not hit the ball before it has bounced once on your side.
- Edge vs side: ball hitting the top edge of the table is good; hitting the side (below the top) is not.
- Table & net: don’t move the table; don’t touch the net assembly with your free hand or anything that affects play.
05
Let (replay — no point)
- Serve clips net and otherwise lands in play.
- Receiver not ready and did not try to return.
- Outside disturbance neither player could prevent (e.g. another ball rolls in).
06
Lose the point
- Serve or return not legal, or you miss a ball you could play.
- Double hit — two separate contacts (not one continuous stroke toward the ball).
- Wrong surface: ball touches anything except your racket / racket hand below the wrist.
- Free hand touches the playing surface, or you move the table.
- Net / obstruction: you (or your paddle/clothing) touch the net assembly and it affects play; or you obstruct the ball before it bounces on your side.
- Two bounces on your half, or ball passes your end without touching your half.
07
Expedite
- When: if a game isn’t finished after 10 minutes and the score hasn’t reached at least 9–9 yet — or anytime both players ask the umpire to start it.
- How: alternate serve every point for the rest of the match.
- Receiver “13”: if the receiver correctly returns the ball 13 times in a row in one rally, the receiver wins that point.
08
Conduct & breaks
- Timeout: one 1-minute timeout per match (call “timeout” with racket/hand only between points).
- Towel: allowed every 6 points and when changing ends; also between games.
- Between games: short break (typically up to 1 minute).
- Coaching: only between games or during your timeout — not during play.
- Fair play: no deliberate delay, distraction, or loud celebration aimed at throwing off the opponent.