Section 7: Violations & Penalties
7.1 Service Faults
Per Law 2.6, the following constitute service violations, resulting in a point to the receiver:
- Projecting the ball less than 16 cm (6.3 in) upward from the free hand.
- Imparting deliberate spin on the ball during the toss.
- The ball not being above table level and behind the end line at the moment of service.
- Hiding the ball from the receiver with the body, arm, or clothing at the moment of contact.
- Failing to strike the ball so that it first bounces on the server's side and then on the receiver's side.
- In doubles, failing to serve from the right half-court to the opponent's right half-court.
- After a formal warning for a suspected illegal service, any subsequent service that the umpire is not satisfied is fully legal shall result in a point being awarded to the receiver (no benefit of the doubt after a warning).
7.2 Return Faults
Per Law 2.7 and Law 2.10, the following are return faults resulting in a point to the opponent:
- Failing to strike the ball so that it passes over or around the net and into the opponent's court.
- Striking the ball into the net (net fault).
- Striking the ball wide (past the side line) or long (past the end line) without touching the table.
- Letting the ball bounce twice on one's own side before striking it.
- Volleying the ball (striking it before it bounces on one's own side) except when the player obstructs the ball as defined under obstruction (Law 2.10.1.6).
- Striking the ball with the wrong side of the racket (the side not meeting the colour/covering requirements for that stroke).
- Double-hitting the ball (striking it twice in one motion or with both sides of the racket in one swing).
7.3 Obstruction (Law 2.10.1.6)
A player obstructs the ball if the player or anything the player wears or carries touches the ball in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface, before it has passed over the end line of the player's side (not having previously touched the player's court in that rally). Obstruction results in a point to the opponent. Obstruction is distinct from a volley; it includes situations where the ball hits a player's body or clothing before it would have landed out.
7.4 Moving the Table or Net (Law 2.10.1.7–2.10.1.8)
A player loses a point if, while the ball is in play:
- The player's free hand touches the playing surface.
- The player moves the playing surface (e.g., by leaning on or bumping the table).
- The player touches the net assembly.
These rules apply equally to clothing or equipment the player is wearing or carrying.
7.5 Conduct Penalties (ITTF Regulations for International Competitions)
The ITTF Regulations specify a progressive penalty system for misconduct:
- Warning (Yellow Card): Issued for the first offence (e.g., racket abuse, verbal outburst, unsportsmanlike conduct, delaying play). No point penalty on first warning.
- Penalty Point (Red Card): One point is awarded to the opponent for a second or subsequent offence within the same match.
- Disqualification: A player who commits a serious offence, or repeatedly offends after a red card, may be disqualified from the match or competition by the referee.
- Penalty points are added to the opponent's score in the current game. If the current game ends as a result of a penalty point, that point is also added to the next game.
7.6 Illegal Equipment
Using a racket with covering or blade material not conforming to Law 2.4 or not on the ITTF approved list is a violation. Per ITTF regulations, racket inspections may be carried out at any point during a competition. If illegal equipment is discovered after a match has begun, the referee determines the appropriate penalty, which may include forfeiture of the match.
7.7 Anti-Doping
The ITTF is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code. Players are subject to ITTF Anti-Doping Regulations. Violations are handled in accordance with WADA and ITTF procedures, with sanctions ranging from temporary suspension to lifetime bans depending on the substance and circumstances.
7.8 Illegal Coaching
If a coach provides coaching during unauthorized periods (i.e., not during a time-out or between games), the umpire shall issue a warning to the offending team. Repeated violations may result in the coach being removed from the playing area for the remainder of the match, as determined by the referee.