Dumb Questions?

Here are some of the questions that my readers have been asking lately. Some of my readers e-mail me saying, “I have a dumb question…” Actually, these are NOT dumb questions. These are questions that MANY table tennis players in the US are asking. So, I decided to answer 10 of the questions today…

1. Defaults
Question: If I’m too tired to play a match and default, will I lose rating points?
Answer: If you default before the match has started, you will not lose rating points.

2. Changing Your Racket
Question: Am I allowed to change rackets during a match?
Answer: If you accidentally damage your racket, then you are allowed to use your spare racket.

3. Hiding Your Racket
Question: When serving, is my opponent allowed to hide his racket under the table?
Answer: Yes, as long as he contacts the ball above the table.

4. Hiding the Ball
Question: When serving, is my opponent allowed to hide the ball behind his back or under the table?
Answer: No, the ball must always be visible to the receiver.

5. Contacting the Ball
Question: If I toss the ball to serve and whiff the ball without touching it, is it a let serve (replay)?
Answer: Once the ball has been tossed, it is “in play”. If you whiff the ball, your opponent receives the point.

6. Let Serves
Question: How many let serves am I allowed?
Answer: Unlimited

7. Injury timeouts
Question: Throughout the tournament day, I had knee pain. Can I take an injury timeout in the 5th game for the knee pain?
Answer: You should not have begun the match with a problem. Once the match has begun, you cannot call a timeout for a pre-existing problem that has persisted the same throughout the day.

8. Paint Sheet
Question: I was playing a penhold player that had a black paint sheet on the backside. If he hits the ball with that side of the racket, how does it affect the spin on the ball?
Answer: Your penhold opponent is not allowed to hit the ball with the paint sheet.

9. Stomping
Question: My opponent was stomping during his serve, is that allowed?
Answer: That is up to the discretion of the tournament officials. Tapping the foot is allowed. Extremely loud stomping if usually not allowed.

10. Clothes
Question: My opponent has some white on his shirt, is that allowed?
Answer: Your opponent’s shirt and short cannot be predominately white. If it has “some” white but mostly green or blue or another color, then it is allowed.