Rules governing when rallies result in lets (replayed points) or scored points.
Understanding when rallies are replayed or result in points is essential:
**LET - Rally to be Replayed:**
The rally is a let if:
1. The service is not correct (ball touches net but otherwise legal)
2. The receiver is not ready (provided they don't attempt to return)
3. Failure to serve/return is due to disturbance outside player's control
4. Play is interrupted by umpire or assistant umpire
5. Ball breaks during rally
**POINT SCORING:**
A player scores a point if opponent:
1. **Service Faults:**
- Fails to make a correct service
- Makes an incorrect service (ball doesn't bounce correctly)
2. **Return Faults:**
- Fails to make a correct return
- Ball bounces more than once on their side
- Hits ball before it bounces (volley, except on serve)
3. **Ball Out:**
- Allows ball to bounce on own court more than once
- Returns ball so it bounces outside opponent's court
- Ball passes over or around net assembly and bounces outside the table
4. **Contact Violations:**
- Touches ball with non-playing hand
- Moves playing surface
- Touches net assembly
- Free hand touches playing surface
- Ball touches player or clothing
5. **Obstruction:**
- Obstructs ball with any part of body or clothing
- Hits ball outside proper sequence in doubles
6. **Doubles Specific:**
- Hits ball out of proper sequence
- Wrong player returns ball
**Match Format:**
- A game is won by first player to reach 11 points
- Must win by 2 clear points
- At 10-10, alternates every point until someone leads by 2
- Match is typically best of 5 or best of 7 games
**Expedition System:**
- If game not finished after 10 minutes (or earlier if both players request)
- Service alternates after each point
- Receiving player/pair scores if makes 13 correct returns in rally
Understanding scoring rules is fundamental to competitive play and officiating.