PIng Pong

Directory & Rulings

DIRECTORY

ADDRESS

540 Maple Ave, Torrance, CA 90503

PARKING

Parking at LA Galaxy Soccer Center

No Parking Fee!

INFORMATION

Arrive 30 minutes before, especially for those who will be playing in the tournament

 

Ping pong Rules

Basic Rules

  • At Peace Cup Ping Pong will be played as doubles (two players per team)

  • A game is played to 11 points

  • Matches are played as a best of an odd number of games (e.g., best of 3, 5, or 7), and the first player to win the required number of games wins the match

  • RACKETS - LA Galaxy have rackets and balls we can use, but if you prefer you can bring your own rackets

Reff

  • Teams that are not playing will be reffing

Serving sequence

  • Each side of the table alternates serving two points at a time

  • EXCEPTION: After tied 10-10 (“deuce”), serve alternates at every point

Hits - Forehand, backhand

  • You can only hit the ball once per turn

  • The ball must be hit after it has bounced on your side of the table and before it bounces twice on your side

  • A return is considered “good” if it bounces on the opponent’s side of the table without touching the player’s side or any other object (excluding the net)

  • An “edge” ball bouncing off the horizontal table top surface can be counted as valid

  • The vertical sides of the table are NOT part of the legal playing surface

  • Forehand:
    A stroke where the player hits the ball with the front of their paddle, typically used for attacking shots. It’s the most natural and powerful stroke for most players

  • Backhand:
    A stroke where the player hits the ball with the back of their paddle, often used for defensive plays and returns. It’s essential for covering different angles and positions

the serve

  • Hold the ball in an open palm, toss the ball straight up at least 16 cm (about 6 inches), and strike it on the way down when serving

  • The ball must first bounce on your own side of the table before going over the net to the opponent’s side

  • The toss and contact must be made behind the server’s end line (the end of the table), and the ball cannot be hidden from the receiver

  • If the ball hits the net during a serve and goes over, it is a “let” and the serve is replayed. There is no limit on “let”

scoring

  • A game is won by the first player to score 11 points

  • If the score is tied at 10-10, a player must win by two points. Play continues until one player has a two-point lead

  • A point is scored when your opponent fails to return the ball legally, such as hitting it into the net, out of bounds, or allowing it to bounce twice on their side of the table

volleys

  • Volleys are not allowed in ping pong (volley will result in a point for your opponent)

  • When your opponent hits a ball that sails over your end of the table without you touching it and then hits you or your paddle, that is still your point