Rules: Catching the ball in play

In Tennis there is a clear rule, if you catch the ball/or touch the ball before the second bounce, even if the ball is going out, you lose the point. For example, you'll see pro tennis players matrix dodge balls that are going out.

Edited by popperlocker - 11/01/2012 at 11:42pm

It's not unwritten, it's an actual rule. The rule used to be that if you touched or caught the ball before it bounced or hit the ground, it was your opponents point. This caused problems: if Player A smashes a ball directly at Player B's body (not trying to hit the table even). The rule was changed and is now what you stated. If you touch the ball when it is still over the table, you lose the point (even if it's flying out), outside the table edge you can catch it.

I believe you loose the point if the ball is over the table or heading towards the table. So shot from the side - which may or may not hit the table cannot be caught - as it is travelling towards the table. 

2.10	A POINT
2.10.01	Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point
2.10.01.01	if an opponent fails to make a correct service;
2.10.01.02	if an opponent fails to make a correct return;
2.10.01.03	if, after he or she has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck by an opponent; 2.10.01.04 if the ball passes over his or her court or beyond his or her end line without touching his or her court, after being struck by an opponent; 2.10.01.05 if an opponent obstructs the ball; 2.10.01.06 if an opponent deliberately strikes the ball twice in succession; 2.10.01.07 if an opponent strikes the ball with a side of the racket blade whose surface does not comply with the requirements of 2.4.3, 2.4.4 and 2.4.5; 2.10.01.08 if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, moves the playing surface; 2.10.01.09 if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, touches the net assembly; 2.10.01.10 if an opponent's free hand touches the playing surface; 2.10.01.11 if a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence established by the first server and first receiver; 2.10.01.12 as provided under the expedite system (2.15.4). 2.10.01.13 if both players or pairs are in a wheelchair due to a physical disability and 2.10.01.13.01 his or her opponent does not maintain a minimum contact with the seat or cushion(s), with the back of the thigh, when the ball is struck; 2.10.01.13.02 his or her opponent touches the table with either hand before striking the ball; 2.10.01.13.03 his or her opponent's footrest or foot touches the floor during play. 2.10.01.14 as provided under the order of play (2.8.3).       A long time ago "to 21pts", i remember you couldn't hit the ball with your racket after it passed the edge, point would be awarded to your opponent...then agin even then i didn't know the 'official" rules but we all played by that one rule. Highlighted in red there's no mention of point awarded to opponent if touched, caught or body blocked after passing the edge?

Edited by The Shakehander - 10/31/2012 at 11:55pm

I'm agreeing with you :)

Edited by The Shakehander - 11/01/2012 at 12:00am

Everyone who competes should be aware of the rule...you can download the rules from the ITTF site in many languages and keep it in your bag. Highlight descrepancies for future matches with people who don't know the rules.

around 1:35/6

Edited by The Shakehander - 11/01/2012 at 12:38am

around 1:33-6

Edited by The Shakehander - 11/01/2012 at 12:38am

jrscatman wrote: I believe you loose the point if the ball is over the table or heading towards the table. So shot from the side - which may or may not hit the table cannot be caught - as it is travelling towards the table.

2.10.01.04

if the ball passes over his or her court or beyond his or her end line without touching his or her court, after being struck by an opponent;

popperlocker wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8odNpnYEJ0 00:40 .... If one of the guy hit it really hard past the table and hit his opponent, the opponent would lose the point. LOL

Not at all. You will gain nothing unless your opponent's body leans across (impends over) the table.
For more explanations look into the Rule 2.5.8 "A player obstructs the ball if....".

igorponger wrote: popperlocker wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8odNpnYEJ0 00:40 .... If one of the guy hit it really hard past the table and hit his opponent, the opponent would lose the point. LOL Not at all. You will gain nothing unless your opponent's body leans across (impends over) the table. For more explanations look into the Rule 2.5.8 "A player obstructs the ball if....".

Edited by popperlocker - 11/01/2012 at 11:25pm

atv wrote: FireHorse wrote: Just to be safe, let the ball touches the ground :)   I played league volleyball and at one game, when the ball was clearly out of the court, I stepped outside of the court and caught the ball but the referee told me that I should let the ball dropped on the ground to be clear that it was out, and rewarded the point to the opponent team.    I guess, for table tennis, you can catch the ball when it is under the table instead of on top of the table.   And to be honest, I don't know if any other sport can have lots of unclear things that can cause controversies as table tennis.    FireHorse Volleyball is a different game, you can choose to return the ball even it already passes the end line, so it was a foul of catching in your case.

Right!  Good point!  I guess since I had played pickup game so we always caught the ball when it was clearly out and then in the league, I didn't know that rule so it was a foul when I caught the ball.