Rules Overview
The server's arm must be moving in an upward arc
when the ball is struck.
Paddle contact with the ball must not be made
above the waist level.
The head of the paddle must not be above the
highest part of the wrist at contact.
A 'drop serve' is also permitted in which case none
of the elements above apply.
At the time the ball is struck, the server's feet may
not touch the court or outside the imaginary
extension of the sideline or centerline and at least
one foot must be behind the baseline on the
playing surface or the ground behind the baseline.
The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must
land within the confines of the opposite diagonal
court.
Only one serve attempt is allowed per server.
Service Sequence
Both players on the serving doubles team have the
opportunity to serve and score points until they
commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence
of each new game).
The first serve of each side-out is made from the
right-hand court.
If a point is scored, the server switches sides and
the server initiates the next serve from the left-hand
court.
As subsequent points are scored, the server
continues switching back and forth until a fault is
committed and the first server loses the serve.
When the first server loses the serve the partner
then serves from their correct side of the court
(except for the first service sequence of the game*).
The second server continues serving until his team
commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing
team.
Once the service goes to the opposition (at side
out), the first serve is from the right-hand court and
both players on that team have the opportunity to
serve and score points until their team commits two
faults.
In singles the server serves from the right-hand
court when his or her score is even and from the left
when the score is odd.
*At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the
serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after
which the service passes to the receiving team.
Scoring
Points are scored only by the serving team.
Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.
Tournament games may be to 15 or 21, win by 2.
When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8,
10) the player who was the first server in the game for
that team will be in the right-side court when serving
or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be
in the left-side court when serving or receiving.
