Table tennis · Serve · Receive · Game

Serve and receive-only points

Points that stop after the return of serve: the receiver scores for a legal return, the server scores when the return misses. Builds serve quality and safe receiving.

P1P2
Start / 5
Time
15 min
Players
2–4
Age
U12+
Area
Table
Equipment
20 balls1 scoreboard or score cards

Setup

  1. Two players at a table with a scoreboard. Keep spare balls in a box beside the table, not on the floor.

How it runs

  1. The server serves; the receiver returns; the point stops there.
  2. Receiver scores if the return lands legally on the server's side.
  3. Server scores if the return misses or hits the net and drops back. A fault on the serve, such as no toss or the ball hidden from the receiver, also gives the receiver the point.
  4. Serve changes every 2 points and every point from 10-all; games to 11, win by 2.
  5. Best of three games, changing ends between games.

Coaching points

  • Server: use the full legal serve every time: open palm, a near-vertical toss of at least 16 cm, ball visible to the receiver.
  • Server: vary spin, length and placement; the same serve twice gets read.
  • Receiver: watch the bat at contact, not the toss, to read the spin.
  • Receiver: aim for a safe, low return to a corner rather than a winner.

Common mistakes

  • Rushing the toss or throwing the ball forward.
  • Receiving with the same bat angle whatever the spin.
  • Trying risky flicks every time and gifting points.

Say it: “Legal toss, honest read, safe return.”

Make it harder

  • Receiver only scores if the return lands in the last third of the table or the short zone, not the middle.
  • Allow the server a third-ball attack: the server also scores by winning that shot.

Make it easier

  • Receiver may return with any stroke and any length.
  • Server chooses only between two serves for the whole game.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.