RULES IN BRIEF The umpire must inspect rackets before play begins, while opponents must check each other's rackets Apart from at the serve, a returned ball that touches the net before landing on the other side of the table is good A ball that hits the edge of the table on the opponent's side is good A point is deducted if a player touches the table with his or her free hand or touches the net or net post during play A point is deducted for obstruction if the ball touches the body or clothes of a player during play A point is deducted if a player knocks the table hard enough to move it Volleys are not permittedl; the ball must bounce on the table before being returned The ball may be hit only oncve at serve or return