Faults explained

What a fault means

A fault is any action that breaks the rules and stops play. If the serving team faults, it loses the serve (to the partner or to the other team). If the receiving team faults, the serving team wins a point in traditional scoring. In rally scoring, a fault by either side gives the point to the other side.

Ball faults

• Out. The ball lands outside the court lines. A ball touching any part of a line (other than the kitchen line on a serve) is in.
• Into the net. The ball fails to clear the net.
• Missed ball. A player fails to return the ball before it bounces twice on their side.
• Hits a permanent object. The ball strikes a permanent object, such as a light pole, fence or ceiling, before bouncing on the court. If your shot hits the ceiling, it is your fault.
• Hits a player. The ball touches a player or anything they are wearing or carrying, other than the paddle and the paddle hand below the wrist. If an opponent's shot hits you before it bounces, you lose the rally even if you are standing outside the court.

Serve and return faults

• An illegal serve motion, foot fault or short serve. See serve rules and drop serve.
• Serving from the wrong side or with the wrong server.
• Volleying before the two-bounce rule is satisfied.

Kitchen faults

• Volleying while touching the kitchen or kitchen line.
• Momentum from a volley carrying you, or anything you wear or carry, into the kitchen.

Details on the kitchen page.

Net and body faults

• Touching the net. If you, your clothing or your paddle touch the net, the net posts or the opponent's court while the ball is in play, it is a fault. Touching after the ball is dead is fine.
• Reaching over the net. You may not hit the ball before it has crossed the plane of the net onto your side. There is an exception: if the ball bounces on your side and then spins or blows back over the net, you may reach over to play it, as long as you do not touch the net.
• Following through over the net after hitting the ball on your side is allowed.

Hitting faults

• Double hits. A ball hit twice by the same player in one swing is legal only if it was unintentional and part of one continuous motion. Otherwise it is a fault. Hitting it with both partners is always a fault.
• Throwing the paddle. Hitting the ball with a paddle that has left your hand is a fault.

What is NOT a fault

Distractions and calls

Deliberately distracting an opponent is a fault in the rules (a technical warning or foul in refereed play), but normal talking between partners is fine. Shouting "out" or "bounce it" to your partner while the ball is still in the air is normal communication, not a line call. A line call is made after the ball lands. Learn more in line calls.

Replays

Some situations lead to a replay of the rally, not a fault, such as a ball from another court rolling into play. Anyone can call "ball on court" for safety and the rally is replayed.