Table tennis is both a recreational game and a competitive sport. When partners are playing doubles, they must establish a rhythm. In the early stages of doubles table tennis, you may just want to keep from bumping into your partner. As you get more advanced, you'll want to develop an attack strategy that allows both of you to aggressively go after your opponents with hard forehand shots.
Step 1
Alternate shots with your playing partner. It doesn't matter who is closer to the ball--the only thing that matters is whether it's your turn to hit. For example, if your teammate serves and puts the ball in play, Player A on the opposing team must return the ball. Then you hit the next shot, and Player B on the opposing team must hit the following shot. The game continues in this pattern.
Step 2
Toss the ball in the air to begin play by serving. You may not put any spin on the ball while tossing it. The only spin allowed is that applied by your table tennis paddle. After you serve the ball, move out of the way so your playing partner can hit the ball when your opponent returns it.
Step 3
Follow a precise serving pattern. If you serve the first five points of the game, then opposing Player A serves the next five points. Your playing partner serves the following five points, then Player B on the opponent serves the next five points. Continue the game in this pattern.
Step 4
Play until the winning team has 21 points. The winning team must win by two points. If the game is tied at 20-20, each team alternates serves until one team earns a two-point lead and the victory. If your opponent served the point of the match that made the score 20-20, you or your teammate serves the next point. If you had served more recently than your playing partner, than your playing partner serves the first point in the extended play situation. There will be a new server with each point.
Step 5
Switch ends of the table after every game. Most table tennis matches--including doubles--are best-of-three or best-of-five matches.
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