What happens if a player starts their service by throwing the ball but catches it instead of striking it:
The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm of the free hand before being intentionally projected in service, until the rally is decided as a let or a point.
This means that as soon as the ball leaves the player’s free hand, the rally has started. Unless the umpire calls a let, it is a fault if the service is not completed, and the opponent receives the point.

Please note that Sunday practice will not be running this Sunday due to Mother’s Day.
We wish all mothers and families a wonderful and happy Mother’s Day! 🌸

“Can I leave the court between games? “
Players must normally leave their rackets on the table during the intervals between games and must not remove them without the specific agreement of the umpire. If, with the agreement of the umpire, a player removes his or her racket during an interval for any reason, the umpire and the opponent must be given the opportunity to inspect the racket, or its replacement, before the next game starts. The only exception to this is a disabled player whose racket is strapped to his or her hand.

“WHEN CAN I TAKE A BRAKE DURING A MATCH?”
It is the duty of the umpire to ensure that any interruptions are as short as is practicable and that players do not take advantage of any concessions to gain extra rest periods or disturb the rhythm of an opponent’s play. The pace of modern table tennis, especially when played in warm conditions, makes occasional breaks for towelling necessary but such breaks are now limited to specified stages of play.
Players are entitled to brief breaks for towelling after every 6 points from the start of a game, and at the change of ends in the last possible game of a match. Spectacle wearers can have particular problems, especially in hot conditions, and the umpire may allow them short breaks for cleaning between any rallies.
The purpose of the restriction on towelling is to prevent it being used as a delaying tactic, either to gain extra rest time or to disturb the rhythm of an opponent’s game. There is no reason why players may not towel at times which do not further interrupt the continuity of play, such as when the ball is being retrieved from outside the playing area, but care must be taken that players do not deliberately cause such breaks. In some playing conditions it might be practical to allow a very short towel break outside specific breaks to avoid moisture on playing equipment.

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