How to Play Table Tennis Doubles – Rules and Strategies

The Bottom Line…

I hope that I have explained the table tennis rules for doubles to you in a way you understand. If you are still not satisfied, you can contact me, ask any questions, and I will get back to you ASAP.

You can also read the ITTF official table tennis rules specified in the table tennis handbook laws.

Hand Signals

In the table tennis doubles, you may see the players gesturing with a single hand under the table before making a serve. You may wonder what the heck they are doing there?

When playing doubles, the hand signal is quite essential. It is a signal that you want to inform your partner what type of serve you will make to predict how the ball will return from the opponent once you trigger the serve.

For example, my serve will be fast and non-spin. This type of serve will make the opponent return a manageable ball that goes out of bounds. The corresponding occurrence may be:

1. The opponent didn’t receive the ball—an optimal scenario.
2. The opponent rushes to receive the serve, and the returning quality is not good—the second ideal scenario. My partner can fully prepare for a strong offense.
3. The opponent identifies my serve and makes a fast attack. My partner will need to have full awareness of the defense across the board.

If I am doing a backspin close to the table, the estimated speed is slow, and the drop point is close to the table. It is difficult for the opponent to attack directly. Usually, the ball will be chopped back by the opponent. The corresponding occurrence may be:

1. The opponent returns the ball to the net—an optimal scenario.
2. The opponent returns a chop to the back of the table—the second ideal scenario. My partner should be prepared to take the arc-spinning attack as the best strategy.
3. The opponent’s chops back the ball close to the table. My partner needs to be prepared to chop or flick the ball.
4. The opponent forcibly took an arcing attack from my serve. My partner will prepare his defense across the board.

Different players will have separate hand signals when they are playing in doubles. The main important things are they need to be simple and easy to understand.

For example:

• Point the thumb up: indicate doing a topspin serve.
• Point the thumb to the left: means the drop point will be on the left.
• Point the thumb to the right: indicate the drop point will be on the right.
• Point the thumb down: shows you are doing a backspin serve.
• Open five fingers, swing 1-2 times left and right: indicate non-spin serve.
• The hand stretches forward to the left: indicate the drop point is more to the left far to the table.
• The hand extends to the right: shows the drop point is more to the right far to the table.
• Five fingers hold as a fist and turn to the left: indicate the drop point on the left and near the table.
• Hold five fingers like a fist and turn to the right: shows the drop point on the right and near the table.

No Standardization

There is no standard hand signal for table tennis doubles as long as the two playing partners have communicated in advance and agreed on the signs.

In professional competition, it is not the player who serves gives the hand signal. Instead, it is the partner receiving the return shot from the opponent who gives the indication. It makes it easy for the partner to prepare since he can anticipate how the opponent will return the shot.

Footwork

In the table tennis doubles, the requirements of the footwork are higher than the singles. 

“8” Footwork

If the pairings are with one left-handed player and one right-handed player, then the footwork is relatively simple. They can move based on the “8” footwork. 

The left-handed player returns to the back of the left of the table after hitting the ball. The right-handed player hits the ball in front of the ball and repeats accordingly.

If the two right-handed or left-handed players play in the doubles, the footwork requirement is higher than the pairing of one left-handed and one right-handed player.

Triangle Footwork

We take the right-handed pairing as an example. The triangle footwork is used when the ball is in the forehand area.

After A hitting the ball, he will move clockwise to the rear side of the B. After B hits the ball, he moves in the same way as A, moving in a clockwise manner.

When the ball comes to the backhand area, B will use counterclockwise footwork.

However, the ball’s actual route is not fixed, and the double player’s usual practice is required to develop a high sense of tacit understanding.

Training

Train with a Trainer

For multi-ball training, two players in doubles can practice with a trainer. The trainer can hit the ball to a certain point on the doubles’ side. Since the trainer does not need to move, the ball’s speed is relatively fast. It makes the training and footwork position of the doubles to become more difficult. The effect is better than two players train with two players.

This training method is equally applicable to two pairs of double players. Both teams need to hit back the ball continuously to increase the difficulty of training.

Random Drop Point

Team A can hit the ball freely to any drop point, and Team B must return the ball to the specified drop point (left corner or right corner) while moving.

It often happens in doubles competitions where Player A is weaker in the left corner, and Player B has a particular loophole in the right corner. In response to the opponent’s apparent weakness, make full use of various lines to hit the ball to the other party’s shortcomings.

Counter Attack While Moving

In addition to the above training, double players need to be trained on the front and back step movement and the counterattack training while moving.

Therefore, in the above training, different players can train according to their playing style and technical expertise.

The principle of doubles pairing

Affinity

Affinity is the most crucial consideration during pairing combinations. Close affinity can form an excellent combination because of their mutual dependence.

Complement each other

Both players should have their characteristics in terms of technology and techniques. They need to be able to complement each other and integrate into one.

Wang Tao and Lu Lin, the men’s doubles champions of the 25th Olympic Games and the 42nd World Table Tennis Championships, rarely spoke in the game but cooperated very well with each other.

One lefty and one righty

It is best to have one lefty and one righty to form the doubles team. It avoids collision, and they can play very fast with their movement.

Good Controlling

Players who have an excellent ability to control the ball are ideal for playing in doubles. They can make the shot with an accurate drop point and fast movement.

The double-matching partners need to be matched and fixed.

Because after some time, both players have built up mutual understanding and familiarity. The coach cannot change partners when the competition is approaching.

Doubles Pairing Recommendations

An arcs player matched with a fast attack player

One can play fastball, and the other can play slow ball. Therefore, they can complement each other.

Two offensive attackers or two arcs players

Get two offensive or two arcs players to form the doubles team, with a lefty and a righty. One is good at close table attack, and the other is good in far table offensive play. One is good at forehand attack, and the other is good at backhand.

One pip in and one pips-out

To have one pip in a player to pair with one pips-out player. The doubles can play offensive and defensive in the game.

The pairing of two choppers

One player stands close to the table to do the push. Another player stands slightly behind. They should focus on generating more spin when chopping the ball and find the opportunity to make a strong counterattack.

The pairing of players with different playing styles

If both are skilled players and have refined techniques, they can try to match each other to form the doubles team. The threat of such a team combination can be huge.