Double hit, legal or illegal?
Rules
Graham Leslie Asked 2 years ago
During a recent local league match a player hit the ball twice when returning the ball. He said this was allowed under the rules but no-one else was aware of this. I remember this used to mean a lost point but has the rule changed? Can you please clarify and point out the rule if it has changed.
Graham Leslie
Alois Rosario Answered 2 years ago
Hi Graham,
They have changed the rule so that now you can hit the ball twice as long as it is part of the same stroke and not a deliberate second hit.
In the International rules this is covered by:
a player shall score a point
2.10.1.7 if an opponent deliberately strikes the ball more than once in succession;
The word deliberately is the key word here.
I think this has been a good change of rule because often when the ball came off both the hand and the racket, which is a double hit, the honest players would admit to it and the others wouldn't causing angst. Now the rule if fair for everyone.
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