Can You Hit the Ball Around the Net in Ping Pong? (The ATN Shot Rule)

In high-level table tennis, the “Around-the-Net” (ATN) shot is widely considered the single most exhilarating spectacle in the sport. When a sharp-angled cross-court loop forces a defender wide outside the court boundaries, an agile player can counter-attack by curving the ball completely around the side of the net post rather than hitting it over.

Yet in recreational play, opponents often cry foul, arguing that any shot failing to pass directly over the net cord should be called out. Below, we break down the exact wording of the official ITTF rulebook, the physics behind the shot, and what happens if the ball grazes the net post on its path.

The Official ITTF Rule: What Constitutes a “Good Return”?

The legality of the around-the-net shot is defined under ITTF Rule 2.7.1, which outlines the requirements for a legal return:

“The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it touches the opponent’s court, either directly or after touching the net assembly.”

— ITTF Handbook, Section 2.7.1 (The Return)

Notice the deliberate omission: The rule never specifies that the ball must pass over the net. It only specifies that the ball must be struck so that it touches the opponent’s court. Because the physical net assembly only extends 6 inches (15.25 cm) beyond the side line, any ball traveling around that 6-inch post directly onto the opponent’s side satisfies every requirement of Rule 2.7.1.

Can the Ball Be Struck Below the Table Surface?

Yes. There is no lower altitude limit for striking a table tennis ball during a rally. If your opponent hits a drop shot or sharp side-spin angle that carries the ball off the side of the table and drops below table height, you are legally permitted to scoop or whip the ball from just inches above the gymnasium floor.

When executed from below table level, the ball travels on an upward trajectory around the net post, lands on the opponent’s surface, and often skids so low that it is completely impossible to return. Pro players like Xu Xin and Koki Niwa are legendary for exploiting this exact trajectory.

What if the Ball Hits the Net Post or Clamp on the Way?

Another common dispute arises when an around-the-net shot clips the metal net post or the screw clamp holding the net to the table before bouncing on the other side. Is that a let, a fault, or good?

How to Hit an Around-the-Net Shot: 3 Technical Keys

While an around-the-net shot is rare, knowing how to execute it gives you a lethal weapon when pulled far off the court:

1. Wait for Wide Displacement: You cannot force an ATN shot from behind your baseline. It only becomes geometrically possible when your opponent hits a wide angle that forces you at least 2 to 3 feet outside the table’s sideline.
2. Impart Heavy Outside Sidespin: Instead of brushing purely upward for topspin, brush the outer edge of the ball (the side facing away from the table). This curves the ball inwards toward the opponent’s surface like a boomerang.
3. Aim for the Far Corner: Aim across the table toward the opposite baseline corner. This provides the widest target window and ensures the ball clears the 6-inch post extension safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you hit around the net on a serve?

Technically, ITTF Rule 2.6.4 requires that on a serve, the ball must pass over or around the net assembly after bouncing on the server’s court. While an around-the-net serve is theoretically legal under the letter of the law, creating an angle sharp enough from behind the baseline to curve around the 6-inch post without bouncing twice on your own side first is virtually impossible in practice.

What happens if the ball hits the side edge of the table?

If an around-the-net shot hits the top flat playing surface or the white top-edge line, it is good. If it hits the vertical wooden side or undercarriage of the table, it is dead and out (loss of point).

Can an around-the-net shot bounce twice on the opponent’s side?

Yes. If the ball lands legally on the opponent’s court and bounces twice before they can reach it, you win the point immediately.

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