Teqball vs Table Tennis: Rules and Gear

Teqball uses a curved table, a size 5 ball, and touches without hands or arms, while table tennis uses a flat table, handheld rubber-coated paddles, and a 2.7 g (0.095 oz) ball. At Wildcard Sport, we research emerging sports and equipment standards from governing body rulebooks and official specifications. Table tennis is a mainstream sport covered on this page only as the reference point to evaluate teqball.

You can inspect teqball rules in our teqball guide, explore related sports in our teqball vs sepak takraw comparison, browse our racket and ball sport comparisons, or explore our directory of emerging and alternative sports.

The Main Differences

The fundamental difference between teqball and table tennis lies in the equipment, the striking implement, and the table surface. Teqball players strike a size 5 ball using any body part except the hands and arms. Table tennis players strike a 40 mm (1.57 in) ball using a rigid handheld paddle.

Table geometry also separates the two disciplines. Table tennis takes place on a flat, horizontal rectangular board. Teqball takes place across a curved playing surface.

In teqball, players can use up to three touches to return the ball.

Table tennis uses a 2.7 g (0.095 oz) spherical ball. Teqball uses a ball measuring 370 to 400 g (13.1 to 14.1 oz).

Side by Side

The table below contrasts official standards from the FITEQ Official Rules and Regulations of Teqball 2026 and the Laws of Table Tennis as reproduced by megaspin.net.

Rule or Specification	Teqball (FITEQ)	Table tennis (ITTF text via megaspin.net)
Table length	9.8 ft (3,000 mm)	9.0 ft (2.74 m)
Table width excluding net	4.9 ft (1,500 mm)	5.0 ft (1.525 m)
Table width including net	5.6 ft (1,700 mm)	Not covered by the cited rulebook
Table surface shape	Curved	Flat and horizontal
Surface height at peak or edge	29.9 in (760 mm) highest point	29.9 in (76 cm) uniform height
Surface height at lowest point	22.2 in (565 mm) lowest point	29.9 in (76 cm) uniform height
Net height above surface	5.5 in (140 mm)	6.0 in (15.25 cm)
Net material and build	20 mm thick, PMMA (plexi)	Not covered by the cited rulebook
Table surface material	High-pressure laminate (HPL)	Not covered by the cited rulebook
Minimum competition court size	39.4 ft by 52.5 ft by 23.0 ft (12 m by 16 m by 7 m)	Not covered by the cited rulebook
Striking equipment	Body parts (no hands or arms)	Blade with pimpled or sandwich rubber
Ball diameter or circumference	26.4 to 27.2 in (67 to 69 cm) circumference	1.57 in (40 mm) diameter
Ball weight	13.1 to 14.1 oz (370 to 400 g)	0.095 oz (2.7 g)
Allowed touches per return	Up to 3 touches	Not covered by the cited rulebook
Consecutive body part touches	Prohibited (double touch fault)	Not published
Service delivery	Toss from hand, struck in air	Palm toss upward, struck as it falls
Game or set winning target	12 points per set	11 points per game
Match length	Best of 3 sets	Best of any odd number of games
Player formats	Singles, doubles, mixed doubles	Singles and doubles

Table Size and Surface Geometry

A teqball table differs from a table tennis table in length, curvature, and net construction. Under the FITEQ rulebook, a teqball table measures 9.8 feet (3,000 mm) long. A regulation table tennis table measures 9.0 feet (2.74 m) long under the Laws of Table Tennis as reproduced by megaspin.net.

The width measurements run close together. A teqball table measures 4.9 feet (1,500 mm) wide without the net and 5.6 feet (1,700 mm) wide including the net. A table tennis table measures 5.0 feet (1.525 m) wide across its entire rectangular surface.

The table tennis surface sits flat and horizontal at an exact height of 29.9 inches (76 cm) above the floor. In contrast, the teqball table features a curved contour.

According to FITEQ specifications, the highest point of a teqball surface sits at 29.9 inches (760 mm) above the ground. The lowest point sits at 22.2 inches (565 mm) above the ground.

This curved surface creates a vertical drop of 7.7 inches (195 mm) between its highest and lowest points.

Net construction also diverges completely. A table tennis net measures 6.0 inches (15.25 cm) high along its whole length. A teqball net measures 5.5 inches (140 mm) high above the table surface, stands 20 mm thick, and is made of PMMA (plexi) permanently fixed to the table.

FITEQ recognises three table types: TEQ One (Class A, official FITEQ tournaments), Smart (Class B), and Lite (Class C, recreational). The Laws of Table Tennis as reproduced by megaspin.net do not divide table designs into recreational or competition classes.

Space Requirements and Court Boundaries

Under FITEQ rules, an official competition court for teqball requires a minimum playing area of 39.4 feet (12 m) wide by 52.5 feet (16 m) long. The ceiling must reach a minimum clear height of 23.0 feet (7 m).

The teqball table sits directly in the center of this enclosure, positioned so that the net runs parallel to the shorter 39.4-foot (12 m) boundary lines. The FITEQ service line sits parallel to the net at a distance of 11.5 feet (3.5 m) from the middle of the table.

The Laws of Table Tennis as reproduced by megaspin.net state that a white side line measuring 2 cm (0.79 in) wide runs along each 9.0-foot (2.74 m) edge. A white end line measuring 2 cm (0.79 in) wide runs along each 5.0-foot (1.525 m) edge.

Overall room dimensions for table tennis competition are not covered by the cited rulebook text from megaspin.net.

Ball Specifications and Contact Equipment

In table tennis, players hold a racket with a flat, rigid blade covered with ordinary pimpled rubber or sandwich rubber. Under the Laws of Table Tennis as reproduced by megaspin.net, at least 85 percent of the paddle blade thickness must consist of natural wood.

The striking surface of the table tennis paddle must carry either ordinary pimpled rubber or sandwich rubber. The ball struck by this paddle is a spherical ball with a diameter of 40 mm (1.57 in) and a weight of 2.7 g (0.095 oz).

Teqball is played without a racket. FITEQ rules state that players may touch the ball with any part of the body except the hands and arms.

The teqball ball is an official size 5 ball. FITEQ requires a spherical ball made of leather or another suitable material with a latex bladder and butyl valve.

The teqball ball measures 26.4 to 27.2 inches (67 to 69 cm) in circumference. It weighs between 13.1 and 14.1 ounces (370 to 400 g), and operates at an internal pressure of 0.3 to 0.5 atmospheres.

A teqball ball weighs at least 137 times more than a table tennis ball.

Touch Limits and Rally Rules

In teqball, FITEQ permits a maximum of three touches per team return. Unintentional touches count toward this three-touch ceiling.

FITEQ also enforces a strict consecutive touch rule. Touching the ball twice in a row with the exact same body part is a fault, known as a double touch.

Table contact rules also distinguish the two games. Under FITEQ regulations, touching the teqball table or the net with any part of the body, clothing, or footwear awards an immediate point to the opponent.

Net interactions during rallies carry distinct protocols in teqball. If a returned ball touches the net and then bounces at least three times on the opponent's table surface, the rally is repeated.

Serving Mechanics and Rotation

Serving mechanics differ between the two sports. In table tennis, the server begins with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's free hand. The server projects the ball near-vertically upward and strikes it as it falls.

In teqball, the server must stand behind the service line, which sits 11.5 feet (3.5 m) from the middle of the table. Under FITEQ regulations, the server must keep at least one body part touching the ground during service, and all grounded body parts must remain behind the service line.

The teqball server tosses the ball into the air from their hand and strikes it with one touch using any legal body part except the hands and arms. The server receives two attempts to execute a valid serve.

However, FITEQ enforces a restriction on the second serve attempt. If the server faults on the first attempt, the second serve cannot be struck using the feet.

In teqball, service alternates between sides after every 2 points scored.

Scoring Systems and Match Lengths

Scoring structures diverge in target numbers and set requirements. A standard game of table tennis is won by the first player or doubles pair to score 11 points. Under the Laws of Table Tennis as reproduced by megaspin.net, if both sides reach 10 points, play continues until one side gains a two-point lead.

A table tennis match consists of the best of any odd number of games, such as best of 3, best of 5, or best of 7 games.

In teqball, games are organized into sets played to 12 points. FITEQ rules define a standard match as the best of three sets, although specific competition regulations may alter the set count.

Each set is played to 12 points. The final decisive set of a teqball match requires a two-point margin of victory.

Both sports support singles and doubles formats. FITEQ rules explicitly govern singles, doubles, and mixed doubles play. Table tennis rules reproduced by megaspin.net cover singles and doubles.

Which One Fits You

Choosing between teqball and table tennis comes down to the physical skills you want to practice and the space available to you. Table tennis is a mainstream sport covered here as a reference point, while teqball uses a curved table and a size 5 ball.

Pick teqball if:

You want to return the ball using body parts other than hands and arms.
You have access to a large playing area with at least 23.0 feet (7 m) of overhead clearance and a curved teqball table.
You prefer striking a regulation size 5 ball with your body rather than holding a paddle.

Pick table tennis if:

You want to play on a flat horizontal table.
You prefer striking a lightweight 2.7 g (0.095 oz) ball with a rubber-faced wooden blade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is teqball like table tennis?

Teqball shares the concept of returning a ball over a central net onto a divided table, but the two sports use different equipment and striking mechanics. Table tennis uses a flat table, handheld paddles, and a 2.7 g (0.095 oz) spherical ball. Teqball uses a curved table, a size 5 ball, and body strikes allowing up to three touches per return.

What is the difference between teqball and table tennis?

The difference centers on how the ball is struck, the table shape, and the ball size. Teqball prohibits using hands and arms, requiring players to strike a size 5 ball across a curved surface. Table tennis requires players to hit a 40 mm (1.57 in) ball using a rubber-covered paddle across a flat horizontal surface.

Table tennis vs teqball: which has a bigger table?

A teqball table is longer than a table tennis table, while both have similar widths. Under FITEQ rules, a teqball table measures 9.8 feet (3,000 mm) long by 4.9 feet (1,500 mm) wide without the net. Under the Laws of Table Tennis as reproduced by megaspin.net, a table tennis table measures 9.0 feet (2.74 m) long by 5.0 feet (1.525 m) wide.

What is the official teqball table size?

According to FITEQ specifications, a teqball table measures 9.8 feet (3,000 mm) long and 4.9 feet (1,500 mm) wide without the net, or 5.6 feet (1,700 mm) wide including the net. The highest point of its curved surface stands 29.9 inches (760 mm) high, and the lowest outer edges stand 22.2 inches (565 mm) high.

Can you touch the table in teqball?

You cannot touch the table in teqball. FITEQ rules state that touching the table or the net with any part of the body or clothing results in an immediate point awarded to the opponent.

Can you use your feet on a second serve in teqball?

You cannot. FITEQ rules require the second service attempt to be one touch with any body part except the hands, arms and feet.

How many points do you need to win in teqball compared to table tennis?

In teqball, a set is won by reaching 12 points, and matches are played as the best of three sets under FITEQ rules. In table tennis, a game is won by the first player to reach 11 points with a two-point margin, played as the best of any odd number of games.

Teqball vs Table Tennis: Key Differences