During a point, does the ball have to travel over the net before hitting the other side of the court, or is it legal to hit the ball around the net straight onto the opponent's court?
Also, can the ball be legally hit underneath the net assembly (the part that protrudes off the table and holds the net up), say for example the ball is below the table surface, at the side of the table, and then up onto the opponent's court?
The rules concerned are Law 2.7 and Law 2.5.14, which are as follows:
2.7 A Good Return
2.7.1 The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it passes over or around the net assembly and touches the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly.
2.5.14 The ball shall be regarded as passing over or around the net assembly if it passes anywhere other than between the net and the net post or between the net and the playing surface.
