TABLE TENNIS – SERVICE LAWS

In the interests of improving the standard of serving with respect to the official Laws of Table Tennis, players are encouraged to conform to Table Tennis Laws.

Clause 2.6 The Service from The ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) Handbook 2018 – The Laws of Table Tennis applies. The key requirements of a “correct serve” follow:

1. Service starts with the ball resting freely on the open palm of server’s stationary  free hand (hand not cupped, ball not touching fingers).
2. The server shall project the ball near vertically upwards, so that it rises at least 16cm after leaving the palm. (The ball is in play from the last moment it is stationary on the palm of the free hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is decided as a let or a point).
3. The server shall strike the ball as it is falling.
4. From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server’s end line. (The end line is regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions).
5. As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm and hand shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net. During service, the ball shall not be hidden from the receiver.
6. It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or assistant umpire can be satisfied that he or she complies with the requirements of the Laws, and either may decide that a service is incorrect.

Remember, an opponent scores a point if a player fails to make a correct serve. In competition , the umpire (and assistant umpire if present) is responsible for many matters , including deciding each rally as a “point” or a “let”. Where there is an umpire, the players do not make these decisions. In situations where a match umpire (and assistant umpire) is not present, it is the responsibility of the players to decide each rally as a “point” or a “let”. Commons sense and good sportsmanship is encouraged and expected.

As far as match play is concerned, it’s important to mix things up.

Use a similar swing when serving different spins.

Grip the bat with the bottom of the handle pointing to the roof.

Keep the ball on the bat to impart strong spin.

Plan your service – speed, spin, and placement.

The best serve is the one that bothers your opponent the most – keep a mental note of how well he or she handles your different serves, and save the most effective ones for the key moments.