Table Tennis Service Rules You NEED to Know!

Summary

This video provides a detailed guide to mastering the rules of serving in table tennis. It emphasizes the importance of using a flat hand to hold the ball, tossing it from above the table, and ensuring it is visible to the opponent throughout the serve. Key points include tossing the ball at least 16 centimeters vertically, staying behind the end line, and understanding the differences in serving rules between singles and doubles. The tutorial offers practical tips to avoid common faults and improve consistency, helping beginners and intermediate players refine their serve while adhering to official regulations.

Takeaways

• 😀 You must have a flat hand when serving and the ball must rest in the palm of your hand.
• 😀 It is illegal to hold the ball in your fingers when serving; always use a flat hand to hold the ball.
• 😀 The rule against holding the ball in your fingers prevents players from spinning the ball during the toss.
• 😀 When tossing the ball, ensure that it’s thrown upwards without imparting any spin.
• 😀 The serve must be executed from behind the end line of the table, both when tossing and hitting the ball.
• 😀 You cannot serve from in front of the end line or throw the ball from below the table.
• 😀 The opponent must always have a clear view of the ball during the serve, without any obstruction.
• 😀 The toss should be vertical or near vertical, and must be at least 16 cm (6 inches) high.
• 😀 You can serve from any position on your side of the table to anywhere on your opponent's side in singles.
• 😀 In doubles, the serve must come from the right-hand box to the right-hand box of your opponent.

Q & A

What is the first rule when serving in table tennis?

The first rule is that you must have a flat hand when serving, and the ball must rest in the palm of your hand.

Why can't you hold the ball in your fingers while serving?

Holding the ball in your fingers is illegal because it would allow you to impart spin on the ball, making it more difficult for your opponent to receive it.

What must be the position of your hand and ball during the serve?

Your hand must be flat, and the ball must be placed in the palm of your hand.

Can you serve the ball from in front of the table's end line?

No, you must always be behind the end line of the table when throwing and hitting the ball.

Where can you serve from in relation to the table's sideline?

You can serve from outside the sideline of the table as long as you're behind the extension of the imaginary line from the end of the table.

What is the minimum height for the service toss?

The ball must be tossed at least 6 inches (16 centimeters), which is roughly the height of the net or the width of your bat.

Can you serve the ball straight out of your hand?

No, it is illegal to serve the ball straight out of your hand. The ball must be tossed up at least 6 inches.

How should the ball be thrown when serving?

The ball should be thrown vertically or as close to vertical as possible, without throwing it backward, sideways, or towards yourself.

What is the reasoning behind the rule that the opponent must be able to see the ball throughout the serve?

This rule ensures fairness, as it prevents players from obstructing their opponent's view of the ball with their arm or body during the serve.

In doubles, where must you serve from and to?

In doubles, you must serve from the right-hand side of your half of the table to the right-hand side of your opponent's half.