Table Tennis Rules Explained ...
The Service

What do the table tennis rules say about a good service?
Why do the rules keep changing? Find out here ...

Throughout the history of table tennis the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) have amended the service rules many times.

As the best players develop ever more elaborate service techniques in order to gain an advantage over their opponent ... the ITTF respond by amending the service rules in an attempt to reduce their effectiveness.

However, as any player will tell you, this is a never ending process.

So, what's happened so far ...

  A brief history ...

Well, in the early days of table tennis, the service was used simply as a way of putting the ball into play. But as the game evolved, it started to become a more and more important ... and soon it became just another opportunity to score a point.

Service techniques became more and more elaborate as players tried to gain an advantage over their opponent ... so much so that during the 1980s and 1990s, the top players were using service techniques which completely obscured their opponent's view of the ball during their service action.

They would either serve with their back to their opponent and use their upper body to obscure the ball, or stand sideways and use their free arm to obscure the ball.

But why did that matter?

Well, if your opponent is unable to see your racket striking the ball, he can't judge how much spin you are imparting onto the ball ... so his chances of making a good return are significantly diminished.

Therefore in an attempt to give the receiver a better chance of returning the serve, the ITTF have had to constantly amend these table tennis rules in order to curb the creativity of the best players.

 

So let's take a quick look at what the current table tennis rules say, and the reasons behind them ...

  Starting your serve

Rule 2.06.01 states that ...

"Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's stationary free hand".

This purpose of this table tennis rule is to prevent a player from imparting spin onto the ball (with his fingers or his hand) as he throws it up.

Umpires are therefore told that they should concentrate on ensuring that the ball is resting freely on the palm of the server's hand ... so that no spin can be imparted as the ball is thrown upwards ... rather than be concerned with the precise curvature of the server's free hand.

This rule was introduced after the 1930s when finger spin serves were very popular. Players were able to impart heavy spin onto the ball before they struck it with their racket.

This was quickly outlawed by the ITTF.

 

 

  Throwing the ball upwards

Rule 2.06.02 states ...

"The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16cm (approx 6 inches) after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls without touching anything before being struck".

The purpose of this table tennis rule is to ensure that the server strikes the ball as it's falling from the vertical.

Before adding the requirement for the ball to rise by at least 16cm, it was difficult for the umpire to establish whether the ball was being struck on the way up or on the way down.

Also, by requiring the server to throw the ball upwards within a few degrees of the vertical (rather than within an angle of 45° which was previously specified), the umpire can be sure that the ball has been thrown upwards and not sideways or diagonally.

This prevents a player from throwing the ball directly onto his racket, thereby generating extra speed on his serve.

Also, by specifying that the ball must rise at least 16cm (approx 6 inches) from when it leaves your hand ... you must throw it well clear of your hand, so it's therefore not a legal serve if you lift the ball up with your hand to shoulder height, then throw it up less than 16cm.

As soon as the server has deliberately thrown the ball upwards, the ball is "in play", so if the server does not make contact with the ball, he loses the point.

 

  Striking the ball

Rule 2.06.03 states that ...

"As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his court and then, after passing over or around the net assembly, touches directly the receiver's court; in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court of server and receiver".

The purpose of this rule is to ensure that the server can't serve overarm like in tennis. This would potentially make every serve unreturnable!

This table tennis rule therefore ensures that the ball must be struck as it's falling and that your service must hit your side of the table first.

Also, in doubles, the serve must be played diagonally, i.e. within the right half courts only, whereas in singles you can serve from and to, any part of the table.

 

 

  Above the playing surface

Rule 2.06.04 states that ...

"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, and it shall not be hidden from the receiver by the server or his doubles partner or by anything they wear or carry".

This means that your hand and the ball must both be above the level of the playing surface and behind the end line, during your entire service action.

(The end line is regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions).

Other parts of your body (for example your arm), may be over the playing surface, but your hand and the ball must not.

The main purpose of this rule is to ensure that the ball is visible at all times to your opponent ... however ...

... there's no specific requirement for your opponent to be able to see your racket before you strike the ball, so you could begin your service action with your racket concealed, for example, behind your back or under the table.

 

But, the most significant change in recent years is that you must now make sure that the receiver can see your racket as it strikes the ball ...

 

  No hiding

Rule 2.06.05 now states that ...

"As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net".

The main purpose of the rule is to make sure that both the receiver (and the umpire) can see the ball throughout the service action.

This means that the receiver will be able to see the racket as it strikes the ball and therefore the receiver will have a much better chance of reading the spin, and, therefore, returning the service.

This rule is an extension of rule 2.06.04 and was introduced to stop players from hiding the contact point of the racket on the ball ... because if your opponent can't see your racket striking the ball, he can't judge how much spin you are imparting onto the ball ... so his chances of making a good return are significantly diminished.

 

Two other important table tennis rules relating to service are ...

 

  Take responsibility ...

Rule 2.06.06 states that ...

"It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or the assistant umpire can see that he complies with the requirements for a good service".

This means what it says! ...

It's the responsibility of the player to serve so that the correctness of his service action can be seen by the umpire.

If you don't, you run the risk of being penalised.

 

 

  Warnings and penalties

Rules 2.06.06.01, 2.06.06.02 and 2.06.06.03 also state that ...

"If the umpire is doubtful of the legality of a service he may, on the first occasion in a match, declare a let and warn the server.

Any subsequent service of doubtful legality of that player or his doubles partner will result in a point to the receiver.

Whenever there is a clear failure to comply with the requirements for a good service, no warning shall be given and the receiver shall score a point".

This means that an umpire who suspects, but isn't sure, that your service action is illegal, may warn you without awarding a point to your opponent.

However, only one warning may be given during a match ... so if any of your subsequent services in that match are of doubtful legality, for the same or for any other reason, a point will be awarded to your opponent.

Whether or not a formal warning is given, an umpire may advise you informally, between rallies, that any deterioration could make your service illegal.

But, contrary to popular belief, a player is not entitled to a warning for a first illegal service. A clear failure to meet the requirements of the service law should always be penalised by the award of a point to your opponent.

Want to know more about the table tennis rules ... ?

Take a look at my other pages which explain the rules in more detail.

  The Official Laws of Table Tennis

The table tennis rules are known as The Official Laws of Table Tennis and if you need clarification on any rule, you can find them here ...

  Table tennis terminology

Do you know your table tennis terminology or are you confused by your chops, pimples and twiddles? Here's my table tennis glossary ...

  Table tennis table dimensions

Do you know the size of a table tennis table? What do the table tennis rules say are the official size dimensions of a table tennis table?

  Table tennis room size

What table tennis room size do you need? It's probably more than you think! Find out here ...

  Expedite system

Do you know how long a game of table tennis can last? If both players keep the ball in play, can they continue playing forever?

Do the rules of table tennis say anything about this?

  When is the ball in or out?

What do the table tennis rules say about the ball hitting the white lines, net or edges of the table? Is the ball in or out? Find out here ...

  What is a good return?

What do the table tennis rules say about what constitutes a good return? Can you use your hand to play a shot? What happens if you touch or move the table? Find out here ...

  What do the rules say about your racket?

Do you know what the table tennis rules say about the size of your racket, which colours are allowed, when you can change your racket, and whether your opponent is allowed to examine your racket? Find out here ...

  What do the rules say about playing doubles?

Whether you're playing singles or doubles, the rules of table tennis are essentially the same. However, for doubles play there are a few subtle variations to the rules of table tennis. Read them here ...

  What do the rules say about volleying the ball?

Do the table tennis rules allow you to volley the ball?
Yes and No ... Let me explain ...

  Are players allowed to take breaks during matches?

What time limits are specified in the official table tennis rules?
What happens if a player is time-wasting? Find out here ...

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