How to Serve Legally in Table Tennis

Table Tennis Serving Rules

• The minimum height for a legal serve is at least 16 centimeters when tossed into the air.
• The freehand, which holds the ball, should be stationary and open during the serve.
• An unlawful serve may lead to a point being awarded to the opponent.
• The ball must be kept behind the end line and above the level of the playing surface prior to serving.
• Repeated improper serves may result in the loss of the serve or even a point to the opponent.
• For a legal serve, the ball should be thrown vertically upward without spin imparted during the throw.
• The hand holding the ball should remain behind the end line and above the level of the playing surface during the serve.
• After picking up the ball for a serve, it should be placed on the freehand in an open and flat position before being tossed.
• It is not allowed to hit the ball while it is resting on the freehand.
• After serving, the server must allow the ball to bounce on their side before crossing over the net.
• During the serve, the ball must remain visible to the receiver at all times.
• The service begins when the ball is tossed vertically into the air.
• The receiver must be able to see the ball and the server's actions clearly throughout the serve.
• If an umpire is unsure about the legality of a serve, they may call for a let serve to clarify.
• Umpires may lower the rules for legal serve only in exceptional circumstances or for educational purposes.
• Actions not allowed during a serve include hiding the ball from the receiver and making the serve deceptive.

Learn the 5 simple steps to serve legally in table tennis and avoid common illegal serving techniques such as no-toss serve, hidden serve, and thrown to the paddle serve. This guide is essential for players and coaches to ensure fair play and sportsmanship.