How to Serve Legally in Table Tennis

What is the minimum height the ball must be tossed for a legal serve?

What should the hand holding the ball (freehand) be doing when serving?

What might happen if an umpire calls an unlawful serve?

Where should the ball be kept before launching it into the air for a serve?

What is the consequence of making repeated improper serves?

How should the ball be thrown for a legal serve?

What is the position of the hand holding the ball during the serve?

What should be done after picking up the ball for a table tennis serve?

When is it not allowed to hit the ball?

What must be done after serving?

What must be visible during the serve?

When does the service begin?

What should the receiver see at all times during the serve?

What happens if the umpire is unsure about the legality of a serve?

Under what circumstance may the umpire lower the rules for legal serve?

What is NOT allowed during a serve?

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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.