table tennis matters

Over the years service rule has changed but recently an issue has cropped up which has prompted me to write this article.

Having had comments from players about services used by older players when under pressure I have for some time been keeping an eye on serving in local league competition. Whilst of course there are always calls of “CHEAT, CHEAT” when rules are broken it occurs to me that many times it is not deliberate cheating on the part of the older players when they are under pressure. I think that for the most part players are using what they know as “their most effective service”.

The issue mostly affects older players (although not exclusively), as those of the younger generations tend to have been taught legal serving and usually play in events where illegal services are penalised therefore they learn not to use them.

Those familiar with service rules will recognise this excerpt from the ITTF Laws of the Game. I have marked in BOLD the items I am specifically referring to in this article. There are of course other issues but I am dealing here with the ones most commonly seen in local competition.

2.6 THE SERVICE

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

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

2.6.3 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.

In local league in the the lower divisions there is a likelihood of seeing services where the ball is just not thrown up out of the hand at all or where the hand is not stationary. In contravention of rules 2.6.1 and 2.6.2. Usually rule 2.6.3 is not broken as the ball is falling but not having been projected upwards sufficiently still constitutes an illegal service.

In the higher and even the highest local league divisions it is very common to see contravention of rules 2.6.2 and 2.6.3 whilst 2.6.1 is usually adhered to fairly uniformly. In the higher divisions services where the ball is clearly thrown back at a considerable angle are occasionally seen but much more common is the practice of not throwing the ball high enough and not hitting the ball as it is falling. Very commonly the ball is hit before it starts to fall thus giving the server a huge illegal advantage in time of execution and in terms of controlling the speed, distance and spin of the serve. As I mentioned before most players do not deliberately set out to cheat but there will of course always be exceptions. So what do we need to do to address this?

I believe we need first of all to educate (hence this article) and then we need to start enforcing the rules.

Laws of the Game
2.6.6 It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or the assistant
umpire can be satisfied that he complies with the requirements for a correct
service.

Let us start paying much more attention to service – especially if we are umpiring in a match.

Points to look for – Is the hand stationary? Was the ball thrown up the required height (16cm)? Was the ball clearly falling before being struck? If you the umpire are not satisfied these three items have been clearly complied with then the following applies.

2.6.6.1 If either the umpire or the assistant umpire is doubtful of the legality of a
service they may, on the first occasion in a match, interrupt play and warn the
server.

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

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

Although this article has focused specifically on some aspects of service- ALL service rules must be complied with to make a service legal. If we can clean up our act on serving it will make our leagues better and more of a level playing field.

Article by Ken Macleod.

Checked for Regulation Accuracy by Mick Strode (International Referee)