Table Tennis Rules Q & A

Ken Jermey asks:

Also - when serving - does the ball need to be hit at or above net height now - or only the ball toss has to be?

Greg replies:

Hello Ken,

The ball has to be above the level of the table surface at all times, and must be struck above the level of the table surface. But it does not have to be hit above the level of the net.

Interestingly, since the net is 15.25cm high, and the ball toss must be at least 16cm high, the ball must be thrown higher than the net in any case - but it can be struck either above or below the net, provided it is still above the table surface.

The relevant laws are:

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.

2.6.4 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 any part of the body or clothing of the server or his
doubles partner; as soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm
shall be removed from the space between the server’s body and the net.

Best regards,

Greg Letts 14th May 2005

Copyright Greg Letts 2005