How long does the server have to serve the ball

James Richardson Jim Richardson Asked 2 years ago

Hello Alois, As I watched your video on how long a person can take to be ready to receive the serve, I thought about a rival of mine who has an opposite habit. He gets in the ready stance to serve, looking at me. So I bend my knees, weight forward and get ready. Then he bounces the ball on the floor 5-10 times. So I relax and have to guess when he is going to serve. Sometimes he will bounce it several times, stop and look at me, and then bounce it another 5-10 times. So my question is is there a rule that once a person starts the service motions, can he stop and bounce the ball, perhaps even start to serve, then stop and bounce the ball more? And then not surprisingly, serve real quick before I am totally ready. Perhaps I should just say "wait I'm not ready" a few times! (as in your video) Thanks, Jim

Alois Rosario Answered 2 years ago

Hi James,

Interesting situation.  Once the serve starts you are not allowed to stop and start again.  The definition is int he rules:

Therefore once they have it ready in their palm they can not stop and start the service motion again.

I would try to regulate it myself.  Let him get into the ready position and then get into your ready position with your hand up.  When you are ready put your hand down.  Hopefully he will get the idea that he is wasting time and putting you off your rhythm as well.