Serving behind the line

tim gerg Asked 1 month ago

The rule part about the serve being behind the end line is what I want to ask about. Is the rule talking about at point of contact of the ball or trajectory? Allowing for the 30 degree deviation for throwing the ball up "nearly vertical", it seems that you could throw it up inside the end line as long as the deviation is within 30 degrees and at the point of contact it is beyond the end line. (the ball visibility issue states it is from the start of the serve till point of contact, but not the end line part)

Alois Rosario Answered 1 month ago

Hi Tim,

You've brought up an interesting aspect of the serving rules in table tennis. According to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rules

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

So to clear up your enquiry the ball needs to be behind the end line events it is thrown up and also when it is struck.