Toss rule and doubles serve rule
Rules
Kaustubh Kulkarni Asked 10 years ago
Q.1 If a player is serving, he tosses the ball and holds the ball in his hands when the ball comes down, does he lose the point or it is a let?
Q.2 In doubles, when a player serves from the right box of his side of the table, the ball first falls on the right box of his side and then falls on the white line dividing the side of the opponent pair, does the serving pair lose the point or it is right serve?
Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago
Hi Kaustubh,
If you throw the ball up it is in play. If you catch it again you lose the point.
If the ball lands on the middle line on a doubles serve it is in. It is difficult to tell whether it is on the line or not because the line is so thin.
Recommended Video
Top 5 Most Misunderstood Table Tennis Rules
In this video, we break down the Top 5 Most Misunderstood Table Tennis Rules that even experienced players often get wrong. Knowing these rules can prevent disputes, boost your confidence, and help you play with a clear head. We’ll cover common misconceptions like:
- The correct toss height for serving 🎯
- How many let serves can you do before it is a fault 🚦
- Why touching the table with your free hand is a no-no 🖐️
- When volleying loses you the point ❌
- Whether you are allowed to hit around or under the net 🔄
Thoughts on this question
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.
Kaustubh Kulkarni Posted 10 years ago
Sorry sir I have asked so many questions this month.
Gordon Hume Posted 10 years ago
And most players in my club seem to be unaware of the rule asked about in question 2! LOL
A couple of supplementary questions for you about doubles serves, though, Alois: is it the centre of the ball that has to be on the line for it to be in, or any part of the ball?
And, in the case of a dispute on this matter, in a friendly match without an umpire, is the etiquette to always play a let?
Thanks.
Hi Gordon,
It is really difficult to tell if it is the centre of the ball or not as the line is quite thin and the ball relatively small. I think if it covers the line at all then it has hit the line and if not then it is out.
In a friendly match it is Ok to play a let but in an official match the umpire has to make a decision.