Table Tennis Serve Rules: The 16 cm Toss, the Open Palm and the Hidden Serve
Short answer
In table tennis the ball rests on the open palm of the free hand before the serve, is tossed near vertically at least 16 cm without spin and struck as it falls. It must touch your own court first and then the opponent's. The whole time it is above the level of the table, behind the end line, and the receiver must be able to see it.
Law 2.6 of the ITTF Laws spells out the serve in detail: where the ball rests, how high it travels and that nobody may hide it from the receiver. Whether a serve is legal is decided by the umpire or the assistant umpire. For points and games, see table tennis rules.
Seven steps to a legal serve
- The ball rests freely on the open palm of the stationary free hand (2.6.1).
- You project it near vertically upwards, without spin, and after leaving the palm it must rise at least 16 cm. As it falls it must not touch anything before you strike it (2.6.2).
- You strike it as it falls so that it touches first your own court and then directly the receiver's court (2.6.3). In doubles only the right half-courts, which we cover in the article on table tennis doubles.
- From the start of the serve until it is struck, the ball is above the level of the playing surface and behind your end line (2.6.4).
- The ball must not be hidden from the receiver by anyone or anything: not by you, not by your partner in doubles, not by anything you wear or carry (2.6.4).
- You remove your free arm and hand from the space between the ball and the net as soon as the ball has been projected (2.6.5).
- You serve so that the umpire can be satisfied that the serve complies with the Laws (2.6.6).
The end line is regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions (2.5.14). So you can serve from a spot beside the table as long as you are behind its imaginary extension.
The ball is in play from the last moment at which it rests stationary on the palm before being intentionally projected (2.5.2). Whatever happens after that counts.
The hidden serve
The rule on hiding is the most common stumbling block. The ball must not be hidden from the receiver at any time from the start of the serve until it is struck. It is not only about the free hand. You may not hide the ball with your body, your head, your racket or your clothing either (2.6.4). That is exactly why the free arm must leave the space between the ball and the net immediately after the toss (2.6.5).
A serve where the ball disappears behind the shoulder for a moment is illegal under 2.6.4 and the receiver gets the point (2.10.1.1).
How the umpire judges it
Whether a serve is legal is decided by the umpire or the assistant umpire (2.6.6). The procedure has two stages:
- On the first doubtful serve in a match the umpire may interrupt play and give you a warning (2.6.6.1).
- Every subsequent serve that is not clearly legal is illegal and the receiver gets the point (2.6.6.1).
The warning is given on the first such occasion in the match, not in every game, and it covers the server and their partner in doubles. If a player has a physical disability, the umpire may relax the requirements for the serve (2.6.7).
Let: when the serve is replayed
The serve is replayed without penalty when the ball touches the net and everything else is in order (2.9.1.1). It is also replayed when the receiver was not ready and made no attempt to strike the ball (2.9.1.2).
A serve that touches the net and then ends up off the table is not a let. It is a point for the receiver.
Who serves and for how long
A toss is held before the match. The winner chooses to serve, to receive or an end of the table, and the loser gets the remaining choice (2.13.1, 2.13.2). The serve changes every two points. From 10-10 each player serves one point in turn, the same as under the expedite system (2.13.3). The player who served first in a game receives first in the next one (2.13.6).
Typical situations at the table
A toss of just a few centimetres. Illegal serve. The threshold is 16 cm (2.6.2).
The ball on closed fingers. Illegal. The palm must be open and stationary (2.6.1).
Serving while the ball is still rising. Illegal. It is struck only as it falls (2.6.3).
The ball tossed below the level of the table. Illegal; the ball is above the playing surface the whole time (2.6.4).
Hiding it with the shoulder. Illegal under 2.6.4, even if the free hand is already out of the way.
Did you know?
- The ball is 40 mm in diameter and weighs 2.7 g. It is white or orange and matt (2.3.1 to 2.3.3).
- The table, net and lines have exact dimensions that the serve depends on. You will find them all in the article on table tennis table dimensions.
- The end line is not just a 1.525 m white stripe. The Laws extend it indefinitely (2.5.14).
Frequently asked questions
How high do you have to toss the ball in table tennis?
At least 16 cm after it leaves the palm, near vertically and without spin (2.6.2).
What if the serve touches the net?
If it is otherwise legal and lands on the opponent's court, it is a let and the serve is replayed (2.9.1.1). If after touching the net it ends up off the table, the receiver gets the point.
How many serves do you get?
One. An illegal serve means a point for the opponent. The only exception is the first doubtful serve in the match, for which you get a warning (2.6.6.1).
Can I serve from beyond the corner of the table?
Yes, as long as you are behind the end line. It is regarded as extending indefinitely (2.5.14).
When does the serve change?
Every two points, and from 10-10 every point (2.13.3).
DOTTA keeps score for you and calls it out loud
Win the rally, click the remote on your racket. The app tracks points, games and ends, and announces the score to the whole court.