Complete regulations for legal service including ball toss, contact, and positioning requirements.
The service is one of the most important and regulated aspects of table tennis:
**Service Procedure:**
1. **Starting Position:**
- Ball must rest freely on open palm of stationary free hand
- Ball and hand must be above table level and behind end line
- Server must be visible to receiver and umpire
2. **Ball Toss:**
- Ball must be tossed nearly vertically upward
- Minimum height: 16cm (6 inches) from palm
- Ball must not spin during toss
- Ball must descend without being hidden from receiver
3. **Contact:**
- Server must strike ball while it is falling
- Ball must bounce first in server's court
- Then bounce in receiver's court
- In doubles, ball must bounce in right half courts
4. **Restrictions:**
- Server's body or clothing must not hide ball from receiver
- Free arm and hand must not be between ball and net
- As soon as ball is tossed, free arm must be removed from playing space
**Common Service Faults:**
- Ball not tossed high enough (less than 16cm)
- Ball tossed with spin
- Ball hidden from receiver during service
- Ball contacts body or clothing before bouncing
- Ball bounces outside correct court areas
- Free arm not removed from playing space
**Let Services:**
- Ball touches net assembly but service is otherwise legal
- Receiver is not ready (only once per service)
- Service disrupted by circumstances beyond server's control
**Service Order:**
- Each player serves 2 points in turn
- At 10-10, alternates every point
- In deciding game, players change ends when either reaches 5 points
**Historical Changes:**
- 2002: Hidden service rules tightened
- 2014: Further restrictions on hiding ball during service
- Ongoing: Stricter enforcement of high toss requirement
Proper service technique is fundamental to fair competitive play.