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Paul Kovac	See if you can Stump the Ump... E-mail questions to Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire. Please note: Questions which have answers that are easily found by consulting the rules may not merit a reply.

Q: I've been playing a friend who I believe may be serving unfairly but I can't prove it (maybe I'm wrong). It seems to me that he is putting a spin on the serve when he's tossing it up in the air. He starts out with the ball in his free hand with it laying in his palm, but when he tosses it into the air, it seems as he's putting a spin on it by moving his hand in a manner that puts spin on the ball. I don't know if this is OK, but can you give me any tips on how to detect if this is a legal serve or not. I read the rule, and it said the toss should not impart any spin, but I can't really tell. Should I just let it go?

- submitted by John Pahl

A: If the toss started from a flat steady palm, I do not think player can impart enough spin on the ball that it would affect returning it. If such serve is difficult to return, it is because of the spin or speed imparted by contact of the ball with the racket. If that match has an umpire assigned to it, it is the umpires call to decide the legality of the serve.

You will be a much happier player and observer of Table Tennis when you know the rules. Contact Margaret Smith at the USATT headquarters (1-719-578-4583), do yourself a favor, and buy a copy of the ITTF Rule Book, newest edition.

- answered by Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire