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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: In regards to the new service rule of 9/02, does the "clear space" apply to the space underneath the ball? A lot of players are still keeping their arm in front of themselves, but below the ball so that the ball is clearly visible to the receiver, but their free arm is in the "clear space". Does this violate the "clear space" rule?

- submitted by Eric Hu

A: The free arm can be anywhere as long as it does not block the view of the receiver. The umpire is the judge of that. If he/she feels the receiver can not see the ball throughout the whole procedure, that is, from the moment the ball leaves the open palm until the contact with the racket, the receiver scores the point. A warnings given only if there is only one umpire at the table, and he/she is not quite sure that the service is legal.

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