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 understand that the serve must start with the ball in the open palm, behind the end line, and above the table. The ball must be tossed at least 6 inches and struck on the decent. My question: if the server doesn't like the toss, i.e., too high, too far back, can the server just catch the ball (not attempting to strike the ball) and do a re-toss without loss of point?

- submitted by John Corn on 27 Oct 1996

A: The way you handle the situation you describe depends on where the match is played, in your basement or at a USATT sanctioned tournament. In your basement, if your opponent does not like your serve, there are at least 99 different ways how you can handle the situation, including the one you suggest. But you must remember that Table Tennis rules do not put any limitation as to how HIGH the toss can be, provided that all other legal aspects of serving are observed. In other words, your opponent can not NOT like your tosses just because they are HIGHER than 6 inches. On the other hand, once the player had tossed the ball during the serve, h/she must not catch it and retoss, or the receiver will score a point. This, because once the ball leaves the open, stationary palm, the ball is "in play", and the Rules dictate that, as the ball is falling, the server shall strike it... etc. The Rules do not give the player the option to catch the ball and start again. After the toss, the the rally has started and it will be decided as a let or a point. The toss must be "nearly vertical". Thus, after the toss, you should not have to step back in order to be able to make the stroke. I have seen occasionally this aberration tolerated at tournaments but, technically, such is an illegal serve. If you have to deal with a situation as you describe at a sanctioned tournament, the best way is to go to the umpire's desk and ask that a qualified umpire be assigned to your match. Also, I recommend you buy a copy of The Rules of Table Tennis. You will be a much happier player and observer of table tennis when you know the rules. The newest version, available at the USATT Headquarters for about $ 4.00, is the 1995-1997 edition. Your Friendly Umpire.

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