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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 have a lazy friend who after retrieving the ball is walking back to the table, and serves the ball while walking. Does he have to be stationary before beginning his serve?

- submitted by Jeff Annonymus

A: The rule clearly dictates that at the start of service the ball shall be stationary, resting freely on the flat open palm. The "stationary" is the key to finding the correct answer to your question. In the situation you describe, that condition is not fulfilled, unless your opponent is able to make his flat, open palm immobile while his body is moving toward the table.

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