The Serve.

Estimated statistics shows in any game of table tennis, 50% Service 30% Returns 15% Offensive and 5% failure to return the rally. Yet the average players spends 80% practicing the offensive, 15% on returns and only 5% on serves. Now, tell me how can the standards of the levels of table tennis increase for you ?

This time round, I seek your indulgence because we are going to look at the technical aspect. I highly recommend that all players read and understand the Laws of Table Tennis (ITTF) and highlight here pertinent points affecting the game we all love.

2.5.2 The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm of the free hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is decided as a let or a point.

This is why players must let the ball "rest" stationary on the open palm of the free hand. Indicating that the ball is about to be in play, as opposed to simply grabbing the ball and tossing it immediately, or bouncing the ball on the table and immediately tossing the ball (inside the end line (contravening 2.6.4) . What about gripping the ball with the palm of the hands or the fingers ? Well that too is a fault as it contravene 2.6.1

2.6.1 Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's stationary free hand.

2.6.2 The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16 cm after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls without touching anything before being struck.

2.6.3 As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his or her court and then touches directly the receiver's court: in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court of server and receiver.

2,6,4 From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server;s end line, and it shall not be hidden from the receiver by the server or his or her doubles partner or by anything they wear or carry.

2.6.5 As soon as the ball has been projected, the server's free arm and hand shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net. The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension.

2.6.6 It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or the assistant umpire can be satisfied that he or she complies with the requirements of the Laws, and either may decide that a service is incorrect.

2.6.6.1 If either the umpire or the assistant umpire is not sure about the legality of a service he or she may, on the first occasion in a match, interrupt play and warn the server; but any subsequent service by that player or his or her doubles partner which is not clearly legal shall be considered incorrect.

2.6.7 Exceptionally the umpire may relax the requirements for a correct service where he or she is satisfied that compliance is prevented by the physical disability.

( Source ITTF website )

All world level players practice service at least 500 to 1000 balls everyday as part of their scheduled training time table, as with pro golfers in the lights of Vijay Singh (Fiji) who hits 400 balls, before and after every tournament. The service takes up 50% implications are that if you are able to serve consistently 50% of the game is won.

Get with your mentor, coach and sifus and get your serves correctly toned up.

Stay tuned for my next blog .... Push, Block and Attack.

Don't wait, get out there and make friends build the bonds, get a good work out and happy ping ponging !

Till we meet again ..... Cheerioo !