SERVICE
If one accepts that no-one deliberately serves illegally, then players do so either because:
- they think their serves are legal and/or
- they don’t know the current rules and/or
- they have always served that way and no-one has complained
Below are a few simple guidelines, which the Management Committee would like
you to take note.
Before the ball is thrown up:
At the start of service the ball must rest on the palm of the server’s free hand and must be stationary, behind his end line and above the level of the playing surface. The racket must be above the level of the playing surface from the start of service until the ball is struck
Throwing the Ball up
The ball must be projected so that it rises, near vertically, at least 16cm after leaving the server’s hand and must be struck when it is falling.
When the ball is struck it must be behind the server’s end line but not farther back than the rearmost part of the body, other than arm, hand or leg.
The ball must then touch the server’s court, pass over or around the net and touch the receiver’s court.
In doubles it must touch the server’s right half-court and the receiver’s right half-court.
What the umpire can/should do if not satisfied with the service
An umpire who suspects that a service is illegal but is not sure may call a “Let” and warn the player or pair once without awarding a point.
If later in the match a service by that player or by his or her doubles partner is again doubtful, for any reason, a point must be awarded to the receiver.
No warning may be given if a service is clearly illegal.
The umpire may allow relaxation of the service law for a player who cannot meet particular requirements owing to a physical disability.
In a good return the ball must touch the opponent’s court “directly” or after touching the net assembly, if it touches anything else, the return is not good.
We are not seeking perfection, but merely an acceptable standard. A number of
players have been “out of order” for a number of years –
ARE YOU STILL ONE OF THEM.