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Question about replaying let serves
This question about replaying let serves was submitted by
Jayanth from India
My table tennis question is this.
When serving and the ball hits the net and then bounces on my opponent's side of the table, I know that it is a let and the point is replayed (assuming the service is otherwise a good service).
But how many chances do you get to serve again?
Is there a limit for hitting the net while serving?
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----- Martin's Reply -----
By Martin Hughes
Owner and Editor
Jayanth,
Thanks for your question.
The simple answer is that there's no limit on the number of times you can replay the service when it has hit the net.
Rule 2.09 states that it shall be a let "if in service the ball touches the net assembly, provided the service is otherwise correct or the ball is obstructed by the receiver or his or her partner".
But let's take a closer look at this rule and also see an example...
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Multiple Lets during service
Here's a video clip showing two of the best players in the World, playing in the 2019 World Championships.
Adam Szudi of Hungary (red shirt) is serving to Mattias Falck of Sweden (yellow shirt).
Szudi's serve hits the net on each of his first three attempts, and the umpire calls "let".
On the fourth attempt, Szudi's serve is legal and the rally is played to a conclusion.
However, there's no limit to how many times you get to serve in this scenario.
If the ball touches the net during the service, but is otherwise a legal serve, it's replayed.
Also, it doesn't matter if the ball hits the net once, many times, or even rolls along the top of the net. As long as it's otherwise a legal serve, it's replayed.
It's also worth noting that the rule refers to the "net assembly". Law 2.02.01 states that this means the net, its suspension and the supporting posts, including the clamps attaching them to the table.
So if the ball hits the actual net OR any part of the posts or clamps, it's all the same.
And it doesn't matter whether it happens once or a hundred times, you keep replaying the serve until it's a good service or a foul service.
The crucial factor is whether the service was otherwise legal.
For example, if the ball hits the net and then misses the table, it's not a legal service, so it's not a "let". The server loses the point.
But if everything else is legal, and the ball touched the net or the posts or the clamps, it's replayed.
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More Information
For more details about the basic requirements for a legal service, see my other article here...
www.allabouttabletennis.com/table-tennis-service-rules.html
For more in depth details about a legal service, see my other article here...
www.allabouttabletennis.com/official-table-tennis-rules.html
You'll also find more Frequently Asked Questions about the table tennis service here...
www.allabouttabletennis.com/rules-in-table-tennis.html
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| MORE PAGES ABOUT THE RULES OF TABLE TENNIS |
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For more information about the rules of table tennis, take a look at my other articles which explain the Official
Laws of Table Tennis and the additional Regulations (for higher level play) in more detail...
The Laws of Table Tennis
Regulations (for higher level play)
General
Frequently Asked Questions
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