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Table Tennis Question about the Return of Service Position
This question about the return of service position was submitted by
Rajen Ryan from South Africa
Can your opponent, who is returning your serve, have any part of his body over the white line or edge of the table?
I am finding that some players are keeping their racket, ready to return, over the white line or edge of the table.
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----- Martin's Reply -----
By Martin Hughes
Owner and Editor
Rajen,
The receiver can stand wherever they like and can have any part of their body over the white line or edge of the table.
Here's a picture showing Kanak Jha (USA) with his racket over the table awaiting the service of Lee Sangsu (South Korea) in a match in the World Cup.
Kanak Jha (USA) with his racket over the table awaiting the service of Lee Sangsu (South Korea)
However, not many players get to play at the highest levels, and this can be a risky tactic to try at lower levels of the game.
In doubles, you know which side of the table the serve is coming to, but you still have to wait for the ball to bounce of course, as you cannot volley it!
But in singles, it's a bit more difficult to know where the serve is going, so you'll have to be quick to adjust your position if the service is not short over the net.
However, there's nothing in the rules which dictates where you must stand, so you can stand wherever you want to.
You can also have any part of your body over the table, including your racket, but you're not allowed to move the table.
So, if you're serving, and the receiver is standing close to the table ready to return the ball with their racket over the white line or edge of the table, try serving a fast, long, deep serve, and they'll soon find that it's not such an advantage for them!
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More Information
You'll find lots more details on my web site on the following pages...
Details about the serve...
www.allabouttabletennis.com/official-table-tennis-rules.html
www.allabouttabletennis.com/rules-in-table-tennis.html
Details about the serve in doubles...
www.allabouttabletennis.com/table-tennis-doubles-rules.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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