Does the ping pong ball have to go up six inches on serves?

Answered by Antonio Sutton

When it comes to serving in ping pong, there is a specific rule that states the ball must be tossed upward at least 16cm or 6 inches. This requirement is in place to ensure that the serve is fair and gives the receiving player a chance to react and return the ball.

I have personally witnessed many players who struggle to meet this height requirement with their toss. Some players have a tendency to hit the ball right out of their hand instead of giving it a proper toss. This can result in a serve that is too low and does not give the receiving player enough time to react.

Others may opt for a quick drop-and-hit serve, where they barely release the ball before striking it. While this may be effective in catching the receiving player off guard, it does not meet the required height and can be considered an illegal serve.

To ensure a proper toss, it is important to give the ball a gentle upward motion and release it at a height that exceeds the minimum requirement. This allows the ball to gain enough height and gives the receiving player a fair chance to see and react to the serve.

Personally, I have found that practicing the toss is crucial in developing a consistent and legal serve. By focusing on giving the ball a smooth and controlled upward motion, I have been able to improve my serves and avoid any violations of the height requirement.

The ping pong ball must be tossed upward at least 16cm or 6 inches on serves. This rule is in place to ensure fair play and give the receiving player a chance to react. It is important to practice and develop a consistent toss to meet this requirement and avoid any violations.