Some players will also argue that a ball toss of around 45 degrees to the vertical is "near vertical". The requirement that the ball must be thrown near vertically upwards often is interpreted differently by different umpires. If the ball has been thrown up the required amount, it can then be struck as soon as it starts falling (but not before, as I discuss on the next page). Note, however, that provided the ball does get thrown up 16cm, it does not have to fall the same amount before being hit. This is why the bottom right service method in the diagram is illegal, since the ball has not risen more than 16cm, even though it is allowed to fall more than 16cm before being struck.
![table tennis pro serves table tennis pro serves](https://www.pingpongexperts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/PRO-Carbon.jpg)
TABLE TENNIS PRO SERVES FREE
The requirement that the ball must be thrown up at least 16cm after leaving the palm of the free hand has a couple of consequences, one being that the ball must go up at least that distance, so simply moving your free hand up high and allowing the ball to drop more than 16cm is not allowed. The above Law ties in with Law 2.6.1, in that it specifically states that the ball shall be thrown up without imparting spin on the ball. In the Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.6.2 states:Ä¢.6.2 The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16cm (6.3 inches) after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls without touching anything before being struck. The Ball Toss - Legal and Illegal Examples. Because the ball is not allowed to be gripped during the service, it is difficult to put spin on the ball without the umpire noticing and calling a fault. The main intention of this service law is to ensure that the ball is thrown into the air with no spin. The free hand must also be stationary when beginning the serve, so it is illegal for a player to pick up the ball and throw it into the air for service, without pausing to hold the free hand stationary before tossing the ball. Note that even though the thumb is over the table, the ball is still held behind the endline - so this does not make the serve illegal (I will explain this in more detail later).
![table tennis pro serves table tennis pro serves](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Tommy_Haas_serves.jpg)
The top right method is illegal, since the ball is resting on the fingers of the free hand, not the open palm.
![table tennis pro serves table tennis pro serves](https://cdn.sweatband.com/sponeta_pro-competition_indoor_table_tennis_table_sponeta_pro-competition_table_tennis_table-blue_2000x2000.jpg)
In the accompanying photograph, you can see a number of incorrect methods of holding the ball prior to starting the toss. In the Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.6.1 statesĢ.6.1 Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's stationary free hand. Correct and Incorrect Ways to Hold the Ball Before Serving.