Proposal for serve rule change in doubles

[Amayzde]

Hi there,

So we all know how in doubles you have to serve diagonal from the right half of the table.

As a right hander who prefers to serve from the backhand corner I have been wondering. Why is it not allowed to serve from the left side of the table? The serve should still be diagonal, but the server can pick whether he wants to do it from the left or the right corner.

I personally think this would make for an interesting change. You could pick from which corner you serve. So you could force those lefties to receive on the forehand corner and making it slightly harder for them to get out of the way for the next ball.

What do you think about this rule change? Do you like it? Do you dislike it? And why?

What potential problems would you see if this rule was changed that I might be missing? Im sure Im not the first person ever to think about this(?). So I wonder if there is a good reason why they have always kept it like this.

The ITTF/WTT has ran worse pilot ideas (in my personal opinion of course). I don’t remember exactly what tournament this was, but they tried out some “no let” serve rule. So if the serve touched the net the rally would continue as normal, no let was called.

EDIT: Forgot to put the word “rule” in the title… 🤦‍♂️

 

[mightymouse]

I think about this many times, but did not have time to ask in the forum.

1) I don't mind serving from the right side, but I wonder who stated this rule in the first place. Were there any discussion, etc. before ITTF made the decision?

2) Why from the right side? Why not from the left side? Anybody knows about the history of this?

I don't think we should serve from wherever we want, because this will confuse everybody (we and our partner keep changing places.).

 

[blahness]

Hi there,

So we all know how in doubles you have to serve diagonal from the right half of the table.

As a right hander who prefers to serve from the backhand corner I have been wondering. Why is it not allowed to serve from the left side of the table? The serve should still be diagonal, but the server can pick whether he wants to do it from the left or the right corner.

I personally think this would make for an interesting change. You could pick from which corner you serve. So you could force those lefties to receive on the forehand corner and making it slightly harder for them to get out of the way for the next ball.

What do you think about this rule change? Do you like it? Do you dislike it? And why?

What potential problems would you see if this rule was changed that I might be missing? Im sure Im not the first person ever to think about this(?). So I wonder if there is a good reason why they have always kept it like this.

The ITTF/WTT has ran worse pilot ideas (in my personal opinion of course). I don’t remember exactly what tournament this was, but they tried out some “no let” serve rule. So if the serve touched the net the rally would continue as normal, no let was called.

EDIT: Forgot to put the word “rule” in the title… 🤦‍♂️

I agree, the diagonal service rule seems kinda stupid imo. So everyone is doing heavy backspin / no spin variation serves and it is super boring to watch.

Why not just throw the gates wide open and allow service to any corner the server likes.

 

[Amayzde]

I agree, the diagonal service rule seems kinda stupid imo. So everyone is doing heavy backspin / no spin variation serves and it is super boring to watch.

Why not just throw the gates wide open and allow service to any corner the server likes.

Although that would also make things more interesting, thats exactly not what I meant. Im pretty sure that the middle line on the table came into existence for a reason. Because outside of doubles the line doesn’t serve any purpose.

But what I mean is that the serve stays diagonal, but that the server can pick which corner he serves from. So from forehand to forehand area (as we do now), or from backhand to backhand area. From a right-handers perspective that is.

 

[haggisv]

I quite like the idea, and I'm sure there would be a way to implement it, IF the ITTF was open to this. They would just have to add a few new rules to clarify what is and what isn't allowed.

 

[Zezima]

Yeah I have always wondered this. All my "good" serves I serve from the other side. When playing doubles I just default to my backhand serves, which is very limiting.

 

[Sims]

I agree, the diagonal service rule seems kinda stupid imo. So everyone is doing heavy backspin / no spin variation serves and it is super boring to watch.

Why not just throw the gates wide open and allow service to any corner the server likes.

I agree. The diagonal service is arbitrary and doesn't add anything.
It should start like a singles match, server and receiver at the table, anything goes and partners ready to jump in for the next shot.
Would make it more exciting imo

 

[blahness]

I agree. The diagonal service is arbitrary and doesn't add anything.
It should start like a singles match, server and receiver at the table, anything goes and partners ready to jump in for the next shot.
Would make it more exciting imo

To be honest, in club matches it is not necessary to follow ITTF laws. You can always play doubles with these new rules as you like...

 

[Lazer]

I agree. The diagonal service is arbitrary and doesn't add anything.
It should start like a singles match, server and receiver at the table, anything goes and partners ready to jump in for the next shot.
Would make it more exciting imo

Not arbitrary at all.
If You think about it, it defines the star for 2 right handers where the first 2 players move to right and backwards.
The start would be much more haphazard if the serve was not diagonal...

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Sims]

Not arbitrary at all.
If You think about it, it defines the star for 2 right handers

And if not 2 right handers starting?
That's what I mean by arbitrary.
And many right handers prefer to serve from left side of table.

where the first 2 players move to right and backwards.
The start would be much more haphazard if the serve was not diagonal...

Cheers
L-zr

I think you are overcomplicating it somewhat.
It would take no time at all to get used to it. You player 2 stands behind the starter and steps in after they've taken their shot. Whether your partner goes left or right would be largely irrelevant I reckon.
Anyway, ideas eh!

 

[kapahoo]

Or like other racquet sports - first right, then left.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

valid and interesting question.
it would be fun I think,

 

[Lazer]

And if not 2 right handers starting?
That's what I mean by arbitrary.
And many right handers prefer to serve from left side of table.

No difference You always know which direction to start to rotate or move...
Where You like to serve has no meaning here. Doubles is a different game.

Cheers
L-zr

 

[rpb23]

Good proposal. Currently, serving from the right corner favors heavily to lefties as they serve the most common way just like they do in singles. Serving from the backhand corner maximizes the forehand usage which is the major weapon for most players even if they have good backhands. One big reason Lefties are in high demand in doubles when they pair with a right handed player is when they serve, they don't block the view of their right handed partner and can easily get out of the way after the serve leaving the most operational space to the partner.

Allowing serving on either corner can neutralize left handed players' serve advantage at the expense of a little more complication in ref work and players' operation. But, it seems a small price to play for leveling the playing ground in doubles.

Maybe, for hobby players, we can try this serve change, If it works well, it might spread into pros circles.

 

[turbozed]

Really like this idea. Doubles pairs can have more set plays to employ and tactics against opponents become a bigger part of game.

Seems like it adds a lot more variety to the game without any huge detriment. I guess there is a second or two extra in positioning for both sides when server sets up and informs the other side which direction the ball is going.

 

[driversbeat]

Enforcing one right one left makes the most sense to me for order and fairness

 

[apacible]

This rule change which would allow service from the left half court of the server to the left half court of the receiver was actually proposed by the Table Tennis Federation of Iran back in 2021 during the ITTF Annual General Meeting. The rationale was: "The extension of the service rule removes the disadvantage for right hand players and allows more flexibility to use their best position when starting a rally"

The proposal (Proposition A-22) was first presented on November 10, 2021 via videoconference. See this video, which starts at 53min 09 sec mark:

The Table Tennis Federation of Iran also presented a teaser video of how table tennis would look if this service rule was in place. See this video, which starts at 55min 32sec mark:

However, when the 2021 ITTF Annual General Meeting was held later on November 24, 2021, it seems that many Asian Countries had reservations about the rule change. So, instead of a proposition to immediately amend the service rules, it became a mere resolution to STUDY the possibility of amending the service rules. See 3HR 32 MIN 10 SEC mark of this video:

2-3 years later, I haven't heard any news about the study nor has there been any word if any test doubles matches were played with the new service rules.

In my opinion, the best time to test this new service rule in doubles would be now, while the Olympic Mixed Doubles event has just finished and new pairings are being formed. This will give everyone more time to adjust until the next Major Doubles Event, which is the 2028 LA Olympics.

 

[Amayzde]

This rule change which would allow service from the left half court of the server to the left half court of the receiver was actually proposed by the Table Tennis Federation of Iran back in 2021 during the ITTF Annual General Meeting. The rationale was: "The extension of the service rule removes the disadvantage for right hand players and allows more flexibility to use their best position when starting a rally"

The proposal (Proposition A-22) was first presented on November 10, 2021 via videoconference. See this video, which starts at 53min 09 sec mark:

The Table Tennis Federation of Iran also presented a teaser video of how table tennis would look if this service rule was in place. See this video, which starts at 55min 32sec mark:

However, when the 2021 ITTF Annual General Meeting was held later on November 24, 2021, it seems that many Asian Countries had reservations about the rule change. So, instead of a proposition to immediately amend the service rules, it became a mere resolution to STUDY the possibility of amending the service rules. See 3HR 32 MIN 10 SEC mark of this video:

2-3 years later, I haven't heard any news about the study nor has there been any word if any test doubles matches were played with the new service rules.

In my opinion, the best time to test this new service rule in doubles would be now, while the Olympic Mixed Doubles event has just finished and new pairings are being formed. This will give everyone more time to adjust until the next Major Doubles Event, which is the 2028 LA Olympics.View attachment 32300

Thanks for sharing. I never knew that they actually proposed this at some point.

I wonder why Asian countries where so against it?

 

[Sims]

No difference You always know which direction to start to rotate or move...

Yes but you don't need to know, that's the arbitrary thing. With an open table for serve you wouldn't know, that be fun. Or as someone else wrote, a serve from each side would work great.
But it's not that it ruins the game for me, it's arbitrary so I just shrug my shoulders at it.
But I have wondered how or why the settled on something so prescriptive for such an artistic and creative game. 🤷
I think it's a bit weird

Lazer:
'Where You like to serve has no meaning here. Doubles is a different game'

I know it's a different game, that's why I'd prefer the change 😂
As a right hander I miss the effectiveness of my pendulum serves in the doubles matches

 

[blahness]

Yes but you don't need to know, that's the arbitrary thing. With an open table for serve you wouldn't know, that be fun. Or as someone else wrote, a serve from each side would work great.
But it's not that it ruins the game for me, it's arbitrary so I just shrug my shoulders at it.
But I have wondered how or why the settled in something so prescriptive for such an artistic and creative game. 🤷
I think it's a bit weird

Where You like to serve has no meaning here. Doubles is a different game

I know it's a different game, that's why I'd prefer the change 😂
As a right hander I miss the effectiveness of my pendulum serves in the doubles matches

Exactly. To be honest, the serve/receive game in doubles have become super stale - where the meta is just short heavy backspin / no spin serves, then usually some short push battle and then transitioning into loop to loop.

There is no opportunity to bring in the wide variety of serve/receive tactics and all the mindgames from the singles games.

This is probably why ppl also hate playing or viewing doubles games...

It is almost as if, someone limits all chess games to start with 1. d4 d5 lol....