Solving the problem of hidden balls.. Amendment to the service rule is under way.

[igorponger]

INSIDER NEWS.
New service rule is under study within ITTF URC.

PROPOSITION BY ITTF URC.

📛 2.6.4 [..... ] When the ball is struck it shall be within the space between the server's end line and server's body other than the hip, the leg and the head.

2023 ITTF Statuses Page 69

2.6 THE SERVICE
2.6.1 Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's stationary free hand.
2.6.2 The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16cm after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls without touching anything before being struck.
2.6.3 As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his or her court and then touches directly the receiver's court; in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court of server and receiver.
2.6.4 From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server's end line.
🆕▶ When the ball is struck it shall be within the space between the server's end line and server's body** other than the hip, the leg and the head. ◀
2.6.5 As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm and hand shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net.
*The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension.
🆕 ** The "body" implies any part of torso above the waistline.

RATIONALE.
This present amendment to the Serve Rule 2.6 is foremost designed to completely resolve the sore issue of the hidden balls. In the case that we have enacted this present amendment there is no thinkable way for a server to shield the ball from the receiver's view unless he (she) perform some acrobatic distortion of one's body.

 

[plunder]

i didn't understand the long chinglish text sorry

but i do understand the photo

very good desicion!!

 

[XpingpingpongpongX]

Good rule. umpires can actually see this from the sides. And we can implement the offside check from football.

 

[rova]

You can only do a backhand serve then? The pendulum serve would be impossible or at least very uncomfortable?

 

[XpingpingpongpongX]

backhand and tomahawk. All other serves will need to be adjusted or abandoned unfortunately. I doubt this would actually get passed. But this will absolutely enforce fair serves.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

glad we have kiddies drawing going into big ittf meeting

 

[Gtsnake]

So no more backspin pendulum serves or hook serves. I will have to re learn most of my serves then. Most serves will be BH with very little deception.