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The Service – a quick reminder of the rules
From the rule book:
12.4 | EXECUTION OF THE SERVICE | D.11(10) |
12.4.1 | The ball shall be hit with one hand or any part of the arm after being tossed or released from the hand(s). | |
A common fault is serving directly from the hand – the ball needs to be tossed or released first. It may be you think you are tossing the ball slightly and the referee can’t see it from where he is: I am afraid you have to change your technique – the referee sees what he sees | ||
12.4.2 | Only one toss or release of the ball is allowed. Dribbling or moving the ball in the hands is permitted. | |
It is commonly thought if you toss the ball up and allow it to drop, you can serve again, as long as it is within the 8 seconds – this is incorrect | ||
12.4.3 | At the moment of the service hit or take-off for a jump service, the server must not touch the court (the end line included) or the floor outside the service zone. | 1.4.2, 27.2.1.4 D.11(22), D.12(4) |
Remember that the service line is IN the court. | ||
After the hit, he/she may step or land outside the service zone, or inside the court. | ||
12.4.4 | The server must hit the ball within 8 seconds after the first referee whistles for service. | 12.3, D.11(11) |
…not from the toss, which ties in with 12.4.2 | ||
12.4.5 | A service executed before the referee’s whistle is cancelled and repeated. | |
Annoying, but here it is in black & white (& red) |