The Service

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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)