Yes, you can cross the end lines. You have to on many shots.
But during the serve, when you contact the ball, it must be beyond the endline(higher than the table) and inside the edge lines. You can't reach out over the table and serve, nor can you serve from off to the side.
On 31 Mar 2005 07:52:59 -0800, ttenniz@yahoo.com (ttenniz) wrote:
hello, i am still pretty new to table tennis and am wondering about>this question. i searched a bit in this group for 'cross end line' but>i didnt find the answer . thanks
: It says "When the ball is struck in service, it shall be behind the : end line : of the server's court or an imaginary extension thereof, : but not : farther back than the part of the server's body, other : than his : arms, leg or head, which is farthest from the net."
: I think the statement "imaginary extension thereof" refers to the idea : that the ball cannot come in crossing the sidelines.
Nope, it's referring to the end of the table extending infinitely in either direction. As long as you strike the ball anywhere behind this line and in front of the farthest part of your body, it complies with this part of being a valid serve.
The reason you don't see many top players serving from outside the sidelines is that there is really no advantage to doing so (in fact, it's a disadvantage because you'll probably be out of position for your opponent's return).
: I find a number of "rules" listing which are less "official" saying it : cannot cross the sidelines when serving but nothing more concrete that : carries any weight.
: Dave
: On Fri, 01 Apr 2005 09:41:20 -0500, David Ferguson : <Zeds_Dead70@yahoo.removecom> wrote:
:>It has been my understanding that "behind the end line" meant, behind :>it directly and not outside the sideline margins. :> :>Though I have never read anything more clear than "behind the end :>line" so you may very well be correct. :> :>And if you are correct I find it odd that I've never seen anyone above :>basement level player doing it. :> :>Dave :> :>On Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:04:37 GMT, sgordon@changethisparttohardbat.com :>wrote: :> :>>David Ferguson <Zeds_Dead70@yahoo.removecom> wrote: :>>: nor can you serve from off to the side. :>> :>>To clarify... you CAN serve from beyond the sidelines, so long :>>as you are beyond the endline. :>> :>>Scott
It says "When the ball is struck in service, it shall be behind the end line of the server's court or an imaginary extension thereof, but not farther back than the part of the server's body, other than his arms, leg or head, which is farthest from the net."
I think the statement "imaginary extension thereof" refers to the idea that the ball cannot come in crossing the sidelines.
I find a number of "rules" listing which are less "official" saying it cannot cross the sidelines when serving but nothing more concrete that carries any weight.
Dave
On Fri, 01 Apr 2005 09:41:20 -0500, David Ferguson <Zeds_Dead70@yahoo.removecom> wrote:
It has been my understanding that "behind the end line" meant, behind>it directly and not outside the sideline margins.>
Though I have never read anything more clear than "behind the end>line" so you may very well be correct. >
And if you are correct I find it odd that I've never seen anyone above>basement level player doing it.>
Dave>
On Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:04:37 GMT, sgordon@changethisparttohardbat.com>wrote:>
David Ferguson <Zeds_Dead70@yahoo.removecom> wrote:>>: nor can you serve from off to the side. >>
To clarify... you CAN serve from beyond the sidelines, so long>>as you are beyond the endline.>>
Pete nospam Zakel 2 April 2005 00:18:32 [ permanent link ]
In article <m1oq41hqovib4dre8qg0i6n50oqh9c0akb@4ax.com> David Ferguson <Zeds_Dead70@yahoo.removecom> writes:
It says "When the ball is struck in service, it shall be behind the>end line> of the server's court or an imaginary extension thereof,>but not> farther back than the part of the server's body, other>than his> arms, leg or head, which is farthest from the net.">
I think the statement "imaginary extension thereof" refers to the idea>that the ball cannot come in crossing the sidelines.
No, the "imaginary extension" means the extension of the end line to either side. So the only restriction is that you must be behind the end line.
-Pete Zakel (phz@seeheader.nospam)
"The typewriting machine, when played with expression, is no more annoying than the piano when played by a sister or near relation."
