Ping pong, also known as table tennis, is both a popular casual game played in recreational centers, schools and homes, and a highly competitive organized sport. Established rules define how the game is played, and this includes serving a ping pong ball. Considered one of the most important parts of the game in competitive circles, the serve often determines how play continues. The power, direction, speed, spin and distance of the serve are all under the control of the server, and a good player can exploit that control over the ball.
Step 1
Stand slightly sideways with your serving hand back. Hold the table tennis ball freely on the palm of your forward hand. Keep your ball hand open and stationary. Position the ball above the level of the playing surface and behind your endline on the table.
Step 2
Toss the ball directly up into the air at least 16 cm, once the ball leaves your palm. Be careful not to spin the ball.
Step 3
As the ball falls, swing your racket arm forward and hit the ball with the face of the racket so that it first strikes on your side of the table, then travels over or around the net, without touching it, and strikes your opponent's side of the table. Alternately, you can also serve with a backhand motion.
Step 4
Serve the ball with just enough power to clear the net, then bounce twice on your opponent's side of the table. According to the Megaspin website, this "double-bounce" serve is difficult to return because the ball would not clear the end of the table before it would bounce again. Opponents often overshoot the table on the return or miss the return entirely.
Step 5
Serve the ball long, alternately, so that it strikes as close to the endline of your opponent's side of the table as possible. If your opponent is too close to the table, this serve is more difficult to return. Use caution, however, as a successful return can come back to you from this serve with a lot of power.
Tips and Warnings
- Watch your opponent to determine where to serve. For example, if your opponent is consistently standing close to the endline of the table, try a long serve.
Things You'll Need
- Ping pong racket
- Ping pong ball
- Ping pong table
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