Please have a look at the following video. Have a careful look at the person in black shirt serving. There are few reasons why his serves are illegal.
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The server does not keep the ball in the open palm.
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The server spins the ball towards his body while it is being thrown up. It is not straight up.
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He hides the ball at the time he makes contact with the ball.
The person in light blue shirt also obstructs the ball after serving. His serve also can be considered illegal.
ITTF Service Rules
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 (6.3 inches) 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 court and then, after passing over or around the net assembly, 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, and it shall not be hidden from the receiver by the server or his doubles partner and by anything they wear or carry.
2.6.5 As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net. Note: The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension.
2.6.6 It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or the assistant umpire can see that he complies with the requirements for a good service.
2.6.6.1 If the umpire is doubtful of the legality of a service he may, on the first occasion in a match, declare a let and warn the server.
2.6.6.2 Any subsequent service of doubtful legality of that player or his doubles partner will result in a point to the receiver.
2.6.6.3 Whenever there is a clear failure to comply with the requirements for a good service, no warning shall be given and the receiver shall score a point.
2.6.7 Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a good service where he is satisfied that compliance is prevented by physical disability.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re right. The guy in the black is tossing the ball backward and not very high. But I’ve noticed the ball is often not thrown vertically even with top players.
I couldn’t bear watching anymore of those illegal serves. As a player, without an umpire, I would have called a fault on his first serve. I guess in our match, I would only have to win one point per game, as he would automatically lose 2 points at each time he serves. It’s about time someone told him that he is cheating. What an idiot. Perhaps he can’t read. Yeah and the other guy needs to move his arm out of the way before I tear it off his shoulder! Another cheat, harsh but ask a Chess player about touch a piece move it!