AboutAbe Mantell Expertise Hello, I have been playing table tennis (NOT ping-pong! ;->) for
over 20 years. Began in college and trained by a USTTA (US Table
Tennis Association) certified coach. Played in tournaments at the
collegiate, local, and regional levels. Achieved a high rating of
1580 a few years...have not been that active as of late.
Experience Rules, equipment, techniques, and jargon.
Organizations Was a USTTA (now USATT) member for many years!
Question yes, table tennis is the same thing as "ping pong" right?
and when serving, is it legal to bounce the ball on the table with your free hand and then hit it over the net?
Answer Yes, "ping pong" is the popular name for the sport of Table Tennis.
As for the serve...if I understand you correctly, it would
not be allowed. Here are the USA Table Tennis Association
rules for the serve:
2.6 A GOOD 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 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 any part of the body or clothing of the server or his doubles partner.
(The purpose of this rule is to make the ball visible to the receiver at all times during service. The serving player or pair must not take any action which would prevent the receiver from seeing the ball from the time at which it leaves the server’s hand and seeing the side of the racket used to strike the ball).
2.6.5 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.
2.6.5.1 If there is no Assistant Umpire, and the umpire is doubtful of the legality of a service he may, on the first occasion in a match, warn the server without awarding a point.
2.6.5.2 If subsequently in the match a service by that player or his doubles partner is of dubious legality, for the same reason or for any other reason, the receiver shall score a point.
2.6.5.3 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.
2.6.6. Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a good service where he is satisfied that compliance is prevented by physical disability.
