I SERVE, YOU SERVE, EVERYBODY SERVES, BUT ARE WE SERVING LEGALLY

I SERVE, YOU SERVE, EVERYBODY SERVES, BUT ARE WE SERVING LEGALLY 

by Joe Palmere Jr.  

Unfortunately the 2018 Revised IFP/UAPA Official Tournament RuleBook is published on pdf, but not available for sale in hardback. I downloaded all 67 pages and made my own 2018 Rulebook loose leaf tabbed version.

Then download the Revisions and to see where the changes were made.

Serving now requires a palm up or palm down hand position. The definition of "Underhand" was removed from Sec.4 Service and Placed under Sec. 3 Definitions. This IMO is going to add to the conf...usion regarding the mechanics of a legal serve.

There seems to be a an element of unconcern and contempt among some players who are told by other players that their serve is illegal. Aside from a stern look, they continue to play using the same illegal serve.
One "Open Play" venue I recently played at informed a player about his illegal serve. The player basically ignored the charge and continue his illegal serving. Both the opponents, and the "Players" partner walked off the court and called the game as "forfeited." I have not returned to that venue to find out what the final out come was.
Many Open Play players come to me to report another player serving illegally. I will observe the server and provide the complainant of my observations. Only when I am actually playing in a game will I call an illegal serve.
The RuleBook Sec.7- Fault Rules: A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation. A fault will be declared for the following:
The RuleBook Sec.7- Fault Rules, 7.D. Violation of a service rule (Sec. 4).
Penality for a Service Fault is a loss of serve.