What is PingPoint?
A scorekeeping app for table tennis — with a button, a net mount, a smartwatch app, and a plan to put the score on the big screen.
3 min read
15 Aug, 2026
Hand Signals for Table Tennis Doubles: The Simple Code Behind Better Serves
2 min read
15 Aug, 202615 August 2026
In table tennis doubles, the serve is a team decision. The server makes the contact, but the partner usually plays the next ball, so both players need to know what kind of return the serve is trying to create. That is why good doubles pairs use hand signals before serving.
A signal should tell your partner the serve's spin, length, or direction without a spoken conversation. It does not need to be dramatic. The best codes are short, clear, and agreed before the match.
The Six Basic Signals
| Signal | Serve Call | What Your Partner Should Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Closed fist | No-spin short serve | A soft or slightly high return if the receiver misreads the ball. |
| Little finger raised | Backspin short serve | A push, touch, or controlled flick. |
| Index finger raised | Long serve | A fast return, block, or topspin opening. |
| Thumb up | Topspin short serve | A ball that may pop up or invite a quick flick exchange. |
| Thumb pointing left | Topspin sidespin to the left | A return pulled or deflected toward the left-side pattern. |
| Thumb pointing right | Topspin sidespin to the right | A return pulled or deflected toward the right-side pattern. |
Where to Show the Signal
Most players show the signal underneath or just below the table surface on the server's side. From there, the table blocks the opponents' view, while the partner can still read the gesture.
Why Signals Help
Hand signals do not replace skill. They make skill easier to use together. When the partner knows the serve before it happens, they can stand in the right place, prepare the right racket angle, and attack the right ball.
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