Basic Umpires Course. Laws & Regulations of Table Tennis

Transcription

1 The ternational Table Tennis Federation Table Tennis New Zealand Basic Umpires Course On The Laws & Regulations of Table Tennis January, 2018

2 Programme Opening troduction Warm-Up Exercise Laws of Table Tennis troduction Law The Table Law The Net Assembly Law The Ball Law The Racket Law Definitions Law The Service Law The Service Law The Return Law The Order of Play Law A Let Law A Point Law A Game Law A Match Law The Order of Serving, Receiving & Ends Law of Order of Serving, Receiving or Ends Law The Expedite System Regulations of Table Tennis troduction Regulation Playing Clothing Regulation Playing Conditions Regulation Gluing Regulation Advertisements Regulation & 2 - Match Officials Regulation Appeals Regulation Score dication Regulation Racket Regulation Practice Regulation tervals Regulation Advice Regulation Behaviour Para Table Tennis Rules Field Of Play Procedure troduction Pre-match Preparations During a Game / Match End of Game / Match Procedures Practical: Umpiring & Field of Play Procedure Basic Umpires Written Examination

3 Graeme Ireland Officiating Experience Year 1991 Became State Umpire 1993 Became National Umpire 1996 Became ternational Umpire Became ternational Referee 1999 Elected to ITTF Board of Directors Elected to ITTF Technical Committee 2007 Appointed as Chair of ITTF Technical Committee 2011 Appointed as ITTF Technical Commissioner Training experience Run basic, national and international umpiring courses in Australia and New Zealand Run basic and national refereeing courses in Australia and New Zealand ITTF blue badge international umpire trainer and evaluator Member of expert group for ITTF advanced referee project Presenter at ITTF international referee seminars Officiating experience Referee or deputy referee at many Australian and Oceania events Umpire at many Australian and Oceania events Referee, deputy referee or umpire at ternational events Technical Delegate at Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Pacific Games, other international events Some highlights Deputy referee at 2000 Sydney Olympics Umpire at 1997 World Championships, including Mixed Doubles final, and have attended every World Championships since in various capacities Deputy referee at World Veterans Championships 3 times Technical Delegate at 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympic Games

4 The ternational Table Tennis Federation Table Tennis New Zealand Basic Umpires Course On The Laws & Regulations Of Table Tennis January, 2018 The ternational Table Tennis Federation Basic Certified Umpires Course On The Laws & Regulations Of Table Tennis WARM-UP EXERCISE Day 1 True or False Chapter 2: Laws Chapter 3: Regulations For ternational Competitions Handbook For Match Officials 1. The table must be made of wood and can be dark brown in colour. False 2.1.3: any material 2.1.4: dark coloured & matt True or False 2. The racket can be covered with a piece of black paper on one side and with a red pimple rubber with pimples out on the other side. True 1

5 True or False 3. A wears black and his opponent wears red. A may change to a yellow shirt if his opponent agrees. False Umpire / Referee agrees : shirts that are of sufficiently different colours to enable them to be easily distinguished by spectators : similar shirt and cannot agree which of them will change, the decision shall be made by the umpire by lot. True or False 6. One of the six lights over the table goes out. The umpire should ask the players to change to another table and continue play without delay. False Playing conditions decided by referee True or False 4. A player accidentally hits a corner of the table with his racket and damages the racket covering. If he has no spare racket with him, he will lose his match if he cannot continue immediately. True : play to be continuous, except for intervals between games and towelling : replace only if accidentally damaged Play must be continuous; Replace immediately True or False 7. A player may start a match in his bare feet because he normally does not wear shoes. True : shall consist of : referee responsible for.. deciding acceptability of Clothing True or False 5. Alan is unhappy with his racket. He may change his racket after the first game of a match, but he must allow the umpire and his opponent to inspect the racket that he is going to use. False During match, change only when accidentally damaged so badly that cannot use racket True or False 8. Two players are wearing the same colour shirts. Neither one has a spare. The referee must decide by lot who has to change. False : similar shirt and cannot agree which of them will change, the decision shall be made by the umpire by lot : umpire responsible for.. 2

6 True or False True or False 9. At an Open ternational Competition, no part of the shirt may be of the colour of the ball in use. 12. Using a yellow card, the assistant umpire can give a formal warning to an adviser for giving advice illegally during a match. False Main colour of shirt, other than sleeves & collar False : umpire responsible for. By umpire True or False True or False 10. On the front, shoulder or side of a shirt there may be not more than 6 advertisements, contained within a combined specific total area. True During a game, a player is entitled to brief pauses for toweling, only after every 6 points False Also at change of ends in last possible game of the match True or False True or False 11. The score can be called in any language agreed by the umpire and both players or pairs. 14. At the end of a game in a singles event, a player may get advice from a friend if the coach identified did not turn up. True False : an individual event, a player or pair may receive advice only from one person, designated beforehand to the umpire 3

7 True or False True or False 15. At the start of service, the whole of the server s free hand must be behind his end line. False 2.6.4: Ball to be behind end line 18. A player will score a point if his opponent hits the ball with the back of the racket hand and then the racket. False 2.5.7: a player strikes the ball : shall score a point. True or False True or False 16. The umpire may relax some requirements of the service law because of a player s disability. 19. A serves to X at the start of a doubles match. At the start of the second game, either X or Y may serve but A must receive. True False : change of server after each match : deciding who to serve and receive True or False True or False 17. A player always wins a point if, during a rally, his opponent s racket touches the net. True : shall score a point : anything wears or carries, excludes ball only 20. doubles, A serves to Y at the score 10-8 but the ball misses Y s court and falls to the floor. Just before the next rally begins, the time keeper indicates that 10 minutes has elapsed. The next service is made by Y to B. False A to Y 4

8 Warm-Up Exercise Day 1 How many did you get right? 5

9 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE The ternational Table Tennis Federation Umpires should be able to make references to the Rules and Regulations when making any decisions in a match situation Chp. 2 : THE LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS Table Net Assembly Ball Racket Definitions Service Return Order Of Play Let Point Game Match Order Of Serving, Receiving & Ends Of Order Of Serving, Receiving Or Ends Expedite System By the end of this module, you will be able to: Understand the laws of table tennis Comply with the requirements of the laws Be able to effectively umpire a match As an umpire, justify your decisions according to the relevant laws Law 2.1 The Table Centre Line Part of right half court Law 2.1 The Table Playing Surface: Leg vertical sides of table top not included may be of any material End Line (2 cm) Side Line (2 cm) Doubles: each court divided into two equal half-courts by 3mm wide white centre line shall be uniformly dark coloured and matt ITTF Basic Umpires Course

10 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.1 The Table Show Tables Centre line 3 mm MODEL Standard 2000-S (ITTF) 28 cm 3000SC (ITTF) 22 cm ROLLOMAT (ITTF) 31.5 cm OLYMPIC (ITTF) 31.5 cm Law 2.2 The Net Assembly Law 2.2 The Net Assembly Post Net Cord Height Length Colour Advertisement Is the net post part of the net? What is the net cord? What is the colour of the net? Law 2.2 The Net Assembly Law 2.2 The Net Assembly consists of net, its suspension, supporting posts and clamps net height : cm net extends cm on either side of table i.e cm > width of table Thus, length of net = 183 cm net cord: part of net used to adjust tension of net must be a cord cm colour of net: not specified in Laws usually, same colour as table, dark green or dark blue, and usually has white trim along its top length ends and bottom of net to be close to playing surface and posts, respectively ITTF Basic Umpires Course

11 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.2 The Net Assembly What action should the umpire take? Why? a return shot, the ball hits the top of the net post and bounces on to the opponent s side. No action. The ball is still in play because the net post is part of the net assembly. Law 2.3 The Ball Law 2.4 The Racket What s the diameter? What s the weight? What colour must it be? What is it made of? diameter = 40mm weight = 2.7g colour : white or orange and matt Size, Shape and Weight Materials Adhesives / Glues Covering materials Colour spection material : plastic Law 2.4 The Racket Law 2.4 The Racket May I play with a small racket? Can the blade be made of plastic? Any size or shape or weight At least 85% of blade thickness must be of natural wood Any conditions with regards the covering? And if side of bat is not used for striking the ball? No covering? Colour of covering? ITTF Basic Umpires Course

12 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.4 The Racket Covering: for side used for striking the ball: ordinary pimpled rubber (pimples outwards) or sandwich rubber (pimples inwards or outwards) for side not used for striking the ball: not specified Colour & texture of covering/surface: bright red on one side, black on the other, and matt Law 2.4 The Racket covering material: to extend up to limits of blade except for part nearest handle not to go beyond limits of blade covering shall be used without any physical, chemical or other treatment part nearest handle & gripped by fingers may be left uncovered or covered with any material blade & covering material: shall be continuous & of even thickness Law 2.5 Definitions Law 2.5 Definitions Rally / play Let / Point Racket Hand / Free Hand / Free Arm Strikes / Obstructs Server / Receiver End line / Side line Wears / Carries Over / Around Referee Umpire / Assistant Umpire Time keeper Stroke Counter Rally : period during which ball is in play Let : rally with result not scored Point : rally with result scored Ball Is Play : from last moment ball it is stationary on palm of free hand before being intentionally projected in service until rally a let or point Law 2.5 Definitions Law 2.5 Definitions Racket Hand : hand carrying the racket Free Hand : hand not carrying the racket Free arm : arm of free hand Strikes : touches ball with racket, held in the hand, or racket hand below the wrist Obstructs : he, or anything he wears or carries touches ball in play when ball: above or travelling towards playing surface, AND has not touched his court since last being struck by opponent wears or carries : anything he was wearing or carrying at the start of the rally, but excludes the ball ITTF Basic Umpires Course

13 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.5 Definitions Over or Around Net Assembly : passes anywhere except between net and post or, net and playing surface LEARNING POINTS The Table: vertical sides of table top not included centre line part of right half court The Net Assembly: consists of the net, its suspension, supporting posts and clamps The Ball: colour : white or orange and matt LEARNING POINTS The Racket: any size or shape or weight side used for striking the ball must be covered colour of sides: red and black only Law 2.6 The Service The service law is the most controversial of all the laws. It is the ones most frequently broken by players and the least understood by spectators. Definitions : Many words have very specific meanings Eg: you cannot strike the ball if you are not holding the racket in the hand Law 2.6 The Service Law 2.6 The Service Describe the position of the ball in the free hand How high must the ball be projected? Where must the racket be at the time that the ball is projected upwards? The ball shall be resting freely on the open palm of the server s stationary free hand At least 16cm There is nothing in the rules which indicates where the racket must be at the time the ball is projected upwards ITTF Basic Umpires Course

14 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.6 The Service Law 2.6 The Service Service starts with stationary BALL resting freely on open palm of free hand Ball projected near vertically upwards, without spin BALL to rise at least 16cm after leaving palm & fall without touching anything Struck ball to: 1 st touch server s court Then touch receiver s court If doubles, then to touch right half courts of both To strike ball only as it is falling Law 2.6 The Service The Service Rule Law 2.6 The Service The Service Rule From start of service until struck, BALL shall: be above level of the playing surface, and be behind server's end line, and shall not be hidden from receiver by: server or doubles partner, or anything they wear or carry As soon as BALL has been projected, server s free arm AND HAND shall be removed from the space between ball and net Space between ball and net = space between ball, net and indefinite upward extension of net Law 2.6 The Service Desired outcome Law 2.6 The Service tent of the Rule 1. A service rule that is clear and easy to implement 2. Minimum amount of judgement required by the umpire 3. Reduce the advantage to the server 4. Improve the image of our sport 1. That the BALL be clearly visible to the receiver from the moment the service starts until the moment it is struck in service 2. There should be no possibility to hide or camouflage the ball at any time 3. The receiver s line of vision should be clear enabling the receiver full view of the ball during the service ITTF Basic Umpires Course

15 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.6 The Service terpretation of the Rule Law 2.6 The Service terpretation of the Rule Free arm out of way Assistant Umpire Free arm out of way Assistant Umpire Server Clear Space Between Ball & Net Receiver Server Clear Vision Receiver Umpire Umpire Law 2.6 The Service terpretation of the Rule Law 2.6 The Service terpretation of the Rule Server Free arm out of way Clear space Server Free arm out of way Clear Space Between Ball & Net Assistant Umpire Umpire Assistant Umpire Umpire Receiver The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension (the moving pyramid forbidden space) Receiver Law 2.6 The Service Law 2.6 The Service Server s responsibility to ensure that umpire or AU can be satisfied server complies with Law Doubtful legality of service: 1 st time : Umpire or AU may interrupt play and warn Subsequent occasion (by player or partner) : award point to receiver Clearly illegal service : award point to receiver Physical disability : umpire may relax requirements ITTF Basic Umpires Course

16 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.6 The Service Law 2.6 The Service What action should the umpire take? What action should the umpire take? Why? Why? service, Alan strikes the ball over the table. Fault, point to the receiver, Xavier. service, the ball must be struck behind the end line. Alan serves, but Xavier raised his hand to show that he was not ready. He did not attempt to return the ball. Let. Xavier was not ready. The Service: LEARNING POINTS starts with stationary ball and open palm ball projected at least 16cm ball projected near vertical ball struck on way down free arm to be removed from space as soon as ball projected LEARNING POINTS The Service: throughout service: ball visible to receiver ball behind end line ball above playing surface no warning if illegal Law 2.7 The Return The ball, having been served or returned, shall: Law 2.7 The Return be struck so that it touches the opponent's court either directly or after touching the net assembly ITTF Basic Umpires Course

17 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.7 The Return Law 2.7 The Return What action should be taken by the umpire? Why? Xavier reaches low to make a return. The ball passes under the supports of the net which extends beyond the table, and it touches the top of Alan s court. This surprises Alan and he does not make an attempt to hit the ball. Point to Xavier. It is OK for the ball to pass under the supports of the net beyond the table. This is a correct return and Alan failed to make a good return. Law 2.7 The Return Law 2.7 The Return What action should be taken by the umpire? Why? What action should be taken by the umpire? Why? making a return shot, Beth moves the table. making a return, Yvonne slips and falls but the return ball is good. Beth is so surprised that she makes no attempt to strike the ball. Point to the opponent, Yvonne. Beth moved the table during a rally. Point to Yvonne. Beth failed to make a correct return. Law 2.7 The Return Law 2.7 The Return What action should be taken by the umpire? Why? What action should be taken by the umpire? Why? Just as Xavier was making a return shot, he leaned on the table and touched it with his free hand without moving the table. Point to Alan. Xavier touched the table with his free hand during a rally. Beth attempts to return the ball, but misses it and it hits the top of her head behind the end line and then bounces back on Alan s side of the table. Alan then misses the ball. Point to Alan. Beth did not make a correct return. She did not strike the ball with her racket or racket hand. ITTF Basic Umpires Course

18 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Singles : Law 2.8 The Order of Play The server shall first make a service Law 2.8 The Order of Play doubles : The server shall first make a service The receiver shall then make a return The receiver shall then make a return Thereafter they alternately shall each make a return The partner of the server shall then make a return The partner of the receiver shall then make a return Thereafter each player in turn in that sequence shall make a return Law 2.8 The Order of Play Doubles: True or False? a. the first game, the pair that has elected to serve may choose who is to serve first. b. the second game, the first server must be the one who received first. a. True b. False Law 2.8 The Order of Play What action should be taken by the umpire? Why? At 5-4 in the final game of the match, Alan makes a correct service and Xavier misses the ball. Xavier complains that at 5 points they should have changed ends but did not, and Xavier is right. Point to Alan. Score will now be 6-4. Players will then change ends with Xavier serving for the next point. Law 2.8 The Order of Play Doubles: Alan/Beth vs Xavier/Yvonne. the first game, Alan serves first to Yvonne. a. Who will be the first server in the second game? b. Who will be the first receiver in the second game? a. Either Xavier or Yvonne b. This will not be known until Xavier and Yvonne decides which one will serve first. Then the receiver will be determined by the order of play already established. If Xavier serves, then Beth will be the receiver, if Yvonne, then Alan Law 2.8 The Order of Play Doubles: Alan/Beth vs Xavier/Yvonne. the first game, Alan serves first to Yvonne. c. the fifth and final game, Alan starts serving to Yvonne. When the score reaches 5-2, Xavier was serving to Alan and the players change ends. Who will be serving? Who will be receiving? c. Xavier will continue to serve, but the receiver changes to become Beth. ITTF Basic Umpires Course

19 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE LEARNING POINTS Law 2.9 A Let The Return: ball must touch Receiver s court The Order Of Play: there are differences between singles & doubles Service Receiver not ready Disturbance outside control of players terruptions Law 2.9 A Let Law 2.9 A Let SITUATIONS: PURPOSE? to end a rally without awarding a point service: ball touches net, & service is good, or obstructed by opponent receiver not ready, and receiver (or partner) makes no attempt to strike ball If failure to make a service or a return or otherwise to comply with the Laws is due to a disturbance outside the control of the player Law 2.9 A Let Play may be interrupted: to correct an error in the order of serving, receiving or ends to introduce the expedite system to warn or penalise a player or adviser When conditions of play so disturbed that could affect outcome of rally Law 2.10 A Point Unless a let, a player scores a point if: opponent fails to make correct service or return after he has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck ball passes over his court or beyond his end line without touching his court ITTF Basic Umpires Course

20 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.10 A Point Law 2.10 A Point Unless a let, a player scores a point if: ball obstructed by opponent ball deliberately struck twice successively by opponent opponent strikes ball with side of racket blade having illegal surface if doubles opponent strikes ball out of sequence Unless a let, a player scores a point if: opponent, or anything he wears or carries: moves playing surface touches net assembly as provided under the expedite system opponent's free hand touches playing surface Law 2.9 A Let Law 2.10 A Point What action should be taken by the umpire? Why? Xavier lobs a return shot. Alan catches the ball over the table before it has crossed over his court. Point to Xavier. Alan obstructed the ball. Law 2.11 A Game A game normally consists of 11 points, but a player or pair shall win by at least 2 points. Law 2.12 A Match A match may be best of any odd number of games. e.g. best of 3, 5, 7, etc. LEARNING POINTS LEARNING POINTS A Let: used to end a rally without awarding a point used in following situations: service receiver not ready disturbances interruptions A Point: If Let called, no point scored Many ways to score a Point, e.g: correct Service or Return Obstruction ITTF Basic Umpires Course

21 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.13 The Order of Serving, Receiving & Ends At the start of match, umpire tosses a coin/disk to determine the right to choose Player or pair who wins toss can choose to either : Serve or Receive, or Start at a particular end Law 2.13 The Order of Serving, Receiving & Ends Each player (pair) shall serve for 2 points until end of game, unless: both score 10 points, or expedite system in operation when each player serves for only 1 point in turn Opponent has choice of remaining option(s) Law 2.13 The Order of Serving, Receiving & Ends Law 2.13 The Order of Serving, Receiving & Ends a DOUBLES match: first game, pair having right to serve first chooses which of them will serve first (A or B) Receiving pair then decides which of them will receive first (X or Y) Y A B X subsequent games of the DOUBLES match: the serving pair shall choose which of them will serve first (X or Y) the first receiver shall be the player who served to him in the preceding game a DOUBLES match, at each change of service, the previous receiver becomes the server and the partner of the previous server shall become the receiver Y A B X Law 2.13 The Order of Serving, Receiving & Ends Player or pair serving first in a game, will receive first in next game of match Last game of singles or doubles match: change ends when first one player or pair scores 5 points Last game of DOUBLES match: receiving pair changes order of receiving Law 2.14 Of Order of Serving, Receiving Or Ends If, during a game, an error is discovered in: order of serving, or order of receiving, or ends umpire to interrupt game and correct error No change in points scored before error discovered ITTF Basic Umpires Course

22 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Law 2.14 Of Order of Serving, Receiving Or Ends Doubles: Alan/Beth vs Xavier/Yvonne What action should be taken by the umpire? Why? Beth served for the first 2 points and is leading 2-0. She serves again and Yvonne fails to return the ball. The score is now 3-0. Yvonne complains that she should have served that point. Change the server to Yvonne. The score stands at 0-3. Law 2.15 The Expedite System Expedite system implemented in unfinished game when: 10 mins. reached AND fewer than 18 points have been scored in that game, OR requested by both players / pairs before 10 mins. reached AND fewer than 18 points have been scored in that game Server: If ball in play, last server If ball NOT in play, last receiver Law 2.15 The Expedite System Law 2.15 The Expedite System Thereafter, each player shall serve for 1 point in turn until the end of the game and if the receiving player or pair makes 13 returns the receiver shall score a point What action should be taken by the umpire? Why? a. At 9-9 in the last game the umpire noticed that 10 minutes had just elapsed. Once introduced, to be in operation till end of match Stroke Counter: Counts aloud strokes of receiving player or pair from 1 to 13 Call made immediately after receiver strikes ball b. The first game finishes at but it took 12 minutes to complete it. The second game is about to start. Law 2.15 The Expedite System LEARNING POINTS a. No action. A total of 18 points have been scored in that game so the expedite system is not introduced even though 10 minutes have already elapsed. b. The next game is played normally. It is not played in expedite even though the first one took more than 10 minutes. The Order Of Serving, Receiving & Ends: At start of match, winner of toss must choose At start of each Doubles Game, serving pair chooses who will serve Of Order Of Serving, Receiving Or Ends: Points scored before error to be maintained ITTF Basic Umpires Course

23 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE LEARNING POINTS Acknowledgements The Expedite System: Time & number of points critical for introduction Where there is interruption in play, last server serves 13 th correct Return scores point URL: ITTF Umpires & Referees Committee (URC) End of Module On The Laws Of Table Tennis Thank You For Your Attention & Participation ITTF Basic Umpires Course

24 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE The ternational Table Tennis Federation Chp. 3 : REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS Equipment & playing conditions Approved & authorised equipment Playing clothing Playing conditions Gluing Advertisements Match officials Referee Umpire, Asst. Umpire Appeals Match conduct Score indication Equipment Practice tervals Discipline Advice Misbehaviour Good presentation Umpiring tips Reg Playing Clothing By the end of this module, you will be able to: Better appreciate the regulations of table tennis Know & understand those additional rules that an umpire must apply in a match Know the duties & responsibilities of the officials involved in A match Shirt, shorts, skirt, etc. Tracksuits Colour Jewelry Team clothing Be able to justify your decisions according to the relevant laws & regulations Reg Playing Clothing Reg Playing Clothing Acceptable: short-sleeved or sleeveless shirt shorts or skirt or one-part sports outfit socks and playing shoes Main colour of shirt / shorts / skirt (excluding sleeves & collar): Other garments (e.g. track suit): requires referee s permission clearly different from colour of ball ITTF Basic Umpires Course

25 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Reg Playing Clothing Reg Playing Clothing Opposing players / pairs to wear shirts that are of sufficiently different colours Referee decides legality / acceptability of clothing Players uniformly dressed in: Team match exceptions: socks, shoes number, size, colour and design of advertisements Where opposing players or teams have a similar shirt and cannot agree which of them will change, the decision shall be made by the umpire by lot Reg Playing Clothing LEARNING POINTS Religious and special conditions Playing Clothing: Garments other than shorts, skirt & shirt, require Referee s permission Main colour of garment must be clearly different from that of ball Opposing players / pairs to wear shirts that are of sufficiently different colours Reg Playing Conditions Reg Playing Conditions Space Surrounds Lighting Background Furniture Playing space: Rectangular 14m long, 7m wide and 5m high Light source : 5m above floor ITTF Basic Umpires Course

26 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Reg Playing Conditions Reg Racket Control Following equipment and fittings considered part of playing area: Each player responsible to ensure that racket coverings attached to racket blade with adhesive that does not contain harmful volatile solvents. surrounds score indicators towel boxes floor mats printed numbers identifying table boards on surrounds indicating names of players or Associations umpires tables and chairs table, including net assembly Besides others, tests carried out on racket covering thickness, flatness and presence of harmful volatile substances Player whose racket does not pass Racket Control test cannot use that racket and player will be liable to penalties Reg Racket Control Reg Advertisements Liquid adhesives to be used at properly ventilated designated area only, and shall not be used anywhere else at the playing venue Playing Venue: means that part of the building used for table tennis and its related activities, facilities and public area. Advertisements on playing clothing: On front, side or shoulder of shirt: 6 separate advertisements On front of shirt: 4 advertisements On back of shirt: 2 advertisements Reg Advertisements Reg. 3.3 Match Officials Advertisements on playing clothing: On shorts or skirt: 2 advertisements on front & sides only Referee None for tobacco, alcoholic drinks or harmful drugs Umpire AU ITTF Basic Umpires Course

27 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Jurisdiction of Officials Reg Umpire & Assistant Umpire Some responsibilities of the UMPIRE: Conduct draw for serving, receiving, ends Enforcing, or relaxing, service law Referee Deputy Referee(s) Umpire Assistant Umpire Stroke counter Scorer Agree on communication and responsibilities before match Scoring the match Making sure players play according to the laws and regulations Reg Umpire & Assistant Umpire Reg Umpire & Assistant Umpire Responsibilities of the ASST. UMPIRE: Some responsibilities of the UMPIRE: Making sure coaches act in accordance with the laws and regulations Where players, pairs or teams have similar shirt and cannot decide who to change, to decide by lot Decide if ball strikes table edge or vertical side nearest you form umpire of advice or behaviour breaches Some other functions normally performed by the AU: Check net Use scoring device to show score so players and spectators can follow progress of game Reg Umpire & Assistant Umpire Umpire s & Assistant Umpire s responsibilities: Decide the legality of a serve Decide if ball touches net in service Decide if ball obstructed Decide if playing conditions disturbed such that may affect result of the rally Time duration of practice, play and intervals Playing conditions: LEARNING POINTS Playing space: 14m x 7m x 5m Certain equipment & fittings are part of playing area Advertisements on playing clothing: Shirt : limited number on front, shoulder, side and back Shorts / skirt : limited number on front & sides ITTF Basic Umpires Course

28 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE LEARNING POINTS Reg Appeals Match Officials: Principal Officials: Referee, Umpire & Asst. Umpire Each has clearly defined duties & responsibilities Umpire has no discretion : based on facts only Seldom seen but all umpires must be aware of this little known rule. The important thing to remember is a decision based on fact and a decision based on the interpretation of a rule. Reg Appeals May appeal to referee on a question of interpretation of Laws & Regs. by match official Reg Score dication Appendix E (HMO) : Recommended Hand Signals Only 3 mandatory signals all others are optional and used only if necessary to explain / clarify possible confusion No traffic police or human windmill dividual event : appeal made by player concerned Team event : appeal made by captain of the team concerned Reg Score dication Reg Score dication 1. Call score as soon as ball out of play, or as soon as is practicable thereafter 2. Call sequence: number of points scored by next player/pair to serve number of points scored by opposing player or pair 3. At beginning of game and when change of server is due: point to next server and make call as in 2 above When point scored: raise arm nearer to player/pair who won point upper arm horizontal forearm vertical closed hand upward ITTF Basic Umpires Course

29 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Reg Equipment: The Racket Reg Equipment: Racket Players to leave rackets on table during intervals, unless otherwise authorised by umpire Cannot replace during an individual match unless: If replacement permitted, must be replaced immediately by: another racket which player brought with him to the playing area, or one which is handed to him in the playing area accidentally damaged so badly that cannot be used Reg : Practice Reg Practice Before start of match : 2 mins. Referee can permit longer period Normal intervals : no practice Emergency suspension: referee may allow players to practise on any table, including match table Resumption of play after replacement of damaged ball or racket: one or two practice rallies Reg : tervals Reg tervals Play to be continuous throughout individual match except that any player is entitled to: interval of 1 minute between successive games of an individual match brief intervals for towelling: after every 6 points at change of ends in last possible game of match Successive matches of team match played continuously except: player required to play in successive matches may claim an interval of 5 minutes between those matches ITTF Basic Umpires Course

30 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Reg tervals Reg tervals Suspension of Play: Temporary incapacitation due to accident: with referee s permission: 10 minutes TIME-OUT: Player or pair may claim ONE time-out period of ONE minute during an individual match TIME-OUT: Signal? Action Taken When Request Made: Umpire suspends play and holds up a white card with the hand on the side of the player or pair who requested it the white card or another appropriate marker shall be placed on the court of that player or pair Reg Advice Reg Advice Team matches are governed slightly differently from individual events, and singles may be different from doubles Players / pair may receive advice as follows: Team event : from anyone authorised to be at the team bench dividual event : from only one predesignated person Players may receive advice at anytime except during rallies Players may NOT receive advice between practice and the start of play Reg Advice Reg Advice Illegal Advice: Unauthorised person in individual event: Red card & send person away Authorised person: 1 st occurrence : Yellow card & warn Subsequent occurrence : Red card & send person away, irrespective if he was person warned Team Match, dismissed adviser : Cannot be replaced May return only when required to play dividual Match, dismissed adviser : May return only after match ended Dismissed adviser refuses to leave, or returns before end of match: suspend play and report to referee ITTF Basic Umpires Course

31 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Reg Misbehaviour (PPS) Offensive behaviour is not to be tolerated in Table Tennis. Players and Coaches or other Advisers shall refrain from behaviour that may: unfairly affect an opponent offend spectators bring the sport into disrepute Reg Misbehaviour (PPS) Offence by coach or another adviser: 1 st occurrence: Hold up yellow card Warn : any repetition liable to incur penalties Subsequent occurrence: Hold up red card and send away from playing area Reg Misbehaviour (PPS) LEARNING POINTS Offence By player: 1 st occurrence : umpire holds up yellow card and warns that any repetition is liable to incur penalty 2 nd occurrence : umpire holds up yellow & red card together and awards 1 point to opponent 3 rd occurrence : umpire holds up yellow & red card together and awards 2 points to opponent Hand signals: Only 3 mandatory signals Replacement of racket: Only if accidental damage is so bad that can t use Possible occasions for legal advice: tervals between games Authorised suspension of play Time-out LEARNING POINTS tervals: Between successive games: 1 minute Between successive matches (same player): 5 minutes Time-: 1 per match of 1 minute duration Temporary incapacitation: 10 minutes Misbehaviour: NOT acceptable! LEARNING POINTS Penalty Point System (PPS): Non-player: yellow / red card Player: (yellow), (yellow + red + 1 point to opponent), (yellow + red + 2 points to opponent) Persistent / serious misbehaviour: possible disqualification ITTF Basic Umpires Course

32 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Acknowledgements End of Module On The Regulations For ternational Competitions URL: ITTF Umpires & Referees Committee (URC) Thank You For Your Attention & Participation ITTF Basic Umpires Course

33 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE The ternational Table Tennis Federation Appendix F : Field of Play Procedures Definitions Pre-match preparation Procedure Pre-match During match Post match Scoring Signaling Preamble By the end of this module, you will: Know how to prepare yourself to go on court Understand what is required to work well as a team Better manage a game through good practices, anticipation and deportment Appreciate what it takes to be a GOOD umpire, not just an umpire Match officials in the field of play are bound by these procedures ( ) PLAYING VENUE: Definitions That part of the building used for table tennis and it s related activities, facilities and public areas. (HMO App. F) FIELD OF PLAY: Everything that is visible and can occur within the view of the spectators and media ( ) PLAYING SPACE: 14M (L) x 7M (W) x 5M (H) ( ) PLAYING AREA: 14M x 7M (But, Umpire s jurisdiction = PA + 3M all round) Pre-match Preparations Going to the table, do I have A net measure? Net height Cord tension Balls? A stop watch? Red/yellow/white cards? Disc or coin for tossing? Match score card and pen(s)? ITTF Basic Umpires Course

34 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Pre-match Preparations Pre-match Preparations Before going to the field of play Minutes prior to match time: 30 - report for duty 15 - do ball selection, shirt and number check Umpire and assistant umpire should agree on who will perform the various duties during the match have match card and balls in hand During A Game / Match During A Game / Match Going to the Field of Play Arrival on Court Umpire and assistant walk out together, umpire first Do not step over the surrounds Clip-board and box of balls in umpire s left hand All other items required should be in your pockets and not visible Umpire and assistant stand next to the umpire s chair Wait until umpires and players are announced before performing other duties During A Game / Match Pre-Match (in Playing Area) Check net, court, surrounds Set scoring device During A Game / Match Score dicators Before players arrive, everything should be in the blank position. When the players are present on or near the court, set them to show 0-0 in games. Place player/team name cards in proper place if provided ITTF Basic Umpires Course

35 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE During A Game / Match During A Game / Match Before Practice Remind the players that they cannot speak to the coach once practice finishes spect their rackets spect players numbers (if used) Check that opponents are dressed differently Check that doubles partners are dressed alike The Toss Use a disc or a coin for the toss Make sure the players know how to call Toss it in front of them Catch it, don t let it fall Don t turn it over Note who will serve first and from which end During A Game / Match Score calling/signals Be quick, but be accurate Call scores audibly if noise level permits or wait until the noise level subsides Use hand signals for the benefit of the assistant umpire even if you have not yet called the scores During A Game / Match Score calling/signals Assistant umpires do not change the score indicator until the umpire signals Umpire Use hand signal to indicate the new server End Of Game / Match End of Game The indicator should show the final point scores End Of Game / Match End of Game (contd) Time the interval Players should leave rackets on the table Check rackets again if they fail to leave them Leave the final game score on for a little while AU collect match ball and hand to umpire Do not change the games scores Call score, point to winner, announce Game to... ITTF Basic Umpires Course

36 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE End Of Game / Match End Of Game / Match At the beginning of the next game Make sure that players are at the correct ends doubles, ask who is to serve first Change the score indicator to 0-0 At the end of the Match Complete the match card Collect the ball Check the playing area to ensure that nothing was left behind Re-set the indicators to all-blank position Start timing the game as before End Of Game / Match End of Match: Leaving the Field of Play Umpire and assistant walk out together, umpire first LEARNING POINTS Umpire s area of control: Playing area + 3 metres all round Pre-match duties are many, so be early Clip-board and box of balls in umpire s left hand All other items required should be in your pockets and not visible Look & BE professional! Umpire & Asst. Umpire make ONE team Prepare the playing area: Score indicators Surrounds Table, court LEARNING POINTS Acknowledgements Good Presentation: Dressing right Walking in / out Conducting the toss Being official but not officious Being firm but fair Calling score correctly Operating score indicator correctly Right posture Being knowledgeable URL: ITTF Umpires & Referees Committee (URC) ITTF Basic Umpires Course

37 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE End of Module On The HANDBOOK FOR MATCH OFFICIALS Appendix F : Field of Play Procedure Thank You For Your Attention & Participation ITTF Basic Umpires Course

38 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE ITTF Para Table Tennis Affiliation Table Tennis is a Paralympic sport Starting July 2007, IPTTC became ITTF Para Table Tennis Laws & Regulations For Paralympic Table Tennis PTT Rules as part of the ITTF Rules Handbook for Match Officials: Appendix H Classification of Players Standing Athletes Class 1 5 Wheelchair Players Class 6 10 Standing Players Regardless of their disabilities, standing athletes matches are governed by the ITTF Laws and Regulations. Class 11 Players with tellectual Disabilities Equipment and Playing Conditions Equipment and Playing Conditions Wheelchair Players B Standard A 40 cm Between 28 ~ 31.5 cm Access to wheelchairs without obstructing player s legs and to allow access to two wheelchairs for doubles Wheelchairs must have at least 2 large wheels and one small wheel Point to the opponent if footrest or the foot touches floor while ball is in play ITTF Basic Umpires Course V.1 (2009) 1

39 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Equipment and Playing Conditions The height of one or maximum two cushions is limited to 15cm in playing conditions with no other addition to the wheelchair. Service in Wheelchair play singles play: A let shall be called if in a correct service the ball leaves the table by either of the receivers sidelines (on one or more bounces). Let to be called at the exact moment when the ball passes the sideline Service in Wheelchair play singles play: No let shall be called if in a correct service, the receiver strikes the ball before it crosses a sideline Service in Wheelchair play singles play: If umpire believes player is deliberately serving fast let services before serving correctly: stop play, and penalise player using PPS (Gamesmanship, poor sportsmanship) Service in Wheelchair play singles play: Umpires must be very alert about this service rule as a lot of the experienced players serve extremely close to a let service on critical stages in a game (10-9, 9-9, 9-10 etc.) Service in Wheelchair play singles & doubles play: A let shall be called if in service the ball, after bouncing on the receivers side returns in the direction of the net. Typical 9-10 Service against a right handed player ITTF Basic Umpires Course V.1 (2009) 2

40 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Service in Wheelchair play singles & doubles play: A let shall be called if in service the ball comes to rest on the receiver s side of the playing surface Service in Wheelchair play singles & doubles play: No let shall be called if the receiver strikes the ball before it takes a second bounce on his side of the playing surface (the service shall be considered good) Wheelchair play : Doubles Wheelchair play : Doubles The server shall first make a service The receiver shall make a return Thereafter either player of the disabled pair may make returns No part of a player s wheelchair shall protrude beyond the imaginary extension of the centre line of the table. If it does, the umpire shall award the point to the opposing pair Y A X B X/Y will be awarded the point Wheelchair play Wheelchair play Touching the playing surface with the Free Hand during a rally: NEVER Touching the table with the Racket Hand during a rally: to restore balance but only after a shot has been played, and table must not move Player scores point if: opponent does not maintain a minimum contact (with back of the thigh) with the cushion(s) when ball in play Player not allowed to use table as extra support before striking ball ITTF Basic Umpires Course V.1 (2009) 3

41 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE Playing Standing A Wheelchair Is NOT Allowed!! Playing Standing A Wheelchair Is NOT Allowed!! WHAT IS STANDING? If the rear side of the thigh of both legs do not have contact with the seat of the wheelchair the player is standing. The trousers do NOT belong to the leg. If standing is the consequence of a previous action and gives no benefit it will not be punished. Standing is NOT possible in Classes 1, 2 and 3. Standing may happen in Class 4. Standing may certainly happen in class 5. (But however, this would depend on the cause of the disability) Playing Standing A Wheelchair Is NOT Allowed!! Striking the ball standing : Advantageous to player Coming free from the seat AFTER striking the ball : No advantage to player; possible disadvantage WHAT MUST THE UMPIRE LOOK FOR? Did the athlete attempt to stand when he touched the ball and if so was there contact with the seat? Standing play Crutch considered extension of arm Touching the playing surface with the Free Hand during a rally: NEVER Deliberate use of the table as a support before striking the ball: apply P.P.S. Standing & Wheelchair play Tracksuits The bottom (trousers) portion of a tracksuit may be worn during play; however, jeans are not permitted Acknowledgements URL: URL: ITTF Umpires & Referees Committee (URC) ITTF Basic Umpires Course V.1 (2009) 4

42 ITTF BASIC UMPIRES COURSE End of Module On The Laws & Regulations For Paralympic Table Tennis Thank You For Your Attention & Participation ITTF Basic Umpires Course V.1 (2009) 5

43

44 The ternational Table Tennis Federation Handbook 2018 The ITTF encourages the reproduction of information from this Handbook provided that the source is mentioned.

45 2 THE LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS 2.1 THE TABLE The upper surface of the table, known as the playing surface, shall be rectangular, 2.74m long and 1.525m wide, and shall lie in a horizontal plane 76cm above the floor The playing surface shall not include the vertical sides of the tabletop The playing surface may be of any material and shall yield a uniform bounce of about 23cm when a standard ball is dropped on to it from a height of 30cm The playing surface shall be uniformly dark coloured and matt, but with a white side line, 2cm wide, along each 2.74m edge and a white end line, 2cm wide, along each 1.525m edge The playing surface shall be divided into 2 equal courts by a vertical net running parallel with the end lines, and shall be continuous over the whole area of each court For doubles, each court shall be divided into 2 equal half-courts by a white centre line, 3mm wide, running parallel with the side lines; the centre line shall be regarded as part of each right half-court. 2.2 THE NET ASSEMBLY The net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension and the supporting posts, including the clamps attaching them to the table The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each end to an upright post 15.25cm high, the outside limits of the post being 15.25cm outside the side line The top of the net, along its whole length, shall be 15.25cm above the playing surface The bottom of the net, along its whole length, shall be as close as possible to the playing surface and the ends of the net shall be attached to the supporting posts from top to bottom. 2.3 THE BALL The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40mm The ball shall weigh 2.7g The ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be white or orange, and matt. Page 24 ITTF Handbook 2018

46 2: The Laws of Table Tennis 2.4 THE RACKET The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid At least 85% of the blade by thickness shall be of natural wood; an adhesive layer within the blade may be reinforced with fibrous material such as carbon fibre, glass fibre or compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than 7.5% of the total thickness or 0.35mm, whichever is the smaller A side of the blade used for striking the ball shall be covered with either ordinary pimpled rubber, with pimples outwards having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 2.0mm, or sandwich rubber, with pimples inwards or outwards, having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 4.0mm Ordinary pimpled rubber is a single layer of non-cellular rubber, natural or synthetic, with pimples evenly distributed over its surface at a density of not less than 10 per cm² and not more than 30 per cm² Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single outer layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled rubber not being more than 2.0mm The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the blade, except that the part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers may be left uncovered or covered with any material The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering material or adhesive on a side used for striking the ball shall be continuous and of even thickness The surface of the covering material on a side of the blade, or of a side of the blade if it is left uncovered, shall be matt, bright red on one side and black on the other The racket covering shall be used without any physical, chemical or other treatment Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour due to accidental damage or wear may be allowed provided that they do not significantly change the characteristics of the surface Before the start of a match and whenever he or she changes his or her racket during a match a player shall show his or her opponent and the umpire the racket he or she is about to use and shall allow them to examine it. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 25

47 2: The Laws of Table Tennis 2.5 DEFINITIONS A rally is the period during which the ball is in play The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm of the free hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is decided as a let or a point A let is a rally of which the result is not scored A point is a rally of which the result is scored The racket hand is the hand carrying the racket The free hand is the hand not carrying the racket; the free arm is the arm of the free hand A player strikes the ball if he or she touches it in play with his or her racket, held in the hand, or with his or her racket hand below the wrist A player obstructs the ball if he or she, or anything he or she wears or carries, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface, not having touched his or her court since last being struck by his or her opponent The server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally The umpire is the person appointed to control a match The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire with certain decisions Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that he or she was wearing or carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions. 2.6 THE SERVICE Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's stationary free hand 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 As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his or her court and then touches directly the receiver's court; in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court of server and receiver 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 or her doubles partner or by anything they wear or carry. Page 26 ITTF Handbook 2018

48 2: The Laws of Table Tennis As soon as the ball has been projected, the server s free arm and hand shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net. The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or the assistant umpire can be satisfied that he or she complies with the requirements of the Laws, and either may decide that a service is incorrect If either the umpire or the assistant umpire is not sure about the legality of a service he or she may, on the first occasion in a match, interrupt play and warn the server; but any subsequent service by that player or his or her doubles partner which is not clearly legal shall be considered incorrect Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a correct service where he or she is satisfied that compliance is prevented by physical disability. 2.7 THE RETURN The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it touches the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly. 2.8 THE ORDER OF PLAY singles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return and thereafter server and receiver alternately shall each make a return doubles, except as provided in 2.8.3, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return, the partner of the server shall then make a return, the partner of the receiver shall then make a return and thereafter each player in turn in that sequence shall make a return doubles, when at least one player of a pair is in a wheelchair due to a physical disability, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return but thereafter either player of the disabled pair may make returns. 2.9 A LET The rally shall be a let: if in service the ball touches the net assembly, provided the service is otherwise correct or the ball is obstructed by the receiver or his or her partner; ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 27

49 2: The Laws of Table Tennis if the service is delivered when the receiving player or pair is not ready, provided that neither the receiver nor his or her partner attempts to strike the ball; if failure to make a service or a return or otherwise to comply with the Laws is due to a disturbance outside the control of the player; if play is interrupted by the umpire or assistant umpire; if the receiver is in wheelchair owing to a physical disability and in service the ball, provided that the service is otherwise correct, after touching the receiver s court returns in the direction of the net; comes to rest on the receiver's court; in singles leaves the receiver s court after touching it by either of its sidelines Play may be interrupted to correct an error in the order of serving, receiving or ends; to introduce the expedite system; to warn or penalise a player or adviser; because the conditions of play are disturbed in a way which could affect the outcome of the rally A POINT Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point if an opponent fails to make a correct service; if an opponent fails to make a correct return; if, after he or she has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck by an opponent; if the ball passes over his or her court or beyond his or her end line without touching his or her court, after being struck by an opponent; if the ball, after being struck by an opponent, passes through the net or between the net and the net post or between the net and playing surface; if an opponent obstructs the ball; if an opponent deliberately strikes the ball twice in succession; if an opponent strikes the ball with a side of the racket blade whose surface does not comply with the requirements of 2.4.3, and 2.4.5; if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, moves the playing surface; if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, touches the net assembly; Page 28 ITTF Handbook 2018

50 2: The Laws of Table Tennis if an opponent's free hand touches the playing surface; if a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence established by the first server and first receiver; as provided under the expedite system (2.15.4) if both players or pairs are in a wheelchair due to a physical disability and his or her opponent does not maintain a minimum contact with the seat or cushion(s), with the back of the thigh, when the ball is struck; his or her opponent touches the table with either hand before striking the ball; his or her opponent s footrest or foot touches the floor during play if, where an opposing doubles pair includes at least one player in a wheelchair, any part of the wheelchair or a foot of a standing player crosses an imaginary extension of the centre line of the table 2.11 A GAME A game shall be won by the player or pair first scoring 11 points unless both players or pairs score 10 points, when the game shall be won by the first player or pair subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points A MATCH A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of games THE ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving and ends shall be decided by lot and the winner may choose to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular end When one player or pair has chosen to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular end, the other player or pair shall have the other choice After each 2 points have been scored the receiving player or pair shall become the serving player or pair and so on until the end of the game, unless both players or pairs score 10 points or the expedite system is in operation, when the sequences of serving and receiving shall be the same but each player shall serve for only 1 point in turn each game of a doubles match, the pair having the right to serve first shall choose which of them will do so and in the first game of a match the receiving pair shall decide which of them will receive first; in subsequent games of the match, the first server having been chosen, the first receiver shall be the player who served to him or her in the preceding game. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 29

51 2: The Laws of Table Tennis doubles, at each change of service the previous receiver shall become the server and the partner of the previous server shall become the receiver The player or pair serving first in a game shall receive first in the next game of the match and in the last possible game of a doubles match the pair due to receive next shall change their order of receiving when first one pair scores 5 points The player or pair starting at one end in a game shall start at the other end in the next game of the match and in the last possible game of a match the players or pairs shall change ends when first one player or pair scores 5 points OUT OF ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING OR ENDS If a player serves or receives out of turn, play shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall resume with those players serving and receiving who should be server and receiver respectively at the score that has been reached, according to the sequence established at the beginning of the match and, in doubles, to the order of serving chosen by the pair having the right to serve first in the game during which the error is discovered If the players have not changed ends when they should have done so, play shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall resume with the players at the ends at which they should be at the score that has been reached, according to the sequence established at the beginning of the match any circumstances, all points scored before the discovery of an error shall be reckoned THE EXPEDITE SYSTEM Except as provided in , the expedite system shall come into operation after 10 minutes play in a game or at any time when requested by both players or pairs The expedite system shall not be introduced in a game if at least 18 points have been scored If the ball is in play when the time limit is reached and the expedite system is due to come into operation, play shall be interrupted by the umpire and shall resume with service by the player who served in the rally that was interrupted; if the ball is not in play when the expedite system comes into operation, play shall resume with service by the player who received in the immediately preceding rally. Page 30 ITTF Handbook 2018

52 2: The Laws of Table Tennis Thereafter, each player shall serve for 1 point in turn until the end of the game, and if the receiving player or pair makes 13 correct returns in a rally the receiver shall score a point troduction of the expedite system shall not alter the order of serving and receiving in the match, as defined in Once introduced, the expedite system shall remain in operation until the end of the match. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 31

53 3 REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS 3.1 SCOPE OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS Types of Competition An international competition is one that may include the players of more than one Association An international match is a match between teams representing Associations An open tournament is one that is open to the players of all Associations A restricted tournament is one that is restricted to specified groups of players other than age groups An invitation tournament is one that is restricted to specified Associations or players, individually invited Applicability Except as provided in , the Laws (Chapter 2) shall apply to World, Continental, Olympic and Paralympic title competitions, open tournaments and, unless otherwise agreed by the participating Associations, to international matches The Board of Directors shall have power to authorise the organiser of an open tournament to adopt experimental law variations specified by the Executive Committee The Regulations for ternational Competitions shall apply to: World, Olympic and Paralympic title competitions, unless otherwise authorised by the Board of Directors and notified in advance to the participating Associations; Continental title competitions, unless otherwise authorised by the appropriate Continental Federation and notified in advance to the participating Associations; Open ternational Championships ( ), unless otherwise authorised by the Executive Committee and notified in advance to the participants in accordance with ; open tournaments, except as provided in Where an open tournament does not comply with any of these regulations the nature and extent of the variation shall be specified in the entry form; completion and submission of an entry form shall be regarded as signifying acceptance of the conditions of the competition, including such variations. Page 32 ITTF Handbook 2018

54 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions The Laws and Regulations are recommended for all international competitions but, provided that the Constitution is observed, international restricted and invitation tournaments and recognised international competitions organised by unaffiliated bodies may be held under rules laid down by the organising authority The Laws and the Regulations for ternational Competitions shall be presumed to apply unless variations have been agreed in advance or are made clear in the published rules of the competition Detailed explanations and interpretations of Rules, including equipment specifications for ternational Competitions, shall be published as Technical or Administrative Leaflets by the Board of Directors; practical instructions and implementation procedures may be issued as Handbooks or Guides by the Executive Committee. These publications may include mandatory parts as well as recommendations or guidance. 3.2 EQUIPMENT AND PLAYING CONDITIONS Approved and Authorised Equipment The approval and authorisation of playing equipment shall be conducted on behalf of the Board of Directors by the Equipment Committee; an approval or authorisation may be suspended by the Executive Committee at any time and subsequently the approval or authorisation may be withdrawn by the Board of Directors The entry form or prospectus for an open tournament shall specify the brands and colours of table, net assembly, flooring and ball to be used; the choice of table, net assembly and ball shall be as laid down by the ITTF or by the Association in whose territory the competition is held, selected from brands and types currently approved by the ITTF; for selected ITTF sanctioned tournaments, the flooring shall be of a brand and type currently approved by ITTF Any ordinary pimpled rubber or sandwich rubber covering the racket shall be currently authorised by the ITTF and shall be attached to the blade so that the ITTF logo, the ITTF number (when present), the supplier and brand names are clearly visible nearest the handle. Lists of all approved and authorised equipment and materials are maintained by the ITTF Office and details are available on the ITTF website Table legs shall be at least 40cm from the end line of the table for wheelchair players. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 33

55 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions Playing Clothing Playing clothing shall consist of a short-sleeved or sleeveless shirt and shorts or skirt or one-part sports outfits, socks and playing shoes; other garments, such as part or all of a tracksuit, shall not be worn during play except with the permission of the referee The main colour of a shirt, skirt or shorts, other than sleeves and collar of a shirt shall be clearly different from that of the ball in use Clothing may bear numbers or lettering on the back of the shirt to identify a player, his or her Association or, in club matches, his or her club, and advertisements in accordance with the provisions of ; if the back of a shirt bears the player s name, this shall be situated just below the collar Any numbers required by organisers to identify a player shall have priority over advertisements on the centre part of the back of a shirt; such numbers shall be contained within a panel having an area not greater than 600cm Any markings or trimming on the front or side of a playing garment and any objects such as jewellery worn by a player shall not be so conspicuous or brightly reflecting as to unsight an opponent Clothing shall not carry designs or lettering which might cause offence or bring the game into disrepute The players of a team taking part in a team match, and players of the same Association forming a doubles pair in a World, Olympic or Paralympic Title Competition, shall be dressed uniformly, with the possible exception of socks, shoes and the number, size, colour and design of advertisements on clothing. Players of the same Association forming a doubles pair in other international competitions may wear clothes of different manufacturers, if the basic colours are the same and their National Association authorises this procedure Opposing players and pairs shall wear shirts that are of sufficiently different colours to enable them to be easily distinguished by spectators Where opposing players or teams have a similar shirt and cannot agree which of them will change, the decision shall be made by the umpire by lot Players competing in a World, Olympic or Paralympic title competition or Open ternational Championships shall wear shirt and shorts or skirt of types authorised by their Association Playing Conditions The playing space shall be rectangular and not less than 14m long, 7m wide and 5m high, but the 4 corners may be covered by surrounds of not more than 1.5m length; for wheelchair events, the playing space may be reduced, but shall not be less than 8m long and 6m wide. Page 34 ITTF Handbook 2018

56 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions The following equipment and fittings are to be considered as part of each playing area: The table including the net assembly, printed numbers identifying the table, flooring, umpires tables and chairs, score indicators, towel and ball boxes, surrounds, boards on the surrounds indicating the names of players or Associations, and small technical equipment which shall be fitted in a way that does not affect play The playing area shall be enclosed by surrounds about 75cm high, all of the same dark background colour, separating it from adjacent playing areas and from spectators World, Olympic and Paralympic title competitions the light intensity, measured at the height of the playing surface, shall be at least 1000 lux uniformly over the whole of the playing surface and at least 500 lux elsewhere in the playing area; in other competitions the intensity shall be at least 600 lux uniformly over the playing surface and at least 400 lux elsewhere in the playing area Where several tables are in use, the lighting level shall be the same for all of them, and the level of background lighting in the playing hall shall not be greater than the lowest level in the playing area The light source shall not be less than 5m above the floor The background shall be generally dark and shall not contain bright light sources or daylight through uncovered windows or other apertures The flooring shall not be light-coloured, brightly reflecting or slippery and it shall be resilient; the flooring may be rigid for wheelchair events World, Olympic and Paralympic title competitions the flooring shall be of wood or of a brand and type of rollable synthetic material authorised by the ITTF Technical equipment on the net assembly shall be considered part of it Racket Control It is the responsibility of each player to ensure that racket coverings are attached to their racket blade with adhesives that do not contain harmful volatile solvents A racket control centre shall be established at all ITTF World Title, Olympic and Paralympic competitions as well as at a select number of ITTF World Tour and Junior Circuit competitions and may be established at Continental and Regional competitions The racket control centre shall test rackets, according to the policy and procedure established by the Executive Committee on recommendation of the Equipment Committee and Umpires and Referees Committee, to ensure that rackets abide by all ITTF regulations including, but not limited ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 35

57 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions to, racket covering thickness, flatness and presence of harmful volatile substances The racket control test shall be carried out after the match at random only where the player does not submit the racket for a before match test Rackets that do not pass the racket control test before the match cannot be used but may be replaced by a second racket which which may be tested immediately if time permits, but if not, will be tested after the match; in the case where rackets do not pass a random racket control test after the match, the offending player will be liable to penalties All players are entitled to have their rackets tested voluntarily without any penalties before the match Following 4 accumulated failures on any aspect of racket testing in a period of four years, the player may complete the event, but subsequently the Executive Committee will suspend the offending player for 12 months The ITTF shall inform the suspended player in writing of such suspension The suspended player may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days of the receiving of the letter of suspension; should such an appeal be submitted, the player s suspension would remain in force The ITTF shall maintain a register of all racket control failures with effect from 1 September A properly ventilated area shall be provided for the attachment of racket coverings to rackets, and liquid adhesives shall not be used anywhere else at the playing venue. Playing venue means that part of the building used for table tennis and its related activities, facilities and public area Advertisements and Markings side the playing area, advertisements shall be displayed only on equipment or fittings listed in or on playing clothing, umpires clothing or players numbers and there shall be no special additional displays Advertisements or markings in or next to the playing area, on playing clothing or numbers and on umpires clothing, shall not be for tobacco goods, alcoholic drinks, harmful drugs or illegal products and they shall be without negative discrimination or connotation on the grounds of race, xenophobia, gender, religion, disabilities or other forms of discrimination At Olympic and Paralympic Games advertisements on playing equipment, on playing clothing and on umpires clothing shall be according to IOC and IPC regulations respectively. Page 36 ITTF Handbook 2018

58 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions With the exception of LED (light-emitting diode) and similar devices advertisements on the surrounds of the sides of the playing area, fluorescent, luminescent or glossy colours shall not be used anywhere in the playing area and the background colour of the surrounds shall remain dark Advertisements on surrounds shall not change during a match from dark to light and vice versa LEDs and similar devices on surrounds shall not be so bright as to disturb players during the match and shall not change when the ball is in play Advertisements on LED and similar devices shall not be used without prior approval from ITTF Lettering or symbols on the inside of surrounds shall be clearly different from the colour of the ball in use, not more than two colours and shall be contained within a height of 40cm There may be up to 4 advertisements on the floor of the playing area; such markings may be placed 1 at each end, each contained within an area of 5m 2, and 1 at each side of the table, each contained within an area of 2.5m²; shall not be less than 1m from the surrounds and those at the ends shall not be more than 2m from the surrounds; shall be of the same uniform colour different from the colour of the ball in use, unless other colours have been agreed in advance with the ITTF; shall not alter significantly the surface friction of the flooring; shall consist only of a logo, wordmark or other icons, and shall not include any background Advertisements on the table shall comply with the following requirements: There may be 1 permanent advertisement of the manufacturer s or supplier s name or logo on each half of each side of the table top and on each end There may be 1 temporary advertisement, which also can be of the manufacturer's or supplier's name or logo, on each half of each side of the table top and on each end Each permanent and each temporary advertisement shall be contained within a total length of 60cm Temporary advertisements shall be clearly separated from any permanent advertisements Advertisements shall not be for other table tennis equipment suppliers There shall be no advertisement, name of table, name or logo of the manufacturer or supplier of the table on the undercarriage, except if the table manufacturer or supplier is the title sponsor of the tournament. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 37

59 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions There may be 2 advertisements on nets on each side of the table which shall be clearly different from the colour of the ball in use, shall not be within 3cm of the tape along the top edge; advertisements placed on parts of the net within the vertical extensions of the side lines of the table shall not obscure visibility through the mesh Advertisements on umpires' tables or other furniture inside the playing area shall be contained within a total area on any face of 750cm Advertisements on playing clothing shall be limited to the maker's normal trademark, symbol or name contained within a total area of 24cm 2 ; not more than 6 clearly separated advertisements, contained within a combined total area of 600cm 2, on the front, side or shoulder of a shirt, with not more than 4 advertisements on the front; not more than 2 advertisements, contained within a total area of 400cm 2, on the back of a shirt; not more than 2 advertisements, contained within a combined total area of 120cm 2, only on the front and the sides of shorts or skirt Advertisements on players' numbers shall be contained within a total area of 100cm Advertisements on umpires' clothing shall be contained within a total area of 40cm Doping Control All players participating in international competitions, including Junior competitions, shall be subject to in-competition testing by the ITTF, the player s National Association and any other Anti-Doping Organisation responsible for testing at a competition in which they participate. 3.3 MATCH OFFICIALS Referee For each competition as a whole a referee shall be appointed and his or her identity and location shall be made known to the participants and, where appropriate, to the team captains The referee shall be responsible for the conduct of the draw; the scheduling of the matches by time and table; the appointment of match officials; conducting a pre-tournament briefing for match officials; Page 38 ITTF Handbook 2018

60 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions checking the eligibility of players; deciding whether play may be suspended in an emergency; deciding whether players may leave the playing area during a match; deciding whether statutory practice periods may be extended; deciding whether players may wear track suits during a match; deciding any question of interpretation of Laws or Regulations, including the acceptability of clothing, playing equipment and playing conditions; deciding whether, and where, players may practise during an emergency suspension of play; taking disciplinary action for misbehaviour or other breaches of regulations Where, with the agreement of the competition management committee, any of the duties of the referee are delegated to other persons, the specific responsibilities and locations of each of these persons shall be made known to the participants and, where appropriate, to the team captains The referee, or a responsible deputy appointed to exercise authority in his or her absence, shall be present at all times during play Where the referee is satisfied that it is necessary to do so he or she may replace a match official with another at any time, but he or she may not alter a decision already made by the replaced official on a question of fact within his or her jurisdiction Players shall be under the jurisdiction of the referee from the time at which they arrive at the playing venue until they leave it Umpire, Assistant Umpire and Stroke Counter An umpire and an assistant umpire shall be appointed for each match The umpire shall sit or stand in line with the net and the assistant umpire shall sit directly facing him or her, at the other side of the table The umpire shall be responsible for: checking the acceptability of equipment and playing conditions and reporting any deficiency to the referee; taking a ball at random as provided in ; conducting the draw for the choice of serving, receiving and ends; deciding whether the requirements of the service law may be relaxed for a player with physical disability; controlling the order of serving, receiving and ends and correcting any errors therein; ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 39

61 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions deciding each rally as a point or a let; calling the score, in accordance with specified procedure; introducing the expedite system at the appropriate time; maintaining the continuity of play; taking action for breaches of the advice or behaviour regulations; drawing by lot which player, pair or team shall change their shirt, should opposing players or teams have a similar shirt and cannot agree which of them will change ensuring that only authorised persons are at the playing area The assistant umpire shall: decide whether or not the ball in play touches the edge of the playing surface at the side of the table nearest him or her; inform the umpire for breaches of the advice or behaviour regulations Either the umpire or the assistant umpire may: decide that a player's service action is illegal; decide that, in an otherwise correct service, the ball touches the net assembly; decide that a player obstructs the ball; decide that the conditions of play are disturbed in a way that may affect the outcome of the rally; time the duration of the practice period, of play and of intervals Either the assistant umpire or a separate official may act as stroke counter, to count the strokes of the receiving player or pair when the expedite system is in operation A decision made by the assistant umpire in accordance with the provisions of may not be overruled by the umpire Players shall be under the jurisdiction of the umpire from the time at which they arrive at the playing area until they leave it Appeals No agreement between players, in an individual event, or between team captains, in a team event, can alter a decision on a question of fact by the responsible match official, on a question of interpretation of Laws or Regulations by the responsible referee or on any other question of tournament or match conduct by the responsible management committee. Page 40 ITTF Handbook 2018

62 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions No appeal may be made to the referee against a decision on a question of fact by the responsible match official or to the management committee on a question of interpretation of Laws or Regulations by the referee An appeal may be made to the referee against a decision of a match official on a question of interpretation of Laws or Regulations, and the decision of the referee shall be final An appeal may be made to the competition management committee against a decision of the referee on a question of tournament or match conduct not covered by the Laws or Regulations, and the decision of the management committee shall be final an individual event an appeal may be made only by a player participating in the match in which the question has arisen; in a team event an appeal may be made only by the captain of a team participating in the match in which the question has arisen A question of interpretation of Laws or Regulations arising from the decision of a referee, or a question of tournament or match conduct arising from the decision of a competition management committee, may be submitted by the player or team captain eligible to make an appeal, through his or her parent Association, for consideration by the ITTF Rules Committee The Rules Committee shall give a ruling as a guide for future decisions, and this ruling may also be made the subject of a protest by an Association to the Board of Directors or a General Meeting, but it shall not affect the finality of any decision already made by the responsible referee or management committee. 3.4 MATCH CONDUCT Score dication The umpire shall call the score as soon as the ball is out of play at the completion of a rally, or as soon as is practicable thereafter calling the score during a game the umpire shall call first the number of points scored by the player or pair due to serve in the next rally of the game and then the number of points scored by the opposing player or pair At the beginning of a game and when a change of server is due, the umpire shall point to the next server, and may also follow the score call with the next server s name At the end of a game the umpire shall call the number of points scored by the winning player or pair followed by the number of points scored by the losing player or pair and may then name the winning player or pair addition to calling the score the umpire may use hand signals to indicate his or her decisions. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 41

63 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions When a point has been scored, he or she may raise his or her arm nearer to the player or pair who won the point so that the upper arm is horizontal and the forearm is vertical with the closed hand upward When for any reason the rally is a let, he or she may raise his or her hand above his or her head to show that the rally has ended The score and, under the expedite system, the number of strokes shall be called in English or in any other language acceptable to both players or pairs and to the umpire The score shall be displayed on mechanical or electronic indicators so that it is clearly visible to the players and the spectators When a player is formally warned for bad behaviour, a yellow marker shall be placed on or near the score indicator Equipment Players shall not choose balls in the playing area Wherever possible players shall be given the opportunity to choose one or more balls before coming to the playing area and the match shall be played with the ball chosen by the players If a ball has not been chosen before players come to the playing area, or the players cannot agree on the ball to be used, the match shall be played with a ball taken at random by the umpire from a box of those specified for the competition If a ball is damaged during a match, it shall be replaced by another of those chosen before the match or, if such a ball is not available, by one taken at random by the umpire from a box of those specified for the competition The racket covering shall be used as it has been authorised by the ITTF without any physical, chemical or other treatment, changing or modifying playing properties, friction, outlook, colour, structure, surface, etc.; in particular, no additives shall be used A racket shall successfully pass all parameters of the racket control tests A racket shall not be replaced during an individual match unless it is accidentally damaged so badly that it cannot be used; if this happens the damaged racket shall be replaced immediately by another which the player has brought with him or her to the playing area or one which is handed to him or her in the playing area Unless otherwise authorised by the umpire, players shall leave their rackets on the table during intervals; but if the racket is strapped to the hand, the umpire shall allow the player to retain his or her racket strapped to the hand during intervals. Page 42 ITTF Handbook 2018

64 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions Practice Players are entitled to practise on the match table for up to 2 minutes immediately before the start of a match but not during normal intervals; the specified practice period may be extended only with the permission of the referee During an emergency suspension of play the referee may allow players to practise on any table, including the match table Players shall be given reasonable opportunity to check and to familiarise themselves with any equipment which they are to use, but this shall not automatically entitle them to more than a few practice rallies before resuming play after the replacement of a damaged ball or racket tervals Play shall be continuous throughout an individual match except that any player is entitled to: an interval of up to 1 minute between successive games of an individual match; brief intervals for towelling after every 6 points from the start of each game and at the change of ends in the last possible game of an individual match A player or pair may claim one time-out period of up to 1 minute during an individual match an individual event the request for a time-out may be made by the player or pair or by the designated adviser; in a team event it may be made by the player or pair or by the team captain If a player or pair and an adviser or captain disagree whether a time-out is to be taken, the final decision shall be made by the player or pair in an individual event and by the captain in a team event The request for a time-out, which can be made only between rallies in a game, shall be indicated by making a "T" sign with the hands On receiving a valid request for a time-out the umpire shall suspend play and shall hold up a white card with the hand on the side of the player or pair who requested it; the white card or another appropriate marker shall be placed on the court of that player or pair The white card or marker shall be removed and play resumed as soon as the player or pair making the request is ready to continue or at the end of 1 minute, whichever is the sooner If a valid request for a time-out is made simultaneously by or on behalf of both players or pairs, play will resume when both players or pairs are ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 43

65 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions ready or at the end of 1 minute, whichever is the sooner, and neither player or pair shall be entitled to another time-out during that individual match There shall be no intervals between successive individual matches of a team match except that a player who is required to play in successive matches may claim an interval of up to 5 minutes between those matches The referee may allow a suspension of play, of the shortest practical duration, and in no circumstances more than 10 minutes, if a player is temporarily incapacitated by an accident, provided that in the opinion of the referee the suspension is not likely to be unduly disadvantageous to the opposing player or pair A suspension shall not be allowed for a disability which was present or was reasonably to be expected at the beginning of the match, or where it is due to the normal stress of play; disability such as cramp or exhaustion, caused by the player's current state of fitness or by the manner in which play has proceeded, does not justify such an emergency suspension, which may be allowed only for incapacity resulting from an accident, such as injury caused by a fall If anyone in the playing area is bleeding, play shall be suspended immediately and shall not resume until that person has received medical treatment and all traces of blood have been removed from the playing area Players shall remain in or near the playing area throughout an individual match, except with the permission of the referee; during intervals between games and time-outs they shall remain within 3 metres of the playing area, under the supervision of the umpire. 3.5 DISCIPLINE Advice a team event, players may receive advice from anyone authorised to be at the playing area an individual event, a player or pair may receive advice only from one person, designated beforehand to the umpire, except that where the players of a doubles pair are from different Associations each may designate an adviser, but with regard to and these two advisors shall be treated as a unit; if an unauthorised person gives advice the umpire shall hold up a red card and send him or her away from the playing area Players may receive advice at any time except during rallies provided play is not thereby delayed ( ); if any authorised person gives advice illegally the umpire shall hold up a yellow card to warn him or her that any further such offence will result in his or her dismissal from the playing area. Page 44 ITTF Handbook 2018

66 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions After a warning has been given, if in the same team match or the same match of an individual event anyone again gives advice illegally, the umpire shall hold up a red card and send him or her away from the playing area, whether or not he or she was the person warned a team match the dismissed adviser shall not be allowed to return, except when required to play, and he or she shall not be replaced by another adviser until the team match has ended; in an individual event he or she shall not be allowed to return until the individual match has ended If the dismissed adviser refuses to leave, or returns before the end of the match, the umpire shall suspend play and report to the referee These regulations shall apply only to advice on play and shall not prevent a player or captain, as appropriate, from making a legitimate appeal nor hinder a consultation with an interpreter or Association representative on the explanation of a juridical decision Misbehaviour Players and coaches or other advisers shall refrain from behaviour that may unfairly affect an opponent, offend spectators or bring the sport into disrepute, such as abusive language, deliberately breaking the ball or hitting it out of the playing area, kicking the table or surrounds and disrespect of match officials If at any time a player, a coach or another adviser commits a serious offence the umpire shall suspend play and report immediately to the referee; for less serious offences the umpire may, on the first occasion, hold up a yellow card and warn the offender that any further offence is liable to incur penalties Except as provided in and , if a player who has been warned commits a second offence in the same individual match or team match, the umpire shall award 1 point to the offender's opponent and for a further offence he or she shall award 2 points, each time holding up a yellow and a red card together If a player against whom 3 penalty points have been awarded in the same individual match or team match continues to misbehave, the umpire shall suspend play and report immediately to the referee If a player changes his or her racket during an individual match when it has not been damaged, the umpire shall suspend play and report to the referee A warning or penalty incurred by either player of a doubles pair shall apply to the pair, but not to the non-offending player in a subsequent individual match of the same team match; at the start of a doubles match the pair shall be regarded as having incurred the higher of any warnings or penalties incurred by either player in the same team match. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 45

67 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions Except as provided in , if a coach or another adviser who has been warned commits a further offence in the same individual match or team match, the umpire shall hold up a red card and send him or her away from the playing area until the end of the team match or, in an individual event, of the individual match The referee shall have power to disqualify a player from a match, an event or a competition for seriously unfair or offensive behaviour, whether reported by the umpire or not; as he or she does so he or she shall hold up a red card; for less serious offenses which do not justify disqualification, the referee may decide to report such an offense to a Disciplinary Panel ( ) If a player is disqualified from 2 matches of a team or individual event he or she shall automatically be disqualified from that team event or individual competition The referee may disqualify for the remainder of a competition anyone who has twice been sent away from the playing area during that competition If a player is disqualified from an event or competition for any reason, he or she shall automatically forfeit any associated title, medal, prize money or ranking points Cases of very serious misbehaviour shall be reported to the offender's Association A Disciplinary Panel appointed by the Executive Committee, consisting of 4 members and a chair, shall decide on appropriate sanctions for offences reported by the referee of an event within 14 days of the end of the event. The Disciplinary Panel shall decide according to directives given by the Executive Committee An appeal against the Disciplinary Panel s decision may be made by the disciplined player, adviser or official within 15 days to the ITTF Executive Committee, whose decision on the matter shall be final Good Presentation Players, coaches and officials shall uphold the object of good presentation of the sport and safeguard its integrity by refraining from any attempt to influence the elements of a competition in a manner contrary to sporting ethics: Players have to do their utmost to win a match and shall not withdraw except for reasons of illness or injury Players, coaches and officials shall not participate in any form of or support betting or gambling related to their own matches and competitions Any player who deliberately fails to comply with these principles shall be disciplined by total or partial loss of prize money in prize events and/or by suspension from ITTF events. Page 46 ITTF Handbook 2018

68 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions the event of complicity proven against any adviser or official the relevant national Association is also expected to discipline this person A Disciplinary Panel appointed by the Executive Committee, consisting of 4 members and a chair, shall decide on whether an infringement committed and if necessary on appropriate sanctions; this Disciplinary Panel shall decide according to directives given by the Executive Committee An appeal against the Disciplinary Panel s decision may be made by the disciplined player, adviser or official within 15 days to the ITTF Executive Committee whose decision on the matter shall be final. 3.6 DRAW FOR KNOCK-OUT COMPETITIONS Byes and Qualifiers The number of places in the first round proper of a knockout event shall be a power of If there are fewer entries than places, the first round shall include enough byes to make up the required number If there are more entries than places, a qualifying competition shall be held such that the number of qualifiers and the number of direct entries together make up the required number Byes shall be distributed as evenly as possible throughout the first round, being placed first against seeded places, in seeding order Qualifiers shall be drawn as evenly as possible among the halves, quarters, eighths or sixteenths of the draw, as appropriate Seeding by Ranking The highest ranked entries in an event shall be seeded so that they cannot meet before the closing rounds The number of entries to be seeded shall not exceed the number of entries in the 1st round proper of the event The entry ranked 1 shall be placed at the top of the first half of the draw and the entry ranked 2 at the bottom of the second half, but all other seeded entries shall be drawn among specified places in the draw, as follows: the entries ranked 3 and 4 shall be drawn between the bottom of the first half of the draw and the top of the second half; the entries ranked 5-8 shall be drawn among the bottom places of the oddnumbered quarters of the draw and the top places of the even-numbered quarters; ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 47

69 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions the entries ranked 9-16 shall be drawn among the bottom places of the odd-numbered eighths of the draw and the top places of the evennumbered eighths; the entries ranked shall be drawn among the bottom places of the odd-numbered sixteenths of the draw and the top places of the evennumbered sixteenths a team knockout event only the highest ranked team from an Association shall be eligible for seeding by ranking Seeding by ranking shall follow the order of the latest ranking list published by the ITTF except that: where all the entries eligible for seeding are from Associations belonging to the same Continental Federation the latest list published by that Federation shall take precedence; where all the entries eligible for seeding are from the same Association the latest list published by that Association shall take precedence Seeding by Association Nomination Nominated players and pairs of the same Association shall, as far as possible, be separated so that they cannot meet before the closing rounds of an event Associations shall list their nominated players and pairs in descending order of playing strength, starting with any players included in the ranking list used for seeding, in the order of that list The entries ranked 1 and 2 shall be drawn into different halves and those ranked 3 and 4 into quarters other than those occupied by the first two The entries ranked 5-8 shall be drawn as evenly as possible into eighths other than those occupied by the first four The entries ranked 9-16 shall be drawn as evenly as possible into sixteenths other than those occupied by higher ranked players or pairs and so on, until all the entries have been allocated A men's or women's doubles pair consisting of players from different Associations shall be considered a pair of the Association of the player ranked higher in the World Ranking List, or, if neither player is in this list, in the appropriate Continental Ranking List; if neither player is included in a World or Continental Ranking List, the pair shall be considered a member of the Association whose team is ranked higher in the appropriate World Team Ranking List A mixed doubles pair consisting of players from different Associations shall be considered a pair of the Association to which the man belongs. Page 48 ITTF Handbook 2018

70 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions Alternatively, any doubles pair consisting of players from different Associations may be considered a pair of both of these Associations a qualifying competition, entries from the same Association, up to the number of qualifying groups, shall be drawn into separate groups in such a way that qualifiers are, as far as possible, separated in accordance with the principles of Alterations A completed draw may be altered only with the permission of the responsible management committee and, where appropriate, the agreement of the representatives of Associations directly concerned The draw may be altered only to correct errors and genuine misunderstandings in the notification and acceptance of entry, to correct serious imbalance, as provided in 3.6.5, or to include additional players or pairs, as provided in No alterations other than necessary deletions shall be made to the draw of an event after it has started; for the purpose of this regulation a qualifying competition may be regarded as a separate event A player shall not be deleted from the draw without his or her permission, unless he or she is disqualified; such permission must be given either by the player if he or she is present or, if he or she is absent, by his or her authorised representative A doubles pair shall not be altered if both players are present and fit to play, but injury, illness or absence of one player may be accepted as justification for an alteration Re-draw Except as provided in , and , a player shall not be moved from one place in the draw to another and if for any reason the draw becomes seriously unbalanced the event shall, wherever possible, be completely redrawn Exceptionally, where the imbalance is due to the absence of several seeded players or pairs from the same section of the draw, the remaining seeded players or pairs only may be re-numbered in ranking order and re-drawn to the extent possible among the seeded places, taking account as far as is practicable of the requirements for seeding by Association nomination. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 49

71 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions Additions Players not included in the original draw may be added later, at the discretion of the responsible management committee and with the agreement of the referee Any vacancies in seeded places shall first be filled, in ranking order, by drawing into them the strongest new players or pairs; any further players or pairs shall be drawn into vacancies due to absence or disqualification and then into byes other than those against seeded players or pairs Any players or pairs who would have been seeded by ranking if they had been included in the original draw may be drawn only into vacancies in seeded places. 3.7 ORGANISATION OF COMPETITIONS Authority Provided the Constitution is observed, any Association may organise or authorise open, restricted or invitation tournaments within its territory or may arrange international matches Players from affiliated ITTF member Associations, when competing internationally, can only participate in ITTF events, ITTF approved events and ITTF registered events entered through their national Association, as well as in ITTF recognised events entered through their National Olympic Committee or National Paralympic Committee respectively. Participation in any other type of event can only be allowed with the express written permission of the national Association of the player or the ITTF; permission to players will be considered given unless a specific or general notification is made by the national Association of the player or the ITTF withholding the permission to participate in an event or series of events A player or team may not take part in an international competition if he or she or it is suspended by his or her or its Association or Continental Federation No event may use a World title without the permission of the ITTF, or a Continental title without the permission of the appropriate Continental Federation Representation Representatives of all Associations whose players are taking part in an Open ternational Championships event shall be entitled to attend the draw and shall be consulted on any alterations to the draw or any decisions of appeal that may directly affect their players. Page 50 ITTF Handbook 2018

72 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions Entries Entry forms for Open ternational Championships shall be sent to all Associations not later than 2 calendar months before the start of the competition and not later than 1 calendar month before the date for the close of entries All entries nominated by Associations for open tournaments shall be accepted but the organisers shall have power to allocate entries to a qualifying competition; in deciding this allocation they shall take account of the relevant ITTF and Continental ranking lists and of any ranking order of entries specified by the nominating Association Events Open ternational Championships shall include men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles and women's doubles and may include mixed doubles and international team events for teams representing Associations world title competitions, players in youth, junior and cadet events must be under 21, under 18 and under 15 respectively on 31st December immediately before the calendar year in which the competition takes place; these age limits are recommended for corresponding events in other competitions It is recommended that team matches at Open ternational Championships be played according to one of the systems specified in 3.7.6; the entry form or prospectus shall show which system has been chosen dividual events proper shall be played on a knockout basis, but team events and qualifying rounds of individual events may be played on either a knockout or a group basis Group Competitions a group, or "round robin", competition, all members of the group shall compete against each other and shall gain 2 match points for a win, 1 for a loss in a played match and 0 for a loss in an unplayed or unfinished match; the ranking order shall be determined primarily by the number of match points gained. If a player is defaulted after the completion of a match for any reason, he or she shall be deemed to have lost the match, which shall subsequently be recorded as a loss in an unplayed match If two or more members of the group have gained the same number of match points their relative positions shall be determined only by the results of the matches between them, by considering successively the numbers of match points, the ratios of wins to losses first in individual matches (for a team event), games and points, as far as is necessary to resolve the order. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 51

73 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions If at any step in the calculations the positions of one or more members of the group have been determined while the others are still equal, the results of matches in which those members took part shall be excluded from any further calculations needed to resolve the equalities in accordance with the procedure of and If it is not possible to resolve equalities by means of the procedure specified in the relative positions shall be decided by lot Unless otherwise authorised by the Jury, if 1 player or team is to qualify the final match in the group shall be between the players or teams numbered 1 and 2, if 2 are to qualify the final match shall be between the players or teams numbered 2 and 3 and so on Team Match Systems Best of 5 matches (New Swaythling Cup system, 5 singles) A team shall consist of 3 players The order of play shall be 1) A v X 2) B v Y 3) C v Z 4) A v Y 5) B v X Best of 5 matches (Corbillon Cup system, 4 singles and 1 doubles) A team shall consist of 2, 3 or 4 players The order of play shall be 1) A v X 2) B v Y 3) doubles 4) A v Y 5) B v X Para TT events, the order of play may be as in except that the doubles match may be played last Best of 5 matches (Olympic system, 4 singles and 1 doubles) A team shall consist of 3 players; each player shall compete in a maximum of 2 individual matches. Page 52 ITTF Handbook 2018

74 The order of play shall be 1) A v X 2) B v Y 3) doubles C & A or B v Z & X or Y 4) B or A v Z 5) C v Y or X Best of 7 matches (6 singles and 1 doubles) A team shall consist of 3, 4 or 5 players The order of play shall be 1) A v Y 2) B v X 3) C v Z 4) doubles 5) A v X 6) C v Y 7) B v Z Best of 9 matches (9 singles) A team shall consist of 3 players The order of play shall be 1) A v X 2) B v Y 3) C v Z 4) B v X 5) A v Z 6) C v Y 7) B v Z 8) C v X 9) A v Y 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions Team Match Procedure All players shall be selected from those nominated for the event The name of the team captain, playing or non-playing, shall be designated beforehand to the umpire Before a team match the right to choose A, B, C or X, Y, Z shall be decided by lot and the captains shall name their teams to the referee or his or her representative, assigning a letter to each singles player. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 53

75 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions The pairs for a doubles match need not be nominated until the end of the immediately preceding singles match A team match shall end when one team has won a majority of the possible individual matches Results As soon as possible after the end of a competition and not later than 7 days thereafter the organising Association shall send to the ITTF Secretariat and to the Secretary of the appropriate Continental Federation details of the results, including points scores, of international matches, of all rounds of Continental and Open ternational Championships and of the closing rounds of national championships Television and Streaming An event other than World, Continental, Olympic or Paralympic title competitions may be broadcast by television only with the permission of the Association from whose territory the broadcast is made Participation in an international event presumes the consent of the Association controlling the visiting players to the televising of that event; in World, Continental, Olympic or Paralympic title competitions such consent is presumed for the showing anywhere of live or recorded television during the period of the event and within 1 calendar month afterwards All streaming of ITTF events (all categories) shall be subject to compliance with the ITTF streaming certification process and a Streaming Certification Fee (SCF) shall be charged to the rights holder of the event. 3.8 INTERNATIONAL ELIGIBILITY Eligibility in Olympic title competitions is regulated separately by and eligibility in Paralympic title competitions is regulated separately by the IPC and 4.6.1; additional eligibility regulations apply to World title events (4.1.3, 4.2.3, 4.3.6, 4.4.3) A player shall be regarded as representing an Association if he or she accepted to be nominated by this Association and subsequently participates in a competition listed in or in regional championships other than individual events at Open ternational Championships A player is eligible to represent an Association only if he or she is a national of the country in which that Association has jurisdiction, except that a player who has already represented an Association of which he or she was not a national in accordance with previous rules may retain that eligibility. Page 54 ITTF Handbook 2018

76 3: Regulations for ternational Competitions Where the players of more than one Association have the same nationality, a player may represent one of these Associations only, if he or she is born in or has his or her main residence in the territory controlled by that Association A player who is eligible to represent more than 1 Association shall have the right to choose which of the relevant Associations he or she will represent A player is eligible to represent a Continental Federation (1.18.1) in an event of continental teams only if he or she is eligible to represent a member Association of this Continental Federation according to A player shall not represent different Associations within a period of 3 years An Association may nominate a player under its jurisdiction (1.21) to enter any individual events of Open ternational Championships; such nomination may be indicated in results lists and ITTF publications but does not affect the eligibility of this player according to A player or his or her Association shall, if so requested by the referee, provide documentary evidence of his or her eligibility and his or her passport Any appeal on a question of eligibility shall be referred to an Eligibility Commission, consisting of the Executive Committee, the chair of the Rules Committee and the chair of the Athletes Commission, whose decision shall be final. ITTF Handbook 2018 Page 55

77 The ternational Table Tennis Federation Handbook for MATCH OFFICIALS Fifteenth edition February 2014 Copyright ITTF ITTF encourages the reproduction of information from this Handbook provided that the source is mentioned. Page 1

78 FOREWORD Sections of previous editions have been modified with the object of providing clearer guidance and hence more consistency in the application of laws and regulations. Comments and suggestions for additions or improvements are welcome and may be sent to the Chair of the Umpires and Referees Committee. URC - ITTF February 2014 First edition March 1982 Second edition September 1983 Third edition January 1989 Fourth edition September 1989 Fifth edition September 1991 Sixth edition November 1993 Seventh edition September 1995 Eighth edition October 1997 Ninth edition July 2000 Tenth edition June 2004 Eleventh edition December 2005 Twelfth edition December 2006 Thirteenth edition August 2007 Fourteenth edition June 2011 Fifteenth edition February 2014 Published by The ternational Table Tennis Federation ISBN The ternational Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), founded in 1926, is the world-governing body of the sport with 218 member Associations in the world. ITTF supervises the staging of annual World Championships, which involve over 800 players from all continents, and several other world title events. Its main function is to govern and develop the sport for the benefit of over thirty million competitive players in all parts of the world. Table tennis is both an Olympic and Paralympic sport and is in the program of the respective Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Page 2

79 HANDBOOK FOR MATCH OFFICIALS Contents Page Page INTRODUCTION LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLICABILITY LAWS REGULATIONS TYPES OF COMPETITION OPEN TOURNAMENTS RESTRICTED TOURNAMENTS OTHER INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE UMPIRE ASSISTANT UMPIRE TIMEKEEPER STROKE COUNTER APPEALS REPLACEMENT PRESENTATION (SEE ALSO APPENDICES A, D, E, F & G) UNIFORM FOR UMPIRES PLAYING CONDITIONS THE BALL TYPE CHOICE THE RACKET COVERINGS ADHESIVES INSPECTION DAMAGE CLOTHING COLOUR DESIGN ADVERTISEMENTS LEGALITY TRACK SUITS CHANGING DEFINITIONS SERVICE CONSISTENCY FREE HAND THROWING THE BALL STRIKING THE BALL VISIBILITY WARNING A LET PURPOSE Page 3

80 11.2 NET CORD SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS UNREADINESS WHEELCHAIR PLAY A POINT DECISION EDGE BALLS DOUBT CONTINUITY OF PLAY TIME-OUT TIME-WASTING TOWELLING DAMAGED EQUIPMENT INJURY LEAVING PLAYING AREA REST PERIODS ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS CHOICE ERRORS EXPEDITE SYSTEM PRINCIPLE PROCEDURE ADVICE TO PLAYERS BEHAVIOUR RESPONSIBILITY OF THE UMPIRE WARNING PENALTIES RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REFEREE MATCH CONDUCT SCORE CALLING SIGNALS TIME KEEPING EXPLANATIONS SCORE INDICATORS CONCLUSION APPENDIX A - RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE FOR MATCH OFFICIALS APPENDIX B - DIRECTIVES FOR MATCH OFFICIALS APPENDIX C - QUALIFICATIONS OF UMPIRES APPENDIX D - MATCH OFFICIALS CODE OF CONDUCT APPENDIX E RECOMMENDED HAND SIGNALS AND CALLS APPENDIX F - FIELD OF PLAY PROCEDURES APPENDIX G - UNIFORM FOR INTERNATIONAL UMPIRES APPENDIX H - PARA TABLE TENNIS RULES AND REGULATIONS APPENDIX I - A SUMMARY OF LAW AND REGULATION CHANGES SINCE Page 4

81 HANDBOOK FOR MATCH OFFICIALS INTRODUCTION 1.1 The purpose of this booklet is to guide match officials on the application of laws and regulations, and it should be read in conjunction with the current ITTF Handbook or Rules booklet (also available from the ITTF website). It deals mainly with the duties of umpires and assistant umpires, but it also includes aspects of the referee s duties in relation to the control of matches. The Handbook for Tournament Referees covers the wider duties of a tournament referee. 1.2 Players are entitled to expect consistency in the conduct of matches and should not be expected to have to make continual adjustment to different procedures in different competitions or different countries. order to encourage consistency, the ITTF Umpires and Referees Committee (URC) has produced a summary of recommended procedures for match officials and these are included as Appendices A, D, E, F and G. 1.3 Appendix B contains ITTF directives for match officials at world title competitions, including World Championships and ITTF sanctioned events; these directives are not mandatory for other competitions but they are often adopted for Continental and Open ternational Championships. Appendix C describes the qualification of umpires, Appendix H covers some aspects of Para table tennis and Appendix I is a summary of law and regulation changes made since the last edition in LAWS AND REGULATIONS 2.1 Applicability The first requirement of a match official is a sound knowledge of the rules, comprising laws and regulations, which govern competitive table tennis, complemented by a clear understanding of the extent to which they apply to different types of competition. The relevant information is contained in Chapters 2, 3 and 4 of the ITTF Handbook. 2.2 Laws The Laws of Table Tennis, referred to hereafter as laws, are contained in Chapter 2. The laws apply to all international play and are generally adopted by Associations for their domestic competitions, although any Association has the right to introduce variations for competitions that concern only its own players. A law can be changed only at a General Meeting, with the agreement of a 75% majority of those voting. 2.3 Regulations Chapter 3 contains the Regulations for ternational Competitions, referred to hereafter as regulations, which apply, in general, to all international competitions. The additional regulations for world title events, including World Championships, are given in Chapter 4. These regulations can be changed only at a meeting of the ITTF Board of Directors, by a simple majority of those voting. 3 TYPES OF COMPETITION 3.1 Open Tournaments An open tournament is a competition, organised with the authority of the Association in whose territory it is held, which is open for entry to the players of any Association. all such tournaments there may be minor variations of the regulations where the organising authority is unable or unwilling to meet all of the requirements, usually in respect of playing conditions such as playing space Where an open tournament does not comply with a particular regulation, the entry form must state clearly the nature and the extent of any variations, so that intending competitors will know in advance the limitations that will apply. A competitor who submits such an entry form is assumed to have understood and accepted the limitations, and the tournament will then be conducted under the modified regulations Each season an Association may nominate one senior, one junior and one veterans open tournament which it organises as its Senior, Junior or Veterans Open ternational Championships, and for such a tournament the regulations can be Page 5

82 modified only with the permission of the ITTF Executive Committee. Similarly, any variations for World Championships must be authorised by the ITTF Board of Directors and for Continental Championships by the appropriate Continental Federation. An Association, in addition, may also organise a Para table tennis tournament Since 1996, a number of Open ternational Championships have been included in a World Tour Circuit (previously known as Pro-Tour Circuit). They are organised directly under the auspices of ITTF and, from time to time, they incorporate experimental variations of laws and regulations authorised by ITTF Board of Directors. Such variations may apply to all World Tour tournaments in a season or be on an individual basis, and details will be given in the relevant entry form. 3.2 Restricted Tournaments Domestic tournaments, in which all the players are from the same Association and tournaments which are restricted to players from a defined area or to members of specific groups or professions are not automatically covered by the regulations. For these competitions the organising authority has the right to decide which of the regulations will apply and what variations, if any, it wishes to make. 3.3 Other ternational Competitions ternational team matches, other than those in World or Continental Championships, normally observe all the regulations, but the participating Associations may agree on modifications. these and other international competitions, it should be assumed that all the appropriate regulations are in force unless the published conditions of the event state that there are exceptions and make clear what the exceptions are. 4 MATCH OFFICIALS 4.1 Referee For every competition as a whole a referee is appointed, usually with one or more deputies who can act on his or her behalf. The referee or an authorised deputy must be present in the playing hall throughout play, to decide any question of rule interpretation, on which he or she is the sole authority, and generally to ensure that the competition is conducted in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations Where the referee is the sole arbiter, such as in allowing a temporary suspension of play for injury or disqualifying a player for misbehaviour, he or she must act consistently and avoid any suspicion of partiality to particular players. major competitions it is recommended that the referee and his or her deputies be from different Associations, so that there is always a neutral official to adjudicate in a dispute The referee is responsible for the appointment of match officials. Although he or she will not normally make such appointments himself or herself he or she must be satisfied that the officials are competent and that they act fairly and consistently. He or she should explain to the umpires, in his or her pre-tournament briefing, how he or she expects laws and regulations to be applied, especially where any of these are new or might be contentious The players are under the jurisdiction of the referee from the time at which they arrive at the playing venue until the time at which they leave it. The practice hall or area is considered to be part of the playing venue. 4.2 Umpire For each match there is an umpire, whose primary duty is to decide the result of each rally. principle, the umpire has no discretionary powers, but he or she is required to exercise judgment in applying some laws and regulations, such as deciding whether a rally should be a let because a player s service or return may have been affected by circumstances outside the player s control, or whether a player s behaviour is acceptable Where the umpire is officiating alone, he or she has the final decision on all questions of fact that arise during a match, including decisions on all edge balls and on all aspects of service. these circumstances he or she is directly responsible also for timing the duration of play, but when the expedite system is in operation he or she is assisted by another official who acts as stroke counter Although the umpire is obliged to accept certain decisions made by other match officials Page 6

83 he or she is entitled to seek an explanation if he or she believes that an official has made a decision that is outside his or her jurisdiction. If, on enquiry, he or she finds that an official has acted in this way he or she can overrule the decision wrongly made by that official, either by reversing it or, more usually, by declaring the rally a let The umpire should be about 2-3 metres from the side of the table, in line with the net, preferably on a slightly raised chair, although this is not essential for singles. For doubles, the umpire is advised to stand if his or her seat is not high enough for him or her to see clearly whether in service the ball bounces on the correct half-courts. Standing for singles is not recommended, because it unnecessarily obstructs the view of spectators The players are under the jurisdiction of the umpire from the time at which they arrive at the playing area until the time at which they leave it. 4.3 Assistant Umpire For international competitions an assistant umpire is appointed and he or she takes over or shares some of the umpire s duties. For example, an assistant umpire is solely responsible for decisions on edge balls at the side of the table nearest to him or her, and he or she has the same power as the umpire to decide the legality of a player s service action, whether a player obstructs the ball and some of the conditions for a let If either the umpire or the assistant umpire decides that a player s service action is illegal, that a player obstructs the ball, that the ball in service touches the net or that the conditions of play are disturbed in a way which could affect the outcome of the rally, that decision stands Nevertheless, a decision taken by one of these officials may in some circumstances be pre-empted by a decision of the other. For instance, whether or not the ball touches the edge of the playing surface on the side nearest to the assistant umpire may be irrelevant if the umpire has already seen a player move the playing surface. Similarly, a service that is judged illegal by the assistant umpire may not be penalised if the umpire has previously decided that the rally is a let because a ball from another table has come into the playing area The assistant umpire should be seated directly opposite the umpire, in line with the net, and at about the same distance from the table. The assistant umpire should not stand for doubles. 4.4 Timekeeper The assistant umpire may act as timekeeper, but some umpires prefer to carry out this function themselves, perhaps because they wish to decide for themselves how much time to allow for interruptions in play. The timekeeper is required to monitor the duration of practice, of play in a game, of intervals between games and of any authorised suspension of play, and his or her decision is final on the time that has elapsed. 4.5 Stroke Counter Stroke counting when the expedite system is in operation is normally undertaken by a separate official, but the assistant umpire also can act as stroke counter. The stroke counter s duty is solely to count the return strokes of the receiver and his or her decision on this question of fact cannot be overruled. If the assistant umpire does act as stroke counter he or she still retains his or her full responsibilities as assistant umpire. 4.6 Appeals A player, or in a team match his or her captain, may appeal against what he or she believes to be a wrong rule interpretation by the umpire, assistant umpire or stroke counter, but no appeal may be made against a decision on fact by any of these officials in accordance with his or her designated authority. Such an appeal may be made to the referee, whose decision is final on any question of rule interpretation If, however, the player or captain believes that the referee is incorrect a further appeal may be made, by the player s Association, to the ITTF Rules Committee. This committee will give a ruling for future occasions but it cannot change the decision already made by the referee. An appeal may be made also to the tournament management committee against a referee s decision on any matter not covered by a rule responding to appeals, the referee must take care to observe the relevant Page 7

84 procedures. an individual event he or she should deal only with the player or pair; a team captain or coach should not be allowed to intercede on his or her player s behalf, but an interpreter may assist where there is a language difficulty. a team match, any protest by a player that is not supported by his or her team captain should be ignored When the appeal is against the action of a match official, only that official should participate in the argument of the case. The referee may at some stage wish to hear the evidence or opinion of another official or a witness, but once that person has made his or her statement he or she should take no further part in any discussion, and interference by anyone not directly concerned must be firmly discouraged. 4.7 Replacement There may be occasions during a competition, either before a match or after play has started, when there is a question about the ability of a match official to carry out the duties for which he or she has been appointed. Such occasions are rare but when they do occur the referee must be ready to use his or her authority to deal with the matter, possibly replacing the official concerned if that is the only appropriate course of action The essential question for the referee is whether the appointment of a particular official, or the retention of an official already appointed, is likely to lead to an unfair result in the match. If an official is acting correctly and consistently and is not showing deliberate partiality it would be unreasonable for the referee to replace him or her simply because his or her decisions might affect one player or pair more than the other A complaint by a player that an umpire is too strict in his or her application of the laws or that he or she has been the subject of a previous protest by the player does not automatically disqualify him or her from officiating at a match in which that player is due to take part. Similarly, disputes between a match official and a player or captain during a match, however protracted, do not necessarily justify the replacement of that official Occasional mistakes by an umpire, especially if quickly corrected, would not normally justify his or her removal and it is generally better for the referee not to intervene during a game even when mistakes are more persistent, provided it is clear that the outcome of the match is not being prejudiced. Account must be taken, however, particularly in staged matches, of the possible effect on public presentation If, and only if, the referee is satisfied that the retention of an official is likely to prejudice a fair result, owing to complete loss of confidence by the players in the official s competence or judgment, that official may be replaced by another. The change should be made with the least possible fuss and the referee should explain carefully to the replaced official the reason for his or her action, avoiding any public display of criticism Where an official is replaced for making wrong decisions, the score resulting from these decisions cannot be changed if they were made on questions of fact within his or her jurisdiction. If they were made through a misinterpretation of rule or were outside his or her jurisdiction, consideration may be given to replaying any game whose result was affected, but it is generally better to proceed from the score that has been reached. 4.8 Presentation (See also Appendices A, D, E, F & G) addition to their responsibility for ensuring a fair result, match officials have an essential part to play in the presentation of a match. This should not, however, encourage them to indulge in personal showmanship and the best tribute to a good team of match officials is that they are not noticed, because they control play so unobtrusively that players and spectators can concentrate totally on the match While on duty match officials should look alert and interested in the match at which they are officiating. Players, to whom each match is a serious matter, do not always welcome a jocular or light-hearted attitude. Officials should not leave their places during a match unless they need to do so for a specific purpose, such as to retrieve the match ball at the end of a game or to restore the position of surrounds Even when off-duty, match officials should take care not to behave in a way which may prejudice their authority or which may reflect unfavourably on their Associations or on the sport. Good relationships with players are important, but care should be taken not to appear unduly friendly with particular players or to give any indication of partiality. Public criticism of other officials or organisers must be avoided Match officials are also responsible for the appearance of the playing area during a match. It should be kept tidy and free from unnecessary people and equipment, and any disturbance of the table or surrounds should be corrected immediately. Only officials directly concerned with a match should be allowed in the playing area, Page 8

85 positioned so that they are as unobtrusive as possible consistent with their being able to carry out their duties Organisers, normally in conjunction with the referee, usually set a limit for the number of persons allowed on the team bench and, in an individual event, there may also be a limit on the number of people allowed to accompany the players or pairs. It is the duty of the umpire to ensure that any such limits are observed and, if necessary, play should be suspended until those not entitled to be there have withdrawn It is advisable to close jackets when entering the field of play, and during the pre- or post-match presentation. However, whilst sitting down, it may be better to open the jacket for easier arm movements. It is important, at all tournaments, to make professional presentation a habit and something that the umpire feels natural and comfortable with at all times. (See Appendix F) 4.9 Uniform for Umpires Most Associations have adopted standards of clothing for their match officials, consisting usually of a jacket and trousers or skirt of specified colours, but the same clothing may not be suitable in all environments. For instance, in very warm conditions it may be intolerable for an official to have to wear a jacket throughout what may prove to be a long match, while some playing halls may be uncomfortably cold these circumstances the team of officials for a match should agree among themselves reasonable variations so that if, for example, they need to wear pullovers, these are all of the same colour. The most important consideration is that the officials are neatly dressed, as uniformly as is practicable, but it should be confirmed that any proposed changes to the normal uniform are acceptable to the organisers of the competition The URC has adopted a standard umpire s uniform for World Title Events. Refer to Appendix G for details Unless approved by the referee for religious or medical reasons, hats or headgear should not be worn. Tracksuits, windbreakers, etc. should never be worn some events, such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the organisers provide a uniform for match officials which should be worn during the event. 5 PLAYING CONDITIONS 5.1 The referee has the final decision on the acceptability of playing conditions but it is usually the umpire who is first aware of possible deficiencies, especially those that arise once an event has started. The umpire must, therefore, know the requirements of the relevant laws and regulations so that he or she can report promptly to the referee any variation that is not within his or her power to correct. 5.2 The playing space and the level of lighting will normally have been checked when the playing hall is set up and the tables and nets will have been properly installed. The umpire should, however, satisfy himself or herself before play begins that nothing has happened to disturb the conditions of play, such as failure of a light source, displacement of a table or the surrounds or loss of tension in the net assembly. 5.3 Whenever possible, the umpire should try to correct any deficiency himself or herself but if he or she cannot do so without holding up play he or she should report promptly to the referee. The referee may defer the match until the proper playing conditions have been restored or may transfer the match to another table but, if the shortcomings are only slight, he or she and the players may agree to ignore it and play the match in less than ideal conditions. 5.4 Match officials have a responsibility to see that the advertising regulations are observed. The number, size and colouring of advertisements on equipment and fittings in and around the playing area should be checked by the referee, in time for any necessary corrections to be made before play starts. During the competition, umpires should ensure compliance with the restrictions on advertisements on players clothing and numbers. 5.5 It is important for the umpire or assistant umpire to check both the height of the net and the tension of the net-cord. This should be done prior to every match, including team matches within a team competition. It is not really satisfactory just to estimate the tension by touch and several manufacturers have produced weighted net gauges, which ensure consistency. These gauges, which weigh exactly 100g, have two steps, one at 15.25cm and the other 1cm lower. However the weighted gauge should only be used to check the tension it is not advisable to use it for checking the height. After the height has been checked using a plastic net gauge at each end the lower step of the Page 9

86 weighted gauge is rested on the top of the net, in the centre, and the tension adjusted until the bottom of the gauge just touches the playing surface. If necessary, quickly recheck the height at each end after the tension has been adjusted. Do not use the plastic gauge and weighted gauge at the same time. Also when checking the net it is important to ensure that the clamp is attached as close as possible to the table. Ensure that there is no cord hanging down from the net post which could affect the ball or distract the players. 6 THE BALL 6.1 Type It is the umpire s duty to ensure that the ball used for each match is of the brand and colour specified for the competition and it is not permissible for a ball of a different kind to be used, even if both players or pairs prefer it. Any attempt by a player to substitute an alternative ball for the one supplied may be regarded as unfair behaviour, to be dealt with under the appropriate regulations. 6.2 Choice Players are not allowed to select balls in the playing area but, wherever possible, they should be given the opportunity to do so before they come to the match table. For the match they must accept a ball taken at random by the umpire either from among those they have chosen or, if for any reason they have not chosen any, from a box of balls of the brand and colour specified for the competition The same procedure is followed if a ball is damaged or lost during a match and has to be replaced. If this happens, the players may be allowed a short period of practice with the new ball but it must be made clear to them that this is simply to enable them to get used to its characteristics and that there is no question of their being allowed to test it and possibly ask for an alternative. 7 THE RACKET 7.1 Coverings A striking surface of the racket must be covered with one of the specified materials and, whether covered or not, one side must be red and the other black. The covering should extend to the limits of, but not beyond, the blade, but some tolerance may be allowed. The referee must decide what is acceptable and advise his or her umpires accordingly but, as a guide, 2mm would be an acceptable margin to most referees. This may particularly be the case with Para class 1 and 2 players as they often use their racket hand to push themselves back up into a sitting position after striking the ball, and, in doing so, touch the table top with their rackets. Thus an overhang can help to protect the table top and a slightly larger margin may be allowed competitions played under international regulations the covering must be of a type authorised by ITTF. Coverings authorised in this way carry the ITTF logo and the maker s logo or trademark, and players are required to attach the rubber to the blade so that these identifying features are clearly visible near the handle of the striking surface so that they can be checked by the umpire The umpire must check the racket covering against a list of currently approved racket coverings. The presence of the ITTF marking is required but is not proof that the covering is currently authorised. The ITTF web site has a list of currently approved racket coverings (LARC) Although only materials that comply with current laws and regulations are authorised, it cannot be assumed that a covering marked as authorised will automatically be legal. The original sponge layer may have been replaced by one of greater thickness and gluing can cause the layer to swell, so the thickness of the covering should always be checked. The covering must be used as it has been authorised by ITTF and is not allowed to be treated in any way, either by physical, chemical or other treatment which could modify the playing properties, such as friction, colour, surface, etc, and shall successfully pass all parameters of the racket control tests One of the most difficult decisions for an umpire or referee to make is the glossiness allowable for racket coverings. Although this can be measured with an EEL glossometer, such equipment is not usually available at a competition and some more practical means must be found. As a guide, a racket covering can be considered too glossy if letters can be clearly distinguished when, say, a net gauge is placed at an angle to the racket surface. However, the umpire will only be required to check the glossiness if he or she receives a complaint from the opposing player. Page 10

87 7.2 Adhesives Coverings may be attached to racket blades only by means of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets or liquid adhesives that do not contain harmful solvents. Organisers are required to provide a properly ventilated gluing area and players must not use liquid glues or the associated solvents anywhere else in the playing hall, including changing rooms and practice and spectator areas Glues containing harmful volatile compounds are no longer approved by ITTF. ITTF has informed all players to cease using glues containing volatile compounds and any player using such glues will be doing so at his or her own risk. ITTF has implemented a zero tolerance racket testing program and protocol, using mini RAE instruments, to ensure that all rackets used by players are free of volatile compounds. Adhesives containing volatile organic solvents cannot be used at the playing venue major competitions a racket control centre is established and rackets are tested for the presence of banned solvents, thickness, flatness, etc, normally before the matches A racket that does not pass a pre-match test, will be confiscated and the player will have to use a different racket; if there is no time to test the replacement before the match, it will be tested afterwards. A racket that is found satisfactory will be marked and given to the umpire in a paper envelope (or bag if envelope is not available) for issue at the match table If a racket fails a post-match test, the offending player will be liable to penalties as detailed in Referee Directives regarding Racket Control which are available on the ITTF website All players are entitled to have their rackets tested voluntarily without any penalties before the match. Full details of Racket Control can be found on the URC page of the ITTF web site. 7.3 spection The umpire should inspect the rackets that players intend to use, if possible before arriving at the court, but before they start their pre-match practice, so as to avoid unnecessary delay at the start of the match. This, and any subsequent inspection necessary because a damaged racket has to be replaced, should be done with as little fuss as possible. Opponents must always be given the opportunity to examine any racket that is to be used If the umpire considers that a racket is illegal he or she should explain why to the player. Even where this is a question of fact, such as an over-thick covering, the player may not accept the ruling. such a situation the matter must be reported to the referee, whose decision will be final. Similarly, if an opponent objects to a racket, which the umpire considers acceptable, the referee must decide whether the objection is justified A player is not allowed to change a racket during a match unless it is accidentally damaged so badly that it cannot be used. If it is discovered that a player has changed an undamaged racket the umpire should immediately suspend play and report to the referee, who may disqualify the player Players must normally leave their rackets on the table during the intervals between games and must not remove them without the specific agreement of the umpire. If, with the agreement of the umpire, a player removes his or her racket during an interval for any reason, the umpire and the opponent must be given the opportunity to inspect the racket, or its replacement, before the next game starts. The only exception to this is a disabled player whose racket is strapped to his or her hand. 7.4 Damage A racket which is legal when a player starts to use it may become damaged to an extent which invalidates its legality by, perhaps, destroying the continuity of the covering or the uniformity of pimples over a significant part of the surface. If a player wishes to continue with a damaged racket and the umpire has any doubt about its continuing legality he or she should immediately report to the referee deciding whether to allow further use of a damaged racket the referee should consider primarily the interests of the opponent. The ball is likely to rebound unpredictably from a damaged surface and this could cause difficulties for both players, although the player who wishes to use the racket has implicitly accepted this risk. Therefore, unless the damage is trivial, it is generally better for the racket to be replaced. Page 11

88 8 CLOTHING 8.1 Colour The main colour of clothing must be clearly different from that of the ball in use, but the main colour does not necessarily mean the colour occupying the greatest area. A solid patch of colour on the front of a shirt that covers only 40% of the area may still be the dominant colour, whereas a much larger percentage of the same colour evenly dispersed could be relatively unnoticeable. The purpose of this clause is to ensure visibility of the ball, and for that reason the colour of the back of the shirt can be disregarded It is the apparent colour of the clothing, which is important, and the referee has to decide whether it provides sufficient contrast with the colour of the ball. Predominantly yellow clothing may be quite acceptable with an orange ball and patterned clothing having a white background may be satisfactory with a white ball, provided the perceived colours of clothing and ball are clearly different There are no specific restrictions on the colour or size of badges, but they must comply with the normal requirements for the colour and design of clothing. On the back of the shirt players may wear lettering identifying themselves or their Associations or, in club matches, their club, and in this case white or any colour may be used; such lettering must not obscure any identifying numbers that the organisers require a player to wear Opposing players and pairs must wear shirts of clearly different colours. The umpire must resolve any question in this regard before the players start their practice period and, preferably, before the players arrive at the playing area An umpire who considers that the shirts worn by opposing players are not sufficiently different should ask them to decide which of them will change; if they do not accept his or her ruling the matter must be reported to the referee. Where it is decided that one must change and they cannot agree which will do so, the decision must be made by the umpire by lot The purpose of this regulation is to help spectators to distinguish between players, and the possible distance of spectators from the playing area must be taken into consideration. Colours which look quite different close-up can appear almost identical when seen from the back row of spectator seats, and opposing players shirts should preferably be of different basic colours and not just different shades of the same colour. This could also extend to the back of a player s shirt, especially in TV matches, where it is important that players are easily distinguishable. If a player has to change a shirt for any reason during a match the new shirt does not have to be the same colour as the one being changed, but still has to comply with the above clauses. 8.2 Design Clothing may be of any design provided it does not bear symbols or lettering that might cause offence or otherwise bring the game into disrepute. The referee is responsible for determining what is and what is not acceptable for such reasons, but examples of markings which would be precluded are obscene pictures or lettering and political slogans or messages in any language Players of the same Association forming a doubles pair in international competitions are allowed to wear clothes of different manufacturers, if the basic colours are the same and their National Association authorises this procedure. a World, Olympic or Paralympic Title Competition players of the same Association must be dressed uniformly, with the possible exception of socks, shoes, and the number, size, colour and design of advertisements on clothing (noting that no advertisements are allowed in Olympic and Paralympic competitions except for the clothing manufacturer). 8.3 Advertisements Shirts, shorts or skirts may carry advertisements in addition to the logo or trademark of the maker of the garment, although advertisements for certain types of products are precluded. These advertisements are limited in size and number but may otherwise be of any design, provided that they are not so conspicuous or brightly reflecting as to unsight an opponent, and that they do not include offensive wording or symbols. 8.4 Legality It is usually the umpire who first has the opportunity to consider whether players clothing complies with the relevant regulations. If he or she is sure that it is illegal he or Page 12

89 she should explain why to the player and, if the player accepts his or her decision and modifies or replaces the garment with one that is legal, no further action is needed. Only where the umpire is uncertain or the player does not accept the umpire s decision would the referee be consulted It is often a matter of judgment whether clothing complies with the regulations and the referee s decision is final on any question of legality Although it is reasonable to expect umpires to report any doubts about the legality of clothing, the referee should check for himself or herself, by looking round the playing hall from time to time, that there are no obvious failures to meet the required standards. This should be done as early as possible in a competition, as it is difficult to justify banning a garment, which has been accepted without question in several previous matches making decisions about the legality of clothing and other playing equipment, the referee must be consistent, both among players at the same competition and, as far as practicable, with the standards applied at other similar competitions. Where he or she is uncertain, he or she may be able to make a comparison with similar garments that have been accepted previously and conform to a more widely used standard The regulations define normal clothing but do not specifically preclude the wearing of such items as headgear and cycling shorts, and the referee must decide in each case what he or she will allow, taking into account presentation of the sport. Headgear worn for religious reasons and headbands to prevent long hair from obscuring a player s view are clearly acceptable, but most referees would not allow the wearing of, for example, reversed baseball caps Some players wear cycling shorts, usually under normal shorts, as a means of keeping muscles warm, and this practice is generally accepted. It is recommended, however, that where such shorts are worn they should be of the same colour as the normal shorts and, in any case, they must not carry any advertisements or other markings If a player protests that he or she is being unsighted by brightly reflecting jewellery or other items worn by an opponent the umpire should ask for the offending items to be covered or removed. If this request is refused the matter must be reported to the referee, whether or not the umpire supports the protest. The fact that the item has been worn in previous matches is irrelevant, and each case must be decided on its merits. 8.5 Track Suits A player may not normally wear any part of a tracksuit during play but in some circumstances the referee may give permission for him or her to do so. Examples of such circumstances are extreme cold in the playing hall, with the consequent risk of muscle strain, or a leg disability or injury that the player prefers to keep covered. If a tracksuit is worn in play, it must comply with the requirements for playing clothes. A player with a physical disability, either in a wheelchair or standing, may wear the trousers portion of a tracksuit during play, but jeans are not permitted. 8.6 Changing Players should be discouraged from changing items of clothing in full view of spectators. If a player needs to change a playing garment because it is torn or wet through perspiration, he or she may be allowed to leave the playing area to do so during any authorised interval in play, accompanied by an official. The referee may give permission on each occasion or as a general dispensation to umpires before play begins. 9 DEFINITIONS 9.1 The laws governing play are preceded by a set of definitions. The main purpose of these definitions is to explain the significance of the main technical terms used in the laws, which may be different from the normal meaning of the words, but it should not be overlooked that they can often help also in the interpretation of laws to cover circumstances that are not dealt with specifically. 9.2 For instance, the definition of to strike the ball is to touch it with the racket, held in the hand, or the racket hand below the wrist. From this it follows that a player who drops his or her racket during a rally but attempts to return the ball by hitting it with the hand in which he or she had been holding the racket cannot make a good return, because he or she is not striking the ball according to the definition. 9.3 For the same reason he or she cannot make a good return by throwing his or her racket at the ball, because the racket does not strike the ball if it is not held in the racket Page 13

90 hand at the moment of impact. However, a player may transfer his or her racket from one hand to the other during play and strike the ball with the racket held alternately in either hand, because the hand holding the racket is automatically the racket hand. 9.4 It is essential to understand when the ball is considered as being in play because it is only during this time that a point, other than a penalty point, can be scored. The ball is in play from the last instant at which it is stationary on the palm of the server s free hand before being intentionally projected in service, and until the server has taken this action this instant is not defined. 9.5 Thus if the ball accidentally rolls off the server s hand before he or she starts to throw it his or her opponent does not score a point, because the ball was not in play. For the same reason a player may place the ball on his or her free hand and hold it stationary but then change his or her mind about the type of service he or she will make and move to another position to do so. Provided he or she has made no attempt to throw the ball, no point is scored. 9.6 Once the ball is in play it remains in play until the rally has been decided as a let or point. The ball does not go out of play simply because it goes outside the playing area or above the level of the lights without touching them, but it does do so if it passes over a player s court or beyond his or her end line without touching his or her court since last being struck by his or her opponent. 9.7 The intention of obstruction is that a player will be penalised under this law only if he or she intercepts the ball in a way that is likely to prevent an opponent making a good return. There is no obstruction if the interception occurs when the ball has passed beyond his or her end line, has passed outward over the sideline or is otherwise moving away from the playing surface. 10 SERVICE 10.1 Consistency Consistent application of the service law always presents difficulties, perhaps because it has become so complicated, and there is sometimes a tendency for umpires to pay most attention to the aspects that they find easiest to check. To offset this tendency, the umpire should keep in mind the purpose of the various requirements and try to ensure that they are applied in a way that meets their objectives Free Hand The requirement for the server s free hand to be open is intended to ensure that the ball is not gripped in any way, so that the player cannot impart spin to the ball as he or she throws it. applying the law the umpire should be less concerned with details such as the precise curvature of the server s free hand than with satisfying himself or herself that the ball is resting freely on the server s palm To help ensure that the ball can be seen resting freely on the palm it is required to be stationary above the level of the playing surface. The free hand may not be held stationary, dropped below the table surface and then brought upwards with a continuous sweep of the arm to throw the ball; if the hand is not brought to rest again above the level of the playing surface the service is illegal The ball, but not necessarily the whole of the free hand, must also be behind the server s end line from the start of service until it is projected upwards. Thus a player may begin service with his or her arm and part of his or her free hand over the playing surface without being penalised, provided the ball itself is clearly behind the end line Throwing the Ball The server is required to throw the ball near vertically upwards and it must rise at least 16 cm after leaving his or her hand. This means it must rise within a few degrees of the vertical, rather than within the angle of 45 that was formerly specified, and that it must rise far enough for the umpire to be sure that it is thrown upwards and not sideways or diagonally. Diagram services B and C are acceptable, whilst A and D are not. The height of the toss is also a factor in determining whether the toss is near vertical. Diagram the ball is projected from, and struck at, the same place, but service A is a fault, whilst B is acceptable. Page 14

91 B C A D Diagram Diagram The lower limit of 16cm is just greater than the height of the net, which provides a convenient reference Striking the Ball The ball must not be struck until it is falling from the highest point in its trajectory. At the moment of contact with the racket the ball must be above the level of the playing surface and behind the end line Visibility The primary requirement of the current service law is for the server to ensure that the receiver can see the ball throughout the service, and the umpire or assistant umpire must be satisfied that this is the case. The umpire or assistant umpire should look to see that the ball is not hidden from the receiver at any stage by any part of the body, or anything he or she or his or her doubles partner is wearing or carrying, and that the server s free arm, which includes the free hand, is moved from the space between the ball and the net, as soon as he or she releases the ball The ball must be above the level of the playing surface at the start of service. There is, however, no specific requirement for the receiver to be able to see the racket throughout service, and the server may quite legitimately begin service with the racket concealed, for example, behind his or her back From their positions in line with the net it may be impractical for the umpire and/or the assistant umpire to judge whether the ball is struck illegally if it is struck close to the end line or beside a player s body. It is, however, the responsibility of the player to serve so that the correctness of his or her service action can be seen and if he or she serves near the margins of illegality he or she runs the risk of being penalised Warning An umpire or assistant umpire, who suspects, but is not sure, that a player s service action is illegal, may warn the player without awarding a point. Only one warning may be given during a match and if any of his or her, or his or her doubles partner s, subsequent services in that match is of doubtful legality, for the same or for any other reason, a point will be awarded to his or her opponent. A yellow card should not be used for a service warning Either the umpire or assistant umpire can issue a service warning. A player can only be given one warning Whether or not a formal warning is given there is no objection to a player whose service action is only marginally acceptable being advised informally, between rallies, by either the umpire or assistant umpire, that any deterioration could make it illegal. Contrary to popular belief, a player is not entitled to a warning for a first illegal service, and a clear failure to meet the requirements of the service law should always be penalised by the award of a point The umpire or assistant umpire has no power to ignore an infringement of the service law because he or she does not believe that it gives the server any advantage and there is no justification for overlooking a first offence in the hope that it was a temporary lapse. The offence may be repeated at a critical stage of the match, and a player penalised then could justly protest that he or she had been given no earlier indication that the action was illegal Exceptions The umpire may relax the requirements for a correct service if he or she is satisfied that compliance is prevented by a physical disability. This will always be done for Class 1 Page 15

92 and Class 2 players (refer Appendix H). The player s international classification card contains a section indicating any physical limitations that the player may have affecting compliance with the requirements of a correct service e.g. where a player with a disability is either not able to straighten his or her palm or does not have a hand, the player may serve with a curved palm or toss the ball from his or her stump. 11 A LET 11.1 Purpose The primary purpose of a let is to end a rally without awarding a point when something has happened which may affect the result of the rally, but there are other occasions on which it is necessary to suspend play temporarily. Such occasions may include the correction of errors in the score, the serving order or the ends at which the players are playing and the introduction of the expedite system when the time limit is reached Net Cord Service The most common reason for a let is that the ball touches the net assembly while passing over it in service. Provided the service is good up to the point at which the ball touches the net, the rally is a let if the ball then touches correctly the receiver s court or if it is obstructed by the receiving player or pair; if it does not touch the correct court at all and is not obstructed, the receiver scores a point When the ball touches the net during service, the umpire and assistant umpire wait until the ball touches the correct court and then make the appropriate call, rather than introduce an additional signal before the rally is over that may interfere with play. (See Appendix E Recommended Hand Signals and Calls) If either the umpire or the assistant umpire believes that the ball in service touches the net the rally is a let. Even if there is only a suspicion that the ball touches the net in an otherwise good service it is better to declare a let than to allow play to continue, because there is a risk that one or more players may have the same suspicion and, as a result, will be unable to give full attention to the course of play A player who believes that the ball touched the net in an otherwise good service may sometimes raise his or her arm or catch the ball and ask the umpire to declare a let. Unless the umpire is certain that it did not he or she will usually concur, especially if the server agrees with his or her opponent, but he or she should make clear that he or she is under no obligation to do so and that the player should continue playing if the umpire does not declare a let terruptions Another common reason for a let is a disturbance that may affect the outcome of the rally, such as a ball from another table coming into the playing area or a sudden noise which is sufficiently loud to startle the players. Here again, it is better to declare a let immediately if there is a risk of an interruption than to wait until the rally has ended and then to decide whether or not the disturbance was significant A let should not normally be declared for occurrences due to hazards which were present at the start of a rally. For example, a player who fails to make a good return because he or she collides with his or her doubles partner, or trips over a surround is not entitled to the benefit of a let, but one may be allowed if the incident disturbs the conditions of play in a way which could be disadvantageous to an opponent Unreadiness The umpire may declare a let if the receiver is not ready, provided he or she makes no attempt to return the ball. However, the fact that the receiver makes no stroke does not itself justify a let and the umpire must decide whether the receiver was really unready or, perhaps, merely unwilling to try to return what appeared to be a difficult service. Players should be encouraged to show when they are unready by raising a hand Wheelchair Play If the receiver is in a wheelchair due to a physical disability, the rally is a let if the ball comes to rest on the receiver s court, or after touching the receiver s court returns in the direction of the net, or, in singles, leaves the receiver s court after touching it by either of the sidelines. This is because a player in a wheelchair, by definition, is restricted in the extent of his or her ability to stretch and a service returning towards Page 16

93 the net or going out from the sidelines is regarded as unfair. The ball can cross the sideline after one or more bounces. However, in singles play and where the ball is travelling towards the side line, if the receiver strikes the ball before it crosses a sideline or takes a second bounce on his or her side of the playing surface, the service is considered good and no let is called. 12 A POINT 12.1 Decision Each rally that is not a let results in the award of a point and the laws specify the various reasons for which a point is scored. The decisive stage of a rally is usually that at which the ball goes out of play and the umpire should beware of making a decision based on what he or she expects to happen, without allowing for the possibility that the rally may be ended in some quite different way which may invalidate his or her decision For instance, the ball may be returned by a player, well wide of the table, so that it is clear that it will not touch the opponent s court; but the rally does not end until the ball goes out of play and either player may still win the point. If, in these circumstances, the opponent moves the playing surface while the ball is in play, it is the player who struck the wide return who wins the point, even though the return was unlikely to be good Not all points are scored for reasons directly related to play, such as the failure to make a good service or a good return. For example, if while making a potentially winning hit a player accidentally touches the playing surface with his or her free hand or moves the table while the ball is in play, his or her opponent will score a point, whether or not he or she is likely to be able to make a good return The umpire must never award points for reasons that are not supported by the laws, perhaps because he or she considers that one player deserves a point or that another should be penalised for an unfair action. The umpire should always be able to justify any decision he or she makes by reference to a law and it is for this reason that he or she should study carefully and understand all of the reasons for which a point may be scored Some infringements of the laws or regulations do not automatically stop play and the umpire may have to do so by calling the score. some cases it will be obvious to the players why the rally has ended; where it is not obvious the umpire or assistant umpire should be ready to explain the reason for his or her decision. He or she may be able to do so by means of signs or by using one of the standard terms of explanation (18.4.2) A player who is in a wheelchair due a physical disability and who does not maintain a contact with the seat or cushion with the rear side of at least one of the thighs just before striking the ball is considered to be gaining an unfair advantage and the opponent is awarded a point If a player is in a wheelchair due to a physical disability, he or she may only touch the table with his or her racket hand to restore balance, only after a shot has been played, provided the playing surface does not move. The player is not allowed to use the table as an extra support before striking the ball. Similarly the player may not use his or her free hand on the table as an extra support, or touch the playing surface at any time during the rally. a doubles match this applies to both players Edge Balls It is necessary to decide whether a ball which touches the edge of the table makes contact on or below the playing surface, and the path of the ball before and after it touches the table can help the umpire or assistant umpire to arrive at the correct decision. If the ball first passed over the playing surface the return is good, but if it touched while it is still rising from below the level of the playing surface it almost certainly touched the side The main difficulty arises when a ball arrives from outside, and above the level of, the playing surface, and here the best guide is the direction of the ball after contact with the table. There is no infallible guide but, if, after touching the edge, the ball travels upwards, it is reasonable to assume that it touched the playing surface but, if it continues downwards, it is more likely to have touched the side The assistant umpire is solely responsible for edge ball decisions at the side of the table nearest to him or her. If he or she believes that the ball touched the side he or she should call side, and the umpire must award a point to the opponent(s) of the last striker. Only the umpire can decide on edge balls at the ends and at the side nearest to him or her. Page 17

94 12.3 Doubt An umpire who is certain that he or she has made a correct decision should not change it simply because the players think he or she is wrong, but he or she may appear officious if he or she insists on maintaining a decision with which both players or pairs strongly disagree. There is also a risk that the player who benefited from the decision may then deliberately fail to make a good service or return, and this will diminish the umpire s authority A decision should never be reconsidered solely at the request of the player who would benefit from a change, even if his or her opponent offers no objection, and a request for reconsideration should be ignored once another rally has started. Exceptionally, where both players or pairs are sure that a decision is wrong and the umpire can accept that he or she may have been mistaken, he or she would be wise to accept the correction When there is a genuine doubt in the mind of the umpire he or she should give the benefit of the doubt to the player who may have committed an offence, provided he or she is certain that an opponent has not been adversely affected. If, however, there is a risk that a player s attention has been distracted during the play because he or she too suspected that his or her opponent infringed a law or regulation but was not penalised, the rally should be declared a let. 13 CONTINUITY OF PLAY 13.1 Time-out addition to the statutory intervals between games, each player or pair, or their captain or adviser on their behalf, is entitled to one time-out period of up to 1 minute during an individual match. Making a T-sign with the hands indicates the request, which can be made only between rallies after the start of the game On receiving the request the umpire should suspend play and hold up a white card, raising the arm above the head, on the side of the player or pair making the request. The assistant umpire should then place a special signboard (or white marker) on the court of the player or pair making the request. After placing the special signboard (or white marker) and before removing it from the table, the assistant umpire shall stand beside his or her table. Play is resumed when this player or pair is ready to do so, or at the end of 1 minute, whichever is the sooner. The special signboard (or white marker) should then be removed from the table and a white marker be placed near the score indicator, next to the score of the player or pair who requested the time-out. If an umpire is working without an assistant, he or she should show the white card, and, if it can be done easily, place a special signboard (or white marker) on the court of the player or pair making the request If a captain/adviser and a player/pair disagree whether a time-out is to be taken, the captain has the final decision in a team match and the player/pair in an individual match If both players/pairs ask for a time-out at the same time, the time allowed is still up to 1 minute but they need not return earlier unless both players/pairs are ready to resume. Neither player/pair is entitled to another time-out in that individual match Time-wasting The requirement is for play to be continuous throughout a match, apart from authorised intervals, but if, for example, the ball goes outside the playing area, clearly play cannot continue until it is returned. The intent of the regulation is to prevent deliberate timewasting, such as by repeated bouncing of the ball, long pauses before serving and prolonged discussions with a doubles partner, which should be firmly discouraged Players are not allowed to receive advice or instructions from their coaches or advisers after practice. They may practice for up to 2 minutes, but as soon as they have finished they must start play, even if the practice period has lasted for less than 2 minutes Towelling It is the duty of the umpire to ensure that any interruptions are as short as is practicable and that players do not take advantage of any concessions to gain extra rest periods or disturb the rhythm of an opponent s play. The pace of modern table tennis, especially when played in warm conditions, makes occasional breaks for towelling necessary but such breaks are now limited to specified stages of play Players are entitled to brief breaks for towelling after every 6 points from the start of a game, and at the change of ends in the last possible game of a match. Spectacle Page 18

95 wearers can have particular problems, especially in hot conditions, and the umpire may allow them short breaks for cleaning between any rallies The purpose of the restriction on towelling is to prevent it being used as a delaying tactic, either to gain extra rest time or to disturb the rhythm of an opponent s game. There is no reason why players may not towel at times which do not further interrupt the continuity of play, such as when the ball is being retrieved from outside the playing area, but care must be taken that players do not deliberately cause such breaks Damaged Equipment Another possible reason for an interruption of play is damage to playing equipment. No interval can be allowed for a player to fetch a new racket if the one he or she is using is damaged, because he or she is required to be able to replace it in the playing area. If he or she replaces a racket and this racket also becomes damaged the umpire must report to the referee, who will decide how a second replacement is to be provided Replacement of a damaged ball should not be allowed to hold up play unduly, but players should be allowed a few practice strokes with the new ball before resuming play The failure of a light, or other serious disturbance of the playing area, that could cause delay should be reported immediately to the referee, who may transfer the match to another table if one is available jury If, owing to accident or illness, a player is unable to continue the umpire must report immediately to the referee. The referee may authorise an emergency suspension of play for the player to receive treatment or to recover by resting, provided he or she is satisfied that the break in continuity will not unfairly affect an opponent and that the player will be able to resume play within a reasonably short time. The timekeeper should time the suspension from the time when the referee is called, not from the time he or she arrives at the playing area No interval can be allowed where the disability is due to illness or unfitness that was present or to be expected at the start of the match, or to effects such as exhaustion resulting from the way in which play has proceeded. If an interval is granted, it should be as short as possible and not longer than 10 minutes, but if anyone in the playing area is bleeding, play must not be resumed until all traces of blood have been removed Once a player has been granted an interval for recovery from injury, normally he or she should be allowed no further such interval during that match. Exceptionally, where the first interval was very short, another brief interval may be allowed for treatment provided that it is not likely to be prejudicial to the opponent and that the total period for which play is suspended during the match does not exceed 10 minutes If a player with a disability is unable to play temporarily due to the nature of his/her disability or condition, the referee may, after consulting a medical classifier or doctor at the competition, allow a medical recovery time of the shortest practical duration, but in no circumstances more than 10 minutes Leaving Playing Area Players must normally remain in or near the playing area throughout an individual match, except with the permission of the referee; during intervals between games and time-outs they shall remain within 3 metres of the playing area under the supervision of the umpire Rest Periods Players should not be allowed to extend the intervals between games and should be called back if they have not returned at due time. Each interval is limited to 1 minute and if players do not take all the time available to them at one interval they may not claim extra time at the next. It is not necessary for the players or pairs to agree on taking a rest period, which must be allowed if any player wishes to take one. 14 ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS 14.1 Choice Page 19

96 At the start of a match the choice of serving, receiving and ends is decided by lot, usually by tossing a coin or disc having two distinct sides. The player who wins the right to choose first may decide to serve or to receive first or to start playing at a particular end of the table. If he or she decides to serve or receive first his or her opponent has the right to choose an end and vice versa, so that both players have a choice to make each game of a doubles match, the pair due to serve first may choose which of them will serve first and in the first game the opposing pair must then decide which of them will receive first. subsequent games the striking order is defined by the initial order, which reverses for each game. When first one pair scores 5 points in the last possible game of a match, the receiving pair must change their order of receiving a doubles match between A, B and X, Y, the only two possible orders of striking are A-X-B-Y-A-. and A-Y-B-X-A-., but the sequence may start with any player, depending on the choices made at the start of each game. The umpire should note the striking order at the start of the match and of the first server in each game, so that any errors can be corrected by reference to the appropriate starting point When a doubles pair comprises two players who are in wheelchairs due to a physical disability, the server first makes a service and the receiver makes a return, but thereafter either player of the disabled pair may make a return. However if any part of a player s wheelchair protrudes beyond the imaginary extension of the centre line of the table, the umpire will award a point to the opposing pair. This also applies when a mixed pair (one standing and one wheelchair) are playing together. Either player may return the ball (after initial service and return), but each player has to remain in his or her own half of the court. No part of the player s wheelchair can cross the imaginary extension of the centre line and the standing player cannot put a foot over this line either Errors The correction of errors in striking order or ends is based on two principles. First, as soon as the error is discovered play is stopped and is resumed with the correct order or ends; second, any points that have been scored while the error persisted count as though it had not occurred. If an error is noticed during a rally the umpire should immediately declare a let, and not wait until the ball is next out of play The score that has been reached usually determines who should be serving and receiving but if, in doubles, the pair who should have served first in a game did not do so, the umpire cannot know which of them would have served first. If this happens he or she should ask them immediately who would have been their first server, and he or she can then calculate the order in which play will resume. 15 EXPEDITE SYSTEM 15.1 Principle The expedite system is the method provided by the laws to prevent unduly long games, which may result from negative play by both players or pairs. Unless 18 points in total have been scored it is introduced automatically after 10 minutes play in a game or at any earlier time at the request of both players or pairs Under the expedite system the serving player or pair has 13 strokes including the service stroke in which to win the point. If the receiving player or pair safely makes 13 good returns, the receiving player or pair wins the point. The game is won, as in normal play, by the player or pair first scoring 11 points or, if the score reaches 10-10, by the player or pair first establishing a lead of 2 points The serving order throughout each game is the same as for a normal game, but service changes after each point instead of after every 2 points. At the start of each game the first server, and in doubles the first receiver, is determined by the order established at the start of the match, even though the same players may have been serving and receiving at the conclusion of the preceding game Procedure When the time limit is reached, unless 18 points have been scored, the timekeeper should call Time loudly. The umpire should then declare a let if necessary and tell the players that the remainder of the match will be conducted under the expedite system. If the ball is in play when the time limit is reached, the next server is the player who served for that rally; if it is not in play, the next server is the player who received in the preceding rally Thereafter, in each rally the stroke counter is required to count aloud the return strokes Page 20

97 of the receiving player or pair, including the return of service, from one to thirteen. The call should be made immediately after the receiver has struck the ball and not delayed until the return has been judged good or the ball has gone out of play. If the 13th return is good the umpire should call stop and award a point to the receiver. 16 ADVICE TO PLAYERS 16.1 A player may receive advice during the intervals between games or during any other authorised suspension of play, but not between the end of practice and the start of play, during breaks for towelling or while he, or his or her opponent, is retrieving the ball a team event he or she may receive advice from anyone authorised to be at the playing area but in an individual event he or she may receive advice from only one person, who must be nominated to the umpire before the match. Where a doubles pair consists of players from different Associations, each may nominate an adviser. These advisers are treated as a single unit for the purposes of the advice regulations. A single warning applies to both, and if either of the pair gives advice illegally after either has been warned, both should be sent away from the playing area When anyone tries to give advice illegally the umpire should first warn him or her by holding up a yellow card so that it is clearly visible to everyone concerned, but there is no need for him or her to leave his or her chair to do so. a team match, such a warning applies to everyone on the team bench. If in that team match anyone again gives advice illegally, the umpire should hold up a red card and send that person away from the playing area. Another adviser cannot replace an adviser who is sent away from the playing area for giving advice illegally A dismissed adviser must go far enough away to ensure that he or she cannot influence play. an individual event he or she may not return until the match ends; in a team event he or she may not return until the end of the team match except to play, when he or she may return only for the duration of his or her individual match. If he or she refuses to leave or returns before he or she is entitled to do so the umpire should suspend play and report to the referee Attempts may be made to advise a player by calling out to him or her during play, but the umpire must be careful to distinguish between advice and shouts of encouragement. Advice need not be spoken and hand signals are often used; this type of advice is difficult to detect, as is advice given in an unfamiliar language, but match officials must be alert to any illegal attempt to influence play and act promptly to deal with it The behaviour regulations include provision for use of the penalty point system to control advice given illegally, but its application should be limited to situations where it is clear that it is the player who is seeking advice. It would be unfair to penalise a player for simply receiving advice that he or she has not sought and may not want and in most cases it is better to deal directly with the illegal adviser The assistant umpire may often be in a better position than the umpire to see that advice is being given illegally. If advice is given illegally the assistant umpire should immediately draw this to the umpire s attention, interrupting play if necessary by calling stop and raising his or her hand. The umpire should then take any appropriate action. 17 BEHAVIOUR 17.1 Responsibility of the Umpire Deliberately unfair or offensive behaviour is not common in table tennis and is usually limited to a small minority of players and coaches, but its effects may be very damaging and it is often difficult to control. Because misbehaviour can take many forms it is impractical to lay down precise rules and setting and applying acceptable standards of conduct is more a matter of judgment and common sense than of factual decision The umpire should be ready to respond immediately to any sign that bad behaviour by a player or coach is likely to be unfair to an opponent, to offend spectators or to bring discredit to the sport. If he or she tolerates early lapses in good behaviour, however trivial, without even a disapproving glance he or she will find it much harder to impose proper discipline if these lapses later become more persistent or serious The umpire should, however, avoid over-reaction to possibly unintentional instances of unseemly behaviour, for this could lead to resentment and animosity that will undermine his or her authority. When he or she takes action he or she should always try to do so in a way that does not make the situation worse, either by drawing undue attention to an incident that may not have been generally noticed or by appearing to victimise a player or coach. Page 21

98 An example of behaviour which might justify action by the umpire is shouting during play, in annoyance or elation, but in deciding how to react the umpire should take account of the environment in which it occurs. If the general noise level is so high that the player s shouting is hardly noticeable, it is more sensible not to stop play but to wait until the end of the rally before speaking to the offending player Another example of bad behaviour is gross disrespect of match officials by players or coaches, usually to demonstrate disagreement with a decision. This may take the form of persistent protest, alteration of the score indicators or even threats against the officials. Such behaviour detracts from the presentation of the sport and from the authority of the match officials, and must be strongly resisted When misbehaviour occurs, the umpire has to decide whether the offence is so serious that he or she must suspend play and report immediately to the referee. Although this option is always available and should be used when appropriate, it should rarely be necessary on the first occasion and in most circumstances the initial action should be to give the offender a warning The assistant umpire may often be in a better position than the umpire to see misbehaviour. If this occurs the assistant umpire should immediately draw this to the umpire s attention, interrupting play if necessary by calling stop and raising his or her hand. The umpire should then take any appropriate action Warning Unless the incident is so seriously unfair or objectionable that formal action cannot be avoided, a quiet informal word of warning or even a warning signal should be sufficient to make the offender aware that such behaviour is unacceptable. Wherever possible, this should be done without interrupting play, taking advantage of the next natural break such as the end of the rally or the end of the game When, however, the umpire believes that an opponent may have been adversely affected or that the behaviour is likely to offend spectators or otherwise to be detrimental to the sport he or she should immediately declare a let and formally warn the offender, by holding up a yellow card, that further misbehaviour will incur penalties When a formal warning has been given, a yellow marker should be placed near the score indicator, next to the score of the player who has been warned. Similarly if a player has had a penalty point awarded against him or her, both a yellow and red marker should be placed near the score indicator, if space permits. If both the umpire and assistant umpire are using score indicators then the cards should only be placed on the assistant umpire s indicator. These warnings apply for the remainder of the individual match or, in a team event, the remainder of the team match, and subsequent offences will incur penalty points It should be remembered that, once a formal warning has been given, subsequent offences must automatically be penalised by the award of points. The umpire should not be afraid to use this procedure when it is justified, but if a formal warning is given too readily he or she may find that he or she has to penalise a player at a critical stage of a match for an offence that, to many people, may appear trivial Penalties If a player who has been formally warned commits a further offence in the same match the umpire should award 1 penalty point to his or her opponent and for a third offence he or she should award 2 points, each time holding up a yellow and a red card together to show the action he or she has taken. Should misbehaviour continue after the umpire has imposed these penalties he or she should suspend play immediately and report to the referee When the umpire awards a penalty point the referee should be advised as soon as practicable, but without delaying play, to enable the referee, if he or she wishes, to come to the playing area so that he or she will be readily available in case of any further trouble. If the referee or his or her deputy is not in a position to see the display of cards it may be possible to use another pre-arranged signal or to send a messenger Penalty points may sometimes be awarded after a game has ended, or 2 penalty points might be awarded against a player when his or her opponent needs only 1 point to win the game. If the match has not ended any unused points are transferred to the next game of that individual match, so that it starts at the score of 0-1 or 0-2 in favour of the offender s opponent, but if the match has ended they should be ignored. this case the server is the one who should have been serving at that score according to the sequence established at the beginning of the match a team match, warnings and penalties are carried over to subsequent individual Page 22

99 matches. A doubles pair is regarded as having incurred the higher of any warnings or penalties incurred by either of the players; thus if one has been warned in a previous match and the other had incurred 1 penalty point, a first offence by either of them in the doubles match would incur 2 penalty points. A warning or penalty during a doubles match applies to the pair during that match, but only the offending player will carry it over to a subsequent individual match. The following example illustrates this point: a team match with 4 singles and 1 doubles matches, players A & B are paired to play the doubles match. their first singles matches in this team match, A was warned and B incurred a penalty point. the 2nd game of the doubles match A intentionally breaks the ball by stepping on it. The umpire awards 2 penalty points against A/B. their next singles matches, each player carries forward 1 penalty point a team match it is necessary to record warnings and penalties so that they can be transferred to later matches, but it is advisable to do so also in individual events. This will allow the referee to take account of persistent bad behaviour when deciding, for example, whether to disqualify a player. The record can conveniently be a note on the scoresheet, stating who was warned or penalised and at what stage of the match, with a brief description of the offence. This recording of warnings should also be applied to coaches for similar reasons It is clearly impracticable to award penalty points against a coach, and it would be unfair to award them against a player on whose behalf he or she may be protesting. If after a formal warning a coach continues to misbehave he or she should be shown a red card and sent away from the playing area until the end of the match or, in a team event, of the team match; where this action is taken the incident should be reported to the referee Responsibility of the Referee The referee may disqualify a player from a match, an event or a whole competition, depending on the gravity of the offence. This is a matter for his or her judgment but when a player is reported for continuing to misbehave after the award of 2 penalty points the referee would normally disqualify him or her, holding up a red card. very serious cases he or she would also make a formal report to the player s parent Association Usually the referee learns of instances of bad behaviour from the umpire, but he or she may sometimes be able to see them and to take action before the umpire has invoked his or her attention. He or she can also anticipate possible problems by, for example, watching at least part of any match involving a player who has previously been warned or penalised for bad behaviour, to make sure that such behaviour does not continue Even where there has been no previous incident it may be obvious from the reaction of spectators that one or more of the players in a match is/are misbehaving. By watching the match the referee may find that the umpire is no longer in control of play and in this situation he or she should take action on his or her own initiative, either by telling the umpire what he or she must do or by dealing directly with the offending player. 18 MATCH CONDUCT 18.1 Score Calling The umpire should call the score clearly, taking care that the tone of his or her voice does not suggest partiality towards one player or pair; he or she may place a slight emphasis on the number of points which has changed as a result of the rally. If he or she is using a microphone he or she may need to adjust his or her speaking level, and/or the position of the microphone, and he or she should remember that it may well cause remarks that were not intended for the public to be generally audible The score should normally be called as soon as the rally has been decided and the umpire should not wait until he or she judges that the players are ready to resume play. However, if there is loud applause or a player is retrieving the ball from the back of the playing area he or she may prefer to delay his or her call slightly until he or she is satisfied that both players or pairs will be able to hear it The umpire should call first the number of points scored by the player or pair due to serve next, then the number of points scored by the opposing player or pair. At a change of service he or she should point to the next server. This may be followed by the name of the next server. Whether or not to name the server should be covered at the referee s briefing, with the main aim being that all umpires at an event act consistently. At the start of a game the server s name should be announced first Whilst it is optional for the umpire to use the players names, he or she should be sure how to pronounce players names correctly. The umpire should verify correct Page 23

100 pronunciation before the match is started When each player or pair has scored, say, 4 points the score may be called either as 4-4 or 4-all ; the score 0 may be expressed as either zero or love. At the start of a game the umpire should announce Smith to serve, Love all or Zero-Zero, to avoid the risk of players starting before the call is complete. If the rally is a let the umpire should repeat the existing score, to confirm that no point has been scored a team match the name of the Association may be used instead of, or as well as, the player s name. It is, however, a requirement to point to the next server. Thus in a team match between France and Poland, the opening announcement could be Kinski of Poland to serve, 0-0. During an individual game the score might be called as 6-4, France and the announcement after an individual match could be Game to Poland 11-6, Poland wins by 3 games to 0; Poland leads by 1 match to an international competition both the score and, when the expedite system is in operation, the number of strokes must normally be called in English, but a different language may be used by agreement between the umpire and both players or pairs. Other announcements should be made in English unless it is clear that another language is more acceptable to spectators See Appendix F for Field of Play Procedures Signals addition to calling the score it is recommended that the umpire use hand signals to indicate certain decisions, especially where the noise level makes it difficult for a score call to be heard. Even if the umpire delays his or her call to allow for a burst of applause to subside or a player to return from retrieving the ball, a prompt signal will allow score indicators to be updated without having to wait for the score to be announced The umpire must point with his or her hand to the next server at a change of service. He or she may also indicate the award of a point by raising the arm nearer to the player or pair who won it, so that the upper arm is horizontal and the forearm is vertical, with the closed hand upward. If he or she declares a let or wishes to delay the resumption of play he or she should raise one hand above his or her head, and the assistant umpire should use the same signal to attract the umpire s attention when he or she makes a decision within his or her jurisdiction. Hand signals should be clear and positive but they must not be unnecessarily flamboyant or aggressive See Appendix E for examples of correct hand signals and recommended calls by the umpire and assistant umpire during match situations Time Keeping The timekeeper must time the practice period, intervals between games and any authorised suspension of play. During a game, the timer should be stopped during significant breaks in play and re-started as soon as the next rally begins. Examples of such breaks are pauses for towelling; the change of ends in the last possible game of a match and delays while the ball is being retrieved from outside the playing area. Retrieving the ball while still in the playing area is not a reason to stop the timer Explanations It is not usually necessary to have to explain umpiring decisions, and gratuitous announcements should be avoided. For example, if a player serves the ball into the net he or she has clearly not made a good service and there is no need to call fault. If, however, the rally is decided in a way that does not automatically end play or which may not be obvious a brief explanation may be given, using standard hand signals and/or the standard terms listed below The recommended explanatory terms are, service not good net touched by player, clothing or racket playing surface moved free hand touched playing surface ball obstructed by player ball touched same court twice ball deliberately struck twice by same player fault touched net moved table hand on table obstruction double bounce double hit Page 24

101 ball struck by wrong player in doubles in doubles service, ball touched wrong half-court wrong player wrong side A fuller explanation should be given if necessary - for instance, where a service has been ruled illegal and the player is not sure which of the requirements he or she failed to meet. Language problems can often be overcome by the use of signs, such as pointing to the edge of the playing surface if a player has not noticed that the ball touched it, or demonstrating an aspect of service action that has been penalised. 19 SCORE INDICATORS 19.1 The score is usually displayed on one or more score indicators. The correct use of score indicators is an important element in the presentation of a match and the umpire should make sure that the officials operating them are aware of their duties. Operators must await the umpire s call or signal before changing the score and must never anticipate decisions that they do not have the authority to make Most score indicators have two sets of large numbers to show the points scores and two smaller sets of numbers for the games scores. These indicators can provide a great deal of useful information, provided they are used consistently. Before a match the games score indicators should be left blank and not set to 0 until both players or pairs arrive in the court, as a guide to whoever is controlling the programme of play Before a game starts the points score indicators should be blank, and should not show 0-0 ; this score should be displayed only when the umpire calls it to announce the start of the game. At the end of a game the indicators should be left showing the final points score until just before the start of the next game, for the benefit of spectators, before being returned to the blank position no circumstances should the result of a game be shown simultaneously on the points and games score indicators. The games score should not be changed until the final points score in that game is reset so that, for example, until shortly before the start of the 4th game of a match the indicators may show a games score of 1 to each player and a points score of 11-7, but not 2-1 and Score indicators are normally placed in front of the umpire or assistant umpire, or both, facing towards the players, and in this position it is often difficult for spectators seated at the ends of the playing area to see them. The operator may rotate it by up to 45 o to his or her left and/or right at suitable intervals during play, such as at a break for towelling or when retrieving the ball from the rear of the court, or at change of service. Provided the score indicator is reasonably light, and the operator feels it is necessary to do so, the operator may also raise the score indicator whilst rotating it Most mechanical score indicators can display points scores up to about 20 and rarely will the score in a game exceed this figure. If this stage is reached it is generally better to revert to 10-10, a score at which the alternation of service is expected See Appendix A for examples of the correct use of score indicators. 20 CONCLUSION 20.1 Whether working alone or as part of a team, the work of match officials can be difficult and demanding. They must be fair but not indulgent, firm but not officious and confident without being obtrusive. For most people these qualities are acquired only through experience, but it is hoped that the guidance given in this booklet will be of assistance to all those seeking to improve their competence as match officials. Page 25

102 Appendix A - Recommended Procedure for Match Officials 1 Before going to the playing area, check that you have all the necessary equipment, such as net gauges (plastic and weighted), disc or coin for tossing, towel, balls, scoresheet, pen, stop-watch and coloured cards. Make sure that you understand how to complete the scoresheet. 2 If possible, before entering the field of play make sure that team players, and doubles pairs of the same Association, are similarly dressed and that opposing players or pairs are wearing shirts of clearly different colours; report any non-compliance that you cannot resolve, or any doubt about clothing or rackets, to the referee. 3 On arrival at the playing area, check that the table and surrounds are correctly positioned and that the net is properly adjusted for height and tension. If a microphone is to be used, if practical make sure that it is working properly and that you know the correct voice level. 4 Set the indicators to the blank position that is, so that they show no points or game scores (Figure 1). a team match, check that the match score indicator is set correctly. When both players or pairs arrive in the court, set both game score indicators to 0 (Figure 2). Figure 1: Before players arrive 0 0 Figure 2: When players arrive 5 If not done earlier, before practice begins, check that the players shown on the score sheet are in the court and are wearing either their correct number or have their name displayed, and that their rackets are acceptable. If you leave this until later and there is a wrong player or an illegal racket, time spent practising will have been wasted. 6 Decide who will have the choice of service and ends by tossing a two coloured disc or a coin in front of both players or pairs, making sure that they know how to call. Do not let the disc or coin fall on to the table and, preferably, not on to the floor. 7 When both players or pairs have made their choices, note on the scoresheet who is the first server and, in doubles, the first receiver. Unless you are certain of the correct way to pronounce the players names, ask them how they wish their names to be called. 8 an individual event, establish who the designated advisor is for each player or pair. a team event, check that the number of people on the team bench, including players, coaches and other team officials, does not exceed the permitted number. 9 Give the players a ball that you have taken at random, either from those they have chosen before the match or, if they have not chosen any, from a box of balls of the type specified for the competition. 10 Time the practice period and recall players as soon as the permitted time is up. Make sure that they do not receive advice or do anything else to delay the start of play after the practice period has ended. 11 Before play starts, ensure that towels are placed in a receptacle provided near the umpire or assistant umpire and are not left draped over surrounds. Any other items, such as track suits and bags, should be placed outside the playing area. 12 When the players are ready point to and name the first server, call love-all or zerozero. a team match you may use the player s name or the team name, or both. Set the points score indicators to 0-0 (Figure 3). Page 26

103 Figure 3: At 0-0 in 1 st game 13 Start the timer as the first player serves and stop and re-start it for substantial breaks in play, such as time spent for towelling or retrieving the ball from outside the playing area. Call time if play lasts for 10 minutes, unless expedite is already in operation or 18 points in total have been scored. 14 After the end of each rally indicate the result by the appropriate hand signal, and as soon as practicable thereafter by calling the new score, or repeating the last score in the event of a let. If there is to be a change of service, point to the next server. You may also name the next server. Do not change the indicators until the umpire has signalled or called the award of a point (Figure 4) Figure 4: At 4-6 in 1 st game 15 Discourage players from wasting time by such means as wandering round the playing area between rallies, persistent bouncing of the ball before serving or prolonged discussion with a doubles partner. 16 During the game, make sure that the players are not given advice, either by speech or by signals. On the first occasion warn anyone advising illegally; if the offence is repeated, send the adviser away from the playing area for the remainder of the match or, in a team match, for the remainder of the team match. 17 At the end of a game, call the score, announce the winner and the current games score and record the result on the scoresheet. Leave the indicators showing the final points score, without changing the games score (Figure 5). Be alert and look for any misbehaviour immediately following the end of a game Figure 5: At end of 1 st game 18 If necessary, remind players that they must leave their rackets on the table between games unless you give permission for them to be removed. If they are removed, remember that they must be inspected again before the next game. However if the racket is strapped to the hand allow the player to retain it that way. 19 After each game, and during authorised intervals, collect and retain the match ball. Check that surrounds are in their correct positions. Time the interval between games, and other authorised intervals, and recall players as soon as the permitted time is up. 20 During intervals, do not wander round the playing area talking to other match officials. Stay in your seat unless you need to move for reasons such as retrieving the ball or adjusting the table, net or surrounds. 21 Just before the players return for the next game, set the points score indicators to the blank position and alter the appropriate games score indicator to reflect the result of the previous game (Figure 6). Remember to change round any yellow, red or white markers. Set the points indicators to 0-0 when the umpire calls that score (Figure 7). Page 27

104 1 0 Figure 6: Just before 2 nd game Figure 7: At 0-0 in 2 nd game 22 At the end of a match, announce the result and, in a team match, the new team match score. Complete the scoresheet and ask the players (in an individual match) or the team captains (in a team match) to sign it, as required. Leave the indicators showing the final points score and the previous games score (Figure 8) Figure 8: At end of match 23 Return the scoresheet promptly to the appropriate officials. Before leaving the playing area, collect the match ball and any spares, as well as any items of clothing, towels or other property that have been left behind. If necessary collect rackets designated for an after match test. Reset the indicators to the all-blank position (Figure 1). 24 Finally, make sure that you are aware of and are ready to apply any additional procedures or special methods of presentation that have been agreed for the particular competition at which you are officiating; if you are in any doubt, consult the referee. Page 28

105 Appendix B - Directives for Match Officials at World Title Competitions and ITTF Sanctioned Events (Revised 2012) Definitions World Title competitions include but are not limited to the table tennis competition at the Quadrennial Summer Olympic, World Olympic Qualifications and Youth Olympic Games, the Quadrennial Summer Paralympic Games, the World Team Championships, the World dividual Championships, the World Junior Championships, the World Para Table Tennis Championships, the Men s World Cup, the Women s World Cup, the World Team Cup, and other events so designated by the ITTF Executive Committee. ITTF Sanctioned events include all events so designated by the ITTF Executive Committee and published on the ITTF calendar from time to time. Host Host Organizing Committee, Host Association, Host Governing Body. URC The ITTF Umpires and Referees Committee; the Chair of the ITTF Umpires and Referees Committee; any of the designated officials of the ITTF Umpires and Referees Committee. IR ITTF certified ternational Referee. IR(C) ITTF Certified Referee individuals who have passed the referee examination, but with insufficient English ability; can officiate as a referee or deputy referee in countries where their language is spoken. NR National Referee individuals who have successfully completed their Association internal referee certification program, or the ITTF certified National Referee s Course. IU - ITTF certified ternational Umpire. NU National Umpire individuals who have successfully completed their Association highest internal umpire certification program, or the ITTF certified National Umpire s Course. Match officials include referees, umpires, racket testers, evaluators, trainers, referees coordinator, umpires coordinator. Number of Referees Number of Referees = Number of playing halls x One more referee will be required for a playing hall with more than 12 tables. If considered warranted 4 referees could be used for one hall of less than 12 tables, especially if the event lasts 4 days or longer. Number of Umpires World Title Competitions: minimum number of Umpires = Number of tables x ITTF Sanctioned Events: minimum number of Umpires = Number of tables x 3, events where racket testing is undertaken, the racket control centre must be included as an additional table for the purpose of determining the number of umpires required for the event. Nomination, Acceptance and Declination of Match Officials All Referee and Umpire nominations must also be accepted or declined by the Association of the nominee. Age will not be a consideration in the selections of Referees and Umpires. Page 29

106 Referees & Deputy Referees Subject World Title competitions ITTF Sanctioned events Referee Must be an IR. Must be an IR. Deputy Referee(s) Must be IRs. At least half must be IRs with no more than one NR. Selection of Referees By the URC in co-operation with the Host. By the Host in co-operation with the URC for all IRs. By the Host for one NR. Language The Referee and all Deputy Referees must be able to communicate in English. The Referee and all Deputy referees should be able to communicate in English or any language that is common to the players, umpires, referees and Host. It is the responsibility of the Host to make sure that an interpreter is available for the Referee and Deputy Referees if any of them are unable to communicate in English. Referee mix At least two-third of the Referees shall be from Associations other than the Host. At least one-third of the Referees shall be from Associations other than the Host. Referee The URC will nominate a very competent, qualified and knowledgeable IR with prior experience at major events as the Referee. To ensure neutrality in all aspects of the competition, the IR will not be from the Host. However if the Host has an IR of exceptional quality he or she may also be considered. The Host will nominate a qualified and experienced IR from the Host. If there are no qualified or experienced IRs from the same continent as the Host, the URC will nominate a qualified and experienced IR from another continent. Deputy Referees The URC will nominate additional numbers of qualified and experienced IRs as required, ensuring that either the Referee or one of the Deputy Referees will be from the Host and one from the Host of the next same event - if already designated. The first Deputy Referee must be an IR or IR(C) from an Association other than the Host. The URC will inform the Host about the recommended IR at least 4 months before the event. The second Deputy Referee can be an IR, IR(C) or NR from the Host or an IR or IR(C) from another Association. Subsequent Deputy Referees can be IRs or IR(C)s from any continent. Page 30

107 Umpires & Assistant umpires Umpires Olympic Games: All umpires and assistant umpires required for the event must be Blue Badge IUs. At least one-half of the total number of umpires required for the event must be IUs. Youth Olympic Games: All umpires and assistant umpires required for the event must be IUs or umpires selected based on separate training program of the URC. At least 30% of the umpires must be Blue Badge. Paralympic Games: All umpires and assistant umpires required for the event must be IUs. Umpires selected by the URC must be Blue Badge IUs. Other World Title competitions: At least 75% of the total number of umpires required for the event must be IUs. NUs can used for matches at the early stages of the competition (preferably as Assistant Umpires) and may not be used for matches in quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals. Foreign IUs Olympic Games: There should be only one IU from each Association, with the possibility of up to 1/6 of the total umpires from the Host. Youth Olympic Games: At least 50% of the umpires shall be from Associations other than the Host. Paralympic Games: There should be only one IU from each Association with the exception of the Host. Up to 1/3 of the total umpires may be selected by the Host. World Championships, World Junior Championships, World Olympic Qualifications and World Para Table Tennis Championships: At least 50% of the umpires shall be from Associations other than the Host. The proportion of the IU allocation per continent shall be based on ratio of ITTF membership distribution for World Championships and participating team distribution for the World Junior Championships. Other World Title competitions: At least 30% of the umpires shall be from Associations other than the Host, representing at least five associations and including at least three IUs from continents other than the Host. If the total number of umpires on hand does not support such allocation, then a proportional distribution of qualified IUs based on geographical diversity would be suggested by the URC. At least 25% of the umpires shall be from Associations other than the Host, representing at least five associations. Page 31

108 vitations and Selection of Umpires Olympic Games: The URC will directly select all foreign IUs, and the Host will select their umpires. All must be Blue Badge IUs. Youth Olympic Games: The URC will directly select all foreign IUs, and the Host will select their umpires. Paralympic Games: The URC will directly select all foreign IUs, as well as up to 6 Host IUs. All must be Blue Badge IUs. The Host will select up to 1/3 of the total umpires. World Championships, World Junior Championships, World Olympic Qualifications and World Para Table Tennis Championships: The URC will invite Associations to nominate any IU meeting a defined set of criteria using each Association s internal selection process. The URC will select all foreign IUs in cooperation with the Host and define the criteria that the nominated IU must meet in order to be accepted by the URC. The Host will select the national associations to invite and define the criteria without specifying any names - which each nominated IU must meet in order to be accepted by the Host. The Host will invite all NUs and define the criteria that each NU must meet in order to be accepted by the Host. The URC will have the option to nominate up to one-fourth of the total number of foreign umpires in order to provide training and evaluation opportunities for selected IUs to meet global ITTF objectives as well as worldwide geographical diversity. The URC will inform the Host of the target associations to be invited at least two months in advance in implementing this option. URC nominations will be based on a blend of the levels of IU certification, recent IU activities, personal evaluations and results on written exams, as well as gender and geographic distributions; and for junior events, special considerations may be given to more recently qualified officials. The Host will nominate all domestic IUs and NUs, and in cooperation with the URC define the criteria that each must meet in order to be accepted by the Host. Hospitality All visiting match officials shall be provided with free accommodation, meals and local transport on the same basis and to the same standard as visiting players and with an allowance of US$25 or the equivalent for each day of the competition. The allowance should be paid to the umpires by the second day of the tournament. The Host will pay the lowest cost reasonable economy airfare of the referee and deputy referees. The Host defines all of the criteria for visiting match officials hospitality, and must clearly include them in the invitation letter to other Associations. Any omissions on the standard of hospitality that will be provided are presumed to be at a level equal to or better than the level for World Title competitions. All visiting match officials shall be provided with an allowance of US$ 25 or the equivalent for each day of the competition. The allowance should be paid to the match officials by the second day of the tournament. The Host will pay the lowest cost reasonable economy airfare of the referee, deputy referees and racket testing coordinator. Page 32

109 Other Match Officials The URC may appoint a Referees Coordinator and an Umpires Coordinator for the proper governance of the match officials and competition procedures. The URC may invite certified ITTF instructors to conduct training and evaluations for umpires before or during the event, except Olympic and Paralympic Games. The total number of trainers and evaluators will not exceed 1/16 of the total number of umpires working that event rounded up to the next highest whole number. The Host will provide an office/workplace with computer and internet access for URC/Coordinators near the field of play. The Host will provide hospitality and allowance on the same basis as visiting match officials. The Host may request from the URC to provide certified ITTF instructors to conduct training and field of play evaluations before or during the event. The Host will provide an office/workplace with computer and internet access for the URC Trainers/structors near the field of play. The Host will provide hospitality and allowance on the same basis as visiting match officials. Field of play procedure The Host will implement the current ITTF Field of play procedure as defined in the latest version of the ITTF Handbook for Match Officials. The Host may implement the current ITTF Field of play procedure as defined in the latest version of the ITTF Handbook for Match Officials. Duty day Umpires shall be on duty for no more than 8 hours in a day and shall receive at least a 20- minute break every three hours on duty. At World Championships each visiting Umpire shall have 1 free day. Umpires shall be on duty for no more than 8 hours in a day and shall receive at least a 20-minute break every three hours on duty. Umpire Uniform IUs from the same association shall be dressed alike or in the recommended ITTF IU uniform. Acknowledgment The names and associations of all match officials shall be included in the official program. staged matches the names of the umpires for each match shall be announced. Changing and Storage area for Officials The Host shall provide a secure changing and storage area near the field of play for all match officials to maintain their personal belonging while on duty. To achieve ITTF objectives, special consideration should be given to the selection of women for the positions of referee and umpire at all world, Olympic and Paralympic events. The URC has the discretion to waive certain requirements for ITTF sanctioned junior events and the PTT Division may waive certain requirements for PTT events. The URC, in consultation with the Competition Department, has the discretion to override any of these Directives in exceptional circumstances. Page 33

110 Appendix C - Qualifications of Umpires ITTF does not prescribe any standards or test procedures for the qualification of umpires and referees by national associations, however, the ITTF Umpires and Referees Committee (URC) in cooperation with the ITTF Rules Committee provide a degree of commonality and a focal point for the exchange of information and ideas between Associations. Most associations have 2 to 3 levels of qualifications, with the lowest level being related to a limited geographical area and the highest level having national status. The titles used for the lower grades often reflect smaller geographical area and may include Club Umpire, County Umpire, State Umpire, Provincial Umpire and Regional Umpire. The highest national grade is usually titled National Umpire. It is up to each association to define and build an appropriate training system for their umpires to prepare them toward participating at an international level. The training programs should include practical (field of play) as well as theoretical (laws and regulations) components. Candidates for the ternational Umpire (IU) qualifications must be experienced holders of their national association s highest qualification for at least two years. They should also demonstrate a basic level of English comprehension as the base level of communicating with players, coaches and other officials before they are accepted to undergo the IU qualification process. The IU qualification was introduced in 1973, with the objective of providing an internationally accepted minimum standard to which umpires of all Associations could become qualified. The IU qualification was not intended as a substitute for a well thought out national education, training and qualifying program. The IU exam typically consists of 50 questions, with four possible options from which to choose the correct answer. The candidate has to select the correct answers within a fixed time period, without using references or help from anyone. Questions are either factual (laws and regulations) or ask what action an umpire should take about a specific situation (field of play). That is why it is critical that umpire experience includes both practical as well as theoretical training. Qualifying as an IU demands strong understanding of the laws and regulations, several years of practical on the table experience, confidence as an official and a nominal understanding of conversational English as the basis for communication with international players, coaches and other officials. Once qualified, an IU may have increased opportunity to officiate at competitions outside of their own country. Repetitive and frequent exposure at all levels of international competition is the most important element in building experience and confidence as an active IU. 2002, ITTF took the first step in building a higher-level qualification for IUs. Through attending the Advance Umpire Training (AUT) course at designated ITTF events, passing an advance level ITTF supervised written exam, completing multiple field of play evaluations by different evaluators at various events as well as passing an oral interview, an IU can qualify toward the next level of Blue badge certification. Every year at designated ITTF events, qualified trainers and evaluators will conduct AUT courses as well as field of play evaluations on IUs working those events. The AUT course is designed to impart the ITTF uniform method of performance for all IUs. The evaluation process with immediate feedback to each umpire is designed to assist umpires in improving and standardising their skills toward a uniform high level of performance. The ITTF umpire evaluation process is not a pass/fail or a grading system, but rather an objective measurement of targeted tasks that must be performed before, during and after each match. Neglecting to perform a designated task is not a failing, but rather an opportunity to improve performance the next time out. Over time with repetitive evaluations and feedback, the quality and standards of umpiring will be reached and can be maintained at a very high level. Umpires attaining and maintaining their Blue badge certification through regular activities and evaluations will have greater opportunities to be nominated by the ITTF URC to represent their associations at ITTF World Title events. Excellence, consistency and confidence as a match official comes only with experience and an open mind that never stops learning. Consistent performance among all IUs irrespective of language and cultural differences is the primary objective of the ITTF umpire qualification process. Page 34

111 Umpires Progression and Advanced Umpire Training troduction Since the start of the ternational Umpires (IU) certification in 1973, ITTF has qualified more than IUs. It has set a minimum standard for umpires of all Associations, which have different training methods with no uniform standard of performance. Since 2002, the Umpires and Referees Committee (URC) of ITTF has taken an important step towards one of its major objectives: To raise and level the standard and consistency of umpires from all Associations/Federations. This has been done by creating two levels of certification for IUs, expressed in the colour of badges, namely the White Badge and the Blue Badge. These badges only exist in name and on paper, IUs will continue to wear the copper-coloured badge issued by ITTF. White Badge All current IUs will be considered as qualified for the White Badge. URC will develop training facilities, and perhaps the exam procedure will be adapted. the near future there will be additional conditions to maintain the active status, such as secure knowledge of rules. Blue Badge Umpires with excellent performance who have the ambition can try to achieve the Blue Badge qualification. This qualification has been and will be an increasing factor in umpire selection. How to qualify for Blue Badge Requirements: Be an active White Badge umpire for at least 2 years; Comply with the URC code of conduct and dress-code; Attend the Advanced Umpire Training (AUT) course; Pass the written Advanced Rules Examination (ARE); Have at least 4 personal evaluations during actual performance with meets expectations in each of the defined categories (in a minimum of two competitions from a minimum of three evaluators); Pass an oral interview to demonstrate their competency in English to communicate with players and officials during tournaments. The examination consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, of which 15 will be only in English, the other 45 will be available translated into 8 other languages: French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Arabic. This is to ensure that candidates have a sound knowledge in the application of laws and regulations, as well as a reasonable command of English that is required in major ITTF events. Additional requirements The umpire must have participated as an IU in at least 2 international events; The 4 meets expectations should be obtained in a minimum of two competitions from a minimum of three different evaluators; After obtaining the first meets expectations the remaining 3 should be obtained within 7 attempts; No evaluations can be from an evaluator from that umpire s own association; After obtaining the 4 th meets expectations the candidate will have a maximum of 12 months to take the English interview; If the candidate fails the English interview they will have a maximum of 2 years from their first interview to re-take it; The Blue Badge process must be completed in 5 years or less from the time of passing the Advanced Rules Examination; Candidates not taking the interview in time or not completing the Blue Badge process in 5 years, revert to the White Badge status and must restart through the complete Blue Badge procedure; For evaluations performed in 2006 or later, a meets expectation would only be counted after passing the written examination; Evaluations only count if the umpire is part of the regular umpires squad, performing daily duties, but not tournament officials who officiate only for the sake of evaluation; Any meets expectation evaluations are only considered as conditional meets, which will only be confirmed after continuous observation further evaluation throughout the tournament. Any inconsistent or poor performance would result in deletion of such positive result, and the trainer will notify the umpire; After having obtained the first meets expectation getting a does not meet (not a near ) will cancel a meets expectation ; Page 35

112 If a Blue-Badge candidate is not present at the Referee s briefing he or she will not be evaluated during the respective event, unless the absence was for an acceptable reason, at the discretion of the evaluator. How to maintain the Blue Badge status Requirements: a period of 3 calendar years at least 3 personal evaluations during actual performance with meets expectations in each of the defined categories; Meet the current re-certification process of White Badge umpires, as soon as re-certification is in place; The 3 meets expectations should be obtained in a minimum of two competitions from a minimum of two different evaluators; No evaluation can be from an evaluator from that umpire s own association; After passing the oral interview any further meets will count for the following period of 3 years for maintaining the blue-badge qualification, but meets between the 4 th meets and the oral interview shall not be reckoned; Blue Badge umpires not meeting these requirements by December 31 of any year, would be qualified as White Badge umpires for the following year; Former Blue Badge umpires who lose their status may regain their Blue Badge status by meeting the requirement of 4 meets expectations in 2 successive calendar years. Advanced Umpires Training Courses The AUT course is normally scheduled one day before the start of several ITTF sanctioned events. White Badge umpires officiating in these events are invited to attend the training. The URC will announce the schedule of the organised AUT courses on the website; umpires who are not officiating in the event are also welcome to attend the course. The training is based on the concept: I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand. There is a high degree of active participation. Global summary of subjects: troduction activities; Code of conduct & dress-code; Standards for service & behaviour; Hand signals & field of play procedures; Evaluations; Knotty problems; Written exam. The training does not cover the material asked in the Advance Rules Examination. Participants must have a very strong knowledge of rules and must be up to date on recent rule changes. The examination and oral interview may not be re-taken less than 12 months since the last attempt, and not more than twice within a five-year period. Attending the AUT and passing the ARE are prerequisites for those who want to become Blue Badge umpires. The ARE can be taken before or after attending the AUT. The ARE will be a supervised exam with the supervisor being appointed by URC. The Trainers The trainers for AUT courses are experienced ternational Umpires / Referees who are nominated by their respective Continental Federations or identified by the URC during the course. All trainers are specially trained and updated regularly on requirements of the Blue Badge Programme, with an aim to maintain consistent application of laws and regulations, as well as a standard presentation at major ITTF events. Costs for Participants A course fee will be charged, which will include attending the course, and the field of play evaluations, and the evaluations thereafter in subsequent tournaments. However, if a candidate fails in the written examination, there will be no more field of play evaluations conducted until he or she takes the examination again. A separate fee will be charged for the ARE. Participants are required to pay for the extra personal costs (e.g. hotel and food) when arriving one day earlier. Costs for Organisers For URC selected events, ITTF will be responsible for the following costs: Page 36

113 Travelling expenses and training fee for the appointed trainers; Course and examination materials. The Organisers are responsible for the following: Hospitality (accommodation + meals + local travelling + daily allowance) for the trainers; Airport transfer and local transportation for the trainers; Training facilities classroom, equipment such as computer, projector, screen, white board, flip charts, copying services, etc; Refreshments during breaks would be appreciated. To qualify for ITTF expenses, a minimum of 12 and maximum 25 participants from at least three different Associations are required. Two trainers will be assigned to the AUT course and evaluations, and additional trainers may be required for more than 25 participants. Other Special Considerations The URC may also send trainers to specific events upon request of the Organisers, who agree to cover all related costs of the course, including transportation and honorarium for trainers. Priority is also given to regions and special groups (such as women in sport), where the Blue Badge Programme is less developed. Requirements for the AUT course may also be relaxed (e.g. fewer participants / Associations) at the discretion of the URC. Consideration will also be given to sending evaluators to events, where no AUT course is held, where the organiser agrees to cover the costs of the evaluators. Contact Organisers wishing to organise an AUT course, or to have trainers/evaluators at their events, please contact the Chair of the URC. Page 37

114 Appendix D - Match Officials Code of Conduct 1 Match officials, especially while in uniform, are ambassadors of the sport, of ITTF and of their Associations. At an international competition they are the guests of the host Association and must respect its traditions and social customs. The following guidelines, which are not exhaustive, are intended as an aide-memoire on the aspects of conduct to which special attention should be given. 2 MATCH OFFICIALS SHOULD 2.1 Study and make sure they understand all the relevant rules, duties and procedures for the competition at which they are officiating; 2.2 Be in good physical condition, with normal or corrected vision and normal hearing; 2.3 Be in appropriate uniform and maintain their appearance and personal hygiene; 2.4 Be prompt for all assignments; 2.5 Maintain strict impartiality and avoid any relationship with players or coaches that might cast doubt on that impartiality; 2.6 Refer all issues not related to their duties to the referee or other appropriate tournament official; 2.7 Wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one-on-one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance may exist) particularly with people under the age of 18 years; 2.8 Ensure their decisions and actions contribute to a safe environment; 2.9 Ensure their decisions and actions contribute to a harassment free environment; 2.10 At all times conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner, respecting the authority and interests of the referee, the organisers, other tournament officials, players and the public. 3 MATCH OFFICIALS SHOULD NOT 3.1 Discuss tournament incidents or other issues related to their duties with players, spectators or media, but should refer any such matters to the referee and the tournament committee; 3.2 Accept personal gifts from players, coaches and teams. Gifts provided by a host organisation to all officials can be accepted; 3.3 Consume alcoholic beverages or take drugs or medications that will inhibit performance before their match on the day they are to officiate; 3.4 Publicly criticise other officials or otherwise bring the sport into disrepute, including use of social media; 3.5 Tolerate harmful or abusive behaviours but report them to the Chair of the URC where the issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of the parties concerned; 3.6 As with the high standard of professionalism and conduct required of players, ITTF requires a high standard of professionalism and conduct from its officials as well as all officials participating in ITTF sanctioned and recognized events. ITTF officials not observing the stated guidelines may be subject to a formal disciplinary process. Please refer to the ITTF Handbook for the policies adopted in relation to Anti-Harassment and Illegal Betting and Corruption. The URC reserves the right to take action if an official deviates from this code of conduct. Page 38

115 Appendix E Recommended Hand Signals and Calls 1. Next server 2. Let 3. Point When making hand signals ensure that they are clearly separated. For example do not indicate a point with one arm and at the same time indicate the next server with the other arm. Page 39

116 1 SITUATION 2 Start of game 3 Change of service 4 Resumption of play after authorised interval 5 Point 6 Net-cord service 7 Illegal service a 10b 11a 11b doubles service, ball bounces on wrong half- court Faulty service (e.g. ball misses table) Service of doubtful legality where decided by the umpire (1st occasion in a match) Service of doubtful legality where decided by the assistant umpire (1st occasion in a match) Service of doubtful legality where decided by the umpire (further occasion by same player or pair) A B C D E UMPIRE'S SIGNAL UMPIRE'S CALL AU'S SIGNAL AU'S CALL Point with open "X to serve, 0-0" (or hand to first server other agreed None None 1 announcement) Point with open hand to next server None None None 1 Point with open hand to next server Repeat score None None 1 Raise the arm nearer the winner(s) of the point so that the upper arm is horizontal and the forearm vertical, with the closed hand upward 3 As soon as the ball touches the correct "Let" and repeat court raise arm above head 2 previous score, point to net if necessary Raise the arm nearer the receiver so that the upper arm is horizontal and the forearm vertical, with the closed hand upward 3 dicate point for receiver 3, point to centre line if necessary. New score None None "Fault" and new score "Fault" and new score None As soon as the ball touches the correct court raise arm None* above head 2, point to net if necessary Raise arm above head 2 "Fault" and advise umpire if necessary who will call new score None dicate point for receiver 3 New score None None Raise arm above head 2 Raise arm above head 2 Service of doubtful legality where decided by the dicate point for assistant umpire receiver 3 (further occasion by same player or pair) terruption of play (e.g. ball coming into playing area) "Let", warn server, and repeat previous score "Let", and repeat previous score None Raise arm above head 2 None dicate point for receiver 3 "Fault" and new score None None Raise arm above head 2 Error in order of serving, receiving or Raise arm above ends discovered head 2 during a rally New score "Let" and repeat previous score "Let", correct order and repeat previous score Raise arm above head 2 Raise arm above head 2 None "Stop", warn server and advise umpire, who will call Let "Fault", if necessary advise umpire, who will call new score Stop None Page 40

117 A B C D E a 21b Advice given during play, first occurrence Advice given during play, subsequent occurrence Ball obstructed by player Any other situation which does not automatically stop play Edge ball at side nearest to AU ending the rally Edge ball at any other side ending the rally Ball hits side of table top nearest to AU ending the rally Time reached for end of practice or between games (if assistant umpire is timekeeper) Time reached for end of practice or between games (if umpire is timekeeper) Time limit (if assistant umpire is timekeeper) Time limit (if umpire is timekeeper) Request for timeout Request for timeout (if no assistant umpire) End of time-out (if assistant umpire is timekeeper) Raise arm above head 2 holding up a yellow card towards offender, without leaving chair Raise arm above head 2 holding up a red card towards offender, without leaving chair dicate point for the winner(s) of the point 3 Raise arm above head 2 dicate point for the winner(s) of the point 3 dicate point for the winner(s) of the point 3 Point to place of contact if necessary dicate point for the winner(s) of the point 3 None "Let", if ball is in play, warn adviser and repeat previous score "Let", if ball is in play, send adviser away from the playing area, and repeat previous score New score "Stop", new score, plus any additional call necessary under 18.4 New score Raise arm above head 2 Raise arm above head 2 Raise arm above head 2 None Point to place of contact if necessary "Stop" and inform umpire "Stop" and inform umpire "Stop" and advise umpire None Edge New score None None New score None Raise arm above head 2 Raise arm above head 2 Side Time Raise arm above head 2 Time None None Raise arm above head 2, after AU's signal and call Raise arm above head 2 Raise arm above head 2 holding up white card to the side of the player or pair requesting the time-out until the AU has placed a special signboard on the table Raise arm above head 2 holding up white card to the side of the player or pair requesting the time-out When players return, point with open hand to next server 1 "Let" if necessary, announce that expedite will apply and repeat previous score "Time", announce that expedite will apply and repeat previous score Time-out Time-out Repeat previous score Raise arm above head 2 None Time None Place a special signboard (or white marker) on court of requesting player or pair. Stand next None to the AU table until it is time to remove signboard (or white marker) Remove special signboard (or white Raise arm above marker) from table head 2 and call and place white Time if players marker by score have not returned indicator Page 41

118 End of time-out (if umpire is timekeeper) Bad behaviour (1st occasion) A B C D E Bad behaviour (2nd and 3rd occasions) 30 End of game 31 End of match When players return, point with open hand to next server 1 Hold up yellow card towards offender, without leaving chair Hold up yellow and red card towards offender, without leaving chair, indicate point for the winner(s) of the point 3 Point with open hand to winner 1 Point with open hand to winner 1 Raise arm above head 2 and call Time if players have not returned; repeat previous score "Let" if ball is in play, warn offender and repeat previous score "Let", if ball is in play, new score after awarding penalty point(s) Game score and agreed post-game announcement Match score and agreed post-match announcement Remove special signboard (or white marker) from table and place white marker by score indicator Raise arm above head 2 Place yellow marker by score indicator Raise arm above head 2 Place yellow/red markers by score indicator if space allows None None "Stop" and inform umpire "Stop" and inform umpire When the ball touches the net during service, the umpire should wait until the ball touches the correct court and make the appropriate call, rather than introduce an additional signal or call before the rally is over that may interfere with play. * if the service is a let and the umpire does not stop play then the assistant umpire should call Stop Superscript numbers in the table refer to the Hand Signals diagrams. None None None Page 42

119 Appendix F - Field of Play Procedures INTRODUCTION Everything that is visible and can occur within the view of spectators and media (reporters, television, and photographers) is considered field of play. From the moment an umpire or a referee enters the field of play they are bound by the field of play conduct and procedures. The actions and performance of every umpire on the field of play must be uniform in all aspects not just in conducting a match but also on the way they walk to/from the assigned courts, performing their pre- and postmatch duties as well as interactions with players, spectators and other officials on the field of play. PRE-MATCH PREPARATIONS Umpires should report to the Referee - or designated assistant who handles umpire schedules at least 30 minutes before the start of their assigned session, to prepare and get ready for performing their duties. The umpire is responsible for pre-match ball selection, racket inspection, as well as shirts (including advertisements), and in doubles/team, shorts or skirt check. He or she should also check the players numbers if they are to be used. He or she should conduct these duties at the designated area at least 15 minutes before the start of a match. Approximately ten minutes before the start of each match the umpire should be ready with the scoresheet and balls for his or her designated table. Before entering the field of play, the umpire and assistant umpire should confer and discuss any issues pertaining to the upcoming match. They should agree on who will time the warm up period, intervals between games (typically the assistant umpire) and who will time the time-outs taken (typically the umpire). They should both be clear on how they will communicate during a match without necessarily having to confer physically between points or between games. Just before entering the field of play, the umpire and assistant umpire should line up near the field of play entrance and get set to walk in together as a team. The umpire should be in front with the scoresheet and ball box held in his or her left hand. Neither the umpire nor the assistant umpire should be carrying anything else in their hands into the field of play. Everything an umpire and assistant umpire require to conduct their on-court duties pen, stop watch, net gauges (plastic and weighted), yellow/red/white cards, coin, towel - should be in their pockets and not externally visible or dangling from the uniform or around the neck. Place all handbags and personal belongings in a designated area outside the field of play. The only exception to this may be rackets which have been tested and are carried in paper envelopes (or bags if envelopes are not available) by the umpire or assistant umpire. These should be carried as if they were a folder, not a bag. When the umpire team is ready, they enter the field of play in a straight line, in uniform step, with the umpire leading the way to the assigned court. During the feature matches on the last day there may be appropriate introductory music announcing the presentation of the players and officials to the field of play. With or without introductory music, the umpire team should walk in a straight line, calmly, with deliberate step, and nominal hand motions. The objective is not to emulate a military parade, but rather a spirit that a unified team is on the way to perform an assigned task. It is usual that there will be an assembly of a group of umpires to enter the field of play as a team each proceeding to their respective table. that case, umpires and assistant umpires will assemble at the designated staging area. Umpire teams will line up in order of their table assignments and walk into the field of play as a group, in step, following the first person in line. As each team of officials reaches their respective court they turn and go toward the umpire s chair. Upon entering the court, the umpires stand and wait until all umpire teams have arrived at their respective positions. An umpire should never step over any barrier. He or she should always open a space between two barriers, step around gently, and close that space after passing through. ARRIVAL AT COURT There may be a designated entry point for the umpire team to enter each court. Typically the entry point into each court should be one of the nearest corners on the side of the umpire s chair. Upon entering the court, the umpire team walks toward the umpire s chair. The umpire stands on the furthest side of the umpire s chair, with scoresheet and balls in hand, feet together and hands to the side. The assistant umpire stands on the other side of the umpire s chair. This procedure is to be followed in the absence of any alternative Page 43

120 directive by the referee. When available, the field of play announcer should present the umpires to the spectators and the media by name and association. As each name is called the official takes one small step forward and one step back to the same position. Do not turn around to face other spectators, bow, or make hand motions. Regardless whether the umpire team was or was not presented to the spectators, they should stand in that position for at least 5 seconds before starting their pre-match procedures. The assistant umpire should follow the lead of the umpire so that both can begin their on-court duties at the same time. Under some conditions typically during feature matches players will also walk in with or after the umpire team. The normal order is umpire-players-assistant umpire. that case players, pairs or teams would stand next to the umpire and the other players, pairs or teams would stand next to the assistant umpire. After the players and umpires have been presented, pre-match procedures can begin. PRE-MATCH PROCEDURE Before the start of the warm up period, the umpire should: Complete racket checks. If rackets have been checked pre-match, which will be the case in most major tournaments, rackets will be brought to the table in paper envelopes (or bags). Take the rackets out of the envelopes, and place the rackets on the same half of the table for the players to pick up. Do not hand the envelopes containing the rackets to the players. For full details of workflow procedures regarding racket checking please refer to the URC page of the ITTF web site. Check shirt colour, if not completed during the ball selection Check player numbers or names, if required by the Referee or organising committee Confirm the designated advisor for non-team events Perform the coin toss to determine serving/receiving and choice of ends Ensure the assistant umpire is ready to start the stop-watch for the practice period if he or she is keeping time Complete the relevant information on the scoresheet Sit in the umpire s chair for the duration of the practice period. While the umpire is conducting his or her duties with the players, the assistant umpire should: Ensure the point and game indicators are cleared to blank. Once both players or pairs are present in the court change the game indicators to 0-0 Check the net height and tension Check the cleanliness of the table and floor remove any debris Organise and straighten out surrounds Place name cards in proper place, if provided by the referee or organising committee Start the stop-watch as soon as practice starts Sit in the assistant umpire s chair during the remainder of the practice period. Occasionally the umpire s chair does not have a table or place to put the scoresheet. this case it is recommended that the assistant umpire completes the scoresheet. START OF THE MATCH At the start of the first game: When time is up, whoever is keeping time should raise his or her hand and call Time Ensure that the server has the ball before making any announcement. Do not ask for the ball back before making the announcement and then subsequently give it back after the announcement as this is not a good presentation. When the server is ready, glance to see that the receiver is ready Announce Keen versus Boll First game Point to the server and call; Keen to serve Love all or Zero-Zero The assistant umpire then changes the score to 0-0, starts the stop-watch, and the match begins. The umpire should make every effort to pronounce the name of each player correctly. If unsure about the pronunciation ask the player while conducting racket check. a team match substitute the player s name with the team name. DURING MATCH PROCEDURE Page 44

121 See diagram in Appendix E for proper and uniform hand signals, and explanation of when and how to use them. During the match, the umpire should: Call the score in a clear and audible voice at a level that a person sitting at the coach s chair can hear and understand the calls Time the play or designate the assistant umpire to time each game Monitor and enforce the service laws Monitor and enforce the behaviour regulations Make sure the players leave the rackets on the table between games, unless it is strapped to their hand Make sure play is continuous with no excessive delays during towelling or time out periods Monitor and enforce the coaching laws. Between points and particularly during a change of service or ends, the umpire should turn his or her head and look at both coaches. Alternately, the umpire and assistant umpire can agree before the match starts that each one will monitor the coach that is best visible to them, or the one on their right During authorised intervals the assistant umpire collects the ball and hands it to the umpire to retain until the end of the interval. END OF GAME PROCEDURE At the end of a game the umpire should: Call the score, point to winner, and announce Game to Keen Record the score on the scoresheet The assistant umpire collects the ball and hands it to the umpire to retain until the start of the next game. START OF GAME PROCEDURE At the start of other games the umpire should: Hand the ball to the server When the server is ready, glance to see that the receiver is ready Announce Second game Point to the server and call; Boll to serve Love all or Zero-Zero The assistant umpire changes the score to 0-0, starts the stop-watch, and the game begins. POST MATCH ANNOUNCEMENT At the end of a match the umpire should: Call the score, point to winner, and announce Game and match to Keen Keen wins 4 games to 3 and in a team match Netherlands leads by 1 match to 0 or Netherlands and Germany 1 match all POST MATCH PROCEDURE After the match the umpire should: Record the score on the scoresheet Obtain the players signatures in an individual match or the team captains signatures in a team match (if required by referee) The assistant umpire returns the score indicator to blank, collects the balls, racket(s) if necessary and returns the court to a proper condition. END OF MATCH UMPIRES WALKING OUT The umpire and assistant umpire meet at the umpire s chair or table and stand so that the umpire leads the way out without having to cross the path of the assistant umpire. The umpire leads the way with the scoresheet in the left hand and the assistant umpire following in step with the umpire - no accompanied music. The umpire team returns the scoresheet correctly completed directly to the referee s desk for signature. The referee (or designated deputy referee on duty) should check the scoresheet for completeness and accuracy; sign the card and forward it for results processing. Page 45

122 Umpires should not linger or walk around the field of play once their assigned duties are completed. If they wish to watch other matches in progress, they should proceed outside the field of play to the viewing areas open for officials and spectators. SUMMARY While on the field of play for any reason umpires, referees and evaluators should be in designated dress code or uniforms, alert and aware of their surroundings, and mindful how their presence and conversations might affect ongoing play or visual perceptions. Umpires should refrain from engaging players in idle chat before, during or after a match. An umpire may respond to a player s question or explain a call made but should not initiate a discussion on non-match related matters. While in uniform, officials should be mindful that they represent their associations and, most importantly, that their actions reflect on all officials. During international events, all foreign umpires are guests of the host association and should respect their traditions and social customs inside and outside the field of play. Under no circumstances should umpires engage spectators or members of the media with matters relating to their conduct or the conduct of other officials. All such matters should be directed to the referee or Tournament Director. Page 46

123 Appendix G - Uniform for ternational Umpires The ITTF Umpires and Referees Committee (URC) has adopted the following uniform colour combinations for umpires working ITTF World Title events. ternational Umpires working ITTF non-world title events may wear their National Uniform (if one exists) or the ITTF ternational Umpire Uniform. It is the responsibility of each ternational Umpire or their National Association to provide the recommended uniform in order for them to represent their association at World Title Events. The objective of a uniform dress code for ITTF ternational Umpires across multiple associations is not to stifle individuality, self-expression or national identity, but to have near uniformity in presentation of officials for spectators and TV coverage. Standard full dress Umpire uniform for working in mild / air-conditioned environments Men Women Jacket / Blazer Solid Navy Blue single breasted - tailored jacket / blazer Shirt / Blouse Light blue dress shirt with collar Light blue dress blouse with collar Pants / Skirt Khaki / Tan dress pants / trousers *** Khaki / Tan dress skirt or pants Tie Red Tie - with optional ITTF logo Red scarf or tie - with optional ITTF logo Belt if worn Shoes Black dress / leather belt with a small buckle Black dress or sports shoes with non-marking soles. High heeled shoes are not to be worn. Socks Black ankle length or higher socks Hosiery when worn with skirt Sweater (Optional for cold weather) Badge / Pin Solid Navy Blue sweater worn under the jacket if the temperature inside or outside the playing hall is too cold. The ITTF ternational Umpire Badge / Pin worn on the left lapel of the jacket. Other badge / pin (optional) Only one other badge / pin that is smaller in size than the IU badge / pin representing the home association. Worn on the right lapel. There should be no other patches identifying home Associations, region, and membership in other organizations or participation in previous events. Other National and ternational credentials Hats and other head gear While working as an ternational Umpire, only the IU badge / pin should be worn even if the umpire has other national or international qualifications (i.e. National or ternational Referee) None unless approved by the Referee Name tag A white nametag with black lettering in Times New Roman font with the last name all in CAPITAL / UPPERCASE letters, followed by a comma then the first name (or preferred name) in lower case letters with the first letter capitalized. The nametag should be 2 cm wide by 8 cm long and is worn on the right lapel of the jacket about the same height as the IU badge / pin. Page 47

124 Examples of name tags One LAST name and one first name Two first names Two LAST names and two first names One first name & nickname (in brackets) Two first names with a nickname Junior, Senior, III Compound LAST name Compound LAST name and two first names DILLON, Steven MOHAMMED, Hassan-Ibrahim LIEBANA ANDRES, Juan-Carlos ZHANG, Cheong (Joe) ZAKI, Mohammed Hassan (MO) ZIPPER, José (Jr.) LAI-FATT, Liu ABDEL-MEGEED, Khaled-Ali Standard light dress Umpire uniform for working in hot / non air conditioned environments Men Women Jacket / Blazer Shirt / Blouse None Light blue short-sleeve dress shirt with collar. NO T-SHIRTS. Light blue dress blouse with collar Pants / Skirt Khaki / Tan dress pants / trousers Khaki / Tan dress skirt or pants Tie Belt if worn Shoes None Black dress / leather belt with a small buckle Black dress or sports shoes with non-marking soles. Socks Black ankle length socks Hosiery when worn with skirt Badge / Pin The ITTF ternational Umpire Badge / Pin worn on the left side of the shirt. Other badge / pin (optional) Only one other badge / pin that is smaller in size than the IU badge / pin representing the home association, worn just below the name tag Name tag A white nametag with black lettering (same as above) worn on the right side of the dress shirt at about the same height as the IU pin. ***O'Reilly colour codes ( for Khaki and Tan is used as reference. These are the colours used by programmers to define colours for computer screens. The RGB / HEX values ( are also included as a reference. tan RGB Value 210,180,140 HEX Value D2B48C khaki RGB Value 240,230,140 HEX Value F0E68C Page 48

125 Appendix H - Para Table Tennis Rules and Regulations This Appendix has been added in view of the merger of IPTTC with ITTF. The laws and regulations are now an integral part of ITTF rules. For further information on ITTF Para Table Tennis Division please go to the ITTF website Main Page and click on the Para TT tab. GENERAL Athletes with a disability are separated into classes, depending on lesions and limitations described in a classification system. An international classification panel is responsible for classifying players at international events. Class 1-5 for wheelchair players Class 6-10 for standing players Class 11 for players with an intellectual disability The lower the number of the class, the more severe the disability. After they have been classified at an international level, all players hold an international classification card (ICC) that specifies the sport class and sport class status. The ICC contains sections indicating any physical limitations (e.g. in making a legal service) or permanent requirements for medical reasons (strapping, binding, corset, modified wheelchair). If a player plays in an international championship for the first time and does not have an ICC, his or her Association will give him or her a temporary classification. He or she will be then classified at the championships and be assigned a sports class and sports class status. It is also sometimes necessary for players, over time, to be reclassified due to a progressive disability or lesser disability due to recovery. They are specified in a list communicated to the appointed Classifiers, Referee and Organising Committee before the relevant tournament. The classification or review for specified players is organised by classifiers the day before the start of the tournament and is concluded before the referee conducts the draw for the singles events, taking into account any changes to players classification. If a player has deliberately misled the classifiers he or she may not be permitted to compete at the discretion of the Referee and may face further sanctions from ITTF. WHEELCHAIRS Wheelchairs must have at least two large wheels and one small wheel at the start of a rally. If, for any reason during a match, any wheels on the player s wheelchair become dislodged and the wheelchair has no more than two wheels, then the rally must be stopped immediately and a point awarded to his or her opponent. individual and team events, no part of the body above the knees may be attached to the chair as this could improve balance. However, should a player require some strapping or binding for medical reasons, this must be noted on his or her classification card and it will be taken into account when assessing the player's sports class. The height of one or maximum two cushions is limited to 15cm in playing conditions with no other addition to the wheelchair. If a player must use a belt (around the waist) and/or a corset due to his or her disability, he or she must prove that it is required to the satisfaction of the classification panel. The onus is on the player to draw attention to the use of such equipment to the Chief Classifier either for the initial or review of classification. Permission for use of a belt and/or a corset may be given under the following conditions: permanent this must be written on the player s international classification card (ICC) by the Chief Classifier at the relevant international tournament. temporary the player must provide a full explanation from his or her own doctor who must certify the period which the belt and/or corset is/are required. This certificate must be signed and dated by the medical doctor and submitted to the Chief Classifier at the relevant tournament. The player must report this to the Referee before the start of competition in which he or she participates. Should additions of supporting structures be made to the wheelchair, whether attached to the wheelchair or not (except cushions), players must ask for a classification or a re-classification in this modified wheelchair. Any additions to the wheelchair without re-classification and Page 49

126 authorisation written on the ICC shall be considered as illegal and the player may be disqualified. Tables shall allow access to wheelchairs without obstructing the player's legs and shall allow access to two wheelchairs for doubles. PRE-MATCH PREPARATION For matches involving players in a wheelchair, the umpire should also check: The number of wheels on the wheelchair The player does not have his or her backpack on the back of the wheelchair The height of the player s cushion or 2 cushions The player is wearing tracksuit pants and no jeans The player has his or her name and 3 letter code for the association on the back of his or her shirt LAWS FOR STANDING PLAY There are no exceptions to the laws of table tennis for standing players with a disability. All players play according to the laws and regulations of ITTF. On the classification cards there is a section indicating what limitations, if any, a player has in making a legal serve. MATCH CONDUCT For a player, adequate medical recovery time, but in no circumstances more than 10 minutes, may be allowed by the Referee after consulting the Classifier or medical doctor at the tournament, if the player is unable to play temporarily due to the nature of his or her disability or condition. Appendix I - A Summary of Law and Regulation Changes since 2011 The main changes made to laws and regulations since 2011 are: LAWS The net must be attached to the supporting posts from top to bottom. doubles if only one of the pair is in a wheelchair then, after the return of service, either player of that pair can make returns. However no part of the player s wheelchair, nor the foot of the standing player, can cross the centre line of the table or it is a point to their opponent. REGULATIONS Racket control centre and racket testing have been modified and are now the responsibility of the URC. Advertisements and Markings within the playing area have been modified. Page 50

127 LARC (LIST OF AUTHORISED RACKET COVERINGS) N 2017B 1 OCT MAR 2018 Also available on the ITTF.com (Home > Equipment > Racket Coverings) DATE OF PUBLICATION: 1 October 2017 The new rubbers entering LARC 2017B appear in bold italics, whilst other changes appear in bold, and both are valid with immediate effect. Racket coverings that are withdrawn, now appear on the last page and are valid until 31 December So don't forget to check the last page of the LARC if you cannot find the racket covering you're looking for.!how to acknowledge a racket covering from LARC: 1. Make certain that you have the correct LARC (see date of validity, it is published twice a year, in April and October. Pdf files to be found on our website at all times: ITTF.com). 2. The supplier and brand names as well as the ITTF logo and eventually ITTF number should be clearly visible on the rubber. 3. These names should appear in the LARC and the moulded branding area should match the image on ITTF.com.!LEGEND [R] or [B] dicates that this brand name is available in only red or black respectively., Anti,, Long is the pimple type. Long Under `Pimple Type, this is used where the aspect ratio (= pimple height / pimple diameter) is larger than ) Supplier number, may appear in the rubber mould together with the ITTF logo. ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple 115) 61 SECOND 001 Wind FT Long 002 Lightning DS 003 Thunder LM 004 Artist Long 005 Kangaroo 006 Eagle 007 Cobra Long 008 Tigers 009 Rain YS 106) AIR AIR is also used as part of a brand name for JOOLA.! 001 Scirocco 002 Panamera 003 Upupupup Long 004 Classique 005 Illumina 006 DefenderS 007 AssassinS 009 TigerS! 95) AKKADI AKKADI is also used as part of a brand name for DONIC.!001 V Max 002 S Max 003 K Max 004 Java 005 L3 Long 006 K3 007 Hornet Pro 03) ANDRO 001 Roxon 002 Roxon 500 Pro 003 Roxon Blowfish 005 Blowfish Chaos Long 007 Hexer 008 Hexer Revo Fire 010 Hexer Duro 011 Hexer Pips 012 Hexer Pips Shifter 015 Shifter Powersponge 016 Backside Nightmare 018 Hexer HD 019 Rasant 020 Impuls Powersponge 021 Rasant Turbo 022 Rasant Powersponge 023 Rocket 024 Rasant Grip 025 Rasant Power Grip 026 Power Power Hexer Pips K9 031 Plaxon Plaxon 033 Rasant Beat 034 Rasant Chaos Long 035 GTT 036 Good 037 Rasanter R Rasanter V Rasanter R Rasanter V Rasanter R Rasanter R50 Classic Impuls Impuls Speed Plasma Trophy Upgrade 04) ARMSTRONG 001 SH-I Aka Mark Max Attack 3 Type L Attack 3 Type M Attack 8 Type L Attack 8 Type M Attack 8 Type M EXX Conqueror Conqueror SS Hikari Drive Hikari SR7 Long Pimple New Anti Spin Anti New Chopper New Spirit Hi Red Mark Red Mark Type 1-4 Rosin Twister Long Twister EXT Vector W-α Εx x Warrior 05) ARTENGO S S O O O O 910 FRB 910 All 960 FRB 960 Spin 970 FRB 970 Speed 980 FRB 980 Speed 990 FRB 990 Speed 702 O 06) ATEMI Ace Advantage Challenge Début Fight Power Ippon Super Champ 07) AVALOX / AVX 001 Purot 002 Sogno Horme Mo Long Pronte Sterco 08) BANCO 002 Dynamic 003 Ouragan 004 Megaspin 005 Powerfeeling Allstar Excellence Feeling Furio Futura Energie Perfect Puissance Start óó Start óóó Variation Energy 12) BOMB 001 Oscule 002 Violent 003 Bombard 004 Raider 005 Apex 006 Mopha 007 Rex 008 Ufo 009 Tensa Apex Bombard Hammer King Roc Mopha Raider Rex Talent Long Tensa Ufo Violent 14) BUTTERFLY 001 Tenergy Tenergy Tenergy Spinart 006 Sriver G3 007 Sriver G3 FX 008 Roundell 009 Tenergy 05 FX 010 Tenergy 25 FX 011 Tenergy 64 FX 012 Flarestorm II 013 Addoy 014 Wakaba 015 Pan Asia 016 Yuki 017 Dignics 018 Tenergy Largestorm 020 Tenergy 80 FX 021 Lemuria 022 Bryce Highspeed 023 Impartial XS 024 Impartial XB 025 Rozena 026 Lagnus 027 Spryer 028 Dignics Dignics Dignics Tenergy 05N 032 Tenergy 09C Addoy Bryce Bryce FX Bryce Speed Bryce Speed FX #1 Update: 30/09/2017

128 ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple Catapult Cermet Challenger Attack Driver Ekrips Feint AG Feint Long II Feint Long III Feint-Ox Feint-Soft Flarestorm Flextra Large 44 DX Magnitude Morim Orthodox-DX,103 Pan Asia Raystorm Relop Attack Sapphira Solcion Speedy-P.O. Sriver EL Sriver FX Sriver G2 Sriver G2 FX Sriver L Sriver S Stayer Super Anti Tackifire-C Tackifire-D Tackifire SP Tackiness-C Tackiness-C II Tackiness-D Wakaba West Will Yuki 15) CARREFOUR Top Life 16) CHAMPION [R] Long Long Long Long Long Long Long Anti CHAMPION is used as part of a brand name for SCHILDKRÖT.!001 V V 5 Hexa Khan 168) CHANGWONJANG 001 AceII 17) CORNILLEAU 001 ó 002 óó 003 óóó 004 óóóó 005 óóóóó 006 óóóóóó 007 Performa Performa Pilot Advance 010 Pilot Power 013 Drive Style 014 Drive Control 015 Start Up 016 Pulse Racer 017 Pulse Rider 018 Target Ultim 019 Target Sound 020 Target Force 021 Target Pro GT 022 Pilot Fast 023 Pilot Sound Power 024 Drive Speed 025 Drive Spin 026 Drive tens 027 Pilot Pulse 028 Start' Up Evo 18) CRACK 999 Master SP Twister 99) CTT 001 National Pride 002 National Strike 003 National Pogo Long 004 National Hero 19) DARKER 001 Turbo Jayro Long 003 Leone 004 Crea 005 Anessis Provine 20) DAWEI A 388A-4 388C-1 388D Long 388D-1 Long spirit Saviga Saviga V Long 118) DER- MATERIALSPEZIALIST 001 Nightmare Anti 002 Beast Anti 003 Undertaker Long 004 L.S.D. Long Super Defence Long 005 Spinparasite Anti 006 B.A.D. Best Anti Defence Anti 007 Predator Long 008 Superwall Long 009 Hardcore 010 Burnout 011 Tenacious Violence 012 Breakout 013 Transformer Anti 014 Master-Anti Anti 015 Killing Defender 016 Hellcat 017 Rebellion Long 018 Diabolic Anti 019 Shockwave 020 Elimination Extra Long Long 021 Mega-Block Anti 022 Anti Speed Anti 023 Turtle Twister 024 kill 025 Kamikaze Long 026 Reflection Anti 027 Firestorm 028 Power Pipes 164) DERWIND 001 Stolz 002 Rayhe 131) DIANCHI 003 Dianchi 149)DINGO SWISS 001 Ding Yi 002 Zik Zak Long 21) DONIC 001 Coppa JO Platin 002 Vario Gold 003 Alligator Def Long 006 Baracuda 008 Baxster LB 009 Twister LB 010 Vario Big Slam 011 Acuda S1 012 Acuda S2 013 Acuda S3 014 Coppa X1 015 Coppa X2 016 Coppa X3 017 Traction II 018 Traction MS 019 Waldner Legend 022 Alligator Anti Anti 023 Anti Classic Anti 024 Acuda S1 Turbo 025 Bluefire M1 026 Bluefire M2 027 Bluefire M3 029 Bluefire JP Bluefire JP Bluefire KR 032 Bluefire M1 Turbo 033 Bluefire JP 01 Turbo 034 Bluefire JP Spike P1 Long 036 Spike P2 Long 037 Vario Blast 038 Acuda Blue P1 039 Acuda Blue P2 040 Acuda Blue P3 041 Desto F1 Plus 042 Traction III 043 Blues T1 044 V-Storm 045 Acuda Blue P1 Turbo 046 Bluefire Big Slam 047 Desto F4 048 Slice 40/CD 049 Bluestorm Z1 050 Bluestorm Z2 051 Bluestorm Z3 052 Bluestorm Z1 Turbo ó óó óóó Akkadi L2 Long Akkadi Taichi Alpha-Slick Baxster Coppa Coppa JO Gold Coppa JO Silver Coppa Tagora Coppa Tenero Desto F1 Desto F2 Desto F3 Duo Easy-Slick Liga Piranja FD TEC Long Quattro Quattro A Conda Quattro Formula Slice 40 Solo Sonex JP Gold Twingo Vari-Slick Vario Vario Soft 22) DONIER Max Max Attack Versus 23) DOUBLE FISH 001 A One 002 FA FC FS FL Long A Volant 013 Volant Volant Athlon Athlon Qiji A Long F.A. 213 FC218 F.L. 233 FS232 Volant 24) DOUBLE HAPPINESS / DHS 001 Hurricane 002 Hurricane II 003 Skyline 004 PF4 005 Skyline II 006 Skyline III 009 Memo II 010 Memo III 011 TNT 012 TNT II PF G G G G TNT III 020 Magician 021 Magician II 022 Magician III 023 Dipper 024 Dipper II 025 Dipper III 026 C7 027 C8 Long 028 Cloud & Fog II Long 029 Cloud & Fog III Long Dragonow 034 Sharping 035 Nittaku Hurricane II 036 Nittaku Hurricane III 037 Nittaku Hurricane Pro II 038 Nittaku Hurricane Pro III 043 Sharping Nittaku 044 Nittaku C7 045 Tin Arc 046 Tin Arc II #2 Update: 30/09/2017

129 ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple 047 Tin Arc III 048 Gold Arc 049 Gold Arc II 050 Gold Arc III 051 Tin Arc Nittaku Tin Arc Cloud & Fog Long 054 Hurricane Hurricane Gold Arc Gold Arc Hurricane III 874 C7 C - 8 Long Cloud & Fog III Long Dipper Dipper II Dipper III Dragonow G555 G666 G777 G888 Hurricane Hurricane II Hurricane III Nittaku C 7 Nittaku Hurricane II Nittaku Hurricane III Nittaku Hurricane Pro II Nittaku Hurricane Pro III PF4 Sharping Sharping Nittaku Skyline Skyline II Skyline III 25) DOUBLE POWER No ) DR NEUBAUER 001 Special Defence 002 Goliath 003 Monster Classic Long 004 Boomerang Classic Long 005 Gorilla Anti 006 Grizzly Anti 007 Anti Special Anti 008 A - B - S Anti 009 Fighter Long 010 ferno Classic Long 011 Desperado Long 012 Terminator 013 Allround Premium Long 014 Killer 015 Number 1 Long 016 Viper Long 017 Buffalo Anti 018 Power Attack Anti 019 Viper Soft Long 020 Aggressor 021 Bison Anti 022 Gangster Long 023 K.O. 024 Django Anti 025 Rhino Anti 026 Nugget 027 Desperado 2 Long 028 Tarantula Anti Diamant Domination Leopard Pistol Tornado Ultra 107) DUNLOP 080 Evolution Max 090 Revolution Max 100 Revolution Max II 156) EAKENT 001 Eiwaz 003 Rad 152) EASTFIELD 001 A-Soft 002 A-Pro 143) EFFORTER 007 Diadem Anti 008 Number Tank Half Long 012 Torpedo 013 Hunter 014 Jewel Long 015 Melody Long 139) FÖERSTER 001 H-OF OFF4JET 003 ***! 27) FRIENDSHIP FRIENDSHIP is also used as part of a brand name for KOKUTAKU, WINNING.!001 R.I.T.C R.I.T.C Long 004 R.I.T.C Battle Battle II Origin Aurora 010 Presto Speed 011 Presto Spin 012 Bloom Power 013 Bloom Spin 729 Focus 729 Focus II 729 Focus III 729 High Point R.I.T.C. 563 R.I.T.C R.I.T.C. 729 R.I.T.C R.I.T.C R.I.T.C H R.I.T.C S R.I.T.C. 729 Cream R.I.T.C. 729 Dr. Evil R.I.T.C. 729 Faster R.I.T.C. 729 GeoSpin R.I.T.C. 729 GeoSpin Tacky R.I.T.C. 729 Higher R.I.T.C. 729 SP R.I.T.C. 729 SST R.I.T.C. 755 Long R.I.T.C. 799 R.I.T.C. 802 R.I.T.C R.I.T.C R.I.T.C. 804 Anti R.I.T.C. 837 Long R.I.T.C Tack-Speed Sky-Wing Super 729 FX Top Point 167) G.YAP 001 Vulpe Long 002 Thunder 003 Cyclone 004 Energy 005 Storm 28) GAMBLER 001 Wraith 002 Shadow 003 Reflectoid 004 Sevens 005 Big Gun 006 Burst 007 Zero High Gravity 008 GXS 009 GXM 010 GXL Long 011 X3 Diamond 012 Vintage 013 Nine Ultra Tack 014 Mech-Tek Predator 4 Kings Aces law Peace Keeper Six Shooter 150) GDS 001 Devastator 002 Firework 29) GEWO 001 Proton 003 Reflexx 004 Thunderball ² 005 Return 006 Flexxon 007 Nanoflex 008 Return Pro 009 Hype EL 010 Proton Neo 011 Hype XT Pro 012 Hype KR Pro (Yoo Nam Kyu) 015 Raver 016 CS Powerspeed 017 CS Powerspin Mega Flex Control Nano Target airtec 30) GIANT DRAGON 001 Taichi 002 Karate 003 Meteorite Long 004 Giant Long Long 005 Allround 006 Guard Anti 007 Submarine 008 Topenergy 009 Superspin G3 010 Superspin G4 011 Superveloce V Dragon Talon Long 013 Snowflake Long 014 Cropcircles Long 015 Blast Attack Long Long 018 Commander 019 Storm 020 Future 021 Soft Anti 022 Peril Anti A 8228 B Extspeed Maxspin Superspeed Superspin Superspin G2 31) GKI 001 Nano Sting Long 002 Euro Chelonz 004 ChelonZ HybridZ 005 HybridZ GX 006 Hybridz Power Euro Jumbo Euro Spintec Euro XX Nano Attack Nano Force 32) GLOBE GLOBE is also used as part of a brand name for XUSHAOFA.!001 Mo Wang Long 002 Mo Wang II Long II 004 Do Long T Awala Liqin Magicwand Prize Taiphoon Gold Tropy 86) GUO AO ) GUOQIU 001 Gong Fu AB FF HB MG Long 90) HAIFU 001 Whale 002 Shark 003 Penguin 004 Dolphin 005 Whale III 006 Shark III 007 Pirates Pirates Octopus Long 010 O. Orca 011 Otariidae 145) HAITIAN 001 Hippocampus Speed 35) HALLMARK 002 Podium 004 Pheonix Long 005 Friction Special 2 Long 006 Green Power Frustration Long Half Long Magic Pips Mirage Anti Panther Power Spin 104) HUARUITE 001 Wujilong 36) IMPERIAL 001 Factor 002 Spinbreaker Long China Crash Cyber Tacky Force Rubber one Rubber one Super Strike Swift #3 Update: 30/09/2017

130 ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple 147) INZONE 001 Evolve 004 Spin 005 Zett 006 Accel 157) ITC 001 Powercell RS 002 Powercell MP 003 Spyder 005 Powercell P5 006 Powercell Ultra 38) JAPTEC Balance DL - 01 Experience Performance Precision Long 40) JOOLA 001 Express 002 Shark Long 003 Orca Long 004 Amy Anti 006 Express Ultra 007 Phénix 008 X-Plode 010 Turbo 011 Samba Rhyzm 014 UPP 015 Maxxx 016 Novic 017 Maxxx-P 018 Rhyzm-P 019 finity 020 GX All You 023 Zack 024 Rhyzm-tech 025 Samba Samba Samba Tech 028 CWX Long 029 Golden Tango 030 Rhyzer Axxess 032 Rhyzer 48 Anti Topspin Toni Hold Anti Badman Long Basic Compass Drum Energy Energy X-tra Fiesta Mambo Mambo H Octopus Long Peking Samba Smart Smash Tango Extrem Tango Ultra Teacher Thema Topspin Tramp 41) JUIC 004 Nanospin 005 Patisuma III 006 Nano Spin II 007 T Gekitetsu Élite Dany V DrivaSmash Driva Smash Ultima Leggy R Masterspin Neo Anti Offense Patisuma Patisuma II Scramble SpinSpiel Long Anti 43) KILLERSPIN 002 Fortissimo Nitrx-4Z 44) KINSON Perfect Super Spin 45) KOKUTAKU Big Star BLütenkirsche 868 BLütenkirsche 868 Tokyo Clitter Friendship 729 Super Spec-V Spindle Synchron Tuple 007 Tuple 007 Taiwan Tuple 110 Tuple 119 Tuple 911 Long 110) KTL 001 Black Power [B] 002 Red Diamond [R] 003 Stranger Long 004 Golden Star 005 Magic Power 006 Pro XP 007 Pro XT 008 Panther 009 Falcon 010 Rapid Speed 011 Rapid Sound 012 Rapid Soft 013 Recoil 014 Rapid Power 015 Blue Ocean 016 Ping Pong Prince 017 Torrent 140) L.D.T.T 001 EA777 46) LION 001 Roar 002 Claw Long 003 Star Stars Stars 006 Super Stars 008 Aggressor 009 Allrounder 010 Elite Control 011 Rebirth 012 Radiant 013 Firearms 014 Mantlet Anti 015 Trapper Long ternational Scirocco SS 800 Typhoon XA ) LKT 001 Rapid Speed 002 Rapid Power 003 Rapid Sound 004 Rapid Soft Recoil Torrent E.G.S. 158) LOKI 002 GTX 003 TIII Paragon 004 N80 180) METAL TT 001 Death Long 48) METEOR 575 Long 71-1 Long Long 8512 Long 9012 Long 49) MILKY WAY 001 Apollo 002 Sun 003 Moon 004 Moon Speed 007 Big Dipper 010 Qing Long 011 Uranus Poly 023 MaxTense Earth 025 MaxTense Jupiter 955 Long 9000 Earth Jupiter Mars Mercury Neptune Long Pluto Saturn Venus 50) MIZUNO 005 Booster HP 006 Opti 007 Rookie 008 GF T GF T GF T TH GF Pro 013 Q3 014 Q4 015 GF R Booster EV Booster SA Polaris Unison 142) MYESTROº 001 m m300 91) NEOTTEC 001 Hinomi 002 Iken 003 Katana 004 Tokkan Long 005 Maxima 006 Enkei 94) NEXY 001 Demian 002 Kairos 003 Chaos Long 004 Elpis 005 Karis 53) NIMATSU 002 Zerberus Long Hurricane Pegasus Scorpion Spinfighter óóó XX5 54) NITTAKU! NITTAKU is also used as part of some brand names for DOUBLE HAPPINESS/DHS.!001 Moristo RS 002 Renanos Bright 003 Specialist Hibiki 004 Narucross Annsort 006 Hammond FA Speed 007 Hammond Pro ß 008 Renanos BS 009 Renanos Hold 011 Narucross GS 012 Learner 013 Wallest Long 015 Fastarc G Fastarc S Galze 018 Royallarge 019 Retora 020 Flyatt 021 Pimple Slide 022 Revspin 023 Jewellarge 024 P Fastarc C Zalt 027 Alhelg 028 Flyatt Spin 029 Lonfrict Long 030 Beautry 031 Jammin 032 Do Knuckle 033 Fastarc P Super Do Knuckle 035 Factive 036 Hammondpower 037 Hayate DO Knuckle Moristo SP AX 040 RuuKing 041 Goriki Counter 042 Goriki Kaisoku Arufeel Best Anti Anti Express Hammond Hammond FA Hammond Pro α Japan Original Magic Carbon Micro Moristo 2000 Moristo 44 Moristo DF Moristo LP Long Moristo LP One Long Moristo SP Narucross EX Nodias Pimplemini Pimplemini One Refoma Renanos Screw Long Screw One Long Specialist Chikara Specialist One Specialist Soft Specialist Soft HS Spiral Super Large #4 Update: 02/10/2017

131 ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple 148) NOZOMI 001 Kateru 002 Kateru JP 55) PALIO 001 Macro ERA 002 Conqueror 003 Flying Dragon 004 Power Dragon 005 Thor s 006 Blit z 007 The Way 008 Aeolus AK47 Amigo CJ8000 CK531A Long Drunken Dragon Emperor Dragon Hadou Hidden Dragon HK1997 Macro Macro Pro Wildish Dragon WP ) PEACE!! PEACE is also used as part of a brand name for GAMBLER. C oma Leo Nova Vela 170) PERIODMAKING 001 Firedrake 004 Zebra Long 163) PIMPLEPARK 001 Wobbler Long 002 Cluster Long 003 Epos 175) PINGBO 002 Max Bounce 003 Top Lop I 58) PRASIDHA 001 Apple 002 Titan 003 Long 1615 Long 004 Master Action Frankfurt Hamburg Long-A Long Osaka Speed - F Tokyo Twister ) PROIDEAL 001 Magician I Long 002 Magician II Long 60) REACTOR 001 Mirage 002 Rafale 003 Pioneer 005 Corbor 006 Tornado 007 Ckylin 008 Thunder Corbor 154) RED AND BLACK 001 X35 61) RUCANOR 001 Competition Competition Mogi Ura Orient TTB ) SAN - EI 001 Taipan 62) SANWEI 001 Target 002 Rings Link 003 Gears 005 Ghost 006 Code Long 007 T88 Taiji 008 T T88 - I 010 T88 - II 011 T88 - III 015 Target Pro Pistol Racket 130)SAUER&TRÖGER 001 Hellfire Long 002 Secret Flow 003 Easy P Long 004 Hass 005 Zargus 006 Hipster 007 Schmerz Long! 113) SAVIGA SAVIGA is also used as part of a brand name for DAWEI. 001 Turbo 002 Fantasy Long Long 004 Se7en Swing Sync 005 Monster 77 Long 006 Superspeed ) SCHILDKRÖT Avantgarde óóó Champion óóóóó Elite Energy Jade Prestige Spinmax 133) SKITT 001 Aconda 002 Uno 003 Aconda Power 166) SOULSPIN 001 Project Sixteen 002 Project Sixteen ST 108) SPINLORD 001 Marder 002 Tiger 003 Adler 004 Zeitgeist Long 005 Stachelfeuer Long 006 Dornenglanz Long 007 Irbis 008 Blitzschlag Long 009 Degu 010 Feuerstich Long 011 Waran 012 Sternenfall Long 013 Agenda Long 014 Keiler 015 Dornenglanz II Long 016 Gipfelsturm 017 Sandwind Anti 018 Ozelot 019 Strahlkraft Long 020 Tanuki 021 Gigant Anti 93) SPOKEY 001 Master 67) STAG 002 Peter Karlsson Training 004 Championship 005 ternational 006 Power Drive Plus 007 Official 008 Peter Karlsson Gen-II 009 Tec 010 Super 011 Power Drive 012 All Round 013 Thunder Spin Plus 014 Robust 015 Star X 016 Control Ninja Attack Ninja Fire 121) STARWOOD 001 Speed 002 Spin 003 Power 004 Alfa 3 Long 005 Bravo 007 Bravo Naruwan 68) STIGA 001 Boost TP 002 Boost TC 003 Boost TS 004 Boost TX 005 JMS EVO Magna TC II 007 Magna TS II 008 Calibra LT 009 Calibra LT Sound 010 Power LT 011 S 012 S1 013 S2 014 S3 015 S4 016 S5 017 Calibra LT Plus 018 Calibra LT Spin 019 Magna TX 020 Calibra Tour S 021 Calibra Tour M 022 Calibra Tour H 023 Airoc S 024 Airoc M 025 Airoc Astro S 026 Airoc Astro M 027 Genesis M 028 Genesis S 029 Mantra S 030 Mantra M 031 Mantra H 032 Sculpture Long 033 Genesis II Spin S 034 Genesis II Spin M Almana Almana Sound Almana Sound Synergy Tech Carbo Carbo MC Carbo Sound China Extreme Chop & Drive Clippa Cobra 2000 Destroyer Long Doer Drive Energy Absorber Anti Evo Future nova nova Premium nova Ultra Light nova Ultra Light Synergy Tech Magic Magna Mendo Mendo Energy Mendo MP Neos Neos Sound Neos Sound Synergy Tech Neos Synergy Tech Neos Tacky Optimum MP Premium Radical Royal Stream Triumph 69) SUNFLEX 001 Expert Xonox 002 Expert Zeno 003 Anti Loop Anti 004 Ice Breaker Long 005 Samurai 006 Mandarin 007 Taipan 008 Shogun 009 Mikado 010 Mogul 011 Sun-Power 012 Sun-Control 013 AF BZ Dr. Freeze Anti AF 50 BZ 60 Mandarin Mikado Mogul Samurai Shogun Sun-Control Sun-Power Taipan 174) SUNNYSIX 001 Sunny3 003 Sunny7 70) SWORD 001 Break 002 Paladin 003 Scylla Long 005 Maze 006 Nano 007 Flute 008 Paladin II 009 Titan 010 Long Can 012 Dance 013 Zeus 015 Ares 2000-F Hero King RG 153) SYNECTICS 001 Stormaxe 002 Tachyon 72) TECNOPRO Competition Expert Supercom Tournament 178) THE PIMPLEHOLICS 001 Jengking Long #5 Update: 30/09/2017

132 ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple 151) THE WORLD CONNECT 001 Rice 127) THREE SWORD 001 Gallop 002 Prompt 003 Leap 004 Red Dragon 007 Zeus Long 74) TIBHAR 001 Sinus 002 Grass Flex 003 Grass Ultra Long 004 Primus 005 Genius 006 Nianmor 007 Aurus 008 Grip - S 009 Genius Mythik Long 012 Evolution FX - P 013 Evolution MX - P 014 Grip - S Europe 015 1Q 016 5Q 017 Evolution EL - P 018 Evolution MX - S 019 5Q Volcano Quantum 022 Nimbus 023 Hybrid K1 024 Crazy Bull 025 Evolution EL-S 026 Evolution FX-S 027 Beluga 028 Tacky Power 029 Aurus Prime 030 Aurus Select 031 Quantum X 032 Speedy Soft XD 033 Hybrid K1 Pro Dang Ellen Anti Extra Long Long Grass Long Grass D. TecS Long Learn Cont Learn Spin Legend Nimbus Norm Phantom Rapid Rapid D. TecS Rapid Soft Rookie D. TecS Serie 2000 Speedy Soft Speedy Soft D. TecS Speedy Spin Speedy Spin Premium Standard Storm Super Defense 40 Vari Spin Vari Spin D. TecS Volcano 169) TMOUNT 001 T90 Power Spin 75) TONI HOLD TONI HOLD is also used as part of a brand! name for JOOLA. Anti Topspin New 40 Anti ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple 76) TSP 001 Curl P-H Long 004 Grandy 005 Agrit 006 Agrit Speed 007 Rise 008 Rise Speed 009 Curl P-4 Long 010 Spin Magic 011 Ventus Speed 012 Ventus Spin 013 Ventus Soft 014 Regalis Red 015 Regalis Blue 016 Spectol Red 017 Spectol Blue 018 Spinpips Red 019 Spinpips Blue 020 Gambit 021 Ventus Basic 022 Super Ventus 730 Bolt Brio Curl P-1 R Long Curl P-2 Curl P-3 Long Curl P-3α R Long Giant Hiyaku L Catcher Milli Tall II Miracle Spectol Summit Super Spinpips Tarbit T - Rex Triple Tyranno UQ X's X's F-1 96) TUTTLE 001 Beijing 002 World No LV Spring - 3B 007 Summer - 3C 008 Autumn - 3D Long 009 Winter - 3E 010 Prevention Arc Anti 011 A 380 Sky Positive Energy Good VIP A B 017 South Pole 018 North Pole 85) V 3 TEC 001 Spin Attack X3 002 Fast Control S1 003 Power Drive Y5 123) VALOR 001 Premier 117) VICTAS 001 VO > VLB > VS > VO > V > V > 01 Limber 008 V > 01 Stiff ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple 009 VS > 402 Limber 010 VS > 402 Double Extra 011 V > 15 Extra 012 V > 15 Limber 013 V > 15 Stiff 014 VO > ) VTEC 001 V I 176) WINNEY 001 T7 002 N7 78) WINNING 001 Mad X 002 NP Long Long 738 Super Friendship 729 Super TSS King Power Komann Komann Komann Super Fit NP - 1 NP - 2 NP - 6 NP ) XIOM 002 Zeta 003 Omega IV 007 Sigma III 008 Vega Europe 009 Vega Asia 011 Zava Vega Pro 013 Vega Elite 014 Tau I 015 Tau II 017 Omega IV Pro 018 Omega IV Asia 019 Omega IV Europe 020 Omega IV Elite 023 Vega China VH 024 Vega China VM 025 Zava II 028 Omega II 029 Omega III 030 Sigma II Europe 031 Musa I 032 Musa II 033 Vega Japan 034 Sigma II Pro 035 Omega V Tour 036 Omega V Pro 037 Vega SPO 038 MUV o Prospin 039 MUV o Eurospin 040 MUV o Hyspin 041 MUV o Vspin 042 Omega V Asia 043 Omega V Europe 045 Musa III 046 Vega LPO Long 047 Vega Def 048 Omega IIx 049 Musa III China 050 Vega Europe DF 051 Vega Asia DF 054 Omega V Elite 055 Vega tro 056 Omega VII Pro 057 Omega VII Europe 058 Omega VII Asia 060 Vega Tour Omega I Omega II Omega III Yanus DF List published by the: INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS FEDERATION (ITTF) equipment@ittf.com ITTF.com ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple 81) XUSHAOFA LSZ 999 ZCD Globe ) YAPING ) YASAKA 001 Pryde 002 Pryde Xtend LB 006 Pryde Rakza Rakza Rakza 7 Soft 011 Mark V HPS 012 Mark V HPS Soft 013 Rakza PO 016 Xtend SD 017 Spinate 018 RakzaX 019 RakzaX Soft 020 Rising Dragon 021 Large Claft 022 Elfrark 023 Elfrark OX 024 Shining Dragon 025 Valmo 026 Rigan 027 Xtend GP Anti Power Anti A-1-2 A-1 A-1-2 A-2 Cobalt α Cobalt X1 Cobalt X2 Fusion Mark V Mark V AD Mark V GPS Mark V M ² Mark V XS Original Soft Original Original A-1 Original A-2 Original Extra Phantom 007 Long Phantom 008 Long Phantom 009 Long Phantom 0011 Long Phantom 0012 Long Top 12 Vision V Stage Wallie Xtend Xtend HS Xtend PO 84) YASHIMA Competition XR3000 Upper Spin Competition XR 7 XX 3 XX 5 173) YINGZHIJIE 001 V V V-3 165) YULU SPORTS 001 Jadedeer III! #6 Update: 30/09/2017

133 ANNEX: RACKET COVERINGS ONLY VALID UNTIL 31 DECEMBER 2017! The racket coverings below are only valid until 31 December After this date they will no longer be authorised, and this page should be discarded. ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple! 01) is also used as part of a brand name for AKKADI, CRACK, GLOBE, JUIC, THREE NINE, XIYING! and XUSHAOFA T T-3 Super 999 T ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple! ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple ITTF N ) SUPPLIER Brand Pimple 19) DARKER Spalbird 24) DOUBLE HAPPINESS / DHS 008 Memo Cloud & Fog II Long Magician Magician II Magician III PF4-1 TNT TNT II TNT III 157) ITC 004 Targa 51) NB ENEBE ó óó óóó Pro 62) SANWEI 012 A + 73) THREE NINE 999 T-1 80) XIYING Sharing Limbo Long 889!! List published by the: INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS FEDERATION (ITTF) equipment@ittf.com ITTF.com #7 Update: 30/09/2017