|
ITTF
Handbook 2009
/ 2010 |
| Index |
Description |
| 3.04 |
MATCH CONDUCT |
| 3.04.01 |
Score Indication |
| 3.04.01.01 |
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. |
| 3.04.01.01.01 |
In 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. |
| 3.04.01.01.02 |
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. |
| 3.04.01.01.03 |
At the end of a game the umpire shall name the winning player or pair and shall then 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. |
| 3.04.01.02 |
In addition to calling the score the umpire may use hand signals to indicate his decisions. |
| 3.04.01.02.01 |
When a point has been scored, he may raise his 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. |
| 3.04.01.02.02 |
When for any reason the rally is a let, he may raise his hand above his head to show that the rally has ended. |
| 3.04.01.03 |
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. |
| 3.04.01.04 |
The score shall be displayed on mechanical or electrical indicators so that it is clearly visible to the players and the spectators. |
| 3.04.01.05 |
When a player is formally warned for bad behaviour, a yellow marker shall be placed on or near the score indicator. |
| 3.04.02 |
Equipment |
| 3.04.02.01 |
Players shall not choose balls in the playing area. |
| 3.04.02.01.01 |
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 one of these balls, taken at random by the umpire. |
| 3.04.02.01.02 |
If a ball has not been chosen before players come to the playing area, the match shall be played with a ball taken at random by the umpire from a box of those specified for the competition. |
| 3.04.02.01.03 |
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. |
| 3.04.02.02 |
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. |
| 3.04.02.03 |
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 to the playing area or one which is handed to him in the playing area. |
| 3.04.02.04 |
Unless otherwise authorised by the umpire, players shall leave their rackets on the table during intervals. |
| 3.04.03 |
Practice |
| 3.04.03.01 |
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. |
| 3.04.03.02 |
During an emergency suspension of play the referee may allow players to practise on any table, including the match table. |
| 3.04.03.03 |
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. |
| 3.04.04 |
Intervals |
| 3.04.04.01 |
Play shall be continuous throughout an individual match except that any player is entitled to |
| 3.04.04.01.01 |
an interval of up to 1 minute between successive games of an individual match; |
| 3.04.04.01.02 |
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. |
| 3.04.04.02 |
A player or pair may claim one time-out period of up to 1 minute during an individual match. |
| 3.04.04.02.01 |
In 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. |
| 3.04.04.02.02 |
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. |
| 3.04.04.02.03 |
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. |
| 3.04.04.02.04 |
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. |
| 3.04.04.02.05 |
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. |
| 3.04.04.02.06 |
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 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. |
| 3.04.04.03 |
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. |
| 3.04.04.04 |
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. |
| 3.04.04.05 |
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. |
| 3.04.04.06 |
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. |
| 3.04.04.07 |
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. |