|
2.1 |
THE TABLE |
|
2.1.1 |
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.
|
|
2.1.2 |
The playing surface shall not include the
vertical sides of the table top.
|
|
2.1.3 |
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.
|
|
2.1.4 |
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.
|
|
2.1.5 |
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.
|
|
2.1.6 |
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 |
|
2.2.1 |
The
net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension and the supporting posts,
including the clamps attaching them to the table.
|
|
2.2.2 |
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.
|
|
2.2.3 |
The
top of the net, along its whole length, shall be 15.25cm above the playing
surface.
|
|
2.2.4 |
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 as close as possible to the
supporting posts.
|
| |
|
|
2.3 |
THE BALL |
|
2.3.1 |
The
ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 38mm.
|
|
2.3.2 |
The
ball shall weigh 2.5gm.
|
|
2.3.3 |
The
ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be white
or orange, and matt.
|
| |
|
|
2.4 |
THE RACKET |
|
2.4.1 |
The
racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and
rigid.
|
|
2.4.2 |
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.
|
|
2.4.3 |
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 2mm, or sandwich rubber, with pimples
inwards or outwards, having a total thickness including adhesive of not more
than 4mm.
|
|
2.4.3.1 |
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 sq cm and not more than 50 per sq cm.
|
|
2.4.3.2 |
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 2mm.
|
|
2.4.4 |
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.
|
|
2.4.5 |
The
blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering material or adhesive
shall be continuous and of even thickness.
|
|
2.4.6 |
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.
|
|
2.4.7 |
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.
|
|
2.4.8 |
At
the start of a match and whenever he changes his racket during a match a player
shall show his opponent and the umpire the racket he is about to use and shall
allow them to examine it.
|
| |
|
|
2.5 |
DEFINITIONS |
|
2.5.1 |
A
rally is the period during which the ball is in play.
|
|
2.5.2 |
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 ecided as a let or a point.
|
|
2.5.3 |
A
let is a rally of which the result is not scored.
|
|
2.5.4 |
A
point is a rally of which the result is scored.
|
|
2.5.5 |
The
racket hand is the hand carrying the racket.
|
|
2.5.6 |
The free hand is the hand not
carrying the racket; the free arm
is the arm of the free hand.
|
|
2.5.7 |
A
player strikes the ball if he touches it in play with his racket, held in the
hand, or with his racket hand below the wrist.
|
|
2.5.8 |
A player obstructs the ball if he, or anything he wears or
carries, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing
surface, not having touched his court since last being struck by his opponent. |
|
2.5.9 |
The
server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally.
|
|
2.5.10 |
The
receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally.
|
|
2.5.11 |
The
umpire is the person appointed to control a match.
|
|
2.5.12 |
The
assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire with certain
decisions.
|
|
2.5.13 |
Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that he was wearing or
carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally.
|
|
2.5.14 |
The
ball shall be regarded as passing over or around the net assembly if it passes
over, under or outside the projection of the net assembly outside the table.
|
|
2.5.15 |
The
end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions.
|
| |
|
|
2.6 |
THE
SERVICE |
|
2.6.1 |
At
the start of service the ball shall be stationary, resting freely on the flat,
open palm of the server's free hand, behind the end line and above the level of
the playing surface.
|
|
2.6.2 |
The
server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without imparting
spin, so that it rises at least 16cm after leaving the palm of the free hand and
then falls without touching anything before being struck.
|
|
2.6.3 |
As
the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his
court and then, after passing over or around the net assembly, touches directly
the receiver's court; in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right
half court of server and receiver.
|
|
2.6.4 |
From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be
above the level of the playing surface and behind the
server's end line, and it shall not be hidden from the
receiver by the server or his doubles partner and by anything they wear or carry. |
|
2.6.5 |
As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm
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. |
|
2.6.6 |
It
is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or assistant
umpire can see that he complies with the requirements for a good service.
|
|
2.6.6.1 |
If
the umpire is doubtful of the legality of a service but neither he nor the
assistant umpire is sure that it is illegal he may, on the first occasion in a
match, warn the server without awarding a point.
|
|
2.6.6.2 |
If
subsequently in the match the same player's service is of dubious legality, for
the same or for any other reason, he shall not be given the benefit of the doubt
and the receiver shall score a point.
|
|
2.6.6.3 |
Whenever there is a clear failure to comply with the requirements for a good
service no warning shall be given and the receiver shall score a point, on the
first as on any other occasion.
|
|
2.6.7 |
Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a good service where he
is notified, before play begins, that compliance is prevented by physical
disability.
|
| |
|
|
2.7 |
THE
RETURN |
|
2.7.1 |
The
ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it passes over or
around the net assembly and touches the opponent's court, either directly or
after touching the net assembly.
|
| |
|
|
2.8 |
THE ORDER OF
PLAY |
|
2.8.1 |
In 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. |
|
2.8.2 |
In doubles, 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. |
|
2.8.3 |
When two players who are in wheelchairs due to a physical
disability are a pair playing doubles, 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.
However, 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. |
| |
|
|
2.9 |
A LET |
|
2.9.1 |
The
rally shall be a let
|
|
2.9.1.1 |
if
in service the ball, in passing over the net assembly, touches it, provided the
service is otherwise good or the ball is obstructed by the receiver or his
partner;
|
|
2.9.1.2 |
if
the service is delivered when the receiving player or pair is not ready,
provided that neither the receiver nor his partner attempts to strike the ball;
|
|
2.9.1.3 |
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; |
|
2.9.1.4 |
if
play is interrupted by the umpire or assistant umpire.
|
|
2.9.1.5 |
if the receiver is in wheelchair due to a physical disability
and the ball |
|
2.9.1.5.1 |
leaves the receiver’s half after touching it in the direction of
the net ; |
|
2.9.1.5.2 |
comes to rest on the receiver's half; |
|
2.9.1.5.3 |
in singles leaves the receiver’s half after touching it by
either of its sidelines. |
|
2.9.2 |
Play
may be interrupted
|
|
2.9.2.1 |
To correct an error in the order of serving, receiving or ends;
|
|
2.9.2.2 |
To introduce the expedite system;
|
|
2.9.2.3 |
To warn or penalise a player or adviser;
|
|
2.9.2.4 |
Because the conditions of play are disturbed in a way
which could affect the outcome of the rally.
|
| |
|
|
2.10 |
A POINT |
|
2.10.1 |
Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point
|
|
2.10.1.1 |
If his opponent fails to make a correct service;
|
|
2.10.1.2 |
If his opponent fails to make a correct return;
|
|
2.10.1.3 |
if, after he has made a service or a return, the ball touches
anything other than the net assembly before being struck
by his opponent; |
|
2.10.1.4 |
If the ball passes over his court or beyond his end line
without touching his court, after being struck by his opponent;
|
|
2.10.1.5 |
If his opponent obstructs the ball;
|
|
2.10.1.6 |
If his opponent strikes the ball twice successively;
|
|
2.10.1.7 |
If his opponent strikes the ball with a side of the
racket blade whose surface does not comply with the requirements of 2.4.3;
|
|
2.10.1.8 |
If his opponent, or anything his opponent wears or
carries, moves the playing surface;
|
|
2.10.1.9 |
If his opponent, or anything his opponent wears or
carries, touches the net assembly;
|
|
2.10.1.10 |
If his opponent's free hand touches the playing surface;
|
|
2.10.1.11 |
If a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the
sequence established by the first server and first receiver;
|
|
2.10.1.12 |
As provided under the expedite system (2.15.2).
|
| |
|
|
2.11 |
A GAME |
|
2.11.1 |
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.
|
| |
|
|
2.12 |
A MATCH |
|
2.12.1 |
A match
shall consist of the best of any odd number of games.
|
|
2.12.2 |
Play
shall be continuous throughout a match except that any player shall be entitled
to an interval of not more than 2 minutes between successive games.
|
| |
|
|
2.13 |
THE CHOICE
OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS |
|
2.13.1 |
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.
|
|
2.13.2 |
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.
|
|
2.13.3 |
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.
|
|
2.13.4 |
In
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 in the preceding game.
|
|
2.13.5 |
In
doubles, at each change of service the previous receiver shall become the server
and the partner of the previous server shall become the receiver.
|
|
2.13.6 |
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.
|
|
2.13.7 |
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.
|
| |
|
|
2.14 |
OUT OF ORDER
OF SERVICE, RECEIVING OR ENDS |
|
2.14.1 |
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.
|
|
2.14.2 |
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.
|
|
2.14.3 |
In
any circumstances, all points scored before the discovery of an error shall be
reckoned.
|
| |
|
|
2.15 |
THE EXPEDITE
SYSTEM |
|
2.15.1 |
Except
where both players or pairs have scored at least 9 points, the expedite system
shall come into operation if a game is unfinished after 10 minutes' play or at
any earlier time at the request of both players or pairs.
|
|
2.15.1.1 |
If
the ball is in play when the time limit is reached, play shall be interrupted by
the umpire and shall resume with service by the player who served in the rally
that was interrupted.
|
|
2.15.1.2 |
If
the ball is not in play when the time limit is reached, play shall resume with
service by the player who received in the immediately preceding rally.
|
|
2.15.2 |
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. |
|
2.15.3 |
If the
expedite system is introduced, or if a game lasts longer than 10 minutes, all
subsequent games of the match shall be played under the expedite system.
|
| |
|
|
3 |
REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS |
| |
|
|
3.1 |
SCOPE OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS |
|
3.1.1 |
Types of Competition |
|
3.1.1.1 |
An international competition is one that may include the
players of more than one Association. |
|
3.1.1.2 |
An international match is a match between teams representing
Associations. |
|
3.1.1.3 |
An open tournament is one that is open to the players of all
Associations. |
|
3.1.1.4 |
A restricted tournament is one that is restricted to
specified groups of players other than age groups. |
|
3.1.1.5 |
An invitation tournament is one that is restricted to
specified Associations or players, individually invited. |
|
3.1.2 |
Applicability |
|
3.1.2.1 |
Except as provided in 3.1.2.2, the Laws (Chapter 2) shall
apply to World, Continental and Olympic title competitions, open tournaments
and, unless otherwise agreed by the participating Associations, to
international matches. |
|
3.1.2.2 |
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. |
|
3.1.2.3 |
The Regulations for International Competitions shall apply
to |
|
3.1.2.3.1 |
World and Olympic title competitions, unless otherwise
authorised by the Board of Directors and notified in advance to the
participating Associations; |
|
3.1.2.3.2 |
Continental title competitions, unless otherwise authorised
by the appropriate Continental Federation and notified in advance to the
participating Associations; |
|
3.1.2.3.3 |
Open International Championships (3.7.1.2), unless otherwise
authorised by the Executive Committee and notified in advance to the
participants in accordance with 3.1.2.4; |
|
3.1.2.3.4 |
open tournaments, except as provided in 3.1.2.4. |
|
3.1.2.4 |
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. |
| 3.1.2.5 |
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. |
| 3.1.2.6 |
The Laws and the Regulations for International Competitions
shall be presumed to apply unless variations have been agreed in advance or
are made clear in the published rules of the competition. |
| 3.1.2.7 |
Detailed explanations and interpretations of regulations,
including equipment specifications, shall be published as Technical Leaflets
authorised by the Board of Directors and in Handbooks for Match Officials
and Tournament Referees. |
|
|
|
3.2 |
EQUIPMENT AND PLAYING CONDITIONS |
|
3.2.1 |
Approved and Authorised Equipment |
| 3.2.1.1 |
The approval and authorisation of playing equipment shall be
conducted on behalf of the Board of Directors by the Equipment Committee;
approval or authorisation may be withdrawn by the Board of Directors at any
time if its continuation is found to be detrimental to the sport.
From 1st January 2006 new glues will only receive the ITTF authorisation if
they are based on not volatile organic solvents.
|
| 3.2.1.2 |
The entry form or prospectus for an open tournament shall
specify the brands and colours of table, net assembly and ball to be used;
the choice of equipment shall be as laid down by the Association in whose
territory the competition is held, selected from brands and types currently
approved by the ITTF. |
| 3.2.1.3 |
The covering material on a side of the blade used for
striking the ball shall be of a brand and type currently authorised by the
ITTF and shall be attached to the blade so that the brand and the ITTF logo
are clearly visible near the edge of the striking surface.
Lists of all approved and authorised equipment and materials are maintained
by the ITTF Office and details are available on the ITTF web site.
|
|
|
|
3.2.2 |
Playing Clothing |
| 3.2.2.1 |
Playing clothing shall normally 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 track suit,
shall not be worn during play except with the permission of the referee |
| 3.2.2.2 |
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. |
| 3.2.2.3 |
Clothing may bear numbers or lettering on the back of the
shirt to identify a player, his Association or, in club matches, his club,
and advertisements in accordance with the provisions of 3.2.4.9; if the back
of a shirt bears the player’s name, this shall be situated just below the
collar. |
| 3.2.2.4 |
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 600cm2. |
| 3.2.2.5 |
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. |
| 3.2.2.6 |
Clothing shall not carry designs or lettering which might
cause offence or bring the game into disrepute. |
| 3.2.2.7 |
Any question of the legality or acceptability of playing
clothing shall be decided by the referee. |
| 3.2.2.8 |
The players of a team taking part in a team match, and
players of the same Association forming a doubles pair in a World or Olympic
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. |
| 3.2.2.9 |
Opposing players and pairs shall wear shirts that are of
sufficiently different colours to enable them to be easily distinguished by
spectators. |
| 3.2.2.10 |
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. |
| 3.2.2.11 |
Players competing in a World or Olympic title competition or
Open International Championships shall wear shirt and shorts or skirt of
types authorised by their Association. |
|
|
|
3.2.3 |
Playing Conditions |
| 3.2.3.1 |
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 1.5 m length. |
| 3.2.3.2 |
The following equipment and fittings are to be considered as
part of each playing area: The table including the net assembly, umpires
tables and chairs, score indicators, towel boxes, printed numbers
identifying the table, surrounds, floor mats, boards on the surrounds
indicating the names of players or Associations. |
| 3.2.3.3 |
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. |
| 3.2.3.4 |
In World and Olympic 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. |
| 3.2.3.5 |
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. |
| 3.2.3.6 |
The light source shall not be less than 5m above the floor. |
| 3.2.3.7 |
The background shall be generally dark and shall not contain
bright light sources or daylight through uncovered windows or other
apertures. |
| 3.2.3.8 |
The flooring shall not be light-coloured, brightly
reflecting or slippery and its surface shall not be of brick, ceramics,
concrete or stone; in World and Olympic title competitions the flooring
shall be of wood or of a brand and type of rollable synthetic material
authorised by the ITTF. |
|
|
|
|
3.2.4 |
Gluing |
| 3.2.4.1 |
Coverings may be attached to racket blades only by means of
pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets or adhesives that do not contain a
prohibited solvent; a list of prohibited solvents is available from the
Secretariat. |
| 3.2.4.1.1 |
Adhesives containing volatile organic solvents shall not be
used at the playing venue from 1st September 2006 on and shall not be used
at all from 1st September 2007 on. |
| 3.2.4.2 |
Tests for prohibited solvents will be carried out at World
and Olympic title competitions and major Pro-Tour tournaments and a player
whose racket is found to contain such a solvent is liable to be disqualified
from the competition and reported to his Association. |
| 3.2.4.3 |
A properly ventilated area shall be provided for the
attachment of racket coverings to rackets and liquid adhesives shall not be
used anywhere else in the playing hall. |
|
|
|
|
3.2.5 |
Advertisements |
| 3.2.5.1 |
Inside the playing area, advertisements shall be displayed
only on equipment or fittings listed in 3.2.3.2 and there shall be no
special additional displays. |
| 3.2.5.2 |
At Olympic Games advertisement on playing equipment, on
playing clothing and on umpires’ clothing shall be according to IOC
regulations. |
| 3.2.5.3 |
Fluorescent or luminescent colours shall not be used
anywhere in the playing area. |
| 3.2.5.4 |
Lettering or symbols on the inside of surrounds shall not
include white or orange nor more than two colours and shall be contained
within a height of 40cm; it is recommended that they be in a slightly darker
or slightly lighter shade of the background colour. |
| 3.2.5.5 |
Markings on flooring shall not include white or orange; it
is recommended that they be in slightly darker or slightly lighter shade of
the background colour. |
| 3.2.5.6 |
There may be up to 4 advertisements on the floor of the
playing area, 1 at each end and 1at each side of the table, each contained
within an area of 2.5m2; they shall not be less than 1m from the surrounds
and those at the ends shall not be more than 2m from the surrounds.
|
| 3.2.5.7 |
There may be 1 temporary advertisement on each half of each
side of the tabletop and 1 on each end, clearly separated from any permanent
advertisements and each contained within a total length of 60cm; they shall
not be for other table tennis equipment suppliers. |
| 3.2.5.8 |
Advertisements on nets shall be in a slightly darker or
slightly lighter shade of the background colour, shall not be within 3cm of
the tape along the top edge and shall not obscure visibility through the
mesh. |
| 3.2.5.9 |
Advertisements on umpires' tables or other furniture inside
the playing area shall be contained within a total area on any face of
750cm2. |
| 3.2.5.10 |
Advertisements on playing clothing shall be limited to |
| 3.2.5.10.1 |
the maker's normal trademark, symbol or name contained
within a total area of 24cm2; |
| 3.2.5.10.2 |
not more than 6 clearly separated advertisements, contained
within a combined total area of 600 cm2, on the front, side or shoulder of a
shirt, with not more than 4 advertisements on the front; |
| 3.2.5.10.3 |
not more than 2 advertisements, contained within a total
area of 400cm2, on the back of a shirt; |
| 3.2.5.10.4 |
not more than 2 advertisements, contained within a combined
total area of 80cm2, on shorts or skirt. |
| 3.2.5.11 |
Advertisements on players' numbers shall be contained within
a total area of 100cm2. |
| 3.2.5.12 |
Advertisements on umpires' clothing shall be contained
within a total area of 40cm2. |
| 3.2.5.13 |
There shall be no advertisements on players' clothing or
numbers for tobacco goods, alcoholic drinks or harmful drugs. |
|
|
| 3.3 |
MATCH OFFICIALS |
| 3.3.1 |
Referee |
|
3.3.1.1 |
For each competition as a whole a referee shall be appointed
and his identity and location shall be made known to the participants and,
where appropriate, to the team captains. |
|
3.3.1.2 |
The referee shall be responsible for |
|
3.3.1.2.1 |
the conduct of the draw; |
|
3.3.1.2.2 |
the scheduling of the matches by time and table;
|
|
3.3.1.2.3 |
the appointment of match officials; |
|
3.3.1.2.4 |
conducting a pre-tournament briefing for match officials; |
|
3.3.1.2.5 |
checking the eligibility of players; |
|
3.3.1.2.6 |
deciding whether play may be suspended in an emergency; |
|
3.3.1.2.7 |
deciding whether players may leave the playing area during a
match; |
|
3.3.1.2.8 |
deciding whether statutory practice periods may be extended; |
|
3.3.1.2.9 |
deciding whether players may wear track suits during a
match; |
|
3.3.1.2.10 |
deciding any question of interpretation of Laws or
Regulations, including the acceptability of clothing, playing equipment and
playing conditions; |
|
3.3.1.2.11 |
deciding whether, and where, players may practise during an
emergency suspension of play; |
|
3.3.1.2.12 |
taking disciplinary action for misbehaviour or other
breaches of regulations. |
|
3.3.1.3 |
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. |
|
3.3.1.4 |
The referee, or a responsible deputy appointed to exercise
authority in his absence, shall be present at all times during play.
|
|
3.3.1.5 |
Where the referee is satisfied that it is necessary to do so
he may replace a match official with another at any time, but he may not
alter a decision already made by the replaced official on a question of fact
within his jurisdiction. |
|
3.3.1.6 |
Players shall be under the jurisdiction of the referee from
the time at which they arrive at the playing venue until they leave it. |
| 3.3.2 |
Umpire, Assistant Umpire and Stroke Counter |
|
3.3.2.1 |
An umpire and an assistant umpire shall be appointed for
each match. |
|
3.3.2.2 |
The umpire shall sit or stand in line with the net and the
assistant umpire shall sit directly facing him, at the other side of the
table. |
| 3.3.2.3 |
The umpire shall be responsible for |
| 3.3.2.3.1 |
checking the acceptability of equipment and playing
conditions and reporting any deficiency to the referee; |
| 3.3.2.3.2 |
taking a ball at random as provided in 3.4.2.1.1-2;
|
| 3.3.2.3.3 |
conducting the draw for the choice of serving, receiving and
ends; |
| 3.3.2.3.4 |
deciding whether the requirements of the service law may be
relaxed for a player with physical disability; |
| 3.3.2.3.5 |
controlling the order of serving, receiving and ends and
correcting any errors therein; |
| 3.3.2.3.6 |
deciding each rally as a point or a let; |
| 3.3.2.3.7 |
calling the score, in accordance with specified procedure; |
| 3.3.2.3.8 |
introducing the expedite system at the appropriate time; |
| 3.3.2.3.9 |
maintaining the continuity of play; |
| 3.3.2.3.10 |
taking action for breaches of the advice or behaviour
regulations; |
| 3.3.2.3.11 |
drawing by lot which player, pair or teams have to change
their shirt, should opposing players or teams have a similar shirt and
cannot agree which of them will change. |
| 3.3.2.4 |
The assistant umpire shall |
| 3.3.2.4.1 |
decide whether or not the ball in play touches the edge of
the playing surface at the side of the table nearest him; |
| 3.3.2.4.2 |
inform the umpire for breaches of the advice or behaviour
regulations. |
| 3.3.2.5 |
Either the umpire or the assistant umpire may |
| 3.3.2.5.1 |
decide that a player's service action is illegal;
|
| 3.3.2.5.2 |
decide that, in an otherwise good service, the ball touches
the net assembly while passing over or around it; |
| 3.3.2.5.3 |
decide that uide 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 |
| 3.4.1 |
Score Indication |
|
3.4.1.1 |
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. |
|
3.4.1.1.1 |
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. |
| 3.4.1.1.2 |
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. |
| 3.4.1.1.3 |
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. |
| 3.4.1.2 |
In addition to calling the score the umpire may use hand
signals to indicate his decisions. |
| 3.4.1.2.1 |
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. |
| 3.4.1.2.2 |
When for any reason the rally is a let, he may raise his
hand above his head to show that the rally has ended. |
| 3.4.1.3 |
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. |
| 3.4.1.4 |
The score shall be displayed on mechanical or electrical
indicators so that it is clearly visible to the players and the spectators. |
| 3.4.1.5 |
When a player is formally warned for bad behaviour, a yellow
marker shall be placed on or near the score indicator. |
|
|
|
|
3.4.2 |
Equipment |
| 3.4.2.1 |
Players shall not choose balls in the playing area.
|
| 3.4.2.1.1 |
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. |
| 3.4.2.1.2 |
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. |
| 3.4.2.1.3 |
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. |
| 3.4.2.2 |
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. |
| 3.4.2.3 |
Unless otherwise authorised by the umpire, players shall
leave their rackets on the table during intervals. |
|
|
|
| 3.4.3 |
Practice |
|
3.4.3.1 |
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. |
|
3.4.3.2 |
During an emergency suspension of play the referee may allow
players to practise on any table, including the match table. |
|
3.4.3.3 |
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. |
|
|
|
| 3.4.4 |
Intervals |
|
3.4.4.1 |
Play shall be continuous throughout an individual match
except that any player is entitled to |
|
3.4.4.1.1 |
an interval of up to 1 minute between successive games of an
individual match; |
|
3.4.4.1.2 |
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 a
an individual match. |
|
3.4.4.2 |
A player or pair may claim one time-out period of up to 1
minute during an individual match. |
|
3.4.4.2.1 |
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. |
|
3.4.4.2.2 |
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. |
|
3.4.4.2.3 |
The request for a time-out, which may be made only when the
ball is out of play, shall be indicated by making a "T" sign with the hands. |
|
3.4.4.2.4 |
On receiving a valid request for a time-out the umpire shall
suspend play and hold up a white card; he shall then place the card on the
court of the player or pair making the request. |
|
3.4.4.2.5 |
The white card 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. |
|
3.4.4.2.6 |
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. |
| 3.4.4.3 |
Observing a practice period (3.4.3.1) successive matches of
a team match shall be played continuously except that |
| 3.4.4.3.1 |
a player who is required to play in such successive matches
may claim an interval of up to 5 minutes between those matches. |
| 3.4.4.4 |
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. |
| 3.4.4.5 |
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. |
| 3.4.4.6 |
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. |
| 3.4.4.7 |
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 |
|
3.5.1 |
Advice |
| 3.5.1.1 |
In a team event, players may receive advice from anyone. |
| 3.5.1.2 |
In 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 3.5.1 and 3.5.2 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 away from the playing area. |
| 3.5.1.3 |
Players may receive advice only during the intervals between
games or during other authorised suspension of play, and not between the end
of practice and the start of a match; if any authorised person gives advice
at other times the umpire shall hold up a yellow card to warn him that any
further such offence will result in his dismissal from the playing area. |
| 3.5.1.4 |
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 away from the playing area,
whether or not he was the person warned. |
| 3.5.1.5 |
In a team match the dismissed adviser shall not be allowed
to return, except when required to play, and he shall not be replaced by
another adviser until the team match has ended; in an individual event he
shall not be allowed to return until the individual match has ended.
|
| 3.5.1.6 |
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. |
| 3.5.1.7 |
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. |
|
|
|
3.5.2 |
Misbehaviour |
| 3.5.2.1 |
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. |
| 3.5.2.2 |
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. |
| 3.5.2.3 |
Except as provided in 3.5.2.2 and 3.5.2.5, 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 shall award 2 points, each time holding up a yellow
and a red card together. |
| 3.5.2.4 |
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.
|
| 3.5.2.5 |
If a player changes his racket during an individual match
when it has not been damaged, the umpire shall suspend play and report to
the referee. |
| 3.5.2.6 |
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. |
| 3.5.2.7 |
Except as provided in 3.5.2.2, 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 away from
the playing area until the end of the team match or, in an individual event,
of the individual match. |
| 3.5.2.8 |
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 does so he shall
hold up a red card. |
| 3.5.2.9 |
If a player is disqualified from 2 matches of a team or
individual event he shall automatically be disqualified from that team event
or individual competition. |
| 3.5.2.10 |
The referee may disqualify for the remainder of a
competition anyone who has twice been sent away from the playing area during
that competition. |
| 3.5.2.11 |
Cases of very serious misbehaviour shall be reported to the
offender's Association. |
|
|
|
3.5.3 |
Good Presentation |
| 3.5.3.1 |
Players, coaches and officials shall uphold the object of
good presentation of the sport; in particular players have to do their
utmost to win a match and shall not withdraw except for reasons of illness
or injury. |
| 3.5.3.2 |
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. |
| 3.5.3.3 |
In the event of complicity proven against any adviser or
official the relevant national Association is also expected to discipline
this person. |
| 3.5.3.4 |
A Disciplinary Panel appointed by the Executive Committee,
consisting of 4 members and a chairman, shall decide on whether an
infringement committed and if necessary on appropriate sanctions; this
Commission shall decide according to directives given by the Executive
Committee. |
| 3.5.3.5 |
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 |
|
3.6.1 |
Byes and Qualifiers |
| 3.6.1.1 |
The number of places in the first round proper of a knockout
event shall be a power of 2. |
| 3.6.1.1.1 |
If there are fewer entries than places, the first round
shall include enough byes to make up the required number. |
| 3.6.1.1.2 |
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. |
| 3.6.1.2 |
Byes shall be distributed as evenly as possible throughout
the first round, being placed first against seeded places, in seeding order. |
| 3.6.1.3 |
Qualifiers shall be drawn as evenly as possible among the
halves, quarters, eighths or sixteenths of the draw, as appropriate.
|
|
|
|
|
3.6.2 |
Seeding by Ranking |
| 3.6.2.1 |
The highest ranked entries in an event shall be seeded so
that they cannot meet before the closing rounds. |
| 3.6.2.2 |
The number of entries to be seeded shall not exceed the
number of entries in the 1st round proper of the event. |
| 3.6.2.3 |
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: |
| 3.6.2.3.1 |
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; |
| 3.6.2.3.2 |
the entries ranked 5-8 shall be drawn among the bottom
places of the odd-numbered quarters of the draw and the top places of the
even-numbered quarters; |
| 3.6.2.3.3 |
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
even-numbered eighths; |
| 3.6.2.3.4 |
the entries ranked 17-32 shall be drawn among the bottom
places of the odd-numbered sixteenths of the draw and the top places of the
even-numbered sixteenths. |
| 3.6.2.4 |
In a team knockout event only the highest ranked team from
an Association shall be eligible for seeding by ranking. |
| 3.6.2.5 |
Seeding by ranking shall follow the order of the latest
ranking list published by the ITTF except that |
| 3.6.2.5.1 |
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; |
| 3.6.2.5.2 |
where all the entries eligible for seeding are from the same
Association the latest list published by that Association shall take
precedence. |
|
|
|
3.6.3 |
Seeding by Association Nomination |
| 3.6.3.1 |
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. |
| 3.6.3.2 |
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. |
| 3.6.3.3 |
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. |
| 3.6.3.4 |
The entries ranked 5-8 shall be drawn as evenly as possible
into eighths other than those occupied by the first four. |
| 3.6.3.5 |
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. |
| 3.6.3.6 |
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. |
| 3.6.3.7 |
A mixed doubles pair consisting of players from different
Associations shall be considered a pair of the Association to which the man
belongs. |
| 3.6.3.8 |
Alternatively, any doubles pair consisting of players from
different Associations may be considered a pair of both of these
Associations. |
| 3.6.3.9 |
In 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 3.6.3.3-5. |
|
|
|
3.6.4 |
Alterations |
| 3.6.4.1 |
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. |
| 3.6.4.2 |
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 3.6.6. |
| 3.6.4.3 |
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. |
| 3.6.4.4 |
A player shall not be deleted from the draw without his
permission, unless he is disqualified; such permission must be given either
by the player if he is present or, if he is absent, by his authorised
representative. |
| 3.6.4.5 |
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. |
|
|
|
3.6.5 |
Re-draw |
| 3.6.5.1 |
Except as provided in 3.6.4.2, 3.6.4.5 and 3.6.5.2, 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 re-drawn. |
| 3.6.5.2 |
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. |
|
|
|
3.6.6 |
Additions |
| 3.6.6.1 |
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. |
| 3.6.6.2 |
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. |
| 3.6.6.3 |
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 |
|
3.7.1 |
Authority |
| 3.7.1.1 |
Provided the Constitution is observed, any Association may
organise or authorise open, restricted or invitation tournaments within its
territory or may arrange international matches. |
| 3.7.1.2 |
In any season, an Association may nominate one senior, one
junior and one veterans' open tournament which it organises as its Senior,
Junior or Veterans' Open International Championships; |
| 3.7.1.3 |
A player may compete in such Open International
Championships only with the permission of his Association, but such
permission shall not be unreasonably withheld. |
| 3.7.1.4 |
A player may not take part in a restricted or invitation
tournament without the permission of his Association, unless general
permission has been given by the ITTF or, where all the players concerned
are from the same Continent, by the appropriate Continental Federation. |
| 3.7.1.5 |
A player or team may not take part in an international
competition if he/it is suspended by his/its Association or Continental
Federation. |
| 3.7.1.6 |
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. |
|
|
|
3.7.2 |
Representation |
| 3.7.2.1 |
Representatives of all Associations whose players are taking
part in an Open International 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. |
| 3.7.2.2 |
A visiting Association shall be entitled to nominate at
least one representative to the management committee of any international
match in which it is taking part. |
|
|
|
3.7.3 |
Entries |
| 3.7.3.1 |
Entry forms for Open International 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. |
| 3.7.3.2 |
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.
|
|
|
|
3.7.4 |
Events |
| 3.7.4.1 |
Open International 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. |
| 3.7.4.2 |
In 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. |
| 3.7.4.3 |
It is recommended that team matches at Open International
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.
|
| 3.7.4.4 |
Individual 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. |
|
|
|
3.7.5 |
Group Competitions |
| 3.7.5.1 |
In 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. |
| 3.7.5.2 |
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. |
| 3.7.5.3 |
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 3.7.5.1 and 3.7.5.2. |
| 3.7.5.4 |
If it is not possible to resolve equalities by means of the
procedure specified in 3.7.5.1-3 the relative positions shall be decided by
lot. |
| 3.7.5.5 |
In the qualifying stages of World, Olympic and Open
International Championships players shall be drawn into groups and assigned
group positions in descending order of their current world ranking, taking
account as far as possible of separation by Association. |
| 3.7.5.6 |
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. |
|
|
|
3.7.6 |
Team Match Systems |
| 3.7.6.1 |
Best of 5 Matches (5 singles) |
| 3.7.6.1.1 |
A team shall consist of 3 players. |
| 3.7.6.1.2 |
The order of play shall be A v X, B v Y, C v Z, A v Y, B v
X. |
| 3.7.6.2 |
Best of 5 Matches (4 singles and 1 doubles) |
| 3.7.6.2.1 |
A team shall consist of 2, 3 or 4 players. |
| 3.7.6.2.2 |
The order of play shall be A v X, B v Y, a doubles, A v Y, B
v X. |
| 3.7.6.3 |
Best of 7 Matches (6 singles and 1 doubles) |
| 3.7.6.3.1 |
A team shall consist of 3, 4 or 5 players. |
| 3.7.6.3.2 |
The order of play shall be A v Y, B v X, C v Z, a doubles, A
v X, C v Y, B v Z. |
| 3.7.6.4 |
Best of 9 Matches (9 singles) |
| 3.7.6.4.1 |
A team shall consist of 3 players. |
| 3.7.6.4.2 |
The order of play shall be A v X, B v Y, C v Z, B v X, A v
Z, C v Y, B v Z, C v X, A v Y. |
|
|
|
3.7.7 |
Team Match Procedure |
| 3.7.7.1 |
All players shall be selected from those nominated for the
event. |
| 3.7.7.2 |
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 representative, assigning a letter to each singles player. |
| 3.7.7.3 |
The pairs for a doubles match need not be nominated until
the end of the immediately preceding singles match. |
| 3.7.7.4 |
A team match shall end when one team has won a majority of
the possible individual matches. |
|
|
|
3.7.8 |
Results |
| 3.7.8.1 |
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 International Championships
and of the closing rounds of national championships. |
|
|
|
3.7.9 |
Television |
| 3.7.9.1 |
An event other than World, Continental or Olympic title
competitions may be broadcast by television only with the permission of the
Association from whose territory the broadcast is made. |
| 3.7.9.2 |
Participation in an international event presumes the consent
of the Association controlling the visiting players to the televising of
that event; in World, Continental or Olympic 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. |
|
|
| 3.8 |
INTERNATIONAL ELIGIBILITY |
|
|
|
3.8.1 |
Eligibility in Olympic title competitions is regulated
separately by 4.3.1. |
|
3.8.2 |
A player shall be regarded as representing an Association if
he accepted to be nominated by this Association and subsequently
participates in a competition listed in 3.1.2.3 other than individual events
at Open International Championships. |
|
3.8.3 |
A player is eligible to represent an Association only if he
is a national of the country in which that Association has jurisdiction,
except that a player who has represented an Association of which he was not
a national before 1st September 2004 in accordance with previous rules may
retain that eligibility. |
|
3.8.3.1 |
Where the players of more than one Association have the same
nationality, a player may represent one of these Associations only, if he is
born in or has his main residence in the territory controlled by that
Association. |
|
3.8.3.2 |
A player who is eligible to represent more than 1
Association shall have the right to choose which of the relevant
Associations he will represent. |
|
3.8.4 |
A player is eligible to represent a Continental Federation
(1.17.1) in an event of continental teams only if he is eligible to
represent a member Association of this Continental Federation according to
3.8.3. |
|
3.8.5 |
A player shall not represent different Associations within a
period of 3 years. |
|
3.8.6 |
An Association may nominate a player under its jurisdiction
(1.20) to enter any individual events of Open International Championships
which may be indicated in ITTF publications such as the World Ranking list
but does not result in eligibility of this player to represent the
nominating Association according to 3.8.2. |
|
3.8.7 |
A player or his Association shall, if so requested by the
referee, provide documentary evidence of his eligibility. |
|
3.8.8 |
Any appeal on a question of eligibility shall be referred to
an Eligibility Commission, consisting of the Executive Committee, the
chairmen of the Rules and Ranking Committee and the chairman of the
Athletes’ Commission, whose decision shall be final. |
