Table Tennis South
Match Play Rules and Regulations
Revisions, Approvals, Distribution & Review
Revision History:
Revision Date / Version No / Revision Undertaken By [Name and Position]2015 / 1.0 / TTSA Board
2016 / 2.0 / David Lowe – Match Play Director
Current Version Distribution:
Name or Organisation / Date Of IssueWeb Site, TTSA / May 2016
Date Next Due For Review: / April 2017
Match Play Rules and RegulationsPage 1 of 12
Table of Contents
1.Introduction
2.Responsibilities
2.1Match Play Director
2.2Match Play Committee
2.3Team Captains
3.The Players
3.1Player Registration
3.2Transfer Regulations
3.3Appeals against a Transfer Refusal
3.4Fill in Players
3.5. Finals Eligibility
3.6Betting
4.The Teams
4.1Team Nominations
4.2Composition of Teams
4.2.1Three Player Teams
5.Matches
5.1Commencement
5.2Forfeits
5.3Injury Time
6.General
6.1Balls
6.2Program Variations
6.3Scoresheet
6.4Time Out
6.5Clothing and Club Colours
6.6Alcohol Policy
6.7Wheelchair Play
6.7.1The Service Rule
6.8Umpiring Matches
6.9Appeals/Disputes
7Venue Hire
7.1Venue Provider
8.Club Award
9.Rules and Regulations Review
Match Play Rules and RegulationsPage 1 of 12
1.Introduction
The Constitution of TTSA enables the Board of Management to develop and approve Match Play Rules and Regulations.
This document sets out the rules and regulations to be followed during TTSA’s approved Winter Pennant Competition.
2.Responsibilities
2.1Match Play Director
Responsibility for the conduct of the Winter Pennant Competition lies with the Match Play Director who is a member of the Board of Management of Table Tennis South Australia.
2.2Match Play Committee
The Match Play Committee will consist of one representative from each participating affiliate and will be responsible for the match play program.
The Match Director will chair all meetings of the Match Play Committee.
2.3Team Captains
It is the team captain who will be responsible for:
- ensuring that matches start on time
- if the home team to collect the ball and score sheet from the duty official
- ensuring that their players play according to these rules
- ensuring that the score sheet is properly and correctly filled out or the match and individual results may not be recorded
- take a photo of final score sheet and email or text results to results co-ordinator within 72 hours, a result of late lodgement will be compiled.
- the captain of the winning team must ensure that the score sheet has been signed by both team captains, is correct and is returned to the Duty Official after the completion of the match
- incomplete match results will not be recorded or updated at a later date.
3.The Players
3.1Player Registration
All players must be registered with TTSA by the Club or Association for whom they are playing.
Each Club / Association must supply the names and addresses of players for each team with the team nominations prior to each Winter Pennant Season.
Where a Club uses an unregistered player in a team, then that Club must ensure that the player becomes registered and the fee paid within seven (7) days or the individual results for that match become null and void.
3.2Transfer Regulations
Players must apply for a Player Transfer if they intend to play for a club other than the one they played for in the previous year.
The closing date for Player Transfers will be before the commencement of the first round of winter pennant matches. If it seems that a player may not be placed in a team within his/her Club, an allowance for negotiations between the player, Club and the Match Director will be made. A transfer will not be granted to a player who has played in the current season.
A player must apply for a transfer by email only on the Player Transfer Application Form which is available on the website. This form must be emailed to the Club for which he/she has previously played with a copy sent to the Match Director. If a player is unfinancial or in dispute with his/her previous club then the transfer will not be allowed.
In the event of a prolonged injury causing retirement during the season the Match Director may grant a mid-season transfer to a player that has not nominated to play in the current season.
A mid-season approved player will not be permitted to replace a player of a lower winter pennant ranking.
3.3Appeals against a Transfer Refusal
In the event of a Player Transfer Application being refused because of the player being unfinancial or in dispute with his/her club the player has the right to appeal against such a decision to the Appeals Committee of the Board of TTSA consisting of the Chair, Match Committee Director and another Director not involved in the club.
A player who appeals against a transfer application being refused must, at the same time, give written notification to the Club which has refused the transfer application, that an appeal is being lodged. The Club refusing the transfer application must state in writing its grounds for refusing the transfer application and this information will be considered by the Appeals Committee together with the appeal when a decision is being reached.
3.4Fill in Players
A player may play for his/her Club in more than one team in any one (1) weekly series of fixtures, and may only play in a grade higher than that in which the player normally competes and for a maximum of four (4) matches for one team, once they have played five (5) matches for that team they cannot return to a lower grade.
If a player competes in a grade lower than their qualified grade in the one week, the team in which such player competes shall automatically forfeit all rubbers played by that player.
A player who fills-in must be from a lower grade or otherwise approval must begranted by the Match Director. If an ineligible player is played:
- First Offence: opposing team will be awarded a win for each of the rubbers played by the offending player.
- Second Offence: 9-0 result will be awarded to the opposing team.
- Third Offence: Team disqualification from the competition.
Fill in players must not play in a team that exceeds the points cap.
A Club may only demote players after their fifth (5) minor round matches, with the written approval of the Match Director.
Where a Club fields multiple teams in the same grade, players may only play in their nominated team, where a player wishes to change permanently to the other team approval must be given by the Match Director.
3.5. Finals Eligibility
A player must compete in singles in 5 minor round matches for their nominated team or in a higher grade to qualify to play major round matches
Players selected for State or National Squads or teams where applicable, will be credited with having played matches during State or National commitments, at the discretion of the Match Director.
No player will be permitted to play for more than one (1) team in the Grand Final.
All major round matches will be played at venues as programmed by the Match Director.
3.6Betting
Betting in any shape or form on players or matches is strictly prohibited.
4.The Teams
4.1Team Nominations
Nomination of Winter Pennant Teams must be on the supplied nomination form and returned by email to the Match Director by the advised closing date.
The form must include the following information about each player in each nominated grade:
- the players name
- if the player has not played in TTSA winter pennant before or for several years the club must provide an assessment of the players ability
- details of any competition that the player may have competed in that has been used in grading the player
- the Grade in which the Team is being nominated for
- the name if applicable of the nominated Team
- Smash Hit Grade is for “beginners only”
- after 10 rounds players deemed too strong will be removed or swapped with other players
- Teams points caps will be used in all grades.
When team nominations have been received, the Match Director shall collate all team nominations into their relevant grades highlighting any disputed nominations for discussion at the match play committee meeting. Each affiliate participating in the competition is entitled to have one delegate as their representative on the Match Play Committee.
4.2Composition of Teams
4.2.1Three Player Teams
A Club or representative teams match shall consist of a minimum of three (3) players for each team which will be controlled by a duly appointed captain.
The maximum number of players to participate in singles shall be three (3) per team. If there are not two (2) players competing in a team the match shall be declared a forfeit.
A team’s match shall consist of nine (9) singles rubbers (each best of five (5) advantage games).
Smash Hit matches shall consist of nine (9) singles rubbers (each best of three (3) advantage games) forfeited wins count as games played.
Doubles Matches will not be played in any grade.
When filling in the scoresheet, the first named team is the home team and shall be (A, B, C) and provide the umpire for the first match
If a player is absent or unable to play when it is their turn to play, that player’s captain may replace that player by another player who has not until then been named in the team, provided that a player who has competed shall not be so replaced.
Where a spare table is available at any venue and it is requested by either team captain the table must be used, failure to comply by the opposing captain will result in a forfeit being claimed by the requesting captain.
When a singles rubber is due to be played, if the player is not ready to participate, the opposing team shall, after the expiration of three (3) minutes, be deemed to have won the rubber by three (3) games to nil.
The winning team captain shall ensure that the score sheet is signed by both captains and take a photo of final score sheet and email or text results to results coordinator within 72 hours, a result of late lodgment will be compiled.
Grade format will be State league, State League Reserves followed by Division 1 until all teams are placed, all grades will have a maximum of 6 teams.
Points cap for all grades.
If and individual is >20% over their cap after 10 rounds and as a result that team breaches the maximum points cap for that grade, the player can be removed and swapped for another player –this will not impact on the teams ability to qualify for finals
For the club involved in the breech, for that grade in the following year they may have their points cap reduced as a penalty.
5.Matches
5.1Commencement
All fixtures shall commence NOT LATER than 7.15pm, but if no member of one team is ready to commence by 7.20pm the first rubber shall be claimed as a forfeit. The second rubber shall then commence no later than 7.32pm, if no member of one team is ready to commence by 7.32pm the second rubber shall be claimed as a forfeit. After the second forfeit the entire match shall be claimed as a forfeit. It is the responsibility of the home team captain to collect the result book located at the venue of play and ensure the match commences on time.Matches must be played in order however this can be varied at the agreement of the team captains.
No Matches to commence after 10.30 pm.
Matches are to commence after a maximum warm up period of two minutes. Failure to comply will result in the match being awarded to the opposition player.
Maximum break for change of ends during rubbers will be one minute.
Advisers must notify umpire prior to commencement of match and only one adviser per match.
5.2Forfeits
In the case of a forfeit the winning Team Captain shall complete and sign the official scoresheet indicating that a walkover has been claimed.
The team claiming the forfeit shall complete the score sheet and include the names of their players.
A team receiving a forfeit shall be credited with the maximum rubbers, games and points for that match.
Any team forfeiting a major round match shall forfeit remaining major round matches and the members of such team may be disqualified.
Any player giving a forfeit who does not actually participate in a match or part thereof shall not be credited with having played in the match and shall not be credited with the match for the purpose of qualifying them for the finals.
Any player receiving a forfeit shall be credited with the rubber for the purpose of qualifying them for the final.
Any player forfeiting a match can only be credited with having played in the match if injury sustained in the course of the match caused the player to forfeit.
If a team pulls out of the competition then a bye will replace that position for the remainder of the season.
5.3Injury Time
A maximum injury time out period of ten (10) minutes may be claimed in theevent of an injury sustained during any match.
6.General
6.1Balls
TTSA will supply white 3 star balls for all matches and only these balls may be used for matches. Clubs must use these balls for all TTSA Winter Competition matches and not substitute them for other ball types.
Teams playing on a second table can use a previously used ball, but it must be of the same brand.
6.2Program Variations
Matches must be played at the venues and on the day listed in the program. Only the Match Director shall have the right to vary the program for specific purposes.
6.3Scoresheet
Winning team captains must ensure that results are filled out correctly or a NIL result will be recorded for the match and results will not be changed if corrected results are sent at a later date.
6.4Time Out
A player or pair may claim one time-out period of up to 1 minute during a match.
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.
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.
6.5Clothing and Club Colours
All players must wear TTSA approved Club identified sports attire only.
No Club shirts/shorts/skirts to be white (other than allowable pattern).
Track suit pants may be worn on cold nights.
Track tops cannot be worn during matches.
Dark sports shorts only are permitted and NO three quarter, casual or cargo shorts will be permitted.
Failure will result in cancellation of individual winter pennant results and no warnings will be given.
6.6Alcohol Policy
When TTSA hires a non-licensed Club venue for Winter Pennant matches there will be no alcohol consumed on the premises while there is any TTSA match still in progress.
At licensed venues alcohol can only be sold to players whose team has completed all of their matches. Those players can only consume their purchases away from the playing area.
Any non-playing spectators may purchase alcohol at any time, but must beconsumed away from the playing area.
No alcohol is to be sold during Smash Hit matches.
6.7Wheelchair Play
6.7.1The Service Rule
Service in singles play shall be as the I.T.T.F. Rule 3.6.5.1, except that service shall be made so that the ball, should it continue on course, will leave the table by the base (end) line at the receivers end and not over the side lines, irrespective of the number of times the ball bounces. In the case of a ball not reaching the end lines and stopping on the table, or returning into the net or the server’s side, this shall be considered not to have left over the end line. Umpires shall call a let for all services, which, in their opinion would not have left the table by the end lines, even if the return is good.
In doubles play as the I.T.T.F. Rule 3.6.5.2., service shall be as in the above exception for singles play, but the ball may leave the side line of the correct right hand half of the receiver’s end.
Optionally strict observance of any particular requirement for a good service may be waived where the umpire is notified before play begins that compliance with that requirement is prevented by physical disability as in I.T.T.F. Rule 3.6.8.
Touching Table with Free Hand (ITTF Rule 3.11.1.8. )
When the ball is in play a player may use the table to restore balance after a shot has been played providing the table has not been moved. However, the table shall not be used as a support with non-playing hand while playing the ball.
6.8Umpiring Matches
When players are umpiring matches they must not advise their players on tactics between games. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in the match be awarded to the opponent.
All matches are to be played in accordance with the TTSA by-laws and rules.
The laws of Table Tennis are fully listed on the I.T.T.F. website. Matches played without an umpire with not be recorded as matches played.