MATCH

OFFICIALS
They are responsible for
imposing penalties and keeping
the flow of the game with the
guidance of the game rules.
Every match is under the
control of match officials.
R R E F E R E E An official who watch a game or
E match closely to ensure that the
rules are adhered to and to
F arbitrate on matters arising
from the play.
E
R The referee is required to be
present at the venue throughout
E R E F E R E E
a tournament and is required to
uphold the rules.
E
1
✓
✓
✓
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;
✓ 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;
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✓ d ecid in g wh et h er st at u t o ry p ractice p erio d s may b e ex ten d ed ;
✓ d ecid in g wh eth er p lay ers may wear track su its d u rin g a match ;
✓ d ecid in g an y q u estio n o f in terp retatio n o f Laws o r Reg u latio n s,
in clu d in g th e accep tab ility o f clo th in g, p lay in g eq u ip ment an d
p lay in g co n d i t i o ns;
✓ d ecid in g wh eth er, an d wh ere, p lay ers may p ractice d u rin g an
emerg en cy su sp en sio n o f p lay ;
✓ tak in g d i sci p l i n ary act i o n fo r misb eh av io u r o r o th er b reach es o f
reg u latio n s
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
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.
U M P IR E, A S S IS TA N T
U M P IR E
AN D
S TR O KE CO U N TER
An umpire and assistant
umpire shall be appointed
for each match.

The umpire shall sit or

stand in line with the net.
The assistant umpire shall sit
directly facing him, at the
other side of the table. 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.
Players shall be under the
jurisdiction of the umpire
from the time at which they
arrive at the playing area
until they leave it.
No appeal may be made to the referee against a
decision on a question of fact by the responsible
A A A
match official or to the management committee P P P
on a question of interpretation of Laws or
Regulations by the referee. P P P
E E E
No agreement between players, in an individual
event, or between team captains, in a team
A A A
event, can alter a decision on a question of fact L L L
by the responsible match official.
S S S
A • In an individual event, a player or pair may receive
advice from only one person.
A
D • Players may receive advice only during the intervals
D
V between games, during a time- out or during other
authorized suspension of play.
V
I I
• If in the same team match or the same match of an
C individual event anyone gives advice illegally again, C
E the umpire shall hold up a red card and send him away
from the playing area. E
A A
• The dismissed adviser shall not be
D allowed to return except when required to D
play, until the match has ended.
V V
I • If the dismissed adviser refuses to leave
or returns before the end of the match, I
C the umpire shall suspend play and report
to the referee.
C
E E
M I S B E H A V I O U R

Players and coaches or other advisers shall refrain from behavior

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.
TO BE AN UMPIRE/ A REFEREE,
THE INDIVIDUAL MUST:
Complete 20 hrs. of- match prior to attending the course

Attend an association course (approx.: 3hrs)

conducted by an authorized state

Pass a basic written test on the rules of table

tennis

Complete another 1hr of match umpiring/ refereeing

under the supervision of a mentor

Sign an official's code of behavior