By participating as a Sunbury and District Table Tennis Association member, you agree to abide by the following:
The Sunbury and District Table Tennis Association
Match Regulations (By-Laws)
BY-LAWS FOR THE SUNBURY & DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION
1. ADVICE
Players may receive advice or coaching from anybody, only during the intervals between games or during an authorized suspension of play. Players are not to receive advice/coaching during towel breaks.
2. BEHAVIOUR
Players and coaches are to refrain from behavior that may unfairly affect an opponent, may offend spectators, or bring the game into disrepute. Such behavior shall include, but not be limited to, deliberate damage to equipment such as hitting the table with a bat, striking court dividers with a bat or any part of the body, excessive shouting, audible bad language, and disrespect to match officials.
3. INTERVALS
(a) Players are permitted up to one minute interval between games in a rubber. In addition to intervals between games, players are entitled to brief intervals for toweling after every six points from the start of each game and at the change of ends in the last possible game of a match. No other breaks in play, except due to injury, are allowed.
(b) If anyone in the playing area is bleeding, play shall be suspended immediately and shall not resume until that person has received medical attention and all traces of blood have been removed from the playing area.
4. SANCTIONS
Breaches of by-laws 1-3 on Advice, Behaviour, or Intervals are to be initially sanctioned by a verbal warning from the umpire. A second offence for any breach in a single match is to be sanctioned by awarding the opposition a point. A third offence for any breach in a single match is to be sanctioned by awarding two points to the opposition. A fourth offence in the same match or a single major breach is to be sanctioned by disqualification from the match and all subsequent matches in that weekly round. All breaches and subsequent warnings shall be reported to the Committee at the time of the offence, or immediately after the completion of the rubber.
5. SERVING
TAKEN FROM ITTF RULES HANDBOOK: 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 16 cm 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. 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.
6. ELIGIBILITY TO PLAY IN FINALS
a) A player has to be registered (fees paid) and have played in at least three matches for a division team to be eligible to play in finals. A match means either playing either both doubles or three singles on the night. A player from a lower grade can play in the higher grade final only if the player is not playing on the night.
b) In extreme circumstances a qualified player from the same grade not involved in the
finals may play in that grade. The player must not be of a higher standard than the replaced player. Extreme circumstances are things such as deaths in the family, personal injuries, etc. Holidays, travels, business, camps, etc are not extreme circumstances. No handicaps are given away.
7. PLAYERS SUBSTITUTION (HOME & AWAY ONLY)
Substitute players – Match Secretary will approve substitute players if necessary. If in rare circumstances a substitute player is not available, then the affected team may have to forfeit relevant games.
8. PROMOTION & RELEGATION
Depending on the committee's decision the last ranked players in a grade may be relegated to the lower grade and leading players in lower grades may be promoted to the grade above. This largely depends on numbers playing.
9. SCORESHEETS
The winning team is responsible for handing in the correctly completed scoresheets. If score sheets are not completed correctly with a signature from each team, then scores may not be counted.
10. TABLES AND BARRIERS
During the Pennant season representatives of both teams should arrive by 7.15pm to help with the setting up of their table. Both teams are responsible for packing away their table and barriers after they have finished, unless another team asks to use their table.
11. FINALS
a) The choice of home and away is done by tossing a coin.
b) Where possible a neutral umpire should be chosen.
12. START AND FINISH TIMES
Games must start by 7.30pm. If however a team has not started by 7.45pm the opposing captain should claim the first rubber. If a team has not started by 8.00pm the opposing team captain should claim the whole match.
13. CLOTHING
The main color of a shirt must not be white.
14. MATCH FEES
Match Fees to be paid by end of Week 2 of the Pennant season. Any variation of this will require the consent of the Treasurer. If fees are not paid in time, it is at the Discretion of the Committee as to their playing status in that season.
15. COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS
Advise a Board member straight away and any complaints and concerns must be written and forwarded to the Association Secretary by 12.00 noon Sunday following the match.
sunburytabletennis@gmail.com
Reviewed and updated, August 2024
