Rules and Regulations for SCMCO Table Tennis Tournament

1. AGE & RATINGS RESTRICTIONS:
   1. To participate in the under 21 events the player’s date of birth must be after March 14, 1993
   2. To participate in the under 14 events the player’s date of birth must be after March 14, 2000
   3. To participate in the Over 65 event the player’s date of birth must be before March 15, 1949.
   4. Current USATT Rating of players, who have played in any USATT sanctioned tournaments during last 10 years, must be Under 1700
2. Games will be to 11 points. Each player will serve 2 serves each. If the game is tied at 10 each, then each player will take turns serving one ball each until the game is won with a difference of 2 points.

1. All matches will be best 3 out of 5.  Depending on number of entries and time constraints, some youth and sisters events may be changed to best 2 out of 3 matches.

1. Official 40 mm diameter orange colored balls will be provided.

1. Players must bring their own paddles (rackets).The opponent can examine the racket of the other player prior to the start of the match.

1. Playing surface(s) of the Racket or Paddle must be covered by sponge & rubber sandwich sheet no thicker than 4 mm. One side of the racket must be RED and the other BLACK.  At least 85% of the thickness of the racket must be made of natural wood.  Plastic paddles and paddles with sandpaper, bare-wood or sponge-only coverings are not allowed.

1. Service: The server must toss the ball at least 16 cm (6 inches) from the palm of the hand. From start of the service until it is struck, the ball should be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server’s end line. The first violation is a warning but any subsequent illegal service will be considered incorrect. Service rule will only be enforced if the opponent or opponent’s coach challenges the serve.

1. If the free hand touches the table, then the point will be lost.

1. A racket change is not allowed once the match is in progress, unless the racket breaks.

1. If a server tries to serve and misses contact with the ball, the point is lost.

1. A let is played over if
   1. During the service the ball hits the net and goes over to the other side.
   2. The service is delivered when the receiving player or pair is not ready and does not attempt to strike the ball
   3. There is disturbance outside the control of the player.
   4. There is hindrance from other players
   5. Referee interrupts the play.

1. During play, if the ball hits the net and goes over, the point remains in play.

1. The player serving first in a game shall receive first in the next game. The start of who serves is determined randomly. Sides are also changed after each game, and when a player reaches 5 points during the fifth game in a best-of-5 match.

1. Practice is limited to 2 minutes prior to a match. Maximum break of one minute is allowed between each game.
2. Single one minute time-out is allowed during each match.
3. In case of injury, a three minute time-out will be granted. A maximum of two injury time-outs are allowed per match. If a player cannot continue after the third time-out, the player will have to forfeit the match.

1. Player will forfeit if over 5 minutes late after they are called to play.

1. Touching of the ball by the body or clothing will result in a point loss, with the exception being fingers and back of the palms of the hand that is holding the racket.

1. Conflicts and details of the rules will be decided by the Rules and Regulation Committee.

1. A player is restricted from this tournament if they have played at a professional level, or for a national team, Olympics, club sponsorships, etc. Please contact tournament organizers for more details.

1. A person can appear in singles & doubles. The only restriction is that a person who is under 21 can either play in the under 21 or Adult, not both. Person who is under 14 can play in under 14, under 21 or Adult (pick one of these events).
2. Same person cannot appear, in the same category, on behalf of two Masajid in “Joint Masjid Table Tennis Tournament”. So it is OK for a person to play in Singles for one Masjid and Doubles for another Masjid.
3. In case of a dispute which cannot be resolved amongst the players, a referee will be appointed and the players will revert back to the last agreed upon points.
4. A referee will be appointed for Semi-Final and Final match.
5. Players must wear non-marking tennis/court shoes to avoid marks on the floor.
6. Players will conduct themselves in a sportsman-like manner. Loud or offensive language will not be tolerated.
7. Willful damage to the club’s equipment or the facility will not be tolerated.
8. Players are not allowed to sit on the table, hit the table, place food or drinks on the table. The tables should not be used for any purpose other than playing Table Tennis.

1. An umbrella rule will be in affect whereby questions or dispute of any rules not stated in advance will be decided by the Rules Committee on the day of tournament.