USTSA OFFICIAL RULES
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To Start a Match
A coin flip shall precede the start of the match. The team that wins the
flip has the choice of table side or first serve. The team that loses the
flip has the remaining option and must also pay for the first game, with
that expense alternating thereafter.
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Once a team has chosen either the table side or the first serve, they may
not change their decision.
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In the event of the loser's bracket winner beating the winner's bracket team
in the first match, the second match will be started in the same manner as
a regular match with the coin flip, etc.
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The match officially starts once the ball has been put into play. (BUT violations
such as cursing, etc. may be called by the official assigned to judge the
match as soon as he and both teams are present at the table.
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The Serve
A serve through the serving hole is used to put the ball in play at the start
of the match, after a point is scored, or after a ball leaves the table.
The server may attempt to influence the roll of the ball, but may not allow
any part of either hand to be in the play area once the ball hits the playfield.
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The play area shall be defined as the area above the playing surface to the
height of the side boards of the cabinet.
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Prior to serving the ball, the server may place either hand in the play area
in order to position the ball.
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The ball may not be struck by either team following a serve until it has
touched the playfield, at which time the ball is considered to be "in play"
and the time limits start.
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Spinning the ball shall be allowed in order to influence the serve, however,
no point shall be scored by the serving team, directly or as a result of
the serve, unless the ball is struck by one of the serving team's figures.
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The server must not serve the ball until he has the assurance that the opposing
team is ready for play to begin. The server can signify that play is about
to begin by tapping the ball on the side of the table.
a. If the server has tapped the ball, and the opposing team is holding
their handles, the opposing team shall be deemed to be ready for play (unless
they have specifically stated before the ball hits the playing surface that
they are not ready yet).
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On the first violation of any part of this rule, the ball shall be re-served
by the original server. Subsequent violations, however, shall result in the
ball being put into play be the opposing team.
a. If the ball is incorrectly served, but the server has not violated
any part of these rules, the ball is considered in play. In particular, the
player may not reach into the play area to re-serve the ball (see section
16).
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Subsequent Serves
Following the first serve of the match, subsequent serves shall be made by
the team last scored upon. First serves in subsequent games of a multi-game
match shall be made by the team which lost the preceding game.
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If the ball is served by the wrong team, and the violation is discovered
before the ball is scored, play shall be stopped, and the ball shall be re-served
by the proper team. Once the ball is scored, no protests shall be allowed,
and play shall be continued as if no infraction had been committed.
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If a team receives the serve because the opposing team is being penalized
for a rules infraction, and if, after the ball is served, it goes dead or
leaves the table, and must be re-served, it shall be re-served by the team
who originally served it prior to the infraction.
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Ball in Play
Once a ball is put into play by the server (see section 2), it shall remain
in play until the ball is hit off the table, a dead ball is declared, time
out is called, or a point is scored.
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Ball Off the Table
If the ball should leave the playing area and strike the scoring markers,
ash trays, top of the side rails, cabinet ends, or any object that is not
part of the table, the ball shall be declared off of the table.
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A ball which leaves the table as a result of a shot, pass, or any other form
of clearing the ball from the two-rod, the ball will be played as follows:
If the the team which caused the ball to leave the table is the original
server, then the ball will go back to that team's two-rod. If the the team
which caused the ball to leave the table is NOT the original server, then
the other team shall serve the ball.
a. In any other case of the ball leaving the table, it will be put
back into play with a serve by the team which originally served the ball.
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A ball entering the serving cup and then returning to the playfield is still
considered "in play".
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Dead Ball
A ball shall be declared a dead ball when it has completely stopped it's
motion and is not within reach of any player figure.
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If the ball is declared dead anywhere between the two-man rods, it shall
be put back into play with a serve by the team that originally served the
ball.
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If the ball is declared dead between the goal and two-man rods, it shall
be put back into play by placing the ball at the play figure nearest the
spot of the dead ball.
a. The goalie must have the assurance that the opposing team is ready
for play to continue before putting the ball into play in this manner (see
section 2.5) Furthermore, the goalie must then move the ball from one player
figure to another one and then stop the ball for a full second before the
motion of a shot or pass may begin.
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The time limits begin one second after the ball touches the second man.
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A ball that is spinning in place is not considered to be a dead ball.
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A ball that is intentionally made dead in order to advance the ball or reset
the time limits shall be given to the opposing team for a re-serve (example:
the two-man placing the ball just out of reach in order to re-serve the ball).
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The penalty for illegally putting the ball back into play (as in section
6.2) is the opponent's choice of either continuing play from the current
position or re-serving the ball. This includes the cases where a player either
loses the ball or scores on him/herself before the ball has been put back
in play.
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Time Out
Each team is allowed two time outs per game during which the players may
leave the table. Such time outs shall not exceed 30 seconds. if the ball
is in play, time out may be called only by the team in possession of the
ball, and then only if the ball is stopped. If the ball is not in play, either
team may call time out.
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Either team may take the full 30 seconds, even if the team that called the
time out does not wish to take the full allotment.
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Either team may switch positions during a time out (see section 12).
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A time out called between games shall apply to the following game to be played
in counting time outs per game.
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A player who removes both hands from the handles and turns completely away
from the table while the ball is in play shall be considered to have requested
a time out.
a. Players can take their hands from the handles to wipe them off
before a shot, as long as it doesn't take more than 2 or 3 seconds. However,
all time limits continue to run while the player wipes his/her hands. The
team on defense should not relax if the opponent takes his/her hand(s) off
the rod. (see section 18.4)
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Either team member may call time out when either they or their partner has
the ball. The time out starts the moment the time out is called.
a. If the team with the ball attempts a shot or pass immediately after
requesting a time out, the play or shot shall not count, and the team shall
be charged with a distraction (see 18) rather than a time out.
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If the team in possession of the ball calls a time out while the ball is
in play and moving, that team shall lose possession, and the ball shall be
served by the opposing forward. If the team not in possession of the ball
calls a time out when the ball is in play, that team shall be charged with
a distraction (see 18).
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If the team is not ready to play at the end of the 30 second period, that
team will be charged with a delay of game.
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A team calling and/or charged with more than two time outs per game shall
be charged with an automatic technical foul. the technical foul shall be
shot before the 30 second period is granted.
a. A team charged with a time out shall always be given the full 30
second period, even if they have previously taken two time outs, and either
team may switch positions during this time.
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Once a player begins to put the ball back into play following a time out
(by moving the ball), a time out may not be called again until the ball has
left the current rod of possession.
a. Penalty for violation of this rule (7.9) is loss of possession,
and the ball shall be served by the opposing forward. the team shall not
be charged with a time out.
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During a time out a player may reach into the play area to spray the rods,
wipe the playfield, etc. The ball may be picked up by hand, as long as it
is returned to it's original position before play is continued.
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During a time out the player may not move the ball from man to man without
the permission of the official, as this can be considered practice (see 19).
Penalty for violation of this rule (7.11) is loss of possession and the ball
shall be served by the opposing forward. If the official present feels that
is would be impossible to be sure of accurately replacing the ball to the
exact position it occupied at the time of the time out, they may deny a request
to pick up the ball (example: a ball precariously perched on the edge of
the goal).
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Resuming Play After Time Out
Following a time out, the ball shall be put back into play at the rod of
possession when the time out was called.
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If the ball was in play when the time out was called, the player must have
the assurance that the opposing team is ready before moving the ball. The
player must then move the ball from one player figure to another one and
then stop the ball for a full second before the the motion of a shot or pass
may begin.
a. The time limits begin one second after the ball touches the second
man.
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If the ball was not in play when the time out was called, the ball shall
be put back into play by the team that originally served that ball.
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The penalty for illegally putting the ball back into play is the opponent's
choice of either continuing play from the current position or re-serving
the ball. This includes the case of a player losing the ball before touching
two men.
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Official Time Out
An official time out does not count towards the two time outs allowed per
team per game.
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If an official is not present at the start of the match, and a dispute arises
during play, either team may request an official. Such a request can be made
at any point during the match that the ball is stopped or dead.
a. The first request for an official is considered an official time
out. The cost for the official will be split between the two teams.
b. If the defensive team makes a request for an official while the
ball is in play and stopped, and the offensive team simultaneously attempts
a pass or shot, the request for a time out will be treated as a distraction
b the defensive team. Likewise, a request for an official while the ball
is in motion will also be considered a distraction.
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Any team subsequently requesting an official will automatically be charged
with a time out. Such a request may only be made during a dead ball. The
penalty for requesting another official while the ball is in play is a technical
foul.
a. The Head Official will decide whether the request for a new official
will be granted. If the request is granted, the team requesting the official
must pay the full cost of the new official. The two officials will then judge
the match. An official may be replaced only at the discretion of the Head
Official.
b. If there are already two officials present, any request for a new
official will be denied, and the team will be charged with a technical foul.
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A team may not switch positions during an official time out, unless they
are otherwise entitled to do so (see 12).
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Table Maintenance - Any necessary table maintenance, such as changing balls,
tightening the men, etc., must be requested before the start of the match.
The only time that a player may call a table maintenance time out during
a match would be in the case of a sudden alteration to the table, such as
a broken man, broken roll pin, crumbling bumper, bent rod, etc.
a. If a player figure is broken while in contact with the ball, an
official time out will be declared while the rod is fixed. Play will resume
on the rod where the player figure broke.
b. If the table lighting fails, play shall immediately stop at that
point (as though an official time out were called).
c. Routine maintenance, such as spraying the rods, etc., should only
be done during time outs and between games.
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Foreign objects on field of play - if an object should fall on the playfield,
play shall immediately stop at that point. There should be nothing on the
ends of the table that could fall onto the playfield.
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Medical time out - a player or team may request a medical time out. This
request must be approved by the Tournament Director, the Head Official, and
a member of the officiating staff. They will determine the length of the
medical time out, up to a maximum of 60 minutes. A player who is physically
unable to continue playing after that time must forfeit the match.
a. If a request for a medical time out is denied, the player will
be charged with a time out. The player may also be penalized for delay of
game (see 24), at the discretion of the official.
b. Medical time outs will typically be granted only for accidental
or unexpected injuries incurred during the course of play.
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Point Scored
A ball entering the goal shall count as a point, as long as it was legally
scored. A ball which enters the goal but returns to the playing surface and/or
leaves the table still counts as a goal.
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If a point is not counted on the score markers and both teams agree that
is was previously scored and inadvertently not marked up, the point shall
count. If both teams do not agree that a point was scored and not marked
up, after another ball is scored, that point shall not be counted.
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If there is a controversy over whether or not a ball entered the goal, an
official should be called.
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Any team intentionally marking up a point not scored shall not get credit
for the point illegally marked up and shall be charged with a technical foul.
Further violations of this rule will be grounds for forfeiture of the game
or match (to be determined by the Head Official).
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Table Sides
At the end of each game, teams must switch sides of the table before play
of the next game can begin. A maximum of 60 seconds is allowed between games.
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Either team can request the full 60 seconds. If both teams acknowledge that
they are ready to resume play before the full time is used, play shall continue
and the remainder of that 60 seconds is then forfeited.
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If a team is not ready to play at the end of the 60 second period, that team
shall be charged with a delay of game.
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Change of Positions
In any doubles event, each player may play only the two rods normally designated
for their position. Once the ball is put into play, the players must play
the same position until a point is scored, a team requests a time out, or
a technical is called.
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Either team may switch positions during a time out, between points, between
games, and before and/or after a technical foul shot.
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Once a team has switched positions, they may not switch back until after
the ball has been put back into play or until another time out has been
called.
a. A team is considered to have switched positions once both players
are in their respective places facing the table.
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Illegally switching positions while the ball is in play will be judged a
distraction.
a. In any doubles event any player placing their hand on any rod normally
designated as one played by their partner while the ball is in play shall
be judged as a distraction violation.
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Spinning the Rods
Spinning the rods is illegal. Spinning is defined as the rotation of any
soccer figure more than 360 degrees before or after striking the ball. In
calculating the 360 degrees, you do not add the degrees spun prior to striking
the ball to the degrees spun after striking the ball.
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A ball which is advanced by an illegal spin is replayed as follows:
a. If the ball goes in the goal, then it will not be counted as a
point and will be put back into play by the goalie as if the ball had been
declared a dead ball between the goalie and the nearest two man rod.
b. If the ball does not go in the goal, the opposing team will have
the option of continuing play from the current position, or re-serving the
ball.
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Spinning of a rod which does not advance and/or strike the ball does not
constitute an illegal spin. If a player's spinning rod hits the ball backward
into his/her own goal, it will count as a goal for the opposing team. Spinning
of a rod away from the ball (when there is no possession) is not considered
an illegal spin, but may be ruled as a distraction.
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If an ungrasped rod is spun by the force of the ball hitting a player figure
on the rod, the spin will be considered legal (example: a two-man shot in
singles hitting the three man).
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Jarring
Any jarring, sliding, or lifting of the table is illegal. Whether or not
the table jarring is done intentionally is of no consequence. This call must
be made by an official. It is not necessary for a player to lose the ball
for jarring to be called on his opponent.
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The penalty for violation of these rules:
a. First and second offense - The opposing team has the option of
continuing the current position, play from the point of infraction, or re-serving
the ball. If an illegal jar causes the player to lose possession of the ball
from a rod, play may be continued from that rod.
b. Subsequent violations - Technical foul. After the technical shot
the non offending team continues to have the options listed under the first
offense (14.1).
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Touching or coming into contact with your opponent's rods in any way shall
be penalized exactly like jarring, sliding, or lifting.
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Jarring of the table may be called even if the ball is not in play. In
particular, slamming the rod after the shot may be considered jarring.
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Reset
If a player has the ball set up to shoot or pass and the ball is unintentionally
moved due to jarring by the opponent, the official present will call "reset"
and he/she will reset all time limits. The player with the ball has the option
of setting the ball up again, or ignoring the reset call and playing the
ball where it is.
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Any movement of the ball, no matter how slight, may be considered grounds
for a reset (example: a ball rocking in place).
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A reset is not considered a distraction, and the player with the ball may
shoot immediately. The defensive team should not, therefore, relax or look
at the official upon hearing the word "reset," but rather should stay on
defense.
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A reset call does not count as a jarring infraction. However, repeated offenses
may be grounds for the official present to call a technical foul on
the defensive player causing the reset.
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A reset violation behind the ball shall not be considered a reset violation.
It shall be considered a jarring violation. (example: if the opposing forward
is judged to have reset his opponent when the opponent has the ball on the
3rd rod).
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An intentional reset by the team in possession of the ball for the purposes
of attempting to get a reset call from the official shall not be allowed.
The team judged to be in violation of this rule shall lose possession of
the ball and the ball is to be re-served by the other team. (This is not
counted as a reset).
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A team is allowed one reset call per game. After that, a team causing two
resets during the same point will be charged with a technical foul.
a. If a technical foul is called for excessive resets, the next reset
call shall not result in a technical foul.
b. Resets are charged per team and not per player.
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If the defender intentionally jars the table, this will not be considered
a reset, and jarring will be called immediately.
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A reset call made while the ball is on the five-man rod will reset the amount
of times the ball has struck the wall as well as the time limit.
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Reaching Into the Playing Area
It is illegal for a player to reach into the play area while the ball is
in play (regardless if he/she touches the ball) without first having permission
from the official, or if no official is present, by the opposing team
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A spinning ball is considered "in-play", even if it is not in reach of a
player figure. It is illegal to reach into the playing area to stop a spinning
ball, even if done for an opponent.
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A ball which becomes airborne over the table is still in play until it hits
something not a part of the playing area. Do not catch a flying ball over
the table.
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A ball which has gone dead is considered out of play. The ball may be freely
touched once permission has been granted by the official, or if no official
is present, by the opposing team.
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A player may wipe shot marks off any part of the table while the ball is
not in play. He does not need to ask permission from the opposing team.
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The penalty for violation of this rule is as follows:
a. If the ball is moving in the player's goal area or precariously
perched on the edge of the goal - a point is scored for the opposing team,
and the ball is re-served as if it had gone in the goal.
b. If the player has possession of the ball, and the ball is stopped
or if the ball has gone dead - loss of possession to the opposing team.
c. Any other case - technical foul.
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Alterations to the Table
Playing area - no changes can be made that would affect the interior playing
characteristics of the table by any player. This includes changes to the
men, playing surface, bumpers, etc.
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A player cannot wipe sweat or spit or any foreign substance on his hand before
wiping ball marks off the table.
a. Wiping rosin on the table is illegal.
b. Any player using a substance on their hands to improve their grip,
for example, must make sure that this substance does not get on the ball.
If this does occur, and the substance is judged to affect the play of the
ball (example: a ball coated with rosin) that ball and any others in the
table similarly affected shall be cleaned immediately and the team judged
to have caused this to occur shall be penalized for delay of game and warned
that if this occurs again during the match they will be prohibited from using
the substance.
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Handles - in regard to the use of substances to improve the grip, if a player
uses a substance that, upon switching table sides, has left a deposit on
the handles, he must immediately clean the handles.
a. If the time necessary to remove the substance exceeds 60 seconds,
the player will be penalized for delay of game, and the player will be prohibited
from using the substance again.
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A player may not place a tube or handle on the table exterior that inhibits
the motion of the rods (example: for limiting the motion of the goalie rod).
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A player may not switch the handles on the exterior of the tables.
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A request to change balls before the start of the match must be approved
by the official present or the Tournament Director. The request will be granted
only if the playing characteristics of the existing balls are significantly
different from the standard.
a. New ball - a player may not ask for a new ball while the ball is
in play. During a dead ball, however, a player may request a new ball from
the rack inside the table. Such a request shall be granted, unless
the official present judges that such a request is made simply for the
purpose of stalling play.
b. A player requesting a new ball while the ball is in play shall
be charged with a time out, unless the official present judges the ball to
be unplayable, in which case no time out will be charged.
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Unless otherwise specified, penalty for violation of any part of this rule
may be grounds for a technical foul.
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Distraction
Any movement or sound made away from the rod where the ball is in play may
be judged as a distraction. No point made as a result of a distraction will
count. If a player believes he is being distracted, it is his responsibility
to call for an official.
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Banging the five-man rod or any rod prior to, during, or after a shot is
considered a distraction. Moving the five-man rod during or after the shot
has started is not considered a distraction.
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Talking between teammates while the ball is in play may be judged a distraction.
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It is not considered a distraction, when passing, to move the catching rod
as part of a fake. Excessive motion, however, is grounds for a distraction.
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It is considered a distraction, after setting up a shot, to remove a hand
from the handle and then shoot the ball. The ball may only be shot after
the hand/wrist has been on the handle for a full second.
a. In singles, rule 18.4 only applies to a set shot on the 3-rod.
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Penalty for distraction - if a shot is scored as a result of a distraction
by the offensive team, the point will not count and the opposing team will
re-serve the ball. In all other cases, the opposing team has the option of
continuing play from the current position, continuing play from the point
of infraction, or re-serving the ball. Subsequent violations may be grounds
for a technical foul.
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Practice
Once a match has begun, no player may practice either his serve or shot on
either the table being played or on any other table. This rule applies during
the time outs and between games.
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Practice is defined as either moving the ball (by contacting it with a player
figure) or practicing the serve.
a. Illegal practice is a judgment call by the official present at
the table. Inadvertent movement of the ball does not necessarily constitute
practice.
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Penalty for this infraction is a technical foul, except in the case of putting
the ball back into play following a time out (see 7.11).
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Language
Unsportsmanlike comments made directly or indirectly by a player are not
allowed. Violation of this rule may be grounds for a technical foul.
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Calling the attention of the opposing team away from the game is not allowed
(see 18). Any shouts or sounds made during a match, even if of an enthusiastic
nature, may be grounds for a technical foul.
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Cursing by a player shall not be allowed. Continued cursing by a player may
be cause for forfeiture of games and/or expulsion from the tournament site.
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Use of a spotter in the audience shall not be allowed. Furthermore,
a member of the audience is not allowed to influence a match by
distracting a player or official. Violation of this rule may be grounds for
expulsion of the person from the tournament site.
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Coaching will be allowed, but only during time outs and in-between games.
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Passing
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A pinned ball on the 5 man rod cannot be directly advanced to the 3 man rod
of the same team. It must touch at least two player figures as it is put
into the motion of a pass (except an accidental stub or squib pass - see
21.1c). A pinned ball is one that is pinned to the wall or playfield.
a. A ball whose motion has clearly stopped may be legally passed if
this pass is immediate. Any hesitation before the pass and the pass shall
be declared illegal. Once a ball has clearly stopped and is not immediate
passed it must then touch at least two player figures before it can be legally
passed.
b. Changing the lateral speed or direction of the ball from the front
or back of the man prior to passing the ball is considered to be an adjustment
and is illegal. Changing the speed or direction of the ball from the side
of the man is legal.
c. An accidental stub or squib pass is legal. However, if a ball is
stubbed or squibbed by a player figure, released, and then passed by that
player figure before striking another player figure on that same rod, it
is illegal.
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A pinned or stopped ball may be shot on goal. To be considered a shot,
the ball must either go into the goal, be blocked by the opposing goalie's
men, or hit the back wall. If the attempted shot is blocked by the opposing
five-man rod and then caught by the shooter's three-man, it shall be declared
an illegal pass.
a. If a pinned or stopped ball from the five-man is shot on goal,
and the ball hits the shooter's three-man row, then the shot would be legal,
provided the ball was not caught by the three-man.
b. A caught ball is defined as a ball that is in the possession of
a rod long enough for a controlled pass or shot to be attempted (examples:
pick-up and quick shots).
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Before attempting a pass from the five-man rod, the player cannot make
the ball strike the side wall of the table more than twice. It makes no
difference which wall the ball touches -a total of two times is all that
is allowed. If the ball goes to the wall a third time, it must be advanced
in the motion of a pass or shot.
a. Defensive Trap - if an opponent's pass or shot is stopped by trapping
it against the side wall, that does not count as one of the two times allowed
to touch the wall by the player who made the trap and is now in possession
of the ball on his five-man rod.
b. Once the ball has touched the wall, it will not be counted as hitting
the wall again until the ball has rolled off the side strip (if present on
the table).
c. Following a time out, any strike the ball makes against the wall
prior to touching a second man will not be counted against the allowed two
strikes.
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Passing from the two-man and goalie rods - rule 21.1 also applies to a pass
from the two-man or goalie rod to the same team's five-man rod. However,
once a ball is forwarded from either the two-man or the goalie rods, if it
should strike an opposing team's player figures, that ball is no longer
considered a pass but a live ball that may be legally caught by any
player.
a. Rule 21.2a also applies here for a stopped shot from the two-man
touched by the five-man.
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It is legal to have just one hand on the rods when playing defense (example:
right hand on defensive five-man). It is also legal to use two hands to move
a rod (example: defensive five-man).
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Penalty for an illegal pass - if a team violates the above rules of passing,
the opposing team has the option of continuing play from the current position
or re-serving the ball.
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Time of Possession
Possession of the ball at any one rod shall be limited to 15 seconds, except
the five-man rod which has a ten second limit, by the end of which time the
player must advance the ball.
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Advancement defined: A ball is considered to have advanced once it is out
of reach of the player figures on that rod whether it went forward or backwards.
In the case of the goalie area, a ball is considered advanced once out of
reach of the player figures on the two-rod and beyond the goal area.
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Enforcement of the time of possession rule shall be made only by a certified
tournament official.
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A spinning ball that is within reach of a player figure shall be considered
to be in that rod's possession and all time limits shall continue. Players
must make an honest effort to gain possession of a spinning ball that is
within reach, however, if the spinning ball is not within reach, the time
limits are not in effect.
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Penalty - penalty for three-man delay is loss of possession to the opposing
goalie. The goalie shall put the ball back into play as if it had been declared
a dead ball. Penalty for delay at any other rod is loss of possession to
the opposing forward for serve.
-
Match Time Limit
Best of five matches shall be limited to one hour from the time the match
is called. Best of three matches shall be limited to 35 minutes from the
time the match is called.
-
If the specified time limit expires before the match has been completed,
an official will announce to the players that a ten minute overtime period
will begin at that time. If the overtime period ends before the match has
been completed, the winner of the match shall be the player or team which
has won the most games, or if the teams have an equal number of games, it
shall be the team that has scored the most points in the game in progress,
after the ball in play at the time that the overtime period expires has been
scored. If the teams have won an equal number of games and scored an equal
number of points after this ball has been scored, one more ball shall be
played to determine the winner of the match.
-
Time outs called within the regular time limit of a match shall be counted
against the total amount of time left to play. However, time outs do not
count against the ten minutes in the overtime period (a time out would then
stop the clock).
-
Official time outs do count against the total amount of time left to play.
-
Enforcement of this rule is the responsibility of the Tournament Director.
-
Delay of Game
Play shall be continuous except during time outs. A delay of game penalty
may only be called by an official.
-
After a delay of game infraction, play shall resume in at most ten seconds.
At the end of ten seconds, another delay of game call should be made.
-
Taking too much time to serve the ball or to put the ball back into play
may be grounds for delay of game.
-
The first infraction of this rule is a warning. Subsequent infractions will
result in the player being charged with a time-out. Example: Player charged
with delay of game. If still not ready to resume play after ten seconds -
time-out charged. If after the time-out still not ready, another ten seconds
- second time-out charged (see 7.8).
-
Forfeiture
Once a match has been called, both teams should report immediately to the
designated table. If a team has not reported to the table within three minutes,
they should be recalled. A team, upon being recalled, must report immediately
to the table in order to stop the forfeiture process.
-
A recall is made every three minutes. Penalty for second and subsequent
recall is forfeiture of a game.
-
If a team has forfeited any games due to recalls, they get the choice of
side or serve once play begins.
-
Enforcement of this rule is the responsibility of the Tournament Director.
-
Technical Fouls
If, in the judgment of an authorized tournament official, either team competing
in a match is at any time flagrant or intentionally in violation of these
rules of play, a technical foul may be called on the offending team.
-
When a technical foul is called, play shall stop and the ball awarded to
the opponents of the offending team at it's three-man rod. One shot will
be taken after which play shall stop. If it scores or not, the ball shall
be put back into play at the spot it was when the technical was called. If
the ball was in motion, it will be put back as it had been declared dead
at that spot. (Except as provided in 14.1)
a. A player is considered to have taken a technical foul shot once
the ball has left the three-man rod. A player is considered to have been
blocked the shot once the ball has either stopped in or left the defender's
area.
-
On a technical foul shot, the ball must be put back into play before shooting
(see 8.1). Furthermore, all rules, including time limits and resets, still
apply.
-
A team may switch positions before and/or after the technical foul shot
without being charged with a time out (see 12).
-
Time outs may be called during a technical shot, as long as they would otherwise
be legal (see 7).
-
A point scored on an illegal technical shot shall not be allowed, and
play shall resume at the spot the technical was called.
-
If a technical foul shot ends the game, the opposing team gets the first
serve of the next game.
-
Further violations of a flagrant or intentional nature shall carry additional
technical fouls. A third technical foul in any one game shall result in an
automatic forfeiture of the game. Also, the official may announce at any
time after the first technical foul is called on a team that further violation
by that team shall be cause for forfeiture of the game or match.
-
Rules, Decisions and Appeals
If a controversy involves a question of judgment, and the official is present
at the time the events in question transpired, his decision is final and
no appeal may be made. If the controversy involves an interpretation of the
rules, or the official was not present at the time the events in question
transpired, the official shall make the most equitable decision possible
under the circumstances. Decisions of this nature may be appealed, but it
must be done immediately in the manner prescribed below.
-
In order to appeal a rule interpretation, a player must file that appeal
with the official before the ball being played at the time of the controversy
is put back into play. An appeal concerning the loss of a match must be filed
before the team that won has begun its next match.
-
All rules appeals shall be considered by the Head Official and (if present)
at least two members of the officiating staff. All decisions on appeals are
final.
-
A team making an unsuccessful rules appeal of an obvious nature, or
a team that questions a judgment call, will be charged with a time out.
In addition, the team may also be penalized fro delay of game, at the discretion
of the official.
-
Arguing with a Certified official during a match will not be allowed. Violation
of this rule will be grounds for a delay of game penalty and/or a violation
of the code of ethics.
-
Code of Ethics
Any action of unsportsmanlike or unethical nature during tournament play,
in the tournament room, or on the grounds of the host facility, will be
considered a violation of the Code of Ethics.
-
Penalty - the penalty for breaking the Code of Ethics may be forfeiture of
a game or match, expulsion from the tournament, and/or a fine. Whether or
not the Code of Ethics has been broken, and what is the appropriate penalty
for the infraction will be determined by the Disciplinary Committee of the
USTSA.
-
Tournament Director
The administration of tournament play shall be the responsibility of the
Tournament Director. this includes making the draws, scheduling the events,
timing matches, etc. The decision of the Tournament Director in such matters
is final.
-
All matters pertaining to rules of play (appointing officials, handling appeals,
etc.) shall be the responsibility of the Head Official. The Tournament Director
is responsible for appointing the Head Official.
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