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Rules and Regulations

The Townsville Table Tennis Association complies with the rules adopted by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and our governing body, Table Tennis Queensland (TTQ). However, we also have our own internal club rules and by-laws. To download or view the full copy to the rules and by-laws, please click on the links below.

All rules are established under the Associations Incorporations Act 1981 and in accordance with the Associations Incorporations Regulation 1999.

Rules of the Association

Strategic and Operations Manual

By Law (General)

By Law (Fixtures)

Rules by the International Table Tennis Federation

A brief outline of contents of the Strategic and Operations Manual is as follows:-

  1. A strategic plan for our Association (immediate, short term and long term);
  2. The Committee general responsibilities and functions;
  3. The committee legal duties and responsibilities;
  4. Risk Management and Reporting;
  5. A policy on working with children;
  6. A policy on working with players with a disability;
  7. A policy on the consumption of alcohol in our hall;
  8. A policy on social media;
  9. Our Association Code of Behaviour;
  10. A policy on electronic communication;
  11. A complaint’s process

A brief outline of contents of the Bylaws (Fixtures) is as follows:-

  1. The general rules of senior fixtures;
  2. The structure of senior fixtures;
  3. The fixture playing rules;
  4. The substitution policy and finals eligibility;
  5. Pre-season rankings.

A brief outline of contents of the Bylaws (General) is as follows:-

  1. General governance matters of our Association;
  2. Matters relating to our Roll of Honour;
  3. Matters relating to our Association Awards;
  4. Coaching arrangements;
  5. Selection panel sub-committee arrangements;
  6. Association tournaments (general); and
  7. Townsville Closed Eligibility.

 

 

Basic Rules of Play

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. If either the umpire or the assistant umpire is not sure about the legality of a service he or she may, on the first occasion in a match, interrupt play and warn the server; but any subsequent service by that player or his or her doubles partner which is not clearly legal shall be considered incorrect. Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a correct service where he or she is satisfied that compliance is prevented by physical disability.


The Return
The ball, having been served or returned shall be struck so that it passes over or around the net assembly and touches the opponents court, either directly or after touching the net assembly.


The Order of Play
In singles the server shall make a first service and the receiver shall make a return and thereafter alternately shall each make a return.

In doubles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return, the partner of the server shall then make a return, the partner of the receiver shall then make a return and thereafter each player in turn in that sequence shall make a return.


A Point
Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point

  • if an opponent fails to make a correct service;
  • if an opponent fails to make a correct return;
  • if, after he or she has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck by an opponent;
  • if the ball passes over his or her court or beyond his or her end line without touching his or her court, after being struck by an opponent;
  • if an opponent obstructs the ball;
  • if an opponent deliberately strikes the ball twice in succession;
  • if an opponent strikes the ball with a side of the racket blade whose surface does not comply with the requirements of 2.4.3, 2.4.4 and 2.4.5;
  • if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, moves the playing surface;
  • if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, touches the net assembly;
  • if an opponent’s free hand touches the playing surface;
  • if a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence established by the first server and first receiver;
  • as provided under the expedite system (2.15.4).
  • if both players or pairs are in a wheelchair due to a physical disability and
  • his or her opponent does not maintain a minimum contact with the seat or cushion(s), with the back of the thigh, when the ball is struck;
  • his or her opponent touches the table with either hand before striking the ball;
  • his or her opponent’s footrest or foot touches the floor during play.

as provided under the order of play (2.8.3).


A Game
A game shall be won by a player or pair first scoring 11 points unless both players or pairs score 10 points, when the game shall be won by the first player or pair subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points.


A Match
A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of games.