TABLE TENNIS RULES

Florida State University does not provide accident insurance coverage for injuries received by Intramural participants. Each participant should make sure that he/she has coverage either through family policies or the student insurance plan. We cannot emphasize this point enough.

Florida State University PROHIBITS possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on University property. This includes the Intramural Sports Complex and Tully Gym. Violators will be asked to leave the area. Failure to do so can result in forfeiture of the ball game, suspension of individuals and/or teams, and appropriate action by the University Judicial Office.

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Current USTTA Rules will govern table tennis play except for the following modifications.

I. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

1. Participation is limited to currently-enrolled, fee-paying FSU students, faculty members, and full-time staff. FAMU & TCC students and members of the community are not eligible. All areas of eligibility are covered in the Intramural By-Laws which are available through the Campus Recreation Office and online at the FSU Campus Recreation web site.

2. In order to participate in an Intramural contest each player must present their validated FSUCard. Exceptions must be directed to the Intramural Sports Office for consideration by the IM staff during regular business hours (9:00am-6:00pm). Bring a photo ID and proof of payment to obtain a waiver from the IM staff. No such waiver will be granted at the game/match site.

3. All players must sign-in at the sign-in table or with a supervisor at the game site prior to each game to be eligible to participate.

II. RULES

1. A coin toss or paddle spin determines who is to serve. The winner may elect to play at either end of the table, or to serve or receive. The loser is allowed the alternate choice.

2. On the serve, the ball shall be placed in the palm of the flat hand about the level of the playing surface. The ball should be tossed upwards, with no spin, and struck as it is descending.

3. A serve that touches the net and proceeds over into the opposing team's side is considered a let. The server will then receive another attempt to serve. There is no limitation to the number of lets permitted per service.

4. Each player serves 2 consecutive points then receives 2 consecutive points.

5. Players or pairs shall switch sides after each game. In the fifth game, the players or pairs shall switch ends when someone reaches the score of 5.

6. The player or pair who served first in game one shall receive the first serve in the second game. The rotation continues at the start of each subsequent game.

7. Matches are best 3-out-of-5 games. Matches may be shorten to 2-out-of-3 by mutual agreement of both players/teams. Each game is to 11 points.

8. If the score reaches 10-10, the service changes after each point until one player gains a two-point advantage.

9. A shot is no good when it hits the side edge of the table below the white line.

10. No sandpaper covered paddles are allowed.

11. A player or his racket may not touch the net, its supports, or the playing surface while the ball is in play. The player shall lose the point.

III. DOUBLES RULE ADDITIONS

1. Service must be from your right hand court into the opponent's right hand court.

2. Each player must hit alternate shots. Each player (except the first server) receives service for 2 points, then serves for 2 points after which his partner receives and serves.

3. The pair choosing to serve in any game shall decide which partner shall do so. In the first game, the opposing pair shall then decide which shall be the first receiver.

4. The initial order of receiving in following games shall be opposite to that in the proceeding game.

5. In the last possible game, the receiving pair shall alter its order of receiving when either pair reaches the score 5.

IV. SPORTSMANSHIP

1. The mission of Intramural Sports is to provide a recreational environment for the University community which is safe and enjoyable. While the game atmosphere is often competitive, ensuring participant safety, providing a fun, social atmosphere, and promoting sportsmanlike behavior among participants, spectators, and team followers are our primary concerns. The game atmosphere should remain good-natured at all times. Participants shall maintain good sportsmanship throughout their participation in all facets of the intramural program.

2. The Sportsmanship Rating System is intended to be an objective scale by which teams' attitude and behavior can be assessed throughout the intramural sports league and playoff seasons. Behavior before, during, and after an intramural sports contest is included in the rating. The team captain is responsible for educating and informing all players and spectators affiliated with his/her team about the system.

3. A team is responsible for the actions of the individual team members and spectators related to it. Additionally, FSU Intramural Sports does not recognize the use of coaches. Only the team captain shall speak to the officials regarding administrative matters (protests, ejections, disqualifications, etc). Furthermore, the team captain's efforts in assisting officials/staff to calm difficult situations and to restrain troubled teammates are key to controlling team conduct.

4. Sportsmanship is vital to the conduct of every Intramural contest. In order to encourage proper conduct during games, officials, administrative personnel, and supervisors shall make decisions on whether to warn, penalize or eject players or teams for poor sportsmanship. These decisions are final. The Intramural Sports administrative staff will rule on further penalties as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct.

5. Each participant should choose his or her team members carefully, as all team members will suffer the consequences of any disciplinary action taken by the Intramural Sports staff against that team for violation of the intramural rules and sportsmanship guidelines. Protests or appeals of sportsmanship ratings will not be recognized. The Intramural Sports administrative staff reserves the right to review any rating given to a team.

6. Additional information regarding team and participant sportsmanship including the rating method, factors, and scale is available in the Sportsmanship section of the Intramural Sports Handbook, available online at the FSU Campus Recreation web site.