ITSF rulebook changes!

MAJOR CHANGE TO SERVING AND READY PROTOCOL. A new rulebook came out today, and it has been a long time coming for some of these rules.

These are the main changes (in the corresponding chapters):

Qualified Authorities e. A Referee who is solicited during a match to make a ruling may gather information from other Referees, from spectators, and from video recordings, if available, to help make the best ruling possible.

4. Serve and ready protocol:
o To begin play, the ball must be moved from one player figure to another but may not be directly advanced from the second figure. After contacting the second player figure, the ball may be directly advanced by any other player figure. (This replaces the old 1 second rule after the second figure). This means it’s now legal to advance the ball directly from the third touch when putting the ball into play.

7. Ball of the table: o If the ball goes off the table following a pass or shot, it will be put back into play at the opposing goalie rods of the team who advanced the ball or had last clear control of the ball.

9. Time Out: o If the team in possession of the ball calls time out while the ball is in play and moving, the time out will not begin until the ball has completely stopped. No penalty for calling a time out while the ball is moving as long as it stops before time expires.

13. Table sides: o Teams may switch sides of the table between games and have a time limit of 90 seconds to begin the next game. If the teams switch sides after the first game they must continue to switch sides after each subsequent game. If the teams decide not to switch sides after the first game, they must remain on the same sides for the remainder of the match.

o The Tournament Organizer may require teams to remain on the same sides during televised or recorded matches.

19. Alterations to the table: o A player may not intentionally bend or flex the rod to assist in gaining possession of the ball.

o Players are entitled to begin each match with brand new balls (if available) or they may agree to play with the existing balls at the table.

21. Practice: o Illegal Practice is a judgment call by the Referee at the table. Inadvertent movement of the ball, or using the player figures to position the ball before the serve, does not constitute Practice. This implies there is no penalty for moving the ball with the player figures to begin the serve.

22. Language and Behavior: o The use of headphones, ear-buds, or any similar electronic listening device is not permitted when the ball is in play.