Next Server
• At the start of a match or game the umpire should...
1. announce the family name (surname) of the player due to serve
first - for example "Smith to serve" and
2. point to the server with an open hand and
3. announce the score - "Love all" (or "Zero-Zero")
•The score 0 may be expressed as either "zero" or "love" .
Let or Announcement
• When the umpire declares a let, he or she should raise one hand
above their head.
• If there is an assistant umpire, he or she should also use the same
hand signal to attract the umpire's attention when making a
decision within his or her jurisdiction.
• The umpire should then repeat the score to show that no point
has been scored.
The same hand signal is also used when the umpire wishes to...
delay the resumption of play, or
indicate that a time period has expired (for example, the
warm-up period or a time-out). or
indicate that a rally has ended when it is not obvious, or
indicate any other situation which does not automatically stop play
Awarding a Point
• When a point has been won, the umpire should raise their arm on
the side nearest to the player or pair who won it, so that their upper
arm is horizontal and their forearm is vertical, with the closed hand
upward.
• The umpire should then call first the number of points scored by
the player or pair due to serve next, then the number of points
scored by the opposing player or pair.Awarding a Point
• The umpire should normally call the score as soon as the rally has
been decided and not wait until he or she judges that the players
are ready to resume play.
• However, if there is loud applause or a player is retrieving the ball
from the back of the playing area, the umpire may prefer to delay
his or her call slightly until satisfied that the players will be able to
hear it. HAND SIGNALS
WITH YELLOW, RED
AND WHITE CARDS• In 1991 the ITTF introduced yellow and red cards for
misbehaviour
and/or when the rules are broken.
• When issuing a yellow or red card, the umpire should raise their
arm above head height and hold up a yellow or red card towards the
offender, without leaving their chair.
• And in 1999 the ITTF introduced time-outs/white cards.
• The umpire should use the same hand signal, i.e. raising their arm
above head height-but with a white card.Umpires’ Hand
Signal with
Yellow CardOther hand signals - Illegal Service
• In 2014 the ITTF proposed several new hand signals and a
consultation process began.
• These were all designed to indicate the umpire's decision in
respect of illegal services.
• Unfortunately it was impossible to have a single hand signal for
all the different kinds of illegal service actions, so it was necessary
to develop several hand signals.Other hand signals - Illegal Service
• Here are the various hand signals used to indicate which part of
the service rule has been breached.
• If the player requires further explanation, the umpire may also
use the words shown.
• These new hand signals for illegal services were implemented
from Friday 1st July 2016.
Ball not resting on palm
In addition to this hand signal, the umpire can say … “ball resting on the fingers”
Contravenes law rule 2.06.01
Palm not open and flat
In addition to this hand signal, the umpire can say … “palm not opened”
Contravenes law rule 2.06.01
Ball not above the level of the playing surface.
In addition to this hand signal, the umpire can say … “below the playing surface”
Contravenes law rule 2.06.04
Ball not behind the server’s end line.
In addition to this hand signal, the umpire can say … “inside the end line”
Contravenes law rule 2.06.04
Ball not thrown up at least 16cm (approx. 6 inches).
In addition to this hand signal, the umpire can say … “ not high enough”
Contravenes law rule 2.06.02
Ball not projected near vertically upwards.
The finger will indicate an arc shape.
In addition to this hand signal, the umpire can say … ‘ not vertically”
Contravenes law rule 2.06.02
Ball hidden from the receiver.
In addition to this hand signal, the umpire can say … “ hidden by (elbow / shoulder / head /
partner)
Contravenes law rule 2.06.04
