Reglamento del Tenis de Mesa (ITTF)
TABLE TENNIS
FOR THE
PHYSICALLY DISABLED
September 1996
Revised August 1997
at the European Championships in Stockholm

Compiled by
the international table tennis committee for the disabled
International Paralympic Committee
International Sports Organisation for the Disabled
International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation
Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association
International Sports Federation for Persons with Mental Handicap
SECTION 1 LAWS FOR WHEELCHAIR PLAY
Laws for wheelchair play
*The service Law in singles play.(ITTF Rule 2.6)
*The service Law in doubles play.(ITTF Rule 2.6.3)
*Umpires notes on service Laws.
*Doubles play (ITTF Law 2.8.2)
*Touching the playing surface with the free hand (ITTF Law 2.10.1.10)
*Wheelchairs
*Playing areas (ITTF regulation 3.2.3.1)
*Leaving Racket on table during intervals.(ITTF regulation 3.4.4.6)
*Tables
*SECTION 2 LAWS FOR STANDING PLAY
*Laws for Standing play
*SECTION 3 REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
*REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ORGANISATION OF CHAMPIONSHIPS
*Paralympic Championships Ranking Factor 100.
*World Championship Ranking Factor 80.
*Application to stage the World Championships.
*Regional Championships Ranking Factor 50.
*Application to stage a Regional Championship
*International Championships Ranking Factor 30.
*Application to stage an International Championship
*International Championships Ranking Factor 20 - 10.
*Application to stage an international competition
*Entry forms for all Championships (80, 50, 30, 20, 10)
*Events
*Format of play
*Team events - classified
*Class events - classified
*Open singles events - men and women - wheelchair and standing (4 events)
*Open doubles events - men and women - wheelchair and standing (4 events)
*Seeding
*International ranking list
*The draw and playing system in the team and class events
*Classification
*Protests
*Other matters
*Future Championship events
*
SECTION 4 TOP - 12 / TOP - 8 COMPETITIONS
*Sanction
*Conditions of participation
*Finance
*Organisation and format of play
*Awards
*Miscellaneous
*SECTION 5 THE WORLD RANKING SYSTEM
*1. POINT SYSTEM
*2. THE UPDATE OF THE WORLD RANKING
*3. INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS
*SECTION 6 SELECTION CRITERIA FOR PARALYMPICS AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
*Purpose
*Criteria
*Team Target Players
*SECTION 7 CHANGING OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
*Playing Rules
*Regulations for international championships
*World ranking system
*Selection Criteria for Paralympics and World Championships.
*
Edited by Aksel Beckmann, Co-opted Rules and Regulation Officer of the ITTC.
These Rules and Regulations are also available at the Internet. The location
is
The International Table Tennis Committee has decided as since there are no changes to the sections concerning classification from the 1992 Rules book - and we still have a lot of these Rules books - that section is not included in this Rules book. If anyone would like to receive one of the 1992 books please contact the Co-opted Rules and Regulations Chairperson.
Any comments, suggestions can be submitted to the Co-opted Rules and Regulations Chairperson: Aksel Beckmann, Skyttehusene 5, DK-2620 Albertslund, Denmark. E-mail:
abittc@post9.tele.dk or ittcrules@tabletennis.org
SECTION 1 LAWS FOR WHEELCHAIR PLAY
Table Tennis shall be played according to the Laws and regulations of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), as set out in their Handbook EXCEPT for the following amendments, exceptions and alterations.
The service Law in singles play.(ITTF Law 2.6)
A let (ITTF Law 2.9) shall be called if in service the ball:
Leaves the table by either of the receiver's sidelines (on one or more
bounces)
| On bouncing on the receiver's side returns in the direction of the net or
| comes to rest on the receiver's side of the playing surface.
| The assistant umpire shall call let if an otherwise good service in a
singles match leaves the table by the receivers side line nearest to him. | |
However, if the receiver strikes the ball before it crosses a sideline or takes a second bounce on his side of the playing surface the service shall be considered good and no let shall be called.
The service Law in doubles play.(ITTF Law 2.6.3)
A let (ITTF Law 2.9) shall be called if in service the ball:
On bouncing on the receiver's side returns in the direction of the net or
| comes to rest on the receiver's side of the playing surface. | |
However, if the receiver strikes the ball before it takes a second bounce on his side of the playing surface the service shall be considered good and no let shall be called.
Umpires notes on service Laws.
Touching the playing surface with the free hand (ITTF Law 2.10.1.10)
When the ball is in play a player may use the playing surface to restore balance after a shoot has been played(provided the playing surface has not been moved). However, the player shall not use the table as a support with the free hand while playing the ball.
Playing areas (ITTF regulation 3.2.3.1)
For Wheelchair play the area may be reduced, but shall be not less than eight metres long and seven metres wide.
The playing area must be enclosed by dark surrounds.
Leaving Racket on table during intervals.(ITTF regulation 3.4.2.3)
Unless otherwise authorised by the umpire, players shall leave their rackets on the table during the intervals. In all cases when the racket is strapped to the hand, the umpire will allow the player to retain his/her racket during intervals.
Tables shall allow access to wheelchairs without obstructing the player's legs and shall allow access to two wheelchairs for doubles.
Tables legs shall be at least 400 mm from the end line of the table.
SECTION 2 LAWS FOR STANDING PLAY
There are no exceptions to the Laws of table tennis for disabled standing players.
All players shall play according to the Laws of the ITTF as described in section 2 of their handbook.
SECTION 3 REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ORGANISATION OF CHAMPIONSHIPS
These regulations should be read in conjunction with Chapter 3 - Regulations for International Championships of the ITTF Handbook, where all conditions apply except as stated hereunder.
Each championships / competition will be sanctioned by the ITTC and depending on the sanctioning the results will count on the world ranking with a different factor.
Cycles of the tournaments which are sanctioned with Ranking factor 100, 80, 50.
Year 0: One sanction for one Paralympic Championships can be given.
| Year 2: One sanction for one World Championships can be given.
| Year 1, 3: One sanction for one Regional Championships can be given in | each ITTC-approved region in the year 1 and year 3. |
Paralympic Championships Ranking Factor 100.
The Table Tennis Competition of the Paralympic Games must fulfil the following requirements to earn the Ranking factor of 100.
| The Paralympic Organising Committee must arrange a Classification
Seminar of the duration of three days. The guideline for this is: 1st day: Theory. 2nd day: Observing 1st day of ongoing competition. 3rd day: Observing 2nd day of ongoing competition. Expenses: The Paralympic Organising Committee shall supply conference room and accommodation during the seminar for the participants. The participants shall pay their own travel expenses. |
World Championship Ranking Factor 80.
Application to stage the World Championships.
The World Championships in Table Tennis for the Disabled must fulfil the following requirements to earn the Ranking factor of 80.
| The Organising Committee must arrange a Classification Seminar of the
duration of three days. The guideline for this is: 1st day: Theory 2nd day: Observing / assisting at the classification of players. 3rd day: Observing 1st day of ongoing competition. Expenses: The Organising Committee shall supply conference room and accommodation during the seminar for the participants. The participants shall pay their own travel expenses. |
Regional Championships Ranking Factor 50.
Application to stage a Regional Championship
The Regional Championships in Table Tennis for the Disabled must fulfil the following requirements to earn the Ranking factor of 50. Regional championships can be arranged as European, Pan-Am, FESPIC, Pan-African.
| The Organising Committee must arrange a Classification Seminar of the
duration of three days. The guideline for this is: 1st day: Theory 2nd day: Observing / assisting at the classification of players. 3rd day: Observing 1st day of ongoing competition. Expenses: The Organising Committee shall supply conference room and accommodation during the seminar for the participants. The participants shall pay their own travel expenses. |
International Championships Ranking Factor 30.
Application to stage an International Championship
An International Championship in Table Tennis for the Disabled must fulfil the following requirements to earn the Ranking factor of 30. It could be either a TOP-12/8 World, an international competition with all countries in the world invited and with all events, an IOSD games or a similar category of Tournament. The decision is made by the Ranking Chairman in co-operation with the International Table Tennis Committee.
International Championships Ranking Factor 20 - 10.
An International Championships in Table Tennis for the Disabled must fulfil the following requirements to earn the Ranking factor of 20-10. It could be either a TOP-12/8 Regional(20), an international competition with all countries in the Region invited(20) or an invitational championships with at least 8 countries invited(10).
Application to stage an international competition
Entry forms for all Championships (80, 50, 30, 20, 10)
| Minimum number of entries 4 teams. |
| Maximum one team per country per event. |
| A maximum of 4 players per team in the whole event. |
| The event will be played in round robin groups. The number of teams in the groups shall be as even as possible but there shall not be less than 3 teams per group. |
| The numbers of groups will be decided by the Referee in co-operation with the management Committee of the tournament. If the numbers of groups decided for an event is not a power of 2 (e.g. 2, 4 or 8 etc.) winners from the groups with the highest ranked seeded teams in ranking order shall have byes in the first round of the second stage in ranking order. |
| The winner and the runner up of each group will advance to the second stage. |
| The second stage will be played on a knock out basis. |
| Should enough entries be received(minimum 48) then 16 groups will be formed. In this case only the winners will advance to the second stage. |
| Mixed class teams are allowed but the team must play in the class of the higher classified player.(e.g. if a class 2 and a class 3 player play together, they play in class 3). One of the players nominated must be of the same class as the event and must play as a singles player. However, this regulation will be waived if classes are combined due to low entries unless a team has already been entered for this class. No player may represent more than one team in any championship. |
| The team match shall cease upon a winning margin being gained. |
| Where events are combined due to low entries in one event and the combining gives one country more than one team in the combined event, the organising Committee is to inform that country that only one team per event is allowed and their entry for that event is to be revised to conform to that regulation. |
| Minimum number of entries 4 players. |
| Maximum three players per country per event. |
| The event will be played in round robin groups. |
| The number of players in the groups shall be as even as possible but there shall not be less than 3 players per group. |
| The winner and the runner up of each group will advance to a second stage. |
| The second stage will be played on a knock out basis. |
| The numbers of groups are decided by the Referee in co-operation with the management Committee of the tournament. If the numbers of groups in an event is decided not to be a power of 2 (e.g. 2, 4 or 8 etc.) winners from the groups with the highest ranked seeded players shall have byes in the first round of the second stage, in ranking order. |
| Should at least 48 entries be received for an event, then 16 groups will be formed. In this case only the winners will advance to the second stage. |
| A player may only play in the class indicated on his/her International Classification Card unless, through lack of entries, they may play in the next higher class event. |
| Where events are combined due to low entries in one event and the combining gives one country more than three players in the combined event, the organising Committee will inform that country that only three competitors per event is allowed and their entry for that event will be revised to conform to that regulation. |
Open singles events - men and women - wheelchair and standing (4 events)
| The events will be played on the knock out system throughout. |
| There are no restrictions on countries concerning numbers entering these events. However, entrants must have entered in Team and/or Class events. |
| The 2 losing semi-finalists will receive bronze medals. |
Open doubles events - men and women - wheelchair and standing (4 events)
| The events will be played on the knock out system throughout. |
| There are no restrictions on countries concerning numbers entering these events. However, entrants must have entered in Team and/or Class events. |
| The 2 losing semi-finalists will receive bronze medals. |
| The current international open ranking list will be used for all competitions. |
| The number of seeds are decided by the referee to accord with the recommendation stated in the ITTF handbook for Tournament Referees. |
| In a team event the list of seeds will be made using the results of the last competition of the same name. The winners will be seeded 1, the runner up will be seeded 2, the losing semi-finalists will be seeded 3 and so on. |
The international ranking list shall be revised after each ranking
tournament and will be published every quarter January 1., April 1. July
1. October 1.
| The International ranking list is available on the Internet.
Information of the location will be mailed to the countries in the near
future. | |
The draw and playing system in the team and class events
| The draw will be made by the Organising Committee with at least one member of the International Table Tennis Committee (or a person nominated by the ITTC) present. The draw for the first stage will be carried out either by computer or by hand. |
| Alterations to the draw may be made if a player is re-classified. |
| The draw will follow the procedure described in the ITTF-Regulations and the following draw-procedure will be used. |
| All players shall hold an international classification card, a copy of which will be held by the Classification Officer. |
| When a player plays in an international championships for the first time, his or her country will give the player a temporary classification and he/she will be entered in that class with a note that they do not hold an international card. |
The player will then be classified at the championships by an
international panel| Should this classification be different from that given by the players
own country, they will play in the new class given by the classification
panel and the draw will be altered providing that event concerned has
not started. | |
| The player will then be considered to have an international card for that class and will play in that class in the future or until he/she is re-classified. |
| All protests must be made through the Referee with the appropriate fee, set by the organising Committee. |
| The Referee will resolve the matter on subjects within his jurisdiction. |
| The Referee will refer all matters not within his jurisdiction to the international Jury selected by the International Table Tennis Committee. |
| The protest fee will only be refunded if the protest is upheld. |
| A classifier may re-classify a competitor at any time during a championships. |
| If a player is re-classified after a protest or by a classifier during
a championships he/she will transfer to the new class in the next event
and the draw will be altered. Example: if a player during the team-event is reclassified from class 6 to class 7 he will for the individual event be transferred to class 7 and the draw for class 7 will be altered. |
| If it is deemed that a player has deliberately misled the classifiers he shall be immediately disqualified at the discretion of the Referee. |
| Any matters not covered by the above will be referred to the Referee of the tournament for decision, guided by the International Table Tennis Committee. |
| The International Table Tennis Committee will then consider amending the above regulations to resolve the matter permanently. |
| The above described events will constitute an official championship. |
| Should host/organising countries have time for further events it is recommended that preference be given to events which encourage juniors, ladies and players of severe disability |
SECTION 4 TOP - 12 / TOP - 8 COMPETITIONS