TAB i The BUCS Table Tennis Championships shall be conducted in accordance with the following BUCS sport specific regulations, the BUCS general regulations, and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Laws of Table Tennis. Further event specific requirements, rules, and regulations will be contained within the entry and pre-event information for each Championship.
TAB ii In the event that these regulations contradict the BUCS general regulations, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.
TAB iii In the event that these regulations contradict the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Laws of Table Tennis, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.
TAB iv The gender eligibility criteria for the BUCS Table Tennis Championships will be determined as per REG 4.3.
TAB 1 Championships BUCS will host annually the following Championships:
TAB 1.1 Individual Championships The programme shall include the events listed in Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’), subject to entry numbers.
TAB 1.2 Team Championships The programme shall include leagues and knockout competitions as per BUCS general regulations, Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’) and Appendix 10 (‘BUCS Promotion, Relegation and Knockout Information’).
Individual Championships
TAB 2 Tournament structure and entries See Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’) and the entry information for all competitions offered as part of the BUCS Table Tennis Individual Championships. All competition specific event information will be available in the event entry information and pre-event information.
TAB 2.1 Institutions/Playing Entities must include details of past performance(s) of their member(s) when entries are made, to assist with this process of accepting entries into the Championships and for the use and guidance of the person(s) making the draw.
TAB 2.2 The draw shall be made under the supervision of a neutral referee as appointed by BUCS.
TAB 2.3 Wherever possible players from the same institution shall be placed in different quarters of the draw.
TAB 2.4 The Tournament shall be played on a straight knockout basis, except for the first stage of the Men’s and Women’s singles which shall be played as a group stage.
TAB 2.5 Each match shall consist of the best of five games. A game shall be won by the player/pair first scoring 11 points, unless both players/pairs, score 10 points, in which case the game shall be won by the player/pair first subsequently scoring two points more than the opposing player/pair.
TAB 3 Disputes at events In line with REG 7.7, should a dispute occur at an event, the event appeal panel for Table Tennis shall comprise of the Tournament Director and a BUCS Staff Member.
Team Championships
TAB 4 There shall be separate Team Championships for Men and Women.
TAB 5 Match format
TAB 5.1 Men’s Each fixture shall consist of 17 matches, each individual playing four singles matches and one pair playing a doubles match. Each match shall consist of the best of five games. A game shall be won by the player/pair first scoring 11 points, unless both players/pairs, score 10 points, in which case the game shall be won by the player/pair first subsequently scoring two points more than the opposing player/pair. Matches, and subsequently a fixture, cannot be drawn.
TAB 5.2 Women’s Each fixture shall consist of five matches, each individual playing two singles matches and one pair playing a doubles match. Each match shall consist of the best of five games. A game shall be won by the player/pair first scoring 11 points, unless both players/pairs, score 10 points, in which case the game shall be won by the player/pair first subsequently scoring two points more than the opposing player/pair. Matches, and subsequently a fixture, cannot be drawn.
TAB 6 Fixture administration and arrangements
TAB 6.1 Facility bookings
TAB 6.1.1 Men's If two tables are to be used, each table should be booked for a minimum of three hours. If three tables are to be used, each table should be booked for a minimum of two and a half hours. If four tables are to be used, each table should be booked for a minimum of two hours.
TAB 6.1.2 Women's Whether one, two or three tables are to be used, each table should be booked for a minimum of two hours.
TAB 6.2 Order of play The order of play for all matches shall be as follows (home team placings first):
TAB 6.2.1 Men’s
|
First Round |
1 v 4 |
2 v 3 |
3 v 2 |
4 v 1 |
|
Second Round |
1 v 3 |
2 v 4 |
3 v 1 |
4 v 2 |
|
Third Round |
1 v 2 |
2 v 1 |
3 v 4 |
4 v 3 |
|
Fourth Round |
1 v 1 |
2 v 2 |
3 v 3 |
4 v 4 |
Followed by a doubles match between a pair of players from each team. The pair need not be nominated until the completion of the fourth round of singles.
TAB 6.2.2 Women’s
|
First Round |
Singles 1 v 2 |
Singles 2 v 1 |
|
Second Round |
Doubles 1 v 1 |
|
|
Third Round |
Singles 1 v 1 |
Singles 2 v 2 |
The doubles pairing can be made-up of singles players 1 and 2 and/or any other 2 players and need not be declared until the doubles match begins.
TAB 7 Team selection This regulation supersedes REG 11.1.
TAB 7.1 All individuals in a team must be from the same Playing Entity and meet the individual eligibility requirements of REG 4.
TAB 7.2 In order to be selected in a team, all individuals must be registered on BUCS Play as a participant.
TAB 7.3 Individuals may not be fielded for multiple teams in the same Championships (Men's/Women's) on the same day.
TAB 7.3.1 Where a Playing Entity is found to have fielded an individual for multiple teams in the same Championships on the same day, the following shall apply:
TAB 7.3.1.1 In the case of a league match: If a breach of TAB 7.3.1 has been identified before the relevant League Result Submission Deadline as per Appendix 2 (‘BUCS Leagues and Knockouts – Dates and Deadlines’) has passed for the fixture for which there was a breach, the fixture shall be awarded as a walkover win to the opposition.
TAB 7.3.1.2 In the case of a knockout competition match: If a breach of TAB 7.3.1 has been identified before the following round, or in the case of a final, within 10 working days of the fixture taking place, the fixture shall be awarded as a walkover win to the opposition. If the breach is identified so close to the following round that the team awarded the walkover win cannot fulfil the following round fixture, the following round fixture shall be recorded as an involuntary walkover win to their opponents, unless both teams agree to reschedule the fixture.
TAB 7.3.1.3 In the case of ‘round robin’/’mini league’ format playoff matches, TAB 7.3.1.1 shall apply with references to “the relevant League Result Submission Deadline” replaced with “the relevant playoff deadline”. In the case of ‘knockout’ format playoff matches, TAB 7.3.1.2 shall apply, except for any playoff ‘final’ matches for which TAB 7.3.1.1 shall apply with references to the “the relevant League Result Submission Deadline” replaced with “the relevant playoff deadline”.
TAB 7.3.1.4 The first fixture an individual is fielded (including as an unused substitute) for is not affected as at this point TAB 7.3.1 has not been breached, only any subsequent fixture(s) shall be affected.
TAB 7.3.1.5 A Playing Entity wishing to report a breach of TAB 7.3.1.1 to the BUCS Executive should do so via email to [email protected] and will be expected to ensure that there is validity to any claims before they make their report. As such, the Match Appeals process (REG 15) does not have to be used to raise such breaches. Reports deemed to be frivolous, vexatious or not containing adequate information to justify why it is considered a breach of TAB 7.3.1 may result in a charge of misconduct being raised in accordance with REG 5.
TAB 7.4 Where a Playing Entity has more than one team in a Championships (Men’s/Women’s), and more than one fixture scheduled across these teams on a given day, they are not permitted to concede a walkover for a higher ranked team while continuing to field one or more lower ranked teams on the same day. For example, a Playing Entity may not concede a walkover at second team level, while continuing to field their third and fifth teams on the same day. Matches fulfilled in contravention of this regulation will be awarded to the opposition, or where both teams are in contravention, be voided.
TAB 7.4.1 For possible exceptions due to ‘Ring Fencing’ of teams, refer to TAB 7.5.
TAB 7.4.2 Involuntary walkovers may be granted in exceptional circumstances if applied for in accordance with walkover regulations in REG 13 meaning that TAB 7.4 would be suspended in some instances. Application to suspend TAB 7.4 must be made to the BUCS Executive in advance of affected fixtures.
TAB 7.5 Ring Fenced teams Ring Fenced teams will be denoted by their specific group being named in brackets, e.g. (Medics). Information on how to apply for Ring Fencing can be found in REG 2.6.7. Ring Fencing of teams allows for a variation to the standard team selection regulations by allowing a Playing Entity to identify separate groupings of student-athletes such as ‘Medics’ and as a result have separate groupings to which the team selection regulations shall apply.
TAB 7.6 Ranking lists
TAB 7.6.1 There shall be separate ranking lists for the Men's and Women's Championships. The ranking lists will be available here for ease of reference.
TAB 7.6.2 Prior to the start of the season, each Playing Entity must submit a ranked list of all the players they expect to use across their teams in a Championships. Where a Playing Entity has any Ring Fenced teams (TAB 7.5), they must submit a list for each separate grouping of student-athletes. These lists must be submitted no later than the deadline in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document and must feature enough individuals to field the number of teams entered. Failure to submit this information will result in sanctions being imposed as outlined in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document.
TAB 7.6.3 Following the initial ranking deadline passing, ranking lists will be locked and cannot be changed except in the following circumstances:
TAB 7.6.3.1 There shall be two re-ranking windows, during which Playing Entities can change the ranked order of existing players on their ranking list and/or remove players from their ranking list. The dates for the re-ranking windows will be displayed in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document. Changes to ranking lists made during a re-ranking window will only come into effect at the end of the window.
TAB 7.6.3.2 Playing Entities may request to add players in at any position on their ranking list at any time during the season by emailing [email protected]. Requests must be submitted to, and approved by, the BUCS Executive in advance of the players competing in any fixtures so they should be made as far in advance of affected fixtures as possible.
TAB 7.6.3.3 If an individual on a ranking list becomes no longer eligible to represent a Playing Entity under REG 4 at any time during the season, the Playing Entity must inform the BUCS Executive of this by emailing [email protected] without unreasonable delay and they will be removed from the ranking list, unless a re-ranking window is open, in which case they can be removed by the Playing Entity when an updated list is submitted without the need for the BUCS Executive to be informed by email.
TAB 7.6.4 The order on their ranking list shall be determined by each Playing Entity ranking their players in genuine order of playing strength, with their best player ranked as 1 and the second best as 2 and so on. The order does not need to be in accordance with any external ratings/ranking systems, but Playing Entities ranking players out of ratings order may be requested to justify their ranking lists to the BUCS Executive.
TAB 7.6.5 Teams for a fixture day (across all leagues, knockout competitions and/or playoffs) must be selected in rank order. This applies across all teams, e.g. A player ranked number 8 cannot play in the 1st team if the player ranked number 7 is playing for a lower team's match that day.
TAB 7.6.6
TAB 7.6.6.1 Men’s No player ranked (as per the published squad ranking list at the time) at number 4 or above shall be eligible to play below the 1st team (including league, playoff and knockout competition matches). No player ranked (as per the published squad ranking list at the time) at number 8 or above shall be eligible to play below the 2nd team, and so on throughout a Playing Entity’s teams.
TAB 7.6.6.2 Women’s No player ranked (as per the published squad ranking list at the time) at number 2 or above shall be eligible to play below the 1st team (including league, playoff and knockout competition matches). No player ranked (as per the published squad ranking list at the time) at number 4 or above shall be eligible to play below the 2nd team, and so on throughout a Playing Entity’s teams.
TAB 7.6.6.3 Where a Playing Entity has any Ring Fenced teams (TAB 7.5), and therefore a ranking list for each separate grouping of student-athletes, for the purposes of TAB 7.6.6, teams within each separate grouping will be treated as having a respective designation (1st team, 2nd team etc.) within their grouping, regardless of their designation across all the Playing Entity’s teams.
TAB 7.6.6.4 A Playing Entity may not submit a match appeal regarding a breach of TAB 7.6.6 having discovered retrospectively that their opponents played a player ranked at a position above the highest permitted, when their ranking list was available to check online at the time team sheets should be checked as per REG 11.2. If at this time a team identified that their opponents are intending to play a player ranked at a position above the highest permitted and they refuse to correct this, their opposition should complete a Playing Under Protest Form as per REG 12.1.
TAB 7.6.7 Individuals within a team must play in rank order across singles matches in all matches.
TAB 7.6.7.1 A Playing Entity may not submit a match appeal regarding a breach of TAB 7.6.7 having discovered retrospectively that their opponents played out of rank order, when their ranking list was available to check online at the time team sheets should be checked as per REG 11.2. If at this time a team identified that their opponents are intending to play a player ranked at a position above the highest permitted and they refuse to correct this, their opposition should complete a Playing Under Protest Form as per REG 12.1.
TAB 7.6.8 Playing Entities deemed by the BUCS Executive to have exploited these ranking list regulations and/or manipulated their ranking list could face a misconduct charge raised in accordance with REG 5. Examples of what might be considered as misconduct are:
- If the BUCS Executive deems that a Playing Entity has deliberately not ranked players in genuine order of playing strength and/or has failed to justify why players are not ranked in accordance with any external ratings/rankings systems.
- A Playing Entity listing from the start of the season an individual who will be joining their institution in January and so at this time is not a current student/player.
- A Playing Entity found to have listed on their ranking list a fake player.
- A Playing Entity found to have not removed during a re-ranking window an individual who it was known at that time could no longer play for the remainder of the season.
- A Playing Entity found to have not removed an individual no longer eligible to represent a Playing Entity under REG 4 in accordance with TAB 7.6.3.3.
TAB 7.6.9 A Playing Entity wishing to report concerns to the BUCS Executive that another Playing Entity has exploited these ranking list regulations and/or manipulated their ranking list should do so via email to [email protected]. The reporting Playing Entity will be expected to ensure that there is validity to any claims before making their report. Reports deemed to be frivolous, vexatious, or lacking adequate information to justify why they believe the Playing Entity has exploited these ranking list regulations and/or manipulated their ranking list may result in a charge of misconduct being raised in accordance with REG 5.
TAB 7.7 Team size
TAB 7.7.1 Men’s Teams shall consist of four players. A minimum of three players must play.
TAB 7.7.2 Women’s Teams shall consist of between two and four players. A minimum of two players must play.
TAB 7.7.3 A team unable to field the minimum number of players required shall concede a walkover, however institutions/Playing Entities with multiple teams should be aware of TAB 7.3.
TAB 7.7.4 A men’s team fielding enough players to fulfil the minimum number of players required, but not a full team, shall be permitted to play but shall concede the matches they are unable to fulfil. In such circumstances it is expected that the team would notify their opposition as soon as possible after it is known that they will not be fielding a full team of this, specifying how many players will be fielded. For the avoidance of doubt, if notice of being short of players is given to the opposition in advance of the fixture, the opposition team is only required to bring enough players to match the adjusted team size and the appropriate number of matches shall still be conceded. Teams found to be fielding less than a full team and conceding matches for multiple fixtures may face disciplinary action.
TAB 7.7.5 Conceded matches will be scored as a 3-0 win to the opposition (11-0, 11-0, 11-0).
TAB 8 League points
TAB 8.1 Three points will be awarded for a win and no points for a loss.
TAB 8.2 Where a walkover has been awarded/conceded (REG 13), three points shall be given to the non-offending team and three points deducted from the offending team.
TAB 8.3 No points will be awarded to either team in the case of a void fixture.
TAB 9 Calculating final league positions
TAB 9.1 Final league positions will be primarily based on league points accumulated. However, should there be any ties on points within a league, they shall be split using the sequential system of tiebreaker steps detailed in TAB 9.2–TAB 9.12.
TAB 9.2 If after the application of a step the number of tied teams is reduced, but two or more teams remain tied, the tiebreaker criteria from that step shall be reapplied again to any remaining tied teams, before, if required, moving to the next step. For the avoidance of doubt, this will also apply where four or more teams are tied and may then split into two or more separate groupings of tied teams.
TAB 9.3 For any tiebreaker step where data from fixtures across the whole league is used, if the tie on league points has been effected by any walkovers conceded to the teams tied or any void fixtures involving these teams, any results against the team(s) which conceded the walkover(s) or the team(s) involved in the void fixtures (i.e. all the results between the teams tied on league points and the team(s) conceding the walkover(s)/void match(es)) will not be included in the calculation.
TAB 9.4 The teams tied will be ranked based on voluntary walkovers conceded (the lower the better).
TAB 9.5 The teams tied will be ranked based on league points accumulated from fixtures between the tied teams (the higher the better).
TAB 9.6 The teams tied will be ranked based on Match difference from fixtures between the tied teams (the higher the better).
TAB 9.7 The teams tied will be ranked based on Matches for from fixtures between the tied teams (the higher the better).
TAB 9.8 The teams tied will be ranked based on Game difference from fixtures between the tied teams (the higher the better).
TAB 9.9 The teams tied will be ranked based on Match difference from fixtures across the whole league (the higher the better).
TAB 9.10 The teams tied will be ranked based on Matches for from fixtures across the whole league (the higher the better).
TAB 9.11 The teams tied will be ranked based on Game difference from fixtures across the whole league (the higher the better).
TAB 9.12 If a tie cannot be broken using the above system, then the final league positions of any teams still tied shall be determined by the BUCS Executive drawing lots.
TAB 10 Scorecards Institutions/Playing Entities are required to maintain accurate records* of the matches played by their teams in case of a tie on points within a league which requires additional score information to that on BUCS Play. In such circumstances, the BUCS Executive will contact the relevant institutions/Playing Entities for details of all their league matches in order to separate the teams.
* ‘Accurate records’ are taken to mean precise details of all aspects of the fixture including matches, games and points; won and lost.
TAB 11 Incomplete fixtures
TAB 11.1 In the event of a fixture being incomplete with no fault on either side, a result can be taken if: For a Men's fixture, nine matches have been completed; or, for a Women's fixture, three matches have been completed. The results shall be taken on all those matches that have been completed. If the minimum numbers of matches have not been completed, or in the case of a knockout competition fixture the number of matches completed would result in a draw, then the fixture shall be replayed. The home team for the replay will be determined by coin toss, undertaken by the BUCS Executive.
TAB 11.2 In the event of a fixture being incomplete due to a late start, with a team at fault, their opposition may claim any matches not completed or unplayed.
TAB 11.3 In the event of a fixture being incomplete due to an institution/Playing Entity booking insufficient playing facility time, their opposition may claim any matches not completed or unplayed.
TAB 12 Premier Tier/National Championship specific regulations
TAB 12.1 Playing Conditions and equipment
TAB 12.1.1 The playing area/space for each table shall be a minimum of 9m long x 4.5m wide x 3m high, but it is recommended that it should be 10m x 5m x 3m. The playing area/space should have surrounds at least along the ends and corners, but it is recommended that the playing area/space is enclosed by surrounds.
TAB 12.1.2 ITTF approved tables and nets should be used.
TAB 12.1.3 ITTF approved balls and racket coverings should be used.
TAB 12.1.4 The light intensity should be a minimum of 300 lux at the level of the playing surface, and it should be as uniform as possible over the whole of the playing area/space.
