1. For the team events, the team captains shall come to the specially designated spot on the 1st floor for the order exchange and ball selection 30 min. before the match begins. There shall be a toss for the formation(ABC or XYZ) and choice of 4 balls under the supervision of the respective umpires.
2. At the individual events the choice of balls (2 balls) should be made at the corner of the playing hall by players themselves before their matches. If any players come to their table without ball, the players should play with the balls carried with the umpire. Players cannot refuse to use the ball handed by the umpire.
3 . Racket control of the blade and covering will be done according to the latest ITTF-authorized racket covering list. This control will be carried out by the umpire before each match. If any doubts should turn up, the referee shall be called in by the umpire.
4. While the matches are going on only a certain number of people may be seated at the playing area. At the team events 5 people are allowed and at the individual events only 1 person is allowed as an adviser.
5. Players may only receive advice during the intervals between games or during any other authorized suspension of play. If a team captain or someone else tries to give advice at forbidden occasions,the umpire shall ask the adviser to leave the playing area after giving a warning by the yellow card. If the adviser refuses to leave, the umpire shall suspend play and report immediately to the referee.
I want to point out that because of the difficulties in understanding a language it can be very difficult for the umpires to decide if what is said from "the bench" is advice or encouraging words. I ask the team captains to think about this and to meet this problem with understanding.
6. The players of a team taking part in a team match and players forming a doubles pair shall be dressed uniformly, with the possible exception of socks and shoes.
7. Players shall wear their own numbers on their back at all the matches.
8. Players cannot practice at the main hall while any match is going on at any other table. They can use the practice hall anytime nearby the main hall.
