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 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 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, priority must be given to the highest ranked team and then in descending order through their teams should the Playing Entity be unable to fulfil all scheduled fixtures. For example, a Playing Entity may NOT concede a walkover at second team level, while continuing to field a lower ranked team on the same day. Matches played in contravention of this regulation will be awarded as a walkover to the opposition, or in certain circumstances, be voided.
TAB 7.3.1 For possible exceptions due to ‘Ring Fencing’ of teams, refer to TAB 7.5.
TAB 7.3.2 Involuntary walkovers may be granted in exceptional circumstances if applied for in accordance with walkover regulations in REG 13 meaning that TAB 7.3 would be suspended in some instances. Application to suspend TAB 7.3 must be made to the BUCS Executive in advance of affected fixtures.
TAB 7.4 Individuals may not be selected (listed on a team sheet) for different teams on the same day.
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. The below is an illustration of how team selection/student-athlete movement operates when a Playing Entity has Ring Fenced teams.
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. 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 7.6.4 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. 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, then this will result in a charge of misconduct being raised in accordance with REG 5.
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 7.6.7 Individuals within a team must play in rank order in all matches.
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:
- 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, for example because the individual is no longer eligible under BUCS REG 4.
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 by the following sequential system:
TAB 9.2 A team tied on points who has conceded at least one voluntary walkover shall automatically be placed below any other tied teams who have conceded fewer voluntary walkovers. If a tie still exists, then TAB 9.3 or TAB 9.4 shall be followed as applicable.
TAB 9.3 Tie between two teams
TAB 9.3.1 The result between the teams will be the determining factor in placing one team above the other. Where fixtures are played on a ‘home’ and ‘away’ basis, the aggregate score of the two matches will determine the higher placed team. If this does not determine the higher placed team;
TAB 9.3.2 Matches and games data shall be used as per TAB 9.3.3 – TAB 9.3.5. If the tie on league points has been effected by any walkovers conceded to either of the teams or any void fixtures, all the relevant 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 be removed from the results table and the recalculated rubbers and sets data shall be used.
TAB 9.3.3 The team with the higher matches difference shall be deemed the higher placed team. If a tie still exists;
TAB 9.3.4 The team with the higher number of matches won shall be deemed the higher placed team. If a tie still exists;
TAB 9.3.5 The team with the higher games difference shall be deemed the higher placed team. If a tie still exists;
TAB 9.3.6 If the higher placed team cannot be determined from the system above, then this shall be determined by the toss of a coin by the BUCS Executive.
TAB 9.4 Tie between three or more teams
TAB 9.4.1 Where three or more teams are tied on league points, a table shall be formed to calculate their final league positions using the results between the relevant teams as per TAB 9.4.2 – TAB 9.4.5.
TAB 9.4.2 The teams tied will be ranked based on league points accumulated (the higher the better). If a tie still exists;
TAB 9.4.3 The teams tied will be ranked based on matches difference (the higher the better). If a tie still exists;
TAB 9.4.4 The teams tied will be ranked based on the number of matches won (the higher the better). If a tie still exists;
TAB 9.4.5 The teams tied will be ranked based on games difference (the higher the better).
TAB 9.4.6 If a tie cannot be broken using the system above, then the final league positions of any teams still tied shall be determined by the toss of a coin by the BUCS Executive.
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 Facilities and equipment should be of an appropriate quality for Premier League/National Championship matches and should comply with National Governing Body regulations for matches of this standard. Specific notice should be paid to the quality and condition of the tables as well as the space around each table, the quality of lighting and the quality of nets. Notice should be given to National Governing Body lists for approved balls for each season.
