Adopt "Strikes" to track penalties

Definitions

Add*

*Penalty Point – A point adjustment either subtract from the offending team/players score or addition to the opposing team/plyers score, due to two strikes accumulated for player conduct.

*Strike – A mark against a team accumulated towards a penalty, awarded by the use of Technical Warnings and Technical -Fouls.

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Revise*

3.A.43. Technical Foul (TF)– A referee’s assessment of a behavioral violation that results in two “Strikes” issued to a player/team towards a penalty.  one point being removed from the score of the offending team, unless their score is zero, in which case a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side. A technical foul shall be issued if one technical warning has already been given and a second technical warning is warranted; or when warranted by a player’s or team’s action, based on the referee’s judgement.

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3.A.44.Technical Warning (TW) – A referee’s warning of a behavioral violation given to a player or team that results in one “Strike” issued to a player/team towards a penalty. Points are neither awarded nor deducted for a technical warning.

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4.F. Scoring. A singles player or doubles team scores points only when serving. Points may also be awarded when technical fouls/technical warnings equaling two Strikes are called against the opposing side and their score is 0.

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5.B.6. Once the end change point has been scored, a technical foul penalty issued resulting in the loss of a point for the serving team shall have no impact on the completion of the end change.

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13.G.1. Verbal Warning and Technical Warnings. The referee is empowered to issue a single verbal warning (no strikes) to each player/team or call technical warnings one Strike will be assessed for each technical warning (TW). Actions or behavior that shall result in a verbal or technical warnings:

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13.G.2. Technical Fouls (TF) - The referee is empowered to call technical fouls. When a technical foul is called, two Strikes will be assessed for each technical foul.one point shall be removed from the score of the offending player/team unless their score is zero, in which case, a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side. Actions or behavior that shall result in a technical foul (without a technical warning being issued beforehand):

This is inconsistent; it states the only option is a point adjustment. A TF can result in a point deduction, Game forfeit or Match forfeit. This adds to any confusion.

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13.G.3. Effect of Technical Fouls and Technical Warnings. The assessment of a technical warning or technical foul shall be accompanied by a brief explanation of the reason. The assessed Strikes and penalty assessed (if any) will also include a brief explanation.

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13.G.3.a. A technical warning shall not result in a loss of rally or point awarded.

This is incorrect. A TW can result in a point adjustment, game forfeit or match forfeit. I suggest that it be replaced with;

13.G.3.a No penalty will be issued for team that has a total of one “Strike”.

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13.G.3.b. Once a technical warning has been issued, a second technical warning for any reason, given to the same player/team during the match, will result in a technical foul being issued to the player/team.

13.G.3.b If a team receives two total Strikes exactly one point shall be removed from the score of the offending player/team unless their score is zero, in which case a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side. After the point is removed or awarded, the player or team losing or awarded the point must move to the correct position(s) that reflects their score.

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13.G.3.c. If a referee issues a technical foul, one point shall be removed from the score of the offending player/team unless their score is zero, in which case a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side. After the point is removed or awarded, the player or team losing or awarded the point must move to the correct position(s) that reflects their score.

13.G.3.c If a team receives three total Strikes, the current game will be forfeit.

It is incorrect that a point and only a point adjustment is issued for a TF. 

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Add new following 13.G.3.c

(13.G.3.c----1) If a team receives four or more total Strikes the current match will be forfeit.

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13.G.4. Behavior raising to the level of a warning or foul after the match is over while a player is still on court shall be brought to the attention of the Tournament Director. Based on this information, the Tournament Director may impose a Verbal Warning, Technical Warning, or Technical Foul and any associated Strikes, that will be applied to the offending player’s next match at the tournament.

13.H. Game Forfeit. The referee will impose a game forfeit when the number of accumulated Strikes is three.

13.H.1. After one technical warning has been assessed and the subsequent issuance of a technical foul listed in Rule 13.G.2.

13.H.2. After one technical foul has been assessed in accordance with Rule 13.G.3.b. or Rule 13.G.2. and the subsequent issuance of another technical warning for any reason.

13.I.1. The referee will impose a match forfeit based when the number of accumulated Strikes is four or more. on a combination of Technical Warnings or Technical Fouls when either of the following occurs:

3.A.43. Technical Foul – A referee’s assessment of a behavioral violation that results in one point being removed from the score of the offending team, unless their score is zero, in which case a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side. A technical foul shall be issued if one technical warning has already been given and a second technical warning is warranted; or when warranted by a player’s or team’s action, based on the referee’s judgement.

This is currently inconsistent and can be misleading. It states that a TF results always and only in a one point penalty. This is incorrect. This is in conflict with other rules.

3.A.44.Technical Warning – A referee’s warning of a behavioral violation given to a player or team. Points are neither awarded nor deducted for a technical warning.

This is also inconsistent and misleading, This implies that there is never a penalty point or any other penalty issued for a TW. Reading this one could assume that multiple TWs also have no associated penalty. This is in conflict with the current rules.

4.F. Scoring. A singles player or doubles team scores points only when serving. Points may also be awarded when technical fouls are called against the opposing side and their score is 0.

5.B.6. Once the end change point has been scored, a technical foul resulting in the loss of a point for the serving team shall have no impact on the completion of the end change

13.G.1. Verbal Warning and Technical Warnings. The referee is empowered to issue a single verbal warning to each player/team or call technical warnings. Actions or behavior that shall result in a verbal or technical warning:

13.G.2. Technical Fouls - The referee is empowered to call technical fouls. When a technical foul is called, one point shall be removed from the score of the offending player/team unless their score is zero, in which case, a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side. Actions or behavior that shall result in a technical foul (without a technical warning being issued beforehand):

13.G.3. Effect of Technical Fouls and Technical Warnings. The assessment of a technical warning or technical foul shall be accompanied by a brief explanation of the reason.

13.G.3.a. A technical warning shall not result in a loss of rally or point awarded.

13.G.3.b. Once a technical warning has been issued, a second technical warning for any reason, given to the same player/team during the match, will result in a technical foul being issued to the player/team.

13.G.3.c. If a referee issues a technical foul, one point shall be removed from the score of the offending player/team unless their score is zero, in which case a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side. After the point is removed or awarded, the player or team losing or awarded the point must move to the correct position(s) that reflects their score.

13.G.4. Behavior raising to the level of a warning or foul after the match is over while a player is still on court shall be brought to the attention of the Tournament Director. Based on this information, the Tournament Director may impose a Verbal Warning, Technical Warning, or Technical Foul that will be applied to the offending player’s next match at the tournament.

13.H. Game Forfeit. The referee will impose a game forfeit when either of the following occurs.

13.H.1. After one technical warning has been assessed and the subsequent issuance of a technical foul listed in Rule

13.H.2. After one technical foul has been assessed in accordance with Rule 13.G.3.b. or Rule 13.G.2. and the subsequent issuance of another technical warning for any reason.

13.I.1. The referee will impose a match forfeit based on a combination of Technical Warnings or Technical Fouls when either of the following occurs:

This is a proposal to revise and clarify the system of tracking and accessing penalties for player miss-conduct issues. I believe that formally codifying the “strike system” will help reduce of the inconsistencies in the rulebook and benefit Players and Referees.

The current procedures to track and access penalties are confusing. There are currently multiple contradictory elements in the rulebook. This makes it more difficult for both players and referee trainees to understand correctly how infractions are tracked and how the penalties are assessed based on the current contradictory rules and definitions.

A procedure that is complicated and not often needed, can cause the procedure to be difficult to implement correctly. Issuing an incorrect penalty can cause significant issues. Issuing the correct penalty, when the players and referees have contradictory references in the rulebook can and has caused issues.

Multiple examples in the rulebook state or imply that the penalty for a TF is always and only a one point adjustment, likewise there are examples that state or imply that the penalty for a TW is never a penalty. This can cause unnecessary confusion. The practice of a TW turning into a TF if a second TW is issued is also very confusing. To differentiate between a TW turning into a TF by issuing a second TW and comparing that to starting with a TW and then getting a subsequent TF can be difficult for those not experienced. The penalties however are quite different. A player could point out the definition of a TW and expect that there is no penalty for any amount of TWs, by definition.

Several prominent referees currently mention and or use “Strikes”. This includes experienced referees and trainers. Using “Strikes” is prevalent enough that it is used in a question on the official online referee test. Question #90 of the 2025 test refers to “Strikes. However, there is no definition or mention of “Strikes” in the rulebook. To reflect the current philosophy of penalties requires that a TW and a TF to each carry a different number of strikes.

This proposal includes suggested changes to definitions, rules, and referee procedures.

Adopting and codifying the “Strike method” can help make this issue clear and consistent to players, referees, and referee trainees. Implementing the Strike system will also make it much easier to revise the rulebook to reflect any rule changes regarding penalties if the need arises.

It is my understanding that confusion on this issue has caused friction due to misunderstanding and conflicting rules and definitions.

• Add definition “Penalty Point” • Add definition “Strike” • Revise 3.A.43 Technical Foul – include removal of 2TWs turning into a TF • Revise 3.A,44 Technical Warning • Revise 5.B.6 • Revise 347F • Revise 13.G.1 • Revise 13.G.2 • Revise 13.G.3 • Revise 13.G.3.a • Revise 13.G.3.b • Revise 13.G.3.c • Add 13.G.3.c---1 • Revise 13.G.4 • Revise 13.H • Delete 13.H.1 • Delete 13.H.2 • Revise 13.I • Delete 13.I.1.a • Delete 13.i.1.b • Add Strike Table

A player/ team is assessed a TW. The player/team is then assesses a 2^nd TW. Not they are told the have a Tf and will have appoint adjustment made. Its confusing considering 13.G.3.a. A technical warning shall not result in a loss of rally or point awarded. 13.G.3.a says no point will be assessed based on the issuance of a TW. It implies that there will never be a penalty for a TW. It does not mention TWs

A player/team has been issued a TW and subsequently gets issues a TF..

3.A.43. Technical Foul – A referee’s assessment of a behavioral violation that results in one point being removed from the score of the offending team, unless their score is zero, in which case a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side. A technical foul shall be issued if one technical warning has already been given and a second technical warning is warranted; or when warranted by a player’s or team’s action, based on the referee’s judgement. According to 3.A.43 the only option is a point adjustment BUT this Tf will result in a Game forfeit. This adds to the confusion of the players.

If a player/team is assessed a TF and had a point adjustment made ant is then assess a TW. 13.G.3.a. A technical warning shall not result in a loss of rally or point awarded. 13.G.3.A implies there will be no penalty, hoover this would also be a Game forfeit.

This provides an easy solution to codify a process that is already being used by some. This will make it simple to track and implement the CORRECT penalties for behavior issues. This provides a clear understanding of how TWs and TFs are cumulative. Players, spectators and referee trainees can benefit. This preserves the current structure of penalties and penalty assessments.