When TW/TFs can be issued

ITEMS 178, 93 AND 29 ARE ENCOMPASSED IN ITEM 93.

13.G. Verbal Warnings, Technical Warnings and Technical Fouls.
The referee is empowered to call verbal warnings, technical warnings and technical fouls for an assigned match while the referee is at the playing area.

13.G.1. Verbal Warning and Technical Warnings. The referee is empowered to issue a single verbal warning for profanity or call technical warnings. A verbal warning may be issued for a potential profanity violation. Actions or behavior that shall result in a technical warning:

13.G. Verbal Warnings, Technical Warnings and Technical Fouls.

13.G.1. Verbal Warning and Technical Warnings. The referee is empowered to issue a single verbal warning for profanity or call technical warnings. A verbal warning may be issued for a potential profanity violation. Actions or behavior that shall result in a technical warning:

Due to some needed clarity on when a match actually begins and ends and what actions a referee can perform within these guidelines, when it pertains to issuance of technical warnings or fouls, I offer the change/addition for 2022.

Cause: There are actions that players commit that may warrant a penalty but may happen before the match starts ("Game 1, time-in, 0-0-2") and may happen after the match immediately ends ("Point, game, match"). This rule would give clarity on the timeframe on when a ref may assign a technical penalty.

Debate: Some referees believe that the instant the last point is scored, the referee cannot issue a subsequent technical penalty; basically their only option is to report it to the head ref or TD. This opens the door to players committing actions that would normally receive a penalty, without any repercussions.

Explanation: This puts some parameters on when a referee may impose a penalty. It limits the scope of time to when the referee is actually at the playing area but does not limit it to only the time when a referee actually starts the game and does not limit it to when the last point is scored.

The serving team is serving in game 3 at 10-9-2. They win the point thereby winning the match but immediately commit a technical foul by throwing their paddle at the opponents. The referee is empowered to call a technical foul on the winning team thereby adjusting the score back to 10-9-2 and have the match continue.