Equipment Time-Outs

10.D.Equipment Time-Outs. Players are expected to keep all apparel and equipment in good playable condition. and are expected to use regular time-outs and time between games for adjustments and replacement of equipment. If a player or team is out of time-outs and If the referee determines that an equipment change or adjustment is necessary for fair and safe continuation of the match, the referee may award an equipment time-out of reasonable duration. of up to 2 minutes. Rule 10.A.5 will be used to continue play.  In non-officiated matches, players will work out a reasonable accommodation among themselves for equipment malfunctions.

10.D.Equipment Time-Outs. Players are expected to keep all apparel and equipment in good playable condition and are expected to use regular time-outs and time between games for adjustments and replacement of equipment. If a player or team is out of time-outs and the referee determines that an equipment change or adjustment is necessary for fair and safe continuation of the match, the referee may award an equipment time-out of up to 2 minutes. Rule 10.A.5 will be used to continue play.

This proposal eliminates the inconsistency of how equipment time-outs are handled at tournaments between matches with and without referees.  For the same equipment malfunction, players in non-officiated tournament matches will work out a reasonable accommodation for a player who has for example, a broken paddle.   The opponents won’t typically ‘charge’ the other a time-out either. That, however, has never been part of the rules.  This proposal codifies what is happening naturally in matches without a referee. Contrast that to the prescriptiveness in the rule for a match with a referee.  This proposal removes that inconsistency.  Furthermore, requiring players to use their regular time-outs for circumstances beyond their reasonable control, for example, a broken paddle, sunglasses, hat, etc., is inconsistent with other situations where we expect referees to use their best judgment.

All play