Leinster Umpires Association
(Irish Table Tennis Association)
Last update: 14th Feb 2008.
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Umpire's Check List
By Kiron Choudhury
First issue : Dec, 2000; Last Update : Feb, 2008.
Guide lines in this page are intended for newly qualified County Umpires and for those who occasionally steps into the role of umpire.

"Whether working alone or as part of a team, the work of match officials can be difficult and demanding. They must be fair but not indulgent, firm but not officious and confident without being obtrusive. For most people these qualities are acquired only through experience, but it is hoped that the guidance given here would be of assistance to all those seeking to improve their competence as an umpire."

If this article helps any newly qualified umpire, or any person that performs the duties of an umpire, please let the Secretary of his/her views. The address could be found under 'Site map' and go to Secretary.

Check List (click any options below): Disc or a coin,
Pen or a pencil,
Net measuring gauge,
Stop Watch,
Red, Yellow & White cards,
Rule Book,
Note Book,
Towel.
All these items should be in your pocket (& use when necessary)
Before going in the playing court
  1. Find out the Name of the Referee & where he/she can be found.
  2. Number of Games to be played to decide the winner; ie 5, 7, or 9 games.
  3. Point scoring system;
    ie 11/9, 6/11, 11/7, 13/15, 11/9, 11/6 or
    -6/11, -11/13,
    (- indicates that home player lost the game at)
  4. Collect Score Sheet and a box of Balls.

  5. At what stage Doubles are to be played.

Back to top umpiring tools
Check that you have your tools
  1. Disc or a coin for tossing,
  2. Pen or a pencil,
  3. Net height measuring gauge,
  4. Stop Watch,
  5. Red, Yellow and White cards,
  6. Note book
  7. Rule Book (current),
  8. Towel (if you need to wipe off sweat/dust from the table).
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You are now in the playing court
  1. The Score Board is in place.
  2. Check surroundings are in straight line.
  3. Check that the Net Posts are secured.
  4. Check that the height of the Net is correct.
  5. Check that the tension of the Net is correct.
  6. Check that the Net is lined in the middle of the table.
  7. Score Board :

    8. Games : Blank on both sides.
     Score  : Blank on both sides.
  8. Chair is there for the Umpire.
  9. Chair is there for the assistant Umpire(if you have one).
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Players arrived
  1. Check that player's Name and Number with Names and Numbers on Score Card,
  2. Check Bats/Shirt (not the same colour if it is team event),
    (Rubber must not overlap too much)
  3. Name of Team Captain & where he/she is sitting.
  4. Score Board :
    Games  : 0 on both sides.
     Score   : Blank on both sides.
  5. Allow 2 minutes for practice (check in your stop watch).
  6. Check that Track Suits/Bags are outside the playing area.
  7. Toss a disc/coin to decide who is to start the game.
  8. Take a note of the player Serving first/Receiving first (doubles).
  9. Reset Stop Watch.
  10. You are now ready to start the game.
  11.    Score Board :
       Games : 0 on both sides.
       Score   : 0 on both sides.
  12. Coordinate with your assistant umpire (if you have one).
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You are ready to start the match
  1. Announce :
    "Keen versus Boll" (replace names)
    "First game" (replace 1st, 2nd, or 3rd game etc)
    "Keen to serve" (replace name)
    "Love all" or "zero-zero"
  2. If you are not operating a scoring machine then Raise hand up to shoulder height nearest to the player (fist is closed) to indicate that a point has been awarded.
    The raising of hand is not necessary if you are operating a scoring machine.
  3. Start your Stop Watch as the player serves,
  4. Declare score - loud and clear, Update score indicator after each point is awarded,
  5. Announce change of service,
  6. Show hand towards the player who is to serve next,
  7. Observe if players are being coached during the game,
    If necessary, take appropriate action,
  8. Allow toweling after every 6 points.
  9. Call "time" if the game lasts for 10 minutes and the score is less then 9 all
    Expedite system should be applied.

  10. If the score is at least 9 all (or above) and 10 minutes past, Expedite system cannot be applied in that game, but, the next game should start under Expedite system.
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When the game is finished
  1. Leave the Score indicator as the game finishes,
  2. Stop your Stop Watch,
  3. Write the Score Card,
  4. Collect the ball,
  5. Do not update the Game indicator,
  6. Ask players to leave bat on the table if they do not,
  7. Reset Stop Watch.
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When the next game is about to start
  1. Reset score indicator to blank on both sides
    Update Game indicator - both sides at the same time
  2. Announce :
    "Second game" (replace game number)
    "Ball to serve"(replace name of server) "Love all" or "zero-zero"
  3. Toss ball to the server
    Reset score indicator to 0-0
  4. Start Stop Watch.
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Rest period
  1. Allow up to 1 minute in between games,
  2. If players are not on the table before end of 1 minute call "time".
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After the last game is finished
  1. Do not update game indicator,
    Stop the Stop Watch,
    Write the Score card,
  2. Announce :
    "Game and match to Keen"(replace name)
    "Keen wins 4 games to 3 (replace name & winner's name by number of games)"
  3. Collect the ball,
  4. Get score card signed by both players (if required)
  5. Update Score Board, as below, just before leaving the playing area:
    Games : Blank on both sides,
    Score   : Blank on both sides,
  6. Return Score Card to the appropriate authority,
  7. Report (in writing) to the Referee if any misconduct of players,
    or, of their captain/manager during the game.
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Time-out card indicator
  • The new score boards may have provisions for time-out cards on both sides.
  • On receiving the time-out request the Umpire shall hold White card above his head,
  • Then he/she shall walk to the table and place the White card on the side of the table who requested the time-out
    (the assistant umpire shall do this job if he/she is there)
  • A player who has taken a time-out, a white card should be on the side of the scoreboard of that player after the time-out card is withdrawn.
  • If the player has taken time-out before the last game is played, do not forget to move the white card on the side of the player.
  • If both players have taken time-out, then there should be two white cards on both sides of the score board.
  • The white card shall be removed and play is resumed, as soon as the player or pair making the request is ready to continue or at the end of 1 minute, whichever is the sooner.
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