24. POINT PENALTY SYSTEM

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The point penalty system will be used in all tournaments provided the referee is a USATT Regional or National or ITTF International umpire.

24.1 Conduct which warrants imposition of the point penalty system shall include:

24.1.1 Delay of game (i.e., excessive toweling, deliberately breaking the ball or hitting it out of the playing area, excessive time between games, etc.)

24.1.2 Damage to equipment (intentional damage to the table, net, or other tournament or personal equipment).

24.1.3 Conduct offensive to opponents, officials, or spectators (i.e.,
audible or visible obscene language or gestures, loud outbursts, or remarks which could disrupt other matches in progress, or deliberately throwing a racquet). In evaluating "loud outbursts", the umpire shall consider the total situation. This rule is not intended to discourage competitive enthusiasm, particularly that displayed in a championship final when there are no other matches being played, in which case reasonable expression will be allowed that does not offend anyone.

24.1.4 Accepting coaching during a game. Both the player and the coach will be warned at the first recognition of coaching during a game. At the second violation, the player will lose a point and the coach (directed by the umpire) will leave the playing area. The umpire shall display a yellow card when an illegal adviser is formally warned and a red card when an illegal adviser is dismissed from the playing area. If the coach refuses to leave, the umpire will suspend play and report immediately to the referee.

24.2 Penalties will be imposed as follows for each match:

24.2.1 First offense: Warning. The umpire will formally notify the
player that he is in a penalty point situation by holding up a yellow card. The player cannot protest, play must continue.

24.2.2 Second offense: Loss of 1 point. The player cannot protest and play must continue. The umpire will notify the player and the referee that a penalty point has been awarded by holding up a yellow card and a red card together; he may also send a messenger to the referee. The referee may, at his discretion, call for a let and ask the umpire why the penalty point was awarded.

24.2.3 Third offense: Loss of 2 points. The player and the referee will be notified as above.

24.2.4 Fourth offense: The umpire will refer the matter to the referee, who may use his normal powers of disqualification. The referee shall display a red card when a player is disqualified.

24.2.5 After the imposition of a point or game penalty, the next server will be that player who would normally be serving at that score.

24.3 The referee will still have the authority to default a player from the match or disqualify him from the tournament for gross misconduct.

24.4 The referee will still have the authority to remove an umpire if he deems the umpire's performance to be unsatisfactory.