Breaks Between Games and Change of Ends

Rest intervals are essential parts of match structure:

**BETWEEN GAMES INTERVAL**

**Duration:**
- Up to 1 minute between all games
- Consistent across all games in match
- Clock starts when previous game ends
- Umpire manages timing

**What Players May Do:**

1. **Rest and Recovery:**
- Sit at designated player seating
- Drink water
- Use towel
- Catch breath

2. **Equipment:**
- Change racket
- Clean racket with water (no solvents)
- Change clothing if needed
- Must show new racket to opponent/umpire

3. **Coaching (if allowed):**
- Coach may approach player area
- Brief tactical discussion
- Check rules - not all events allow coaching
- Duration limited to interval

**What Players May NOT Do:**
- Leave playing area without permission
- Exceed 1 minute duration
- Receive advice from anyone except designated coach
- Use electronic devices
- Delay match unreasonably

**CHANGE OF ENDS**

**When Players Change:**
1. After each game
2. In deciding game when either player reaches 5 points

**Procedure:**
1. Players move to opposite ends
2. Take equipment with them
3. Brief drinks/toweling allowed
4. Resume play promptly

**Deciding Game Special Rule:**
- Players start at same ends as previous game
- When either player reaches 5 points, players swap ends
- No rest interval during mid-game change
- Play resumes immediately
- Service order continues uninterrupted

**EQUIPMENT CHANGES**

**Racket Change:**
1. Player may change racket between games
2. Must show umpire both sides
3. Umpire inspects for legality
4. Opponent may inspect if desired
5. Must not delay match

**Damage During Game:**
- If racket damaged during game, can be replaced immediately
- Notify umpire
- Show replacement racket
- Brief pause allowed for changeover

**COACHING INTERVALS**

**ITTF Standard Rules:**
- Coaching allowed only between games
- Coach may approach player area
- Brief verbal advice permitted
- No electronic communication
- Duration: within 1-minute interval

**Some Competitions Allow:**
- One timeout per player per match
- 1-minute coaching timeout during games
- Check specific competition regulations

**Coaching Restrictions:**
- Only designated coach may advise
- No coaching from spectators
- No electronic devices
- No extended tactical discussions

**UMPIRE RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Time Management:**
1. Announce when interval begins
2. Give 30-second warning if necessary
3. Call players back at 1 minute
4. Ensure fair time for both players

**Equipment Inspection:**
- Check any changed rackets
- Ensure equipment legal
- Allow opponent inspection if requested

**Maintain Control:**
- Prevent excessive delays
- Ensure coaching rules followed
- Keep match moving

**SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES**

**Medical Attention:**
- If player requires medical attention between games
- May extend interval beyond 1 minute
- Medical timeout rules apply
- Referee decision final

**Equipment Issues:**
- Brief extension allowed for legitimate equipment problems
- Player must act promptly
- Cannot use as tactical delay

**Venue Issues:**
- Table cleaning if needed
- Lighting adjustment
- Temperature issues
- Referee authorizes delays

**LIVE SCORING INTEGRATION**

**Record:**
- Exact duration of intervals
- Equipment changes
- Any coaching activity
- Unusual delays or issues

**Display:**
- Countdown timer visible to players
- "Next Server" indicator
- Score from previous game

**COMMON SITUATIONS:**

**Long Games:**
- After particularly long game, players may request brief additional time
- Umpire has discretion
- Fairness to both players

**Back-to-Back Matches:**
- Player finishing one match and starting another immediately
- May request brief extension
- Tournament regulations apply

**Weather/Conditions:**
- Very hot conditions
- High humidity
- May warrant additional break time
- Referee decision

**ENFORCEMENT:**

**Warnings:**
1. First delay: Verbal reminder
2. Continued delay: Warning
3. Deliberate delay: Yellow card
4. Refusing to resume: Red card or disqualification

**Fair Play:**
- Equal time for both players
- No tactical gamesmanship
- Prompt return to table
- Respect match schedule

Intervals balance player recovery with match flow and tournament scheduling.