Not Ready to Receive Serve (Player Signals)

Players have limited rights to indicate unreadiness to receive:

**WHAT CAN A PLAYER DO WHEN NOT READY?**

**Legal Actions:**

1. **Raise Free Hand:**
- Clear signal before server begins service motion
- Hold hand up clearly visible to server and umpire
- Must signal BEFORE server starts toss

2. **Verbal Signal:**
- "Not ready" or "Wait" called clearly
- Must be before service motion begins
- Not after ball is tossed

3. **Turn Away:**
- Turn body away from table clearly
- Must be obvious unreadiness
- Before server begins motion

**TIMING IS CRITICAL:**

**Before Service Motion Begins:**
- Receiver can indicate not ready
- Server must wait
- Umpire will not start or count point

**After Service Motion Begins:**
- Too late to claim not ready
- Server entitled to continue
- Receiver must play or lose point

**After Ball is Tossed:**
- Definitely too late
- Service continues
- Receiver must attempt return or lose point

**LEGITIMATE REASONS FOR NOT READY:**

**Acceptable:**
1. **Equipment Issue:**
- Racket needs adjustment
- Shoe untied (safety)
- Clothing adjustment needed

2. **Disturbance:**
- Ball from adjacent table
- Sudden noise/distraction
- Spectator interference

3. **Medical:**
- Need to blow nose
- Adjust contact lens
- Brief medical discomfort

4. **Umpire Interaction:**
- Questioning previous point
- Asking about score
- Requesting towel (at 6 points)

**Unacceptable (Time Wasting):**
1. Repeatedly claiming not ready with no reason
2. Using "not ready" to break opponent's rhythm
3. Delaying tactically
4. Claiming not ready AFTER service begins

**UMPIRE RESPONSIBILITIES:**

**When Receiver Signals Not Ready:**

1. **Assess Legitimacy:**
- Is reason valid?
- Is timing appropriate?
- Pattern of behavior?

2. **If Legitimate:**
- Acknowledge signal
- Ensure server waits
- Allow brief pause for resolution
- Ensure receiver ready before authorizing service

3. **If Illegitimate:**
- First time: Brief explanation
- "Please be ready for service"
- Repeated: Warning for time wasting
- Continued: Yellow card

**Preventing Abuse:**
- Monitor for patterns
- Don't allow tactical "not ready" claims
- Keep match moving
- Fair to both players

**SERVER'S RIGHTS:**

**Server Must:**
- Look at receiver before serving
- Confirm receiver appears ready
- Wait for receiver's attention
- Not deliberately serve when receiver not looking

**Server Protected:**
- If receiver claims not ready AFTER service begins, too late
- Server entitled to reasonable service rhythm
- Cannot be constantly interrupted

**COMMON SCENARIOS:**

**Scenario 1: Receiver bends down to tie shoe**
- **Ruling:** Legitimate not ready
- Allow time to safely tie shoe
- Ensure ready before next service

**Scenario 2: Receiver raises hand just as server tosses ball**
- **Ruling:** Too late, service counts
- Receiver must attempt return
- Should have signaled earlier

**Scenario 3: Receiver repeatedly raises hand with no apparent reason**
- **Ruling:** Time wasting
- First: Warning
- Continued: Yellow card
- Explain must be ready for service

**Scenario 4: Server deliberately serves while receiver tying shoe**
- **Ruling:** Let, replay point
- Server must ensure receiver ready
- Warning to server if deliberate

**Scenario 5: Ball from adjacent table rolls onto court**
- **Ruling:** Legitimate disturbance, let
- Clear distraction
- Allow time to remove ball
- Replay point

**BETWEEN POINTS TIMING:**

**Reasonable Preparation:**
- Players allowed reasonable time between points
- Approximately 3-5 seconds
- Not excessive delay

**Umpire Management:**
- Keep rhythm moving
- Don't allow excessive delays
- "Please be ready" reminders
- Time wasting warnings if needed

**READY POSITION:**

**Receiver Should:**
- Be in ready stance
- Facing server
- Racket ready
- Eyes on server
- Prepared to move

**Clear Unreadiness:**
- Hand up clearly
- Turned away obviously
- Not in ready position
- Before service begins

**CULTURAL AND TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS:**

**Some Players:**
- Habitually delay between points
- Use "not ready" tactically
- Try to disrupt opponent's rhythm

**Umpire Must:**
- Recognize tactical delays
- Enforce pace of play
- Be fair but firm
- Maintain match momentum

**LIVE SCORING INTEGRATION:**

**Record:**
- Significant delays
- Warnings issued
- Time wasting cards
- Pattern of behavior

**Display:**
- Clear indication when ready to serve
- Time between points if tracking

**PREVENTING GAMESMANSHIP:**

**Clear Standards:**
1. Receiver must signal BEFORE service motion
2. Must have legitimate reason if repeatedly not ready
3. Cannot claim not ready after ball tossed
4. Server entitled to reasonable service pace

**Enforcement:**
- Verbal warnings for first delays
- Time wasting cards for abuse
- Consistent application

**Communication:**
- Explain rules clearly to players
- "Please be ready for service"
- "Signal before the serve begins"
- "You must play the service now"

**BALANCE:**

**Fair Play Requires:**
- Receiver has right to be ready
- Server has right to reasonable pace
- Neither player should abuse system
- Umpire maintains fair balance

**Safety First:**
- Genuine safety issues take priority
- Medical concerns addressed
- Equipment failures accommodated
- But not exploited for tactical advantage

Clear communication and consistent enforcement keep matches flowing fairly.