Yellow and Red Card System (Disciplinary)

The card system maintains match discipline and sportsmanship:

**YELLOW CARD (Warning + Point Penalty)**

**When to Issue Yellow Card:**
1. **Misbehavior:**
- Hitting ball away in anger
- Kicking table, barrier, or equipment
- Using inappropriate language (audible to others)
- Throwing racket
- Disrespecting officials or opponent

2. **Service Violations:**
- Persistent service faults after warnings
- Deliberate illegal serves
- Ignoring umpire service corrections

3. **Time Wasting:**
- Excessive delays between points
- Deliberately slow play
- Excessive toweling

4. **Coaching Violations:**
- Receiving illegal advice during play
- Coach interfering with play

**Yellow Card Procedure:**
1. Umpire stops play immediately
2. Holds up yellow card visibly
3. Announces: "Yellow card [Player Name], [Offense]"
4. Awards one point to opponent
5. Records card in score sheet
6. Play resumes with next service

**RED CARD (Point Penalty)**

**When to Issue Red Card:**
- Second offense after yellow card
- Serious misbehavior
- Threatening behavior
- Extreme unsportsmanlike conduct

**Red Card Procedure:**
1. Umpire stops play immediately
2. Holds up red card visibly
3. Announces: "Red card [Player Name]"
4. Awards one point to opponent
5. Records in score sheet

**Multiple Red Cards:**
- Each red card = one point to opponent
- Can issue multiple red cards in same match
- Three red cards typically results in disqualification

**DISQUALIFICATION**

**Grounds for Immediate Disqualification:**
1. Physical violence or threat thereof
2. Three accumulated red cards
3. Refusing to continue play
4. Extreme unsportsmanlike behavior
5. Deliberate damage to equipment or venue

**Disqualification Procedure:**
1. Umpire consults with referee (if available)
2. Announces disqualification clearly
3. Match is awarded to opponent
4. Disqualified player must leave playing area
5. Incident reported to organizing committee
6. May result in further sanctions or suspension

**SPECIFIC OFFENSES:**

**Acceptable Behavior:**
- Reasonable celebrations (fist pump, "Yes!")
- Brief emotional expressions
- Asking umpire politely for clarification
- Requesting timeout properly

**Unacceptable Behavior (Yellow Card):**
- Shouting excessively or using profanity
- Throwing or hitting racket
- Kicking table or barrier
- Gestures directed at opponent or officials
- Excessive ball bouncing before serve

**Serious Offenses (Red Card or Disqualification):**
- Threatening umpire or opponent
- Continuing misbehavior after yellow card
- Physical contact (pushing, shoving)
- Leaving playing area without permission during match

**UMPIRE DECISION MAKING:**

**Consistency:**
- Apply standards uniformly
- Don't let earlier leniency prevent proper cards
- Document all cards

**Communication:**
- Explain card reason clearly
- Remain calm and authoritative
- Don't argue with player

**Escalation:**
- Yellow card is not "just a warning" - it includes point penalty
- Don't hesitate to issue cards for clear violations
- Consult referee if unsure

**LIVE SCORING NOTES:**
- Record all cards in system immediately
- Note time and score when card issued
- Track cumulative cards across tournament
- Cards may affect seeding or future entry

**POST-MATCH:**
- Report all cards to referee/organizing committee
- Document details in writing
- Serious incidents may require formal report

The card system protects fair play, sportsmanship, and match integrity.