International Table Hockey Federation
Tournament Rules
(with changes made
by Extraordinary Delegates Conference 2008-03)
This
is the official document for all International Table Hockey Federation (ITHF)
sanctioned tournaments. If a tournament differs in any way from these written guidelines
tournament organizers are responsible for notifying the ITHF and all the
tournament participants. If notification is not made, all ITHF competition
guidelines must be met or the ITHF reserves the right to disqualify the
tournament from the list of sanctioned tournaments.
1.1
Requests for tournaments
1.2
Season schedule
2.1
General rules
2.2
Committee of referees
2.3
Playing system
2.4
World tour
2.5
International championship
2.6
Other tournaments
3.1
Introduction
3.2
Tournament hall
3.3
Games
3.4
During the tournament
3.5
After the tournament
4.1
Where to play
4.2
Writing results
4.3
Play-off
4.4
Making a complaint to the
committee of referees
4.5
Leaving before the end
4.6
Exclusion from the
tournament
One
of the basic tasks of the ITHF is to increase its player base and international
awareness of the sport of table hockey. Therefore, the ITHF is the governing
body for the largest Stiga tournaments in the world.
The
official table hockey rules must be kept during all tournaments sanctioned by
the ITHF.
Organizers
(national associations, clubs or individuals) can ask the Executive Committee
of the ITHF (EC) to sanction their tournament. It must be done in advance of
request deadlines announced by the EC (typically March). Requests must be sent
by email (or by mail) to the EC (or to the seat of the ITHF). Organizers
requesting tournament dates must submit a written request indicating the
requested dates, location of the tournament and the names of the tournament
organizers. In addition, requests must also indicate any variations to these
written guidelines and tournament rules that the organizers are proposing to
use at the tournament.
If a
tournament in any country is not organized by its national association, then
the request sent to the ITHF must first be reviewed and approved by the
National association thus guaranteeing that the tournament will follow all ITHF
guidelines and rules.
Organizers
of international championships such as The European Championships and World
Championships are recommended to the EC by vote of the Delegate Conference.
Organizers of the following year’s championship should be selected during the
present year’s
championship. Requests for organizing any international championship must be
sent to the EC at least one month before the voting delegate conference.
Scheduling
of each season’s tournaments is done by the EC before the start of each season
(usually before the end of previous season). If there is any international championship
during the season, then it must be scheduled as the final ITHF tournament of
the season.
All
national associations - members of the ITHF must respect ITHF schedules and
schedule their national tournaments on alternate dates. If they find that some
date conflicts exist then they must ask the ITHF for an exception. Exceptions
will be granted by the ITHF especially when conflicts with any other WTHT
tournament dates exist (i.e. not the Big Six Tournaments). If an ITHF
tournament date is changed after it is announced, national associations with
previously scheduled tournament dates that conflict will not be expected to
change their dates.
Tournament
rules and guidelines can be proposed by the organizers. However all proposed
changes between this document and tournament rules must be announced to the
ITHF when requests for tournament are submitted. Any additional change required
by the organizers must be approved in writing by the ITHF before the
tournament. Organizers must ensure that all tournament participants know the
entire tournament rules before they register for the tournament.
All
official ITHF table hockey rules and regulations must be used at the
tournament.
Playing classes
Each
tournament may hold several different competitions for the following classes:
Organizers
can arrange any other classes of players and announce the rules for such
classes before the tournament registration period.
Organizers
can decide that all classes except the open class will be open only for
domestic players. Open class cannot be restricted by any condition.
Seeding
Participants of the
individual tournament have to be seeded by the world ranking of the open
category which can be found at the web page www.ithf.info/ranking.
Organizers must use current (at most seven days old version since the day the
tournament is held) world rankings for seeding of all players. In a special
case, when some player is expected to be much better than his/her ranking
shows, the organizers can estimate his/her rank without respect to the players
real ranking.
If only a few foreign
(less then 10) players come to the tournament then national seeding rankings
can be used for those players. Foreign players will be seeded in accordance with
their rank at the world ranking and their national ranking.
Seeding of teams to the
team competition should be done by using the world ranking of the three best
members of each team.
Grouping
All
participants of the individual tournaments must be distributed to the basic
groups with respect to their seeding. Each group should be of the same quality
with respect to the seeding of the players, thus insuring that each group is
equal in competitive strength to all other groups.
Organizers
can select the way participants will be distributed into the basic groups. It
can be done randomly by drawing from lots or by using seeding system (e.g. if
there are four basic groups then players seeded like number 1, 8 and 9
will play in basic group A etc.). Unseeded players
should be distributed to the groups randomly.
Each
basic group should have the same number of participants, if possible.
Players from the same country should be seeded in
equal amount in all groups, if possible.
The organizers have to prepare a schedule for the
group stages of all competition classes in a way that the players from the same
nation meet during the first rounds of the group. This rule must be kept as
much as possible.
If there
is another group stage (or even stages) then distribution into this stage will
be made in accordance with the playing system of the tournament and the results
from the previous stage of the competition. Mutual matches of players promoting
from the same groups to the same final (or next stage) group can be counted
into the final (next stage) group, if it was written in the playing system of
the tournament.
If
there are more than eight participants in the team competition they shall be
distributed according to their seeding into at least two divisions. Before the
competition there could be a qualifying round for some teams to decide in which
division the team shall play. One basic group can be played if there are eight
or less team participants.
Points System
For
determining final standings for each round, two (2) points will be given for
wins and one (1) point for draws.
The
organizers can decide to give three (3) points for wins. The organizers must announce using
three points for wins to all participants and to the ITHF in advance at the
time of opening registration for the tournament.
Placement
of players in particular groups will be decided by using the following criteria
(in order as it is written):
1)
overall number of points,
2)
number of points from mutual matches of
players with the same number of points,
3)
goal difference (number of goals for minus
number of goals against) from mutual matches,
4)
number of goals for from mutual matches,
5) number of wins from mutual matches,
6) overall goal difference (number of goals for
minus number of goals against),
7) overall number of goals for,
8) overall number of wins,
9) an extra overtime match finishing with
1st goal.
If a player has a default lost with one of the members of a group of
players who have the same number of points, than to decide the ranks in this
group, this player's default result is not counted, as well as his/her results
with any other members of this group.
Time schedule of the tournament
Tournament competition cannot start earlier than
at 8:00 and must end before 22:30. There should be a lunch break
for all participants of at least one hour in duration.
The organizers of
each tournament must form a committee of referees (committee). The head referee
shall be a person from the organizing committee who can answer all questions
about the tournament and clarify and enforce all ITHF rules and guidelines. The
committee of referees is responsible for running a successful and enjoyable
tournament.
At least one
member of the committee must be fluent in the English language, but each member
of the Referee Committee should be able to understand English.
It is
recommended that each member of the Referee Committee has different
nationality.
All members of
the committee are selected by the organizers of the tournament at least 1 week
before the tournament. The members of the Committee must be confirmed by the
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee can make changes at the Referees
Committee before the tournament.
The committee
must always have three (3) members and two (2) substitutes. Members of the
Technical committee (TC) of the ITHF must be selected as members of the committee
(as many as possible).
If there is no
member of the TC at the tournament then his/her position in the committee can
be taken by any representative of the ITHF. If there is no representative of
the ITHF present at the tournament then any foreign player selected by the
organizers can take a position in the committee. If there are no foreign
players at the tournament then the board of the local association has to select
members of the committee.
If any member of
the committee or any member of the TC of the ITHF presented at the tournament
finds any conflict with the ITHF rules, they must report it to the tournament
organizers immediately. Organizers must correct it as soon as
possible and ensure that there are not any critical delays during the tournament.
The committee
must resolve any disputes as soon as possible. Committee can ask the organizers
to delay the tournament if any disputed results can potentially affect the
tournament results.
When solving any
dispute, the whole committee must hear each player involved in the dispute.
Each member of
the committee has one vote. Each dispute resolution must be made in
consultation with the entire committee.
If any member of
the committee is involved in the dispute then he/she must be replaced by a
substitute when the committee is resolving this dispute.
The committee
must announce the final decision to both sides of the dispute.
The committee of
referees must select a person if a player or both opponents ask for a referee
to watch their matches. It must be ensured that both opponents will understand
the referee. An interpreter may be used. The referee does not need to be a
member of the tournament’s committee of
referees.
Committee of
referees can award a warning and disqualification to a player. The warning can
be visualized by using yellow card. The disqualification can be visualized by
using red card.
The
playing system used at a tournament must be announced before the end of the
registration period. The playing system used at ITHF tournaments may vary, but
the following guidelines are mandatory for every tournament:
-
Each participant must have an equal chance to win the tournament.
-
The playing schedule must be designed such that matches are scheduled
randomly, thus ensuring that no single player shall play against the top seeded
players in their basic group in succession.
-
The top 16 players must compete in best of 7 (seven) matches during the final
playoffs. All other playoff groups may play best of 5 (five) or best of 3
(three) at the tournament organizers discretion. If a tournament is late,
organizers may have the option of making first round playoff matches best of 5
(five).
-
Re-seeding during playoffs is not allowed. Playoff brackets must be
defined prior to the start of all playoffs and be maintained throughout.
Bronze
medal matches do not have to be held and the bronze medal can be either shared
or decided with respect to the standings of the final group.
If
any team match ends with a draw during the play-off then no overtimes take
place, but a “captain’s match” will be held. If the captain’s match ends in a
draw the overtime will be played till scoring a goal. The team that is
represented by the captain who wins the captains match will win the whole team
match.
The
World Table Hockey Tour (WT) is an individual open series of tournaments that
runs over one season. Tournaments
belonging to the WT are divided in two classes. The biggest and most
prestigious are designated the World
Table Hockey Tour Big Six Tournament (WTB6). The
others are called the World Table
Hockey Tour Tournament (WTHT).
Selection
of the Big Six Tournaments is done by the Executive Committee of the ITHF.
Participants
of each WT tournament get points according to their final rank. There are two
options for computing overall number of points for each player:
1)
the best three results
for each player from all WT tournaments are counted,
2)
the best two results for each player from all WT tournaments are counted
together with number of points which is computed by following formula: the best
two results of player from all WT tournaments that are not WTB6 and do not
belong between the best two player’s results are added together and multiplied by 0.75; it
means that four tournaments can be counted into the overall WT ranking if two
WT results are counted as described. This rule can be used just for two WT
tournaments for each player in the season.
The
best option for each player will be selected automatically in the overall WT
ranking, e.g. if a player gets more points using the first option it will be
used. But if the result using the second option is better, then the second
option will be used.
When
multiple players have the same number of ranking points the following
tiebreakers are used:
Point system of the WT tournaments
|
Place |
WTB6 points system |
WTHT point system |
|
1st |
150 p |
75 p |
|
2nd |
140 p |
70 p |
|
3rd |
130 p |
65 p |
|
4th |
125 p |
63 p |
|
5th |
120 p |
60 p |
|
6th |
118 p |
59 p |
|
7th |
116 p |
58 p |
|
8th |
114 p |
57 p |
|
9th |
110 p |
54 p |
|
10th |
108 p |
53 p |
|
11th |
106 p |
52 p |
|
12th |
104 p |
51 p |
|
13th |
102 p |
50 p |
|
14ht |
100 p |
49 p |
|
15th |
98 p |
48 p |
|
16th |
96 p |
47 p |
|
17th |
92 p |
44 p |
|
18th |
90 p |
43 p |
|
19th |
88 p |
42 p |
|
20th |
86 p |
41 p |
|
21st |
84 p |
40 p |
|
22nd |
82 p |
39 p |
|
23rd |
80 p |
38 p |
|
24th |
78 p |
37 p |
In placements 25 to 100 for WTB6 tournaments
points will descend by one from 76 to 1. In placement 25 to 60 for WTHT
tournaments points will descend by one from 36 to 1.
Each
international championship shall be held at most every two years. Players may only represent countries for which they possess a
valid passport.
The
World Championship is open for representatives of each country. Maximum numbers
of representatives from each country are shown in the following table. Numbers
of participants from organizing countries are stated in the brackets.
|
Open category |
8 (12) |
|
Ladies category |
3 (4) |
|
Juniors category |
3 (4) |
|
Veteran category |
3 (4) |
At the
European championship only the European citizens (i.e. holders of passports of Albania, Andorra,
Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, FYR Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco,
Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino,
Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and
United Kingdom) can participate. Numbers of
participants are stated in the following table. Numbers of participants from
the organizing country are stated in the brackets.
|
Open category |
10 (14) |
|
Ladies category |
4 (5) |
|
Juniors category |
4 (5) |
|
Veteran category |
4 (5) |
The best
10 players from the overall World Table Hockey Tour ranking will get a direct
nomination for the international championship held in the same season. Up to 3
players from one nation can get this direct nomination. Direct nomination is
not transferable to any player below 10th position at the WT
ranking. The European Championship is conditioned by owning a valid passport
from a European country.
Defending
champions in each category can participate (the only exception is the juniors
category, where defending champions can participate only if he/she fulfils the
age requirement). If the defending champion of the open category is placed
among the best 10 players in the overall World Table Hockey Tour ranking then
the 11th player from the WTHT table can get the direct nomination to
the international championship – if the condition from the previous paragraph
is fulfilled (the defending champion is excluded also from the rule describing
the maximum count of players from one nation getting the direct nomination).
The
Executive Committee of the ITHF reserves the right to award special exemptions
for entry to special guests at the World and the European Championships in any
class except the team competition.
Only
one national team can represent each country in the team competition and in the
ladies team competition. The EC of the ITHF can allow participation of a team
international in the team competition. But none of members of the Team
International can be representatives of a country that is participating in the
team competition.
Each
team consist of five players. The minimum number of team members is
four, but the maximum - ten players.
Each
ladies team consist of three players. The minimum number of ladies team
members is three, but the maximum - five players.
The
captain of each team must be announced to the organizers no later than the
start of the play-off or the placement matches. Any substitution of players
during team matches is forbidden.
It
is recommended that all participants wear national jerseys during the
international championships.
Rules
for other international championships will be set by the Executive Committee of
the ITHF when necessary.
The
ITHF can decide to organize any other tournament. Exact date, rules and
conditions must be announced at least two months before the tournament to
enable all interested persons to participate.
A
notification must be sent to the ITHF at least one month before the tournament.
The invitation must contain the date and time for the tournament, the deadline
for registrations, the location and venue for the tournament, directions to the
venue, entry fee, and method for payment, availability of chairs, phone numbers
and contact information for the organizers, local rules and any other necessary
information. Organizers are asked to make an internet web page containing all
this information and they must send the link to the ITHF.
Organizers
of every ITHF tournament should send out press releases and make significant
media contact concerning the tournament.
Prizes
should be awarded for the top three (3) finishers in the tournament and to each
play-off winner of each group. The organizers may determine any additional
prizes and awards.
Organizers
should provide basic refreshment and comfort facilities during the tournament.
Tournament
time schedules made by the organizers should allow all participants to have
enough and sufficiently long breaks during the tournament for toilet breaks,
food and refreshment. If any participants of a group are scheduled to play more
than 16 matches in a row, there must be at least one break for all members of
the group.
The tournament hall must
be large enough to accommodate the number of participants registered in the
tournament. The tournament shall be played in one hall. If it is not possible then
identical conditions must be ensured at all used rooms.
There
must be sufficient light and good ventilation at the playing hall during the
entire tournament. No smoking is allowed in playing hall and at all rooms reserved
for the participants of the tournament. Drinking of alcoholic beverages is not
allowed in the playing hall.
The
playing hall must be kept clean and the final playoff shall be played in a
special area that is clean and appropriate for media coverage and the prestige
that a final playoff commands.
There
must be sufficient space between particular games – it is recommended to have
free space at least 1.5 m behind both goal cages and 0.5 m besides both sides
of each game – it means games should not be closer than 3 metres (1 metre) from
each other. Free space for play-off matches shall be larger.
Height
of tables used under the games must be between 700 and 800 mm.
The
organizers must provide the following conditions for all games:
Number
of games used during the tournament should correspond with the number of
participants and selected playing system. All games should be in excellent and
similar conditions, if any problem occurs, organizers are obliged to repair the
game or replace it by another one. This should be done without any serious
delays of the tournament.
There should be several prepared
reserve games available to prevent delays caused by repairing of the broken
games. It is recommended to have at least 1 reserve game for every 15 used
games.
At
least two pucks should be available for each game. The organizers are
responsible for checking of this number of pucks before start of each stage of
the tournament. At least five pucks must be available for each play-off series.
Organizers
must ensure the sufficient number of spare figures which must be available
close to the games to allow fast changing of broken figures.
The
organizers should collect all registration fees from participants before the
tournament begins. All tournament revenues belong to the organizers; no fee is
paid to the ITHF.
The
organizers should make all participants familiar with the timer that will be
used for measuring playing time before the tournament begins.
The organizers
have to announce to all participants names of members of the tournament’s
committee of referees before the tournament starts.
The
organizers should provide continuous reports of tournament results and
standings. Participants should have a right to see their group standings at
least once during each group’s schedule.
It
is recommended that tournament results are posted online at the Internet during
the international tournaments. The
organizers can decide to stop showing the continuous reports of tournament
results and standings before the finish of the current group stage.
The
organizers are responsible for maintaining the official result sheets during
the tournament to allow the possibility of checking the results for each
player.
The
game and the side must be determined in the match schedule for each match – the
only exception is play-offs, where players can select games by themselves from
the group of games which were chosen by the organizers for play-offs.
During
the play-off all players must have sufficient time to prepare themselves for
their matches, even for finding the game where they want to play.
The
organizers should ensure that all the series of the same round of play-offs will start at the same time.
The organizers
must ensure that no participant will be bothered during the tournament by other
players, or by the audience. Players can ask for sufficient free space around them and around the table
especially during the play-off matches. The organizers must ensure that the audience will not
disturb the players in any way, including loud talking or yelling.
The
organizers should not organize any ceremony during play-off series matches. The
ceremony can be held during the break between play-off series
There
must be an exact translation of the playing rules and the playing system in the
English language available.
The organizers have to ensure that all the
postponed matches are played as soon as possible, not later than 3 rounds
before the finish of the current group stage. The organizers must announce a
break for other players if it is necessary for playing the postponed matches.
If a postponed match occurs among the last 3 rounds before the finish of the
current group stage, such match must be played immediately.