Rules of Play

These are the OTSA approved rules of play for Ontario.
(Referred to as “Passing” or “Anything Goes”.)

Rule 1. Start of Play
(a) The winner of the coin toss can choose side of table OR first serve (kickoff).
(b) The ball must touch both walls and be along the line prior to being played and goals from the throw-in will count on this condition.
(c) Subsequent 5-bar throw ins go to the player or team conceding a goal.
(d) Where play is re-started from a 2-bar kickoff, the opponent must agree they are ready, and the player with possession must pass the ball in between two men and stop the ball for at least one second before passing or shooting.
(e) The loser of the coin toss pays for the first game, with payment alternating thereafter.
(f) After every game, players must change sides unless both teams agree otherwise.

Rule 2. Ball off Table
(a) If the ball leaves the table the player with serve plays another 5-bar kickoff.

Rule 3. Dead Ball
(a) If the ball goes dead between the 2-bar and nearest goal line, a kickoff is played from that 2-bar.
(b) If the ball goes dead anywhere else, the player with serve plays another 5-bar kickoff.
(c) On glass-topped tables where the glass cannot be removed:
     (i) A ball stopped in a dead point between opponents’ rods may be retrieved by lifting the table.
     (ii) The table should be lifted by the team further from the ball.
     (iii) Players must ensure the bars are fully pushed in before lifting the table.
     (iv) Play resumes when the ball is kicked off from the position designated in (a) or (b) above.

Rule 4. Goal
(a) A goal may be scored with any player figure on any rod.
(b) If the ball enters the goal and bounces out again, it counts as a goal.
(c) A goal scored as a result of an infringement will not count.
(d) If, following a breach of any rule, an ‘own goal’ is scored by that player against him/herself, the goal will count against that offending player or team.

Rule 5. Possession time limit
(a) Players are allowed a maximum of 15 seconds continuous possession on the 3-rod and goalie area, and 10 seconds continuous possession on the 5-rod.
(b) The two defensive rods count as a single rod for time limit purposes.
(c) Time limits begin once the ball is in play (e.g. after touching second 5-bar figure following serve).
(d) The time limit is reset each time the ball touches an opposing player or enters/passes through a zone controlled by an opponent.
(e) After the time limit is up, the ball will be given to the other team for a 5-bar serve/kickoff.

Rule 6. Time-Outs & Change of Position
(a) Each team is allowed two time-outs up to 30 seconds per series. If a team illegally calls a third time out this will be treated as a distraction.
(b) A time-out can be taken when in possession of the ball on any rod, or after a goal has been scored. The player that takes the timeout must be the one to call it.
(c) Play may be suspended at any time to allow table maintenance, or in case of injury or other medical condition.
     (i) If the ball is moving at the time of suspension the game will restart via a serve from the team with serve at the time the damage or injury occurred.
     (ii) If the ball is stopped at the time of suspension the game will restart from that table position. The ball must touch 2 players on the same rod (or within goal area) before play can resume.
(d) Doubles teams may only switch positions when a goal has been scored and when they call a timeout when the ball is within their possession. To change grips a time out must be used, and must be changed within 60 seconds.
(e) If a team changes places it cannot change back until another goal has been scored. Where both teams wish to change, the team with possession (due to serve) must choose positions first.
(f) Teams are allowed a maximum of 1 minute between games to change grips during doubles matches, and 1 minute in singles. Penalty for exceeding time limit is loss of time-out.
(g) If a time out is taken between games, it will count towards the game about to be played.

Rule 7. Spinning
(a) A player is permitted to have the player spin 360 degrees to execute a shot, and another 360 degrees after the player makes contact with the ball.
(b) Any other spin after that or before that, will be counted as a foul and a serve will be given to the opposite team on their respective 5-bar.

Rule 8. Jarring & Interference
(a) The table must never be moved or lifted during play.
(b) The table must not be jarred when the opponent has possession of the ball.
(c) The table must not be banged or jarred by attacker or defender at any time prior to a shot.
(d) A jar occurs when the ball is caused to move as a result of movement of the table (e.g. via slamming, or excessive shaking, of the rods, or kicking/bumping the cabinet or legs etc.), other than a fair attempt to play the ball (e.g. to intercept or deflect a wall-pass where there is no other way of doing so).
(e) Players must not interfere with the ball in any way (e.g. by blowing), or put hands into the playfield, if the ball is in play.
(f) If the referee calls a player for jarring or other interference, the opponent’s possession time is reset
(g) If an illegal jar or other interference causes the player to lose possession of the ball from a rod, play may be continued from that rod.

Rule 9. Distraction
(a) No talking, shouting or other distractions to the opposing team when the ball is in play.
(b) No mobile phones may be used during tournament play.
     (i) Rule applies to players and spectators.
     (ii) Players must ensure phones are switched off before starting a match.
(c) No smoking during tournament play.
     (i) Spectators smoking or otherwise interfering with play may be required to leave the area by the match referee or by any player of either team.
(d) Players are not allowed to have two hands on one handle at anytime while playing.
(e) In doubles, players may only use the correct hand for each rod.
     (i) Where a player has use of only one hand, it may be used legally on either bar.
(f) Penalty for mobile-phone ringing or other distraction is loss of possession to opposing team.

Rule 10. Breaking a rule
(a) Players are expected to act in an appropriate sporting manner at all times and not behave in a way which could bring the game into disrepute. Common sense should prevail in any rule disputes.
(b) A referee may be called by either team, or be appointed by the Tournament Director.
(c) If the referee calls any rule infringement against a player, the other player/team may choose one of the following three options:
     (i) Resume play with a 5-bar kickoff.
     (ii) Continue play from the current table position (i.e. after the infringement occurred).
     (iii) Resume play from the table position at the time the infringement occurred.
(d) Repeated infringements may be penalized, following a warning, by the loss of a goal, or disqualification.
(e) The referee’s decision is final.

Rule 12. Length of Games
A single game is played first to five goals. OTS Tour Events are either first to win two out of three games or three out of five games. The deuce rule (a team must win by two goals once a game is tied 4 - 4) only applies to the Tournament Final deciding game (meaning the series is tied 1-1 or 2-2) and this will determine the Tournament winner.

Rule 13. Code of Conduct
These rules apply to all types of events (singles, doubles, etc...) Players are expected to act in an appropriate sporting manner and not bring the game into disrepute. Players must agree to follow all decisions of Tournament Officials and/or Directors (including playing on the first available table to open during a tournament) and any player/team refusing to do so will be disqualified.