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Paul Kovac	See if you can Stump the Ump... E-mail questions to Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire. Please note: Questions which have answers that are easily found by consulting the rules may not merit a reply.

Q: I heard recently that there was change of the rule as to when a player can change racquets during a match. I only know of the requirement to show the opponent and the umpire the new paddle. Is there any other restriction?

- submitted by Kirby Parker

A: The rule about changing rackets during a match has recently changed. According to the new rule, a player may change racket only if the racket is damaged during play to such an extent that the racket becomes illegal. The new racket must be identical to the one used at the beginning of the match, and the rule about the continuity of play still applies. Thus, a player may not start assembling the new racket when one breaks. Consequently, players are strongly advised to bring two identical rackets to any sanctioned tournament.

Whenever you change the racket, you must let umpire inspect it for compliance with the above. When a player switches the racket and the opponent wants to hit a few practice strokes, the same applies as when a broken ball is replaced, that is, it would be only natural to comply.

Note: The suggestion that the new racket must be identical to the one it is replacing was debated at the ITTF level for a long time, and it eventually did not pass, and did not become the rule. Thus, everything in the above text holds, except that the racket must be identical.

- answered by Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire