Timeout Regulations

3.04.04 

Intervals 

3.04.04.01 

Play shall be continuous throughout an individual match except that any player is entitled to 

3.04.04.01.01 

an interval of up to 1 minute between successive games of an individual match; 

3.04.04.01.02 

brief intervals for towelling after every 6 points from the start of each game and at the change of ends in the last possible game of an individual match. 

3.04.04.02 

A player or pair may claim one time-out period of up to 1 minute during an individual match. 

3.04.04.02.01 

In an individual event the request for a time-out may be made by the player or pair or by the designated adviser; in a team event it may be made by the player or pair or by the team captain. 

3.04.04.02.02 

If a player or pair and an adviser or captain disagree whether a time-out is to be taken, the final decision shall be made by the player or pair in an individual event and by the captain in a team event. 

3.04.04.02.03 

The request for a time-out, which can be made only between rallies in a game, shall be indicated by making a "T" sign with the hands. 

3.04.04.02.04 

On receiving a valid request for a time-out the umpire shall suspend play and shall hold up a white card with the hand on the side of the player or pair who requested it; the white card or another appropriate marker shall be placed on the court of that player or pair. 

3.04.04.02.05 

The white card or marker shall be removed and play resumed as soon as the player or pair making the request is ready to continue or at the end of 1 minute, whichever is the sooner. 

3.04.04.02.06 

If a valid request for a time-out is made simultaneously by or on behalf of both players or pairs, play will resume when both players or pairs are ready or at the end of 1 minute, whichever is the sooner, and neither player or pair shall be entitled to another time-out during that individual match. 

3.04.04.03 

There shall be no intervals between successive individual matches of a team match except that a player who is required to play in successive matches may claim an interval of up to 5 minutes between those matches. 

3.04.04.04 

The referee may allow a suspension of play, of the shortest practical duration, and in no circumstances more than 10 minutes, if a player is temporarily incapacitated by an accident, provided that in the opinion of the referee the suspension is not likely to be unduly disadvantageous to the opposing player or pair. 

3.04.04.05 

A suspension shall not be allowed for a disability which was present or was reasonably to be expected at the beginning of the match, or where it is due to the normal stress of play; disability such as cramp or exhaustion, caused by the player's current state of fitness or by the manner in which play has proceeded, does not justify such an emergency suspension, which may be allowed only for incapacity resulting from an accident, such as injury caused by a fall. 

3.04.04.06 

If anyone in the playing area is bleeding, play shall be suspended immediately and shall not resume until that person has received medical treatment and all traces of blood have been removed from the playing area. 

3.04.04.07 

Players shall remain in or near the playing area throughout an individual match, except with the permission of the referee; during intervals between games and time-outs they shall remain within 3 metres of the playing area, under the supervision of the umpire.