Q: Dear Guru,

My partner and I stack. Sometimes, especially after a long rally, we forget who is serving / receiving or if we are in the right position. So, we are always careful to ask the referee if we are the right server / receiver and if we are in the right position. Someone told me we could no longer ask the referee these questions. Is this true?

A: Your source is partially correct. Under the new rules, to determine if you are in the right spot, note the following:

• If you are the serving team, you are allowed to ask,

“ Am I the correct server?” and“ What is the score?”( USAPA-IFP Rule 4. B. 8.)

• If you are the receiving team, you are only allowed to ask the referee,“ What is the score?”( USAPA-IFP Rule 4. B. 9.)

The logic behind changing what players may ask is that players should be able to determine their positions based on the score. Allowing the referee to tell a player whether he or she is in the correct position is a form of coaching.

Q: Dear Guru,

In a recent tournament match, the referee called the score once I was ready to serve. I served the ball, and my opponent claimed he was holding up his paddle indicating he was not ready. The referee warned me about serving before checking to see if he was ready. Was it correct for him to give me a warning?

A: We can look at the following two new rules in Section 4: ​The Serve, Service Sequence and Scoring Rules:

Q: Dear Guru,

In a 2-out-of-3 game match, during game 3 we switched sides after my partner and I reached 6 points. It was a hot day, so we stopped to grab a drink, towel off and take a brief break. The referee called out“ 15 seconds.” I’ ve never had a referee issue a time limit during a mid-game end change before. Was this correct?

A: Yes. In the 2018 USAPA-IFP Rulebook, rule 5. B. 6. states,“ The maximum time allowed

to switch sides during a game is 60 seconds. The referee will announce a 15-second warning and then call the score after the full 60 seconds and apply the 10-Second Rule. Players not resuming play within 70 seconds will receive a fault.”

Q: Dear Guru,

In a tournament match my partner and I won the“ toss” to determine side, serve or receive. We chose a side, and the other team decided to receive. We really wanted to receive and thought they would serve if we chose a side. So, we changed our mind and said we want to receive instead of taking a side. The referee wouldn’ t allow it. Was he correct?

A: Yes, the referee was correct. According to the new rules in Section 5: Selection of Side, Service or Return, rule 5. A. 2. states,“ Once a selection has been made, it cannot be changed.”

• USAPA-IFP Rule 4. E. states that“ Once the referee determines the receiver is in position and ready or should be in position and ready and the score has been called, the server is allowed 10 seconds to serve the ball.”

• USAPA-IFP Rule 4. E. 2. states that“ A fault will be called against a receiver who signals‘ not ready’ after the score has been called, unless there is a hinder. A player or team out of position is not considered a valid hinder.”

In your scenario, assuming the referee followed rule 4. E., you did the right thing by serving within 10 seconds. If the receiver became not ready after the score was called, it would be a fault and a point for the serving team.