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 .