SECTION 5 – SELECTION OF END, SERVE, RECEIVE, OR DEFER RULES.

5.A. Selection of End, Serve, Receive, or Defer.

5.A.1.  Any fair method shall be used to determine which player or team has first choice of end, serve, receive, or defer (i.e., a 1 or 2 written on the back of the score sheet). If the winner chooses to serve or receive first, the loser chooses the starting end. If the winner chooses the starting end, the loser chooses to serve or receive. Once a selection has been made, it cannot be changed.

5.A.2.    In doubles, teams may change the starting server between games and should notify the referee. In non-officiated matches, the team should notify the opponents if there was a starting server change. There is no fault or penalty for failure to make the notifications. Once a game has started and, if any points have been scored, when the referee notices a starting server has changed, the referee will stop play and annotate the scoresheet accordingly and resume play.

5.A.3.    In doubles, the starting servers must visibly wear the form of identification determined by the Tournament Director.


5.B.   Change of Ends.

5.B.1.  Teams switch ends and initial service upon the completion of each game.

5.B.2.  Two minutes is allowed between games. If both teams agree, play may resume early. Rule 10.A.5 shall be used to continue play.

5.B.3.  In a match with two out of three games to 11 points, in game three, sides will be switched when the first team reaches a score of 6. Serve remains with the player holding serve. Exception: If the first game of such match was forfeited due to late arrival, the teams will not switch ends during game three.

5.B.4. In a game to 15 points, the teams will switch ends when the first team reaches a score of 8. Serve remains with the player holding serve.

5.B.5. In a game to 21 points, the teams will switch ends when the first team reaches a score of 11. Serve remains with the player holding serve.

5.B.6. End Change Time-Out. One minute is allowed to switch ends during a game. Rule 10.A.5 shall be used to continue play.

5.B.7. Once the end change point has been scored, a technical foul resulting in the loss of a point for the serving team shall have no impact on the completion of the end change.

5.B.8. In a match with three out of five games to 11 points, in game five, the teams will switch ends when the first team reaches a score of 6. Serve remains with the player holding serve.

5.B.9. If the end change fails to be executed per Rules 5.B.3, 5.B.4, 5.B.5 or 5.B.8, the end change will be executed when realized. It is not a fault on either team, score is not impacted and serve remains with the player holding the serve.

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