Coaching Rules

The FIP rules and professional tour regulations restrict when coaches and support staff may communicate with players during a match. The core principle is that advice during live play gives an unfair advantage and disrupts the integrity of the contest.

The General Rule — No Coaching During Points

In FIP-sanctioned competitions, coaching from courtside is not permitted during points. Once a point begins (from the moment the serve is struck), coaches, trainers, and support staff in the designated spectator or team areas must not give verbal or visual instructions to players.

This means:

• Calling out tactical instructions during a rally is prohibited
• Using hand signals or other visual communication to direct players during a point is prohibited
• Coaching staff must remain seated and quiet during live play

When Coaching Is Permitted

Coaching is permitted during:

• Changeovers (90-second breaks between odd games)
• Set breaks (120-second breaks between sets)
• Warm-up before the match begins

During timeouts for medical assistance, external interruptions, match suspension, or bathroom breaks, the chair umpire or referee decides whether coaching is permitted.

During authorised intervals, coaches may approach the court perimeter and speak directly with players. They must return to their designated area when play resumes.

Coaching from the Stands

Even spectators who happen to be coaches — including a player’s coach sitting in general seating — are subject to this rule during professional and sanctioned events. The referee can issue a warning or request removal of a spectator who is repeatedly coaching during points.

Penalties for Coaching Violations

Unsanctioned coaching (calling out instructions during a point) is treated as a code violation for both the coach and the team.

For the coach, a separate two-stage penalty applies:

1. Warning
2. Expulsion from the match

For the team, coaching violations count toward the team’s progressive penalty ladder (shared with the players). A coaching violation that follows a prior team infraction results in a point penalty against the team.

Violations by an accredited coach arising from their instructions are cumulative with the players’ violations.

Club and Recreational Play

There are no formal coaching restrictions for recreational or club-level matches without a referee. At this level, players may receive courtside tips between points as a matter of informal practice.

Summary

Situation	Coaching permitted?
During a point (rally in progress)	No
During changeovers	Yes
During set breaks	Yes
During medical timeout / interruptions	Referee decides
Coach violation penalty	Warning → expulsion
Team violation (for coaching)	Counts on team’s ladder (warning → point → disqualification)