Four-wall · Part 4 Play Regulations.
Rule 4.9 Technicals
A technical is assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct or for improperly wearing eye protection. If a referee issues a technical, one point shall be deducted from the offender’s score. The technical has no effect on service changes or sideouts. If the technical occurs between games or when the offender has no points, the result will be that the offender’s score will be a negative one. Three technicals in a match, or two for eye protection infractions, on a singles player or a doubles team will result in a forfeiture.
Some examples of actions that may result in technicals are:
1) Too frequent or excessive complaints made against the referee’s judgment.
2) Abuse of appeal privileges.
3) Profanity.
4) Excessive arguing.
5) Threat of any nature to opponent or referee.
6) Excessive or hard striking, throwing or kicking of ball between rallies.
Interpretation
If the opponent is hit or narrowly missed by the ball, a technical should be called. On the other hand, if it is the first offense, and the opponent was in no danger of being hit, a technical warning should be issued.
7) Failure to wear eye protection properly.
8) Protests lost after all timeouts have been used.
9) Anything considered to be unsportsmanlike behavior.
If a player’s behavior is not so severe as to warrant a technical, a technical warning may be issued without a point deduction and should be accompanied by a brief explanation of the reason for a warning. A technical warning may precede the penalty of a technical but is not necessary.
If a player’s behavior is severe enough to warrant a technical, the technical may be assessed in addition to any other penalty, including an avoidable hinder.