Tournament system (table tennis)

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Table tennis tournaments are carried out according to the game systems specified in the competition regulations . In team fights, in particular, several game systems are used, depending on the strength of the team. These game systems are specified in the competition regulations of the German Table Tennis Association .

Team fights

Teams of six

Especially in the lower German men's classes, a team usually consists of at least 6 players. Here is played according to the pair cross system.

Each team names 3 doubles and 6 singles. It is permissible that players are only used in doubles, but not in singles (or vice versa). Therefore, a team with more than 6 players can compete; in most cases, however, all doubles also play singles. The 6 individual players will be placed in the order in which they were announced before the start of the season. The player registration before the start of the season should be based on the level of play, with the best player being ranked first.

The 3 doubles can be reassembled for each team fight. Once a team has determined the pairs, it can freely choose the first double (double 1). Doubles 2 and 3 must be reported according to their skill level. This is calculated according to the number of places: The ranking positions of the partners are added, the double with the lower sum plays as double 2. If the sums are equal, then the double whose player is furthest ahead in the ranking list must be placed as double 2.

In the singles, place 1 and place 2 form the upper pair cross, place 3 and place 4 form the middle pair cross and place 5 and place 6 form the lower pair cross. Each player of a pair of cross plays against the two players of the same pair of cross from the opposing team.

If the teams are designated with A and B, then the following sequence of games is required in a team fight: 

 1. DA1 – DB2   Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 2 von B
 2. DA2 – DB1   Doppel 2 von A – Doppel 1 von B
 3. DA3 – DB3   Doppel 3 von A – Doppel 3 von B
 4. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B  Paarkreuz 1 "über Kreuz"
 5. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 6. A3 – B4    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 4 von B  Paarkreuz 2 "über Kreuz"
 7. A4 – B3    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 8. A5 – B6    Einzel 5 von A – Einzel 6 von B  Paarkreuz 3 "über Kreuz"
 9. A6 – B5    Einzel 6 von A – Einzel 5 von B
10. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B  Paarkreuz 1 "paarweise"
11. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
12. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B  Paarkreuz 2 "paarweise"
13. A4 – B4    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 4 von B
14. A5 – B5    Einzel 5 von A – Einzel 5 von B  Paarkreuz 3 "paarweise"
15. A6 – B6    Einzel 6 von A – Einzel 6 von B
16. DA1 – DB1   Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 1 von B

16 games are planned, 12 singles and 4 doubles. If a team has won 9 games, then the team fight is won.

In this form, the pair cross system was introduced in the 1990s. Before that, the teams only fielded 2 doubles. These competed in front of the individual crosswise and after the last individual in pairs against each other.

Teams of four

This system is similar to that for teams of six. The competition rules name several variants.

Federal system

There are 2 doubles that compete against each other in pairs in front of the singles. In the singles - the line-up is again based on the level of play - there are 2 paired crosses, which are initially crossed and then compete against each other in pairs. The following sequence results: 

 1. DA1 – DB1   Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 1 von B
 2. DA2 – DB2   Doppel 2 von A – Doppel 2 von B
 3. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B  Paarkreuz 1 "über Kreuz"
 4. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 5. A3 – B4    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 4 von B  Paarkreuz 2 "über Kreuz"
 6. A4 – B3    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 7. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B  Paarkreuz 1 "paarweise"
 8. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 9. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B  Paarkreuz 2 "paarweise"
10. A4 – B4    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 4 von B

There are 2 doubles and a maximum of 8 singles.

Federal system 1

In 1964, the sports committee for the women's league decided the following system, in which the order was changed: 

 1. DA2 – DB2   Doppel 2 von A – Doppel 2 von B
 2. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 3. A4 – B3    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 4. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 5. A3 – B4    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 4 von B
 6. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 7. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 8. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 9. A4 – B4    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 4 von B
10. DA1 – DB1   Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 1 von B

Werner Scheffler System

This system, also known as the WTTV combination system, was invented by the former sports manager of the West German Table Tennis Association (WTTV) , Werner Scheffler (1921–2013). It has been listed in the DTTB's competition rules since 1968. There are two doubles and 12 singles. At first, the competition begins like the federal system, followed by four more individual fights: 

11. A3 – B1    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 1 von B
12. A1 – B3    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 3 von B
13. A2 – B4    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 4 von B
14. A4 – B2    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 2 von B

Dietze couple cross system

This system was created by the sports editor Roderich Dietze (Westerstede). 8 singles and 4 doubles are played here. The order of the singles is the same as in the federal system, the doubles first play crosswise and finally in pairs: 

 1. DA1 – DB2   Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 2 von B
 2. DA2 – DB1   Doppel 2 von A – Doppel 1 von B

11. DA2 – DB2   Doppel 2 von A – Doppel 2 von B
12. DA1 – DB1   Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 1 von B

If a team has won 7 games, the team fight is won. The remaining games will no longer be played. If the score is 7: 0, only 7 games will take place. 12 games are played if the bout ends 7: 5, 6: 6 or 5: 7.

Everyone against everyone (not in use today)

This system is no longer listed in the current competition regulations of the DTTB (as of 2006). Doubles are not used, everyone plays a singles against each player on the opposing team. In the past, women’s team fights were held in this mode in many regional associations.

Teams of three

Swaythling Cup system for teams of three

In this best of 9 matches system, only singles are played in the "everyone against everyone" mode. Doubles are not provided. Thus a maximum of 9 games are possible. If a team reaches 5 points, then it has won and the competition is ended. 

 1. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 2. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 3. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 4. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 5. A1 – B3    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 6. A3 – B2    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 7. A2 – B3    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 8. A3 – B1    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 9. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B

Swedish league system for teams of three

This system is almost identical to the "Swaythling Cup system for teams of three", only after the third single a double is inserted. 

 1. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 2. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 3. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 4. DA – DB    Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 1 von B
 5. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 6. A1 – B3    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 7. A3 – B2    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 8. A2 – B3    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 9. A3 – B1    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 1 von B
10. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B

Modified Swaythling Cup system for teams of three

In this best of 7 matches system, each team has one doubles and three singles. Different players can compete in doubles than in singles, so a team consists of three to five players. The double is played after 3 singles. The first team to achieve 4 points wins.

The previously prescribed order of skill levels in the modified Swaythling Cup system has been repealed. The strongest player according to the team registration no longer has to be listed in position 1. These changes came into effect on May 25, 2017 as part of the nationwide competition regulations. 

 1. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 2. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 3. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 4. DA – DB    Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 1 von B
 5. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 6. A3 – B2    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 7. A2 – B3    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 3 von B

World Cup system for teams of three

Only singles are played here, the order of placement is arbitrary; it does not have to be set up according to skill level. This system is also often referred to as the "Modified Swaythling Cup System" or the New Swaythling Cup system . It is sometimes called the French-Brazilian system . 

 1. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 2. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 3. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 4. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 5. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B

Modified system at the 1991 World Cup

Here one player plays 2 singles, the other two play a single and a joint double. If a team has won 3 matches, the team fight is over. This system was tested at the 1991 World Cup . 

 1. A1 – B1          Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 2. A2 – B2          Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 3. A2/A3 – B1/B3    Doppel von A – Doppel von B
 4. A1 – B2          Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 5. A3 – B3          Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B

Beijing system

The world association ITTF developed the following game system for the 2008 Olympic Games . Since these games took place in Beijing, the game mode was called Beijing System or Olympic system . It is similar to the modified system at the 1991 World Cup .

After finishing the first two singles, the coach determines whether player 1 or player 2 forms a doubles with player 3. The player who is not used in doubles will then contest a singles if the team fight has not yet been decided. If a team has won 3 matches, the team fight is over. 

 1. A1 – B1                              Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 2. A2 – B2                              Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 3. A3/(A1 oder A2) – B3/(B1 oder B2)    Doppel von A – Doppel von B
 4. A2 oder A1 – B3                      Einzel 2/1 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 5. A3 – B2 oder B1                      Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 2/1 von B
literature

Henry James: A tricky system , detailed description of the advantages and disadvantages of the game system, table tennis magazine , 2006/10 pp. 22-25

(New) Olympic system

The world association ITTF wanted to remedy the disadvantages of the Beijing system with a new Olympic system from 2018. So there a double player had to play two consecutive games, which led to a break. In addition, the single pairings were only determined after the double pairing was announced.

In the new system, too, three players play, each of whom can play a maximum of two games (singles and doubles combined). The order of the players can be determined by the team captain at will before the match. After three wins for a team, the game is over. 

 1. A2/A3 – B2/B3                        Doppel von A – Doppel von B
 2. A1 – B1                              Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 3. A3 – B3                              Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 4. A1 – B2                              Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 4. A2 – B1                              Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B

This system was first tested at the World Team Cup 2018 in London and then retained as a team system for World Championships and Olympic Games.

DTTB system for teams of three

Here each team has one doubles and three singles. Board 1 is not allowed to play in doubles; a fourth player can be used for this. The three individual players can be set up in any order - regardless of their skill level. If a team only has two players, position three remains vacant. A maximum of five games will be played.

This system has been played in the Bundesliga since the 2008/09 season for men and women, and for men it was decided to reintroduce it for the 2018/19 season after it was abolished after the 2010/11 season. 

 1. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 2. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 3. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 4. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 5. DA – DB    Doppel von A – Doppel von B

Source:

Champions League system

Here each team has three single players, no doubles are played. When the second individual is over, one of the two players who have already played may be replaced by a fourth player.

This system is played in the Champions League and since the 2011/12 season in the TTBL (formerly Bundesliga) for men. 

 1. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 2. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 3. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 4. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 5. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B

Source:

Teams of two

Corbillon Cup system for teams of two

This system is named after Marcel Corbillon . Four singles and one doubles game are played here. The team line-up is arbitrary. Since double players do not have to be used in singles, a team can consist of up to 4 players. The first team to achieve 3 points wins. 

 1. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 2. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 3. DA – DB    Doppel   von A – Doppel   von B
 4. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 5. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B

Kings Cup system for teams of two

Here 2 singles and 1 doubles are played. The team line-up is arbitrary. The two single players also form the double.

First two single games are played. If a team wins both singles, it has won the game and the doubles will no longer be played. If, on the other hand, the score is 1: 1 after the two singles, the double serves as the deciding game. 

 1. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 2. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 3. DA – DB    Doppel   von A – Doppel   von B (nur bei 1:1 nach den Einzeln)

Braunschweig system (teams of three / four)

There are four different options in this system. With this system ten games are always played. Variant 1: Team A and team B each play with three players Variant 2: Team A with three, team B with four Variation 3: Team A with four, team B with three Variation 4: Team A and team B both with fourth.

Initially variant 1 and variant 4 

 1. DA1 – DB1   Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 1 von B           1. DA1 – DB1   Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 1 von B
 2. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B           2. DA2 – DB2   Doppel 2 von A – Doppel 2 von B
 3. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B           3. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 4. A3 – B2    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 2 von B           4. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 5. A2 – B3    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 3 von B           5. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 6. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B           6. A4 – B4    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 4 von B
 7. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B           7. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 8. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B           8. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 9. A3 – B1    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 1 von B           9. A3 – B4    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 4 von B
10. A1 – B3    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 3 von B          10. A4 – B3    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 3 von B

Finally variant 2 and variant 3 

 1. DA1 – DB1   Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 1 von B           1. DA1 – DB1   Doppel 1 von A – Doppel 1 von B
 2. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B           2. A3 – B3    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 3 von B
 3. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B           3. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 4. A2 – B1    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 1 von B           4. A1 – B2    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 5. A4 – B2    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 2 von B           5. A2 – B4    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 4 von B
 6. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B           6. A1 – B1    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 1 von B
 7. A4 – B3    Einzel 4 von A – Einzel 3 von B           7. A3 – B4    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 4 von B
 8. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B           8. A2 – B2    Einzel 2 von A – Einzel 2 von B
 9. A1 – B3    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 3 von B           9. A3 – B1    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 1 von B
10. A3 – B1    Einzel 3 von A – Einzel 1 von B          10. A1 – B3    Einzel 1 von A – Einzel 3 von B

Individual tournaments

The following systems are generally used for individual tournaments:

  • Every man for himself
  • Knockout system : the loser is eliminated.
  • Double knockout system : Everyone can lose a game, the loser continues to play in a "consolation round". If the second game is lost, the player is eliminated. From this follows: If a player reaches the final via the consolation round, then he has to win it twice in order to be the tournament winner, because the opponent can also lose a game.
  • Triple knockout system: A player is only finally eliminated after the third defeat - but can no longer win the tournament after the first defeat. This tournament system is rarely used.
  • Combined group and knockout system: First, the participants play in several groups, everyone against everyone. The group first (possibly also the second) then continues to play in the knockout system. Note: These systems also exist in reverse, i.e. H. a knockout system starts before the transition to the groups and the following semi-finals and finals (see book: tournament play systems, Create-Verlag)
  • Swiss system : In recent years, this system, taken from the sport of chess, has been used more and more. It is essentially similar to the "everyone against everyone" system, only that the order of the pairings depends on the results of the previous round. The advantage of this system is that if there are very large numbers of participants, not all rounds have to be played to determine the winner.

History in Germany

Since the beginning of table tennis, the game system for team fights has changed very often, mostly in different divisions according to different systems.

Team fights began in the early 1930s. The media system was adopted from tennis: a team consisted of 6 players. Everyone played a single over three sets of wins, plus three doubles. 1950 one went over to two profit rates. In 1951 the couple cross system was introduced in isolated cases. This made it possible to achieve a "tie" result in team fights. In 1960 the DTTB prescribed the Dietze pair cross system for teams of four for all divisions and the pair cross system with two doubles for teams of six. In the Saarland, the pair cross system was already used with three doubles at the beginning and one double at the end.

With the introduction of the single-track Bundesliga in 1975, a women's team consisted of 4 players who competed each against each other. Doubles were not performed. Critics noted that this put women at a disadvantage in international doubles competitions due to a lack of experience.

That is why the DTTB prescribed the Werner Scheffler system for the women's Bundesliga from the 1987/88 season : entry doubles were introduced, but each player only competed against three opponents. The line-up did not have to be based on skill level.

Today (September 2010) the 1st and 2nd women's Bundesliga play according to the federal system for teams of four, the 1st men's Bundesliga according to the TTBL game system for teams of three and the 2nd men's Bundesliga according to the federal system for teams of four.

Motives for changes

Since the 1980s, the DTTB has tried to reduce and unify the many systems for team fights. A key consideration was the duration of a competition. This is never predictable. A team fight can last 3 to 4 hours, especially with teams of six. One of the efforts of the DTTB was to make table tennis more attractive for viewers and television. In 1990 this led to a reduction in team strength to 4 active players, which considerably shortened the duration of a fight.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ DTS magazine 1964/18 West issue p. 13
  2. ↑ DTS magazine , 1990/1 p. 50
  3. ↑ DTS magazine , 1992/12 regional / south p. 10 + http://www.tsg-westerstede-tischtennis.de/erwachsene/5-herren
  4. ↑ ITTF Handbook 2010/2011 Chapter 3.07.06.05 (accessed on August 19, 2011)
  5. ↑ DTS magazine , 1974/22 p. 37
  6. ↑ ITTF Handbook 2010/2011 Chapter 3.07.06.04 (accessed on August 19, 2011)
  7. ↑ ITTF Handbook 2010/2011 Chapter 3.07.06.01 (accessed on August 19, 2011)
  8. ↑ DTS magazine , 1995/4 p. 6
  9. ↑ ITTF Handbook 2010/2011 Chapter 3.07.06.03 (accessed on August 19, 2011)
  10. ↑ Doubles first, proposed Olympic system tested in London (accessed January 24, 2020)
  11. ↑ ITTF Handbook 2019 Chapter 3.7.6.3 (accessed January 24, 2020)
  12. ↑ Presentation of the DTTB game system - magazine tischtennis , 2008/8 p. 35
  13. ↑ Presentation of the DTTB game system - magazine tischtennis , 2011/9 pp. 9-10
  14. ↑ DTS magazine , 1987/8 p. 20

literature