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Match Rules

What is the format of a UTS match?

Each match consists of four quarters of 8 minutes + the time of a hypothetical Sudden Death.

The timer stops during the 3-minute changeover at the end of each quarter.

The 1st player to win 3 QTS wins the match. If both players are tied at 2 QTs apiece, the 5th QT is played in a ‘“Sudden Death’” format.

The “Sudden Death” is a dramatic cliffhanger where the first player to win two consecutive points wins the match. Every point from the second point onwards is a match point during the Sudden Death.

There is no warm-up: Players enter the court and the match starts straight away

During the quarter, Players serve two points each : player A serves for two points, then player B serves for two points, then player A serves for two points again, etc.

As a major change designed to reduce down time and create more rallies, UTS players are allowed one-serve only per point : missing the serve results in losing the point.

Finally, the “No-Let” rule during serve will be in effect.

What are the rules of a quarter?

Each quarter lasts 8 minutes of regular time + quarter points at the end. During the 8 minutes of regular time, players score as many points as possible (with a tie-break counting style).

At the end of the 8 minutes, quarter points are played, and the leader has an advantage: he must only score one more point to win the quarter.

On the other hand, the challenger can try to fight back: he must draw level without losing a single point. If he manages to do so, a deciding point is played to award the quarter.

Example: after 8 minutes, player A leads by 13-9… then the first player to 14 wins the quarter.

If regular time expires on a tie, a deciding point is immediately played to award the quarter.

How can bonus cards be used?

To make the matchups even more exciting, we’re introducing a bonus card.  Each player can decide to use this bonus card once per quarter, during the regular time only. The “Next point counts x3” effect applies only for the player who uses the card. And only for the very next point.

Is coaching authorized?

Coaches will be on the player’s bench all match long and will be allowed to coach at any time during the match, except during the point. As coaches are equipped with microphones,  all coach-player interactions must be conducted in English otherwise the player receives a point penalty.

How has UTS reinvented the relationship between fans and players?

UTS aims at redefining the relationship between fans and players during matches. Each player is equipped with a headset during the changeover so that he can talk to his coach, his fans, and answer questions from an interviewer.

Moreover players can talk to each other during the match, except during the points. They are allowed to say anything, except insults and name-calling. Finally, fans can express themselves during the match, even during the points. No more silence, let’s make some noise to support UTS Players!

Tournament Rules

What are the rules of a UTS event ?

All UTS events (Regular Events & Grand Final event) will follow the same format:

❖ 8 players line-up

❖ 2 groups of 4 players (Group A / Group B)

❖ The best two qualify for the Final Four (semi-final & final)

How are the final group standings determined ?

The final standings of each group are determined by :

❖ Highest number of wins

❖ Highest number of matches played

❖ Head-to-head results if only two players are tied

If three players are tied, then: 

a) Best quarter average (won quarters – lost quarters)

b) Best point average (won points – lost points)

c) Lucky draw

How is an event scheduled?

UTS events (Regular Events & Grand Final)  will follow a typical schedule plan over the three days of competition:

  • Friday: 6 round robin matches, featuring all 8 players 
  • Saturday: 6 round robin matches, featuring all 8 players
  • Sunday: 2 semi-final matches followed by the final

League Rules

What is the UTS Race Rankings?

The UTS League is composed of 2 types of events : Regular Events and 1 Grand Final.

The UTS League has its own “UTS Race Rankings” system based on each Regular Event’s results.

After each of the Regular Events, the following points are distributed to the players, and the UTS Race Rankings is updated.

UTS Oslo/FrankfurtUTS NYC
Winner20 points15 points
Finalist15 points11 points
Semi-finalist11 points8 points
Eliminated in Round Robin with 2 victories8 pointsdoes not apply
Eliminated in Round Robin with 1 victory6 points6 (5th place)
Eliminated in Round Robin with no victory4 points4 (7th place)
Extra point : All Stars Skills Challenge victory1 point1

This rankings will be used as one way to determine the players that are qualified for the UTS Grand Final.

What is the UTS Grand Final and how to qualify ?

The last event of the league is the “Grand Final event” where the winner is crowned “UTS WORLD Champion”. 8 players are competing for this title. There are three ways to qualify for the UTS Grand Final :

  • – Winning a regular event : Each Winner is directly qualified
  • – UTS Race ranking qualification : top 3 players in the race ranking (excluding winners of UTS Events)
  • – At least 2 wild cards will be distributed