Series' format

In 2017-18 a new format took place instead of the playoffs: a post season series. The 2019 series are similar with some amendements.

The peculiarities are:

  1. An even number of teams per level will participate to have an equal number of matchs for each team. There will be no bye.
    • In 2019 levels 2, 3 & 4 will have 18 teams participating in the series. In level 1, 10 teams will compete.
  2. At least three rounds of matches for each participating team in levels 2, 3 and 4. At least 4 rounds of matchs for participating teams in level 1.
  3. At the end of these 3 or 4 matchs, the teams are ranked according to a predetermined sorting.

To qualify for the series

All players registered in the league must have played for her team a minimum number of matches during the regular season to qualify for the post season series. The byes don't count. A player has to play :

  • 6 times if a team has 20 scheduled matches
  • 7 times if a team has more than 20 scheduled matches
  • The "5.5" player must have played a minimum of 3 matches to be eligible.

Note: A match lost by retiring because of an injury does not count in the number of times played for both partners. See Rule on retired match.

Time between sets

As a principle, play should be continuous, from the time the match starts (when the first service of the match is put in play) until the match finishes. These maximum times start from the moment that one point finishes until the first service is struck for the next point.

  • 25 seconds: After a point ends the server has 25 seconds to start the next point.
  • 90 seconds: When changing ends, players have a maximum of ninety (90) seconds to rest.

  • 120 seconds: At the end of each set, players can rest a maximum of 2 minutes. 

The start time rule says "A player may not leave the court after the match has started (includes the warm-up) without the permission of her opponents. The TFIM CA reminds its members that "Leaving the court for more than 2 minutes should be very exceptional and justified."

 

Post season calendar

Level III & IV

2019

Level II

Level I

March 21

Round #1

March 22

March 15

March 28

Round #2

March 29

March 22
April 4 Rounds #3 April 5 March 29
N/A Rounds #4 N/A April 5
April 11 Semi-Final April 12 April 12
April 25 Third place April 25 April 25

April 26

Finals - Gold, silver

April 26

April 26