Flash Pin Ruleset

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August, 2024

Marcus Tedesco (Head Referee)

SECTION 1. REFEREES

1.2. Event Head Referee

1.2.1. is responsible for an assignation of referees to the event

1.2.2. is responsible for conducting a short briefing for the event referees before the competition

1.2.3. is responsible for supervision and assessment of referees during the competition

1.2.4. is responsible for proper applying of rules during the competition

1.2.5. is responsible for handling protests during the competition

1.3. Event Referee

1.3.1. is responsible for wearing proper dress for referees with below specifications:

1. referee t-shirt provided by Flash Pin

2. Wrist watch

3. Black formal pants and black shoes

1.3.2. is responsible for thoroughly knowing Flash Pin rules

1.3.3. is responsible for conducting themselves in an unbiased and professional manner. The event head referee will not referee family members or partners if there is the ability to replace them with another referee. The event head referee will not coach anyone or cheer for competitors while in a referee t-shirt.

1.3.4. Is responsible for going over the rules with athletes before the event.

1.4. General referee’s rules

1.4.1. During the match, two referees are used: one referee at the table (the head referee of the match) and one assisting referee (second/downside referee) or technical/camera referee

1.4.2. The referee starting the match will be deemed Head referee of that particular match. Assistant referee will watch for elbow fouls at the start of the round and assist in ensuring a fair start. After a round has started, the two referees will watch each side for fouls or a pin

1.4.3. If there are dedicated video cameras mounted to the table for tracking elbow fouls, only the Head Referee of the match is at the table, and the second referee (technical referee) monitors elbow fouls through the camera monitors.

1.4.4. A technical referee must be able to work on equipment for elbow cameras, doing playbacks, etc.

1.4.5. Once a referee has started a match, he/she cannot be removed, unless for lack of competence, sickness or unsolved dispute.

1.4.6. Assistant referee position at the table for better exposure of the matches:

1. Assistant referee will not stand in front of the table area unless setting up the strap or the referee grip. They may stand beside the table, from the corner to the exterior.

2. Before the round starts, the assistant referee will stand beside the table so they are not on camera.

3. Before the round starts, the assistant referee will show hand signs only under the pin pad level.

4. The setup of the referee grip will be made with one hand reaching from the side of the table.

5. The application of the strap will be made with both hands coming down onto the fingers of each competitor in an effort to align their webbing. 

6. No match can start if the second referee is standing in front of the table.

1.4.7. A head and down referee will be assigned randomly to each match. The referees will not change until all rounds of a match are completed. 

SECTION 2. PROTOCOLS

2.1. Rules of the Match

2.1.3. Athletes are not allowed to wear any type of wrist wraps, straps, elbow

bandages/supports or cups, protective wraps, rings, or bangles, on the competing arm. An arm is defined as a portion of the body starting from the shoulder and ending at the fingertips. For religious reasons, only a female competitor may have their arm covered. This covering must be made of a sheer material that cannot be so tight as to be considered as a tension bandage. Also it must be inspected by an appointed female to ensure there is nothing beneath the garment.

2.1.5. Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and it could lead to a penalty, including being barred from the event.

2.1.6. No disruption of scheduled proceedings allowed.

2.1.7. If there is a disagreement between the head referee and the assistant/video referee, one may call for a review of the round. When this happens the head referee will signal a video review. The head referee using his/her index fingers moving in the opposite direction will draw a rectangle starting at the top center of the rectangle and finish at the bottom center.

SECTION 3. COMPETITION RULES

3.1. Match Format

3.1.1. Flash Pin events are best of 5 rounds, or best of 7 rounds.

3.2. General Guidelines

3.2.1. Competitors for each match will be announced and they will come to the stage.

3.2.2. Once the athletes are signaled by the head referee, they will approach the table, shake hands with their opponent, and then begin the grip as instructed by the referee. Athletes have 60 seconds after their name is announced to come to the table. Otherwise a loss will be called in this particular match.

3.2.3. Anyone with long hair must have their hair restrained properly, as to not disturb the opponent or interfere with the referees. Headwear (including those for religious reasons) is allowed as long as it doesn't interfere with the opponent or interfere with the referees during the match. Hats with a brim or bill are not allowed.

3.2.4. The referee will lightly touch competitor hands and wrists to ensure they are properly aligned, wrists straight, thumb knuckles visible, and arm centered to the table top. Failure to comply will result in the athletes getting warnings.

3.2.5. Any competitor who intentionally lowers their thumb during the set-up in an attempt to have their competitor have a lower grip will be told they are doing so by using the words “thumb up”. The referee will not make the opponent grip any lower. The referee must be certain that the competitor is intentionally lowering their thumb before making the call.

3.2.6. No breaks are allowed during a match, unless there is an equipment failure, video review, technical equipment issue, or authorized by officials.

3.2.7. An athlete can only pin their opponent on their winning side of the table. An athlete cannot win or lose in the neutral zone.

3.2.8. If one referee calls a win and the other referee calls a foul then the round will be restarted without a call being made. However, if one referee clearly saw both actions and is certain as to what happened first then that call will stand.

3.2.9. A competitor may protest any call by the table referees.

3.2.9.1. Protest procedure: The competitor has until the start of the next round to lodge their protest. The next round has begun when both competitors have arrived at the table. The competitor must inform the head referee for the protest to commence. The Event Referee in Chief, or their designate, will write down the protest. The protest will be decided based on the conversation with the table referees and/or video playback, if it’s available. Only one protest will be allowed per athlete per match. 

3.2.9.2. The Event Referee in Chief, or their designate, will then discuss with the table referees if their call stands. If the table referees disagree on the call or they are not completely sure about their call, then the protest will be upheld and the round will be restarted with no fouls given. If the table referees stand by their call and no video is available then the protest will be denied.

3.2.9.3. In case of reviewing a video playback:

Video playback must be conclusive for the protest to be upheld. If the video footage does not clearly show that the table referees made a mistake or missed the protested call, then the call stands. If a Protest concerns a foul and it is observed during the video playback then the foul will be issued to the offending party. If any other infraction is observed during the video playback that doesn't involve the protest, that infraction will be disregarded.

3.3. Setting up / Start of Round

3.3.1. Each round will start with a referee’s grip. 

3.3.1. The grip is flat palm to flat palm, grip at thumb, thumb knuckle must be visible. All fingers, where possible, must be placed on the back of their opponent’s hand. The grip should be at the center of the table. Free hand will grip the hand peg provided at the table edge. This arm may or may not touch the table top. Fingernails should be trimmed so as not to injure your opponent. Stickum/ rosin/chalk are permitted.

3.3.2. Back pressure to the extent that it causes movement in the arm will not be allowed. The referees will give warnings to athletes that move due to back pressure or loading. 

3.3.3. Shoulders must be squared. Difference in heights for left and right shoulder is allowed.

3.3.4. There should be at least 1 fist size between the athlete’s hand and their body before the “Don’t Move...Go!”.

3.3.5. Wrists must be straight, still, and in the center of the table. Wrists may not be pronated, supinated, flexed, or extended.

3.3.6. The signal to start a round given by the Head Referee is “Don’t Move...Go!” Athletes are only allowed to start on “GO” and only stop the round when the referee gives a verbal “STOP” command and holds the competitors arm. Referee will then show a signal, either foul or winner, to the athletes.

3.3.7. A pin is when any part of the hand touches or goes below the top of the pin pad.

3.3.8. A competitor’s legs may be wrapped around the table leg or braced against an opposite table leg prior to the start of the round, providing they are not interfering with their opponent. Feet can be off the ground during competition and legs can be moved in any fashion as long as they don’t interfere with their opponent. At least 1 foot must touch the ground before the “GO”.

3.3.9. In case of injury during competition, the competitor will be given losses for all uncompleted rounds until a best 3 of 5, or best 5 of 7, result is reached. The round in which the competitor was injured will be regarded as a loss.

3.3.10. There is no time limit during a round.

3.3.11. Competitors can start a round in a strap if both athletes agree to do so.

3.3.12. A competitor may place their foot on their opponent’s table leg (a competitor’s table legs correspond to the side of the table they are competing on). However, if their opponent does not want it there then the opponent must remove it. Failure to remove it, or putting it back after being told not to do so, will result in a foul. If the opponent knocks the foot off, either intentionally or accidentally, the round will continue without a call being made, unless the competitor was previously told not to put it there.

3.3.13. A competitor may not place any part of their body below their waist on the top of the table. They will be told to remove it. Failure to remove it will result in a foul.

3.3.14 Competitors get 60 seconds of rest between rounds. During title matches, athletes get 90 seconds of rest between rounds. 

SECTION 4. UNIVERSAL WORDS

4.1. Each competitor should know the following words

Center 

Coincidental 

Dangerous position

Don’t move 

Down

Elbow Foul 

Grip 

Intentional 

Knuckles

Losing position 

Match

Pad 

Peg 

Pin 

Ready Go

Referee Grip 

Rotate 

Round

Shoulders 

Simultaneous 

Slip out

Stop 

Straps 

Thumb 

Up 

Warning

Winner 

Wrist

SECTION 5. WARNINGS

5.1. Any movement of the arm or shoulder after “Don’t move” and before “GO” will result in a False Start which equals 1 warning.

5.2. If a competitor causes a delay in the setup with their grip, backpressure, thumb knuckles, wrist, legs, or arm, they will get a warning from the referee.

5.3. Losing contact with the peg will result in a warning without stopping the round. The referee will look at the competitor and call one warning and show the proper hand signal. If letting go of the peg results in gaining an advantage for the athlete, or remains off for more than 2 seconds, then the referee will stop the round and give a foul to the athlete. The first warning given for releasing the peg will be subtracted once the foul is given. If the athlete already carries 1 warning from earlier, then letting go of the peg will result in a STOP and a foul for 2 warnings. 

5.4 Any warning that occurs simultaneously between both competitors is considered as a coincidental warning. The round will continue without any warnings given to either athlete.

SECTION 6. FOULS.

Note: Two warnings equal to a foul, and two fouls equal to a loss

6.1. Fouls

6.1.1. Elbow Fouls

A competitor’s elbow may leave contact with the top of the pad momentarily in a quick “up down” motion. If the competitor gains advantage or changes hand position while their elbow momentarily leaves contact with the pad, a foul will be given. 

It is not considered an elbow foul if the competitor is maintaining the elbow tip above the pad and their tricep or forearm is touching the elbow pad. An elbow foul will be called if the competitor is riding on their triceps or forearms and the elbow extends beyond any side of the elbow pad.

If a competitor’s elbow goes over the edge of any side of the elbow pad’s top surface, a foul will be given. 

6.1.2. Illegal King’s Move

When a competitor puts themself in an illegal king’s move, the referee will caution them loudly with a command 'shoulder'. If the competitor does not correct their position within 2 seconds, or correct their position but then goes back to the illegal position again, the round will be stopped and a foul for the illegal position will be given.

Illegal King’s Move position is defined as a competitor who puts their humerus bone into a declining angle when their hand is on the losing side or center line of the table.

6.1.3. Competitor’s shoulder must not cross the centerline between pegs during competition. This will be a foul.

6.1.4. Competitor’s hand cannot touch any part of their body such as chin, shoulder, or head. This will be a foul.

6.1.5. Attempting to intentionally make another athlete earn a foul will result in the offender earning a foul. Example: pushing your opponent’s elbow off the pad using a forward motion. Example: supinating into your opponent’s wrist during a referee’s grip so that they flex their wrist.

6.1.6. A competitor cannot compete with a straight elbow in any position. This is considered a non-armwrestling move which will result in immediate stoppage and a foul issued.

6.1.7. If a competitor puts their foot on their opponent's table leg after being told not to do so, a foul will be given.

6.1.8. If a competitor places any part of their body below their waist on the top of the table and does not remove it immediately after being cautioned by the referee, it will result in a foul.

6.1.9. Foul language, poor sportsmanship or abuse towards an official will result in a foul. If it continues, a competitor or official will be barred from the event.

6.1.10. Any foul that occurs simultaneously between both competitors is considered a coincidental foul. The round will be stopped and restarted without any foul given to either athlete.

6.1.11. A 30 second rest is permitted after a foul.

SECTION 7. REFEREE’S GRIP

7.1. Referee’s Grip

7.2.1. Once the head referee places an athlete’s body part and says “don't move," any movement of that body part will result in a warning.

7.1.1. A referee’s grip consists of the following procedure:

1. Referee will ask competitors if they want their THUMBS to be closed up or down while showing both types of grips to assure proper understanding.

2. Referee will set open palms on the center of the table and call “don’t move”

3. Second referee will assist head referee by touching the competitors’ wrists to feel any possible movement.

3. Head referee can move the elbows forward and back to maintain center, align webbing, and to ensure knuckles are being shown. Then call “don’t move.”

4. Head referee will set shoulders square for both competitors and call “don’t move.”

5. Head referee will start setting the grip by announcing which competitor will be closed first. The referee will close the athlete’s fingers and thumbs in the manner the competitor asked for, while ensuring both competitors have their wrist straight.

6. Once the first hand is closed, the second referee will return to their designated position to start the round.

7. After the second hand is closed, the head referee starts the round with the command “Don’t move… Go!”

SECTION 8. STRAPS

8.1. Straps

8.1.1. Straps will be used when a slip occurs. Straps can also be used when both competitors ask for it.

8.1.2. Strap procedure:

1. Referee will ask competitors to put their elbows down on the elbow pads and open their hands. Referee may ask competitors to move their elbows in order to properly apply the strap.

2. Referee will set the competitor's hands on the same level, palm to palm, without unnecessary gap between thumbs.

3. Second referee will assist the head referee in maintaining the proper hand position by holding both hands during applying straps. They will hold the strap in place to keep the strap from slipping.

4. Head referee will apply straps starting from the competitor’s hand on his side of the table.

5. The strap will not be applied more than 1 inch below the wrist line. Referee will make sure that the strap remains tight as they wrap the wrists. After going around the second wrist the end of the strap will then be fed below the

wrist and above the strap between the wrists.

7. Referee will tighten the strap to their own discretion. Competitors may ask to tighten or loosen the strap. If both competitors agree, then the referee will apply necessary changes in the strap if necessary. When tightening the strap, it must be pulled in the direction away from the knuckles.

8. Once the strap is applied, the referee grip will begin.

8.1.3. Slip Out

All slips go to a strap unless a pin occurs during the slip. 

Section 9. Hand Signals

1. Winner - All fingers pointing upward to the left or right side to signify the winner. Both referees will attempt to signal the winner at the same time - once the strap has been taken off, if applicable. 

2. Warning - First finger pointing at the competitor that made the offense.

3. 2nd Warning - Two fingers pointing at the competitor that made the offense, then the foul gesture.

4. 1st Foul - Hand (with 1st finger out) pointing at the ground on the side of the offender.

5. 2nd Foul - Hand (with 2 fingers out) pointing at the ground on the side of the offender.

6. Elbow Foul - Tapping elbow and pointing at the ground on the side of the offender.

7. Wrist bent - flexion or extension - Downside Ref with arm and hand straight.

8. Wrist bent - pronation/supination - Downside Ref with arm straight and rotating hand.

9. Straight arm foul - Referee will straighten their arm to the hyperextension position and point at the ground on the side of the offender.

10. Shoulder Foul - Across Center - Tap shoulder and signify center. Then point at the offender and motion for the foul.

11. Shoulder Foul - Touching - Tap shoulder. Then point at the offender and motion for the foul.

12. Dangerous position - King’s Move - Referee will put their humerus into a declining angle and then point at the offender and motion for the foul.

13. Coincidental elbow foul - Referee will cross both arms in front of him and move them outward in a gesture of cancellation.

14. Straps - arms straight in front with fist closed and thumbs up.

15. Referee Grip - Hands clenched together overhead.

16. Video review - Referee using his/her index fingers moving in the opposite direction will draw a rectangle starting at the top center of the rectangle and finish at the bottom center.

SECTION 10. Glossary of Terms

1. Back Pressure - Pressure which when applied makes either athlete’s arm move.

2. Elbow - For the purpose of calling elbow fouls, the center point of the elbow joint will be considered. For persons with no visible point it will be the center of the elbow.

3. Elbow Pad - A 7” x 7” or 7.5” x 7.5” dense foam pad where the elbow makes contact.

4. End of the Table - That part of the table where the referees are positioned, which is 26” long.

5. False Start - Moving before the Referee says Go.

6. Head Referee - The referee that starts the match.

7. Side of the Table - The part of the table where the competitors are positioned which is 36” long

9. Losing Position - The area on the losing side of the table from 2” above the pin pads to the corners of the pin pads. This is equal to the height of the hand pegs.

10. Losing Side - That area from the center of the table to the pin pad. In a right hand match it will be on the right side of the table, from the athlete’s perspective.

11. Match - Two athletes engaged in a competition consisting of a predetermined number of rounds (best of 5 or best of 7 rounds). 

12. Neutral Zone - A neutral zone is an area within the elbow pads. From the front corners of the elbow pads to the front corners of the opponent’s elbow pads but below the level of the pin pads.

13. Pin - When any part of the hand, from the wrist line to the fingers, goes below the level of the pin pad on the winning side of the table.

14. Pin Pad - A 2” wide by 10” long x 4” tall pad that determines a win.

15. Protest - An act that allows a competitor to appeal the decision of the referees.

16. Referee Grip - A grip that is facilitated by the head referee.

17. Referee-in-Chief - The Referee that oversees the referees at the competition.

18. Round - A competition between two athletes that ends with a pin. Multiple rounds make up a match. 

17. Straight Wrist - Straight is defined as not having any flexion, extension, pronation or supination. A wrist may have adduction (radial deviation) or abduction (ulnar deviation).

18. Strap - A piece of material 1” (2.5cm) wide and approx 40” (100cm) long with a buckle that is used to hold the competitors’ hands together when a slip-out occurs.

19. Winning Position - That area on the winning side of the table from 2” above the pin pads to the corners of the pin pads. This is equal to the height of the hand pegs.

20. Winning Side - That area of the match from the center of the table to the pin pad. In a left-hand match it will be on the left side of the table, from the athlete’s perspective.