5.A. Selection of End, Serve, Receive, or Defer.
5.A.1. Any fair method shall be used to determine which player or team has first choice of end, serve, receive, or defer (e.g., a 1 or 2 written on the back of the score sheet, flipping a coin). Once a selection has been made, it cannot be changed.
5.A.2. In doubles, teams may change the starting server between games and should notify the referee. In non-officiated matches, the team should notify the opponents if there was a starting server change. The starting server for the game is the player wearing the starting server form of identification. There is no fault or penalty for failure to make the notifications. Once a game has started, if the referee notices a starting server has changed, the referee will annotate the scoresheet accordingly, after the rally has completed.
5.A.3. In doubles, the starting servers must visibly wear the form of identification determined by the Tournament Director.
5.B. Change of Ends.
5.B.1. Teams change ends and initial service upon the completion of each game.
5.B.2. Two minutes is allowed between games. If both teams agree, play may resume early. Rule 10.A.5 shall be used to continue play.
5.B.3. In matches that consist of a single game, the teams will change ends at the midpoint based on the match format. Examples: Change ends at 6 for game to 11; 8 for a game to 15; or 11 for a game to 21. Serve remains with the player holding serve.
5.B.4. In matches that consist of multiple games, the teams will change ends at the midpoint of the last game based on the match format. Example: Change ends at 6 for the last game to 11. Serve remains with the player holding serve. Exception: If the first game was forfeited due to a no-show, the end change will not occur in the last game since each team will have played the same number of games on each end.
5.B.5. End Change Time-Out. One minute is allowed to change ends during a game. Rule 10.A.5 shall be used to continue play.
5.B.6. Once the end change point has been scored, a technical foul resulting in the loss of a point for the serving team shall have no impact on the completion of the end change.
5.B.7. If the end change fails to be executed per Rules 5.B.3 or 5.B.4, the end change will be executed when realized. It is not a fault on either team, the score is not impacted and the serve remains with the player holding the serve.