14. Change of Positions In any doubles event, players may only play the two rods normally designated for his position. Once the ball is put into play, the players must play the same position until a point is scored, a team requests a time out, or a technical foul is called. 14.1 Either team may switch positions during a time out, between points, between games, or before and/or after a technical foul shot. 14.2 Once a team has switched positions, they may not switch back until after the ball has been put back into play or another time out been called. 14.2.1 A team is considered to have switched positions once both players are in their respective places facing the table. If both teams wish to switch positions at the same time the team in possession of the ball must decide their position first 14.3 Illegally switching positions while the ball is in play will be judged a distraction and the players must return to their original positions. 14.3.1 In any doubles event any player placing their hand on any rod normally designated as one played by their partner while the ball is in play shall be judged as a distraction violations.