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Introduction to Squash Rules

	The Rules - Rules index
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	Rule 1 The game Rule 2 Scoring Rule 3 Warm-up Rule 4 Service Rule 5 The play Rule 6 Good return Rule 7 Continuity of play
	Rule 8 Winning a rally Rule 9 Ball hitting the opponent and a player turning Rule 10 Further attempts to hit the ball Rule 11 Appeals Rule 12 Interference Rule 13 Lets Rule 14 The ball
	Rule 15 Duties of the players Rule 16 Bleeding, illness, disability and injury Rule 17 Conduct on court Rule 18 Control of a match Rule 19 Duties of a marker Rule 20 Duties of a referee Appendices

	Rule 1 - THE GAME
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	1. THE GAME The game of Singles Squash is played between two players, each using a racket, with a ball, and in a court, all three of which meet WSF specifications (see Appendices 5.1, 5.2, 5.3). That's the official WSF Rule for the Singles Game of Squash. How do we interpret it ?
Singles ? with 2 players	Now don't get upset !! It may seem extremely simple to you, but there is a reason for an explanation of the use of the term 'Singles' because it actually involves two players. For some readers who do not have English as their native language, it might seem rather odd to call a game 'singles' when it is played by two people !! The term actually refers to the fact that each player is playing individually and not with a partner, as in the four-player game (called 'doubles').
The racket	We have to specify that a racket is used, rather than a club or stick. The actual definition of a racket is : 'a kind of bat (sic!) with an open frame tightly strung with catgut or artificial fibres'. And looking up 'bat' is less than helpful : 'a club or stick' !! With the current major manufacturers of sports equipment trying their hardest to improve the design and quality of squash rackets, it is useful to be able to consult the WSF racket specifications in cases of doubt. We have seen a match being delayed while these specifications were checked and that particularly racket was not allowed to be used. Amazingly, we still see some players using now 'almost antique' wooden rackets, and others will remain faithful to their 'old style' glass-fibre rackets until the poor things disintegrate, hopefully without causing damage to themselves or their opponent. Modern rackets are constructed from high-tech plastic, and often include titanium and carbon fibres, for extra strength, and if you believe the manufacturers, extra hitting power. Check out the rackets section of McKenzie's Squashplayer magazine for all sorts of interesting facts about squash rackets.
The ball	That little black beast that always manages to elude your last desperate stretch, or the blur that flashes towards the front wall - did it hit the line on service ? Yes, the squash ball has a great life - being pounded out of shape every time it hits the wall, drowned in buckets of sweat, and sometimes given a good wipe across a hot fevered brow. But what is so special about the squash ball is that it can take all this ill treatment and still look almost as good as new. Only rarely these days (after n matches, where n is any number above 4 ?) does the joint between the two halves of the squash ball give up its struggle. And we have recently moved to the double-yellow dot - identical (or almost) to the previous single-yellow dot, but now NEW! Check out the balls section of McKenzie's Squashplayer magazine for all sorts of interesting facts about squash balls.
	There's also the white ball used by the top professional players on some exhibitions courts. Although thought to enhance TV visibility, has anyone yet seen the 'perfect' recording ? Some years back, there was the 'teleball' - a special ball constructed with dimples filled with reflecting pieces of glass fibre. Shining a very strong spotlight from behind the court showed this ball on the TV screen as an almost slow motion object. The major problem was that the press photographers complained that they couldn't use their cameras shooting back through the front weall (the best place from which they can take face pics during actual play) into the strong light beam. And apart from its horrendous price, this teleball seemed to be the answer, at least for major finals - whatever happened to it ?
	A Squash Referee will not be called in to check the technical details about ball specifications in most matches. The tournament organizers or a more important organization, such as ESF or WSF) will have defined the ball to be used and a sufficient number should have been provided. There is sometimes a batch of balls that all appear to be too fast, or too slow. This is usually very apparent to the top players and they will immediately complain. Change of ball (whether broken or for whatever other reason is covered in Rule 14).
The court	What is a squash court ? Well, some people see it as a goldfish bowl, others as a place for releasing their aggression, and some for impressing their friends. WSF has detailed squash court specifications, but these don't seem to be taken into account very much by court builders. OK, yes the size of the playing area may be correct, and the lines placed according to the corrects specs. But why is that roof so low ? and why is that out-line so flat that it is impossible to tell whether a shot is in or out ? And why do so many exhibition courts have walls that extend above the line ? And why do most of them not have adequate net surrounds, so that the ball simply flies out of court and maybe interferes with play on the next court ? And why are most courts not designed for the placing of a referee, at least somewhere within shouting distance ? Check out the courts section of McKenzie's Squashplayer magazine for all sorts of interesting facts about squash courts.

	Rule 2 - SCORING
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	2. SCORING 2.1 Only the server scores points. The server, on winning a rally, scores a point; the receiver, on winning a rally, becomes the server. The Point-a-Rally scoring system (PARS) is also used and is defined in Appendix 7. In PARS, the winner of each rally scores a point. 2.2 A match shall consist of the best of three or five games, at the option of the organisers of the competition. The player who first scores nine points wins the game, except that on the score reaching eight-all for the first time, the receiver shall choose, before the next service, to continue that game either to nine points (known as "Set one") or to ten points (known as "Set two"). In the latter case, the player who first scores two more points wins the game. The receiver shall clearly indicate this choice to the Marker, Referee and the opponent. The italics 'first' indicate words that WSF has missed out (twice) !
	The Marker shall call "Set one" or "Set two" as applicable before play continues. The Marker shall call "Game ball" to indicate that the server requires one point to win the game in progress or "Match ball" to indicate that the server requires one point to win the match.
Problems ?	Sometimes, when the match reaches 9-8, the winner of that rally complains that they were unaware that the receiver had selected to play to 10 points. This may be just a joke, but it might be serious. As a referee, you can only make a mistake here if you do not ensure (and note down on your scoring sheet) that the appropriate player did indicate the choice to you and the opponent. This is why the Rule says 'clearly indicate'. Follow the Rule and you won't have problems. Note that, if the player chooses "Set one", then the Marker's call is "Eight-all, Set one, Game (or Match) ball".
Scoring systems	As you will be aware, other scoring systems are allowed and used, especially the 'Point-A-Rally' system in the U.S.A. and in most top professional men's (PSA) matches. In this PAR system, the score in a game usually goes up to 15 points, with the result of each rally being recorded as a point to one of the players. Similar situations occur here at 14-14. Linked to PARS, the PSA organization also uses a lowered tin (45 cm instead of the normal 48 cm) - this causes problems if organizers run women's and men's matches in the same event, as the tin must be raised and lowered between matches. Other suggestions have been tried, such as PAR to 9 or 21 points, or scoring as in tennis (with consequent short games and sets). Note that the Women's Player's Association (WISPA) does not intend to use PARS during their tournaments.
Game ball	Remember to call 'game ball' each time it is appropriate. Note that in PARS, you will be calling 'game ball' every time one or other player serves when the score of one player has reached 14. Do not call 'game and match ball' in the normal scoring game. In PARS this 'game ball, match ball' (or vice versa) can sometimes be correct (e.g., game score 2-0, 14-14 set one).
3/5 games	In some tournaments, especially when playing in pools, organizers sometimes arrange to play best-of-3 games for the pools and best-of-5 games for the final playoffs. Another idea is to play all plate (losers) round matches as best-of-3.

	Rule 3 - WARM-UP
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ?	3. WARM-UP (see definition in Appendix 2) 3.1 Immediately before the start of play, both players shall be allowed onto the court of play for a period of five minutes to warm-up together. After two-and-a-half minutes of the warm-up, the Referee shall call "Half time" and the players shall change sides unless they have already done so. The Referee shall also advise the players when the warm-up period is complete with the call of "Time".
Please fill in our comments form	It is not appropriate for the Referee to call "Half time" if the players have aIready changed sides during the warm-up. It is also unnecessary for the Referee to call "Time" once the players have agreed to end the warm-up before the end of the 5-minutes. However, the Referee should note the time at which the warm-up (was) ended and should start the 90-second interval from that moment.
	3.2 In the warm-up, both players must have equal opportunities of striking the ball. A player retaining the strike for an unreasonable time is warming-up unfairly. The Referee shall decide when the warm-up is unfair and shall * apply Rule 17 if necessary . Italicised words added. We are often asked whether there is a fixed number of times that a player can return the ball to them selves during the warm-up. The answer is - no. It is 'usual' that players return the ball to the opponent after anything from 1 to 5 returns to themselves. Any more times than 5 can be looked on as starting to be 'unfair'.
	3.3 A * player may warm up the ball during any interval. * WSF incorrectly uses the word 'either'. This Rule means that whenever a players wishes to return to the court while the opponent is not on the court during any interval, that player may warm-up the ball. Some players take advantage of this when they are aware that the opponent prefers a slightly cooler ball. The player will then stay on court (or go back onto court quickly) and return the ball extremely hard to themselves for some time, to make the ball exceedingly warm. This could be looked on as taking an unfair advantage from the Rules, but would you apply Rule 17 here ?
	3.4 The players may warm the ball up to playing condition after any interval* at the discretion of the Referee (if the Referee agrees). * The intervals include : a. between the warm-up and before the start of the 1st game; b. between games; c. if the ball is hit out of court and cannot be retrieved within a short time; d. if the ball breaks during play; e. an injury recovery period; f. an equipment change period.

　

		Rule 4 - THE SERVICE
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form		This Rule is rather complicated. Check out our Rule 4 explanations before or after reading the complete Rule below. Each point for which an explanation is given is shown by a hyperlink to that particular section. Our suggested changes to original WSF text are indicated in italics. 4. THE SERVICE 4.1 Play commences with a service and the spin of a racket decides the right to serve first. Thereafter, the server ('hand-in') continues to serve until losing a rally, whereupon (the server becomes 'hand-out' and) the opponent becomes the server, and this procedure continues throughout the match. At the start of the second and each subsequent game, the winner of the previous game serves first and is called 'hand-in'.
	4.2 At the beginning of each game and each hand, the server shall choose from which box to serve and thereafter shall serve from alternate boxes whilst remaining the server. However, if a rally ends in a let, the server shall serve again from the same box. If the server moves to the wrong box or a player is uncertain of the correct box for serving, the Marker shall announce the correct box. The Referee shall indicate the correct box if the Marker is uncertain, or incorrect, or there is a dispute.
	4.3 To serve, a player shall release the ball from either a hand or the racket and then strike the ball. Should the server make no attempt to strike the ball after that release, the server shall release the ball again for that service.
	4.4 A service is good if all the conditions in Rules 4.4.1 - 4.4.5 are met:
	4.4.1 The server has part of one foot in contact with the floor within the service box without any part of that foot touching the service box line (part of that foot may project over this line if it does not touch the line) at the time of striking the ball.
	4.4.2 The server, after releasing the ball for service, strikes it correctly on the first or further attempt before the ball falls to the floor, touches a wall, or touches anything the server wears.
	4.4.3 The server strikes the ball directly onto the front wall between the service and out lines.
	4.4.4 Unless volleyed by the receiver, the first bounce of the ball on the floor is in the quarter-court opposite the server's box without touching the short or half-court lines.
	4.4.5 The server does not serve the ball out.
	4.5 A service which does not meet the requirements of Rules 4.4.1 - 4.4.5 is not good and the Marker shall make the appropriate call. The calls are:
	"foot-fault" for Rule 4.4.1; "not up" for Rule 4.4.2; "fault" for Rule 4.4.3 if the ball strikes a side wall first or the front wall on or below the service line but above the board; "down" for Rule 4.4.3 if the ball strikes on or below the board or on the floor; "fault" for Rule 4.4.4; "out" for Rule 4.4.5.
	A service in which the ball is considered to have struck the front wall and a side wall simultaneously (at the same time) is not good and is called "fault".
Read explanations	In our opinion, it is now completely unnecessary to have this mixture of calls for the same situation. They all mean the same thing - the server has served the ball incorrectly and it is hand-out ! We should concentrate on just calling "out" (or "down").
	4.5 The server must not serve until the Marker has completed calling the score. The Marker must call the score without delay. If the server serves or attempts to serve before the Marker completes calling of the score, the Referee shall stop play and ask the server to wait until the Marker has completed calling the score.

	Rule 5 - THE PLAY
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	5. THE PLAY After the server delivers a good service, the players return the ball alternately until one fails to make a good return, the ball otherwise stops being in play in accordance with the Rules, a player appeals, or the Marker or Referee makes a call. See Rule 7 for 'play should be continuous'.
Unheard call	What do you do as a Referee if the Marker calls but it appears that the players did not hear the call ? Does it make a difference whether you are sure about the Marker's call being correct ?
Call "STOP"	If you let play continue in the hope that the player who loses the rally does not complain "I'm sure I heard a call ?", then you are approaching a very difficult area. As a Referee, when the Marker makes a call that does not appear to have been heard by the players, and if the Marker does not immediately shout "Stop", then you must yourself immediately shout "Stop" and explain to the players that the Marker made a call. You can then immediately make a decision regarding the correctness of that call. In any case, you must explain to the Marker that only loud and clear calls are acceptable. If you have not called "Stop" and play has continued, what decision do you make when the player who loses the rally makes an appeal ? Do you pretend not to have heard the call ? Do you play a 'let' ? Or do you go with the Marker's decision, which may have been a call of 'out'? This is why we recommend that you immediately shout "Stop" - it avoids these embarrassing situations.

	Rule 6 - GOOD RETURN
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	6. GOOD RETURN A return is good if all the conditions in Rules 6.1 - 6.4 are met: 6.1 The player returns the ball correctly before it has bounced twice on the floor. 6.2 The ball strikes the front wall above the board, either directly or via side wall(s) and/or the back wall, without first touching the floor or any part of the player's body or apparel (clothing), or the opponent's racket, body or apparel (clothing). 'Apparel' means clothing - why do WSF not use the more normal word ?
	6.3 The ball is not out.
Walls	For a return to be considered good, the ball can be first struck onto any wall of the court, but it must at some time in its flight, and before bouncing on the floor or going 'out' or 'down', strike against the front wall. When being served, the ball must FIRST hit the front wall. If the ball hits any other wall before it hits the front wall, it is 'out'.
Hair	Note that a ball passing through and touching a player's hair is also included in the above definition.
Racket throwing	A player may strike the ball with the racket, but for the shot to be valid, the racket must actually be in the player's hand at the moment of striking the ball. It is the Referee's decision as to precisely when a racket is considered to be in the player's hand. See also Rule 7.8 regarding dropping a racket.

	Rule 7 - CONTINUITY OF PLAY
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	This Rule is complicated and deserves explanations. 7. CONTINUITY OF PLAY After the server delivers the first service, play shall be continuous so far as is practical. However, 7.1 at any time the Referee may suspend play, because of bad light or other circumstances beyond the control of the players and officials, for an interval decided by the Referee. The score shall stand. If another court is available and the original court remains unsuitable for play, the Referee may transfer the match to it.
	7.2 There shall be a 90-second interval between the end of the warm-up and the start of the first game and between all games. Players may leave the court during these intervals but must be ready to play before * the end of the 90-second interval. If both players agree, play may start or restart prior to the end of the 90-second interval. * In practice, we use 'at the end of...'
Guideline 1	7.3 If a player satisfies the Referee that a change of equipment, clothing or footwear is necessary, the player may leave the court to make the change as quickly as possible, but must do do within 90 seconds.
	7.4 After 75 seconds of a permitted 90-second interval, the Referee shall call "Fifteen seconds" to advise the players to be ready to resume play. At the end of 90 seconds, the Referee shall call "Time". It is the responsibility of the players to be in a position to hear the calls of "Fifteen seconds" and "Time".
	Should one or both players not be ready to restart play when "Time" is called, the Referee shall apply Rule 17.
	7.5 If a player is injured, ill or disabled the Referee shall apply Rule 16.
Guideline 2	7.6 The Referee, on deciding that a player has delayed play unreasonably, shall apply Rule 17.
Guideline 3	7.7 If an object, other than a player's racket, falls to the floor of the court while a rally is in progress the requirements are:
	7.7.1 the Referee, on noticing a fallen object, shall stop play immediately.
	7.7.2 a player noticing a fallen object may stop play and appeal.
	7.7.3 if the object falls from a player, then that player shall lose the rally unless the player has hit a winning return or the cause is a collision with the opponent. In the latter case, the Referee shall allow a let unless the player appeals for a let because of interference, in which case the Referee shall apply Rule 12.
	7.7.4 if the object falls from a source other than a player, the Referee shall allow a let unless the player has hit a winning return.
	7.7.5 if the player has already made a winning return when the object falls to the floor of the court, that player shall win the rally.
	7.7.6 if a dropped object remains unnoticed until the end of the rally, the result of the rally shall stand.
Guideline 3	7.8 If a player drops their racket, the Referee shall allow the rally to continue unless interference occurred (Rule 12), the ball touched the racket (Rule 13.1.1), distraction occurred (Rule 13.1.3) or the Referee applies a conduct penalty (Rule 17).

	Rule 8 - WINNING A RALLY
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	8. WINNING A RALLY A player wins a rally if: 8.1 the opponent fails to deliver a good service (Rule 4.4). Rule 4.4 is all about the server losing the rally by serving the ball incorrectly - makes Rule 8.1 pretty obvious, don't you think ? But it makes a good 'sounding' Rule !
	A player wins a rally if: 8.2 the opponent fails to make a good return (Rule 6), unless the Referee allows a let or awards a stroke to the opponent. It is strange that stating the obvious sometimes has to be in these Rules !!
Guideline 4	A player wins a rally if: 8.3 the ball touches the opponent (including anything worn or carried), without interference, when the opponent is the non-striker, except as is otherwise provided for in Rules 9 (hitting the opponent with the ball) and 10 (further attempts to hit the ball). If interference occurs then Rule 12 applies. In all cases the Referee shall make the decision.
	A player wins a rally if: 8.4 the Referee awards a stroke to the player as provided for in the Rules. Another case of stating the obvious !!

	Rule 9 - BALL HITTING THE OPPONENT AND A PLAYER TURNING
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	9. BALL HITTING THE OPPONENT AND A PLAYER TURNING 9.1 (see Guideline 4) If the player hits the ball which, before reaching the front wall, hits the opponent (including anything worn or carried - and including the racket), play shall stop. The Referee, in addition to considering possible interference, shall decide the ball's trajectory (flight or path) and shall: 9.1.1 award a stroke to the player if the return would have been good and the ball would have struck the front wall without first touching any other wall, unless Rule 9.1.2 (turning) or 9.1.3 (further attempt) applies;
Guidelines 4 & 5	9.1.2 if the player turned, award a stroke to the opponent, unless the opponent made a deliberate movement to intercept the return, in which case the Referee shall award a stroke to the player; This is a major change ! Does this offer the possibility of abuse of the Rules - opponent deliberately (but very subtly) interfering with the player who then hits the ball (albeit gently) against the opponent ?
Guideline 5	9.1.3 if the player's return is a further attempt, allow a let, provided that Rule 9.1.2 (further attempt) does not apply.
	9.1.4 allow a let if the ball either had struck or would have struck any other wall before the front wall and the return would have been good, unless Rule 9.1.5 (winning return) applies;
	9.1.5 if deciding the player's return would have been a winning return, award a stroke to the player;　 Note that the possibility of awarding the rally to the striker requires absolute certainty from the Referee that the shot would have been a winner. Any doubt on this would lead to a let being allowed.
	9.1.6 award a stroke to the opponent if the return would not have been good.
	9.2 If the player turns: 9.2.1 the player may, before striking the ball, out of fear of hitting the opponent with the ball, stop and appeal. The Referee shall: 9.2.1.1 allow a let if deciding that there was a reasonable fear of the ball hitting the opponent, and the player would have been able to make a good return unless Rule 9.2.3 (unnecessary turning) applies, or 9.2.1.2 not allow a let if deciding that the player could not have made a good return.
	9.2.2 the player may, because of interference (by the opponent) stop play and appeal. The Referee shall: 9.2.2.1 allow a let if deciding that the player is unable to complete an attempt to play the ball because of interference by the opponent, or 9.2.2.2 award a stroke to the player if deciding that the opponent did not make every effort to avoid the interference on turning, or 9.2.2.3 not allow a let if deciding that the player could not have made a good return regardless of the interference.
	9.2.3 The Referee shall not allow a let if deciding that the act of turning was to create the opportunity to appeal rather than an attempt to return the ball. This is intended to prevent the infamous "Egyptian" turning, in which the player intentionally turns when they would have been able to play the ball without turning. The situation was very apparent when junior Egyptian players started to turn ordinary good shots by their opponents (e.g., the almost perfect lob to the back corner) into possible let situations, which referees found it difficult to refuse.

	Rule 10 - FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO HIT THE BALL
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	10. FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO HIT THE BALL If the player attempts to strike the ball and misses, the striker may make further attempts. 10.1 If, after being missed, the ball touches the opponent (including anything worn or carried - and including the racket), the Referee shall: 10.1.1 allow a let, if deciding that the player could otherwise have made a good return, or 10.1.2 award a stroke to the opponent, if deciding that the player could not have made a good return.
	10.2 The Referee shall allow a let if any such further attempt is successful but results in a good return being prevented from reaching the front wall by hitting the opponent, including anything worn or carried.
	10.3 The player may, because of interference on the further attempt, stop play and appeal. The Referee shall: 10.3.1 allow a let, if the player is unable to complete a further attempt to play the ball provided a good return was possible, or 10.3.2 award a stroke to the player, if deciding that the opponent did not make every effort to avoid the interference on the further attempt, or 10.3.3 not allow a let, if deciding that the further attempt would not have resulted in a good return.
Second attempt ?	This further attempt Rule is used by some players to claim a let when they have played a bad ball. For example, a player hits a shot that takes the ball into the court such that the player cannot escape from interfering with the opponent. The opponent gets into position to play the ball, but is unable to do so. The interfering player then claims that 'it was a second attempt', when in fact the opponent made no movement to play the ball. In this situation, the Referee must carefully watch for any forward movement of the opponent's racket, because this can be interpreted as a 'first' attempt. The interfering player would then be entitled to claim a let (on the grounds of further attempt) if the opponent makes a later appeal.

	Rule 11 - APPEALS
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	11. APPEALS The loser of a rally may appeal against any decision of the Marker affecting that rally. A player should make an appeal under Rule 11 by saying "Appeal please" . The Referee, if uncertain of the reason for an appeal, may ask the player for an explanation. If the Referee disallows an appeal under Rule 11, the Marker's decision shall stand. If uncertain, the Referee shall allow a let, except if Rules 11.2.1, 11.5 or 11.6 apply. In almost all cases, a player will use the words 'Let please', whatever it states in this Rule.
	Appeals and Referee interventions in specific situations are dealt with below (see also Rule 20.4 ). Rule 20.4 concerns the Marker making a wrong call, according to the Referee.
	11.1 Appeals on Service:
	11.1.1 If the Marker makes a call of "Foot-fault", "Fault", "Not up", "Down" or "Out" to the service, the server may appeal. If the Referee upholds the appeal , the Referee shall allow a let. In other words, if the Referee believes that the Marker made an error by making the call.
	11.1.2 If, after the service, the Marker makes no call, the receiver may appeal, either immediately or at the end of the rally. The Referee, if certain that the service was not good, shall, without waiting for an appeal, stop play immediately and award the rally to the receiver. In response to an appeal, the Referee shall: 11.1.2.1 if certain that the service was good, award the rally to the server; 11.1.2.2 if uncertain, allow a let.
	11.2 Appeals on Play other than Service:
	11.2.1 A player may appeal if the Marker calls "Not up", "Down" or "Out" following that player's return. The Referee, if agreeing with the appeal or uncertain whether the Marker's call was correct, shall: 11.2.1.1 allow a let, unless Rules 11.2.1.2 or 11.2.1.3 apply; 11.2.1.2 award the rally to the player if the Marker's call interrupted that player's winning return; 11.2.1.3 award the rally to the opponent if the Marker's call has interrupted or prevented a winning return by the opponent.
	11.2.2 If the Marker fails to call "Not up", "Down" or "Out" following a player's return, the opponent may appeal either immediately or at the end of the rally. The Referee, if certain that the return was not good, shall, without waiting for an appeal, stop play and award the rally to the opponent. In response to an appeal the Referee shall: 11.2.2.1 if deciding the return was good, award the rally to the player; 11.2.2.2. if uncertain, allow a let.
	11.3 After the delivery of a service, a player may not appeal for anything which occurred before that service , unless* Rule 14.3 (broken ball) applies. * If a player does make an appeal in this situation, the Referee should inform the player that an appeal is not appropriate.
	11.4 When the loser makes more than one appeal concerning a rally, the Referee shall consider each appeal.
	11.5 If a player appeals the Marker's call of "Foot-fault", "Fault", "Not up", "Down" or "Out" to a service, but that same service subsequently is clearly a fault, not up, down or out, then the Referee shall decide only on the subsequent occurrence. * This is a clear example of the fact that all of the above calls mean the same on the service - please let us start using just a single word instead of this mixture of terms.....
	11.6 If a player appeals the Marker's call of "Not up", "Down" or "Out" to a return but that same return subsequently is clearly down or out, the Referee shall decide only on the subsequent occurrence.

　

　

	Rule 12 - INTERFERENCE
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	12. INTERFERENCE 12.1 The player whose turn it is to play the ball is entitled to freedom from interference by the opponent. 12.2 To avoid interference, the opponent must make every effort to provide the player with: (see Guideline 6) 12.2.1 unobstructed direct access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow-through. 12.2.2 a fair view * of the ball on its rebound from the front wall. * We know that players do not like this part of the Rules, as it almost prohibits them from using disguise to play a good shot. We and the players were expecting 'fair view' to have been removed for the 2001 rewrite. This has not occurred !!
Guideline 7	12.2.3 freedom to hit the ball with a reasonable swing. 12.2.4 freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall.
	12.3 Interference occurs if the opponent fails to fulfil any of the requirements of Rule 12.2, even though the opponent makes every effort to fulfil those requirements. *
	12.4 A player's excessive swing can contribute to interference for the opponent when it becomes the opponent's turn to play the ball. * The point about excessive versus reasonable is very open to interpretation - and to whether the Referee has any knowledge of the playing style of the two opponents. You may remember a certain New Zealand player who was allowed for many years to use what everyone considered an excessive backswing. He even became World Champion using that swing !! We consider that excessive is when a player makes an exaggerated movement, unlike their normal style of play.
Guideline 8 Guideline 9 & 10	12.5 A player encountering possible interference has the choice of continuing to play or of stopping and making an appeal to the Referee. 12.5.1 A player seeking a let or a stroke should appeal by saying "Let please". 12.5.2 Only the player whose turn it is to play the ball may appeal. The player must appeal either immediately the interference occurs or, when clearly not continuing play beyond the point of interference, without undue delay.
	12.6 The Referee shall decide on the appeal and shall announce the decision with the words "No let", "Yes let" or "Stroke to...(name of appropriate player)" (see flowchart in Appendix 4.1). The Referee alone makes all decisions, which are final. The Referee, if uncertain of the reason for an appeal, may ask the player for an explanation (before making the decision).
Guideline 6 Guideline 6 Guideline 11	12.7 The Referee shall not allow a let and the player shall lose the rally if the Referee decides that: 12.7.1 there was no interference or the interference was so minimal that the player's fair view of the ball and freedom to get to and play the ball were not affected. 12.7.2 interference occurred but either the player would not have made a good return or the player had not made every effort to get to and play the ball. 12.7.3 the player moved past the point of interference and played on. 12.7.4 the player created the interference in moving to the ball.
Guideline 7	12.8 The Referee shall award a stroke to the player if: 12.8.1 there was interference, which the opponent did not make every effort to avoid, and the player would have made a good return. 12.8.2 there was interference, which the opponent made every effort to avoid, but the opponent's position prevented the player's reasonable swing and the player would have been able to make a winning return.
Guideline 7	12.8.3 there was interference, which the opponent made every effort to avoid, and the player would have made a winning return; 12.8.4 the player has refrained from hitting the ball which, if hit, would clearly have struck the opponent going directly to the front wall; or to a side wall but in the latter case would have been a winning return (unless Rule 9.2 - turning, or Rule 10 - further attempt applies).
	12.9 The Referee shall allow a let if there was interference, which the opponent made every effort to avoid, and the player would have made a good return.
	12.10 The Referee shall not award a stroke to a player who causes interference to the opponent by using an excessive swing. 12.11 The Referee may allow a let under Rule 12.9 or award a stroke under Rule 12.8 without an appeal, if necessary stopping play to do so.
Guideline 12	12.12 The Referee may also apply Rule 17 when interference occurs. The Referee shall, stopping play if it has not already stopped, apply an appropriate penalty if: 12.12.1 the player made significant or deliberate physical contact with the opponent; 12.12.2 the player endangered the opponent with an excessive swing.

　

	Rule 13 - LETS
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	13. LETS In addition to lets allowed under other Rules, the Referee may or shall allow lets in certain other cases. A player should ask for a let by saying "Let please". The Referee, if uncertain of the reason for a player asking for a let, may ask the player for an explanation (before making the decision). 13.1 The Referee may allow a let if: 13.1.1 the ball in play touches any article lying on the floor (see Rule 15.3 - no objects on court). But note that an object may fall on the floor during a rally - see Rule 7.7
Guideline 7	13.1.2 the player refrains from hitting the ball onto any of the walls including the back wall owing to a reasonable fear of injuring the opponent.
	13.1.3 the Referee decides that an occurrence on or off the court distracted a player. A player making an appeal for distraction must do so immediately the distraction occurs. However, the Referee may award a stroke to a player who has been distracted if that player could have played a winning return if the distraction had not occurred. 13.1.4 the Referee decides that a change in court conditions affected the result of the rally.
	13.2 The Referee shall allow a let if: 13.2.1 the receiver is not ready and does not attempt to return the service. 13.2.2 the ball breaks during play. 13.2.3 the Referee is unable to decide an appeal. 13.2.4 a player makes an otherwise good return but either the ball lodges in any part of the playing surface of the court, preventing it from bouncing more than once on the floor, or the ball goes out after its first bounce.
	13.3 If the player appeals for a let under Rules 13.1.1 to 13.1.4, the Referee shall allow a let only if the player could have made a good return. For an appeal by the opponent under Rules 13.1.1, 13.1.3 and 13.1.4, this is not a requirement.
	13.4 If the player attempts to play the ball, the Referee may still allow a let under Rules 13.1.1, 13.1.3, 13.1.4, 13.2.2.
	13.5 The appeals requirements of Rule 13 are: 13.5.1 A player's appeal is necessary for the Referee to allow a let under Rules 13.1.2 (player only), 13.1.3, 13.2.1 (receiver only) and 13.2.3. 13.5.2 A player's appeal or Referee intervention without appeal is applicable to Rules 13.1.1, 13.1.4, 13.2.2 and 13.2.4.

	Rule 14 - THE BALL
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	14. THE BALL 14.1 At any time, when the ball is not in actual play, a player or the Referee may examine the ball. The Referee may substitute another ball if both players agree, or if a player appeals and the Referee finds that the ball is actually broken. 14.2 If a ball breaks during play, the Referee, after confirming that it is broken, shall replace it promptly with another ball. Note that it is important for the Referee to always have a spare new ball available.
	14.3 If the ball breaks during play without this being noticed during the rally, the Referee shall alllow a let for the rally in which the ball broke if the server appeals before the next service or if the receiver appeals prior to attempting to return that service.
Guideline 13	14.3.1 If the receiver appeals before attempting to return the service and the Referee decides that the ball broke during that service, the Referee shall allow a let for that rally only but, if uncertain, the Referee shall allow a let for the previous rally.
	14.4 Rule 14.3 does not apply to the final rally of a game. In that case a player must appeal immediately after the rally.
	14.5 If a player stops during a rally to appeal that the ball is broken only to then find that the ball is not broken, that player shall lose the rally.
	14.6 The ball shall remain within the court at all times * unless the Referee permits its removal. * unless the ball is hit out of court or onto an adjacent court !!
	14.7 When the Referee has given the players a new ball or when a match is restarted after some delay, the Referee shall allow the players to warm the ball up to playing condition. Play shall then restart when the Referee or when both players decide, whichever is earlier.

	Rule 15 - DUTIES OF THE PLAYERS
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	We have felt it necessary to make some explanations for these duties on a separate explanations page. 15. DUTIES OF THE PLAYERS 15.1 A player must observe all the Rules and the spirit of the game. Failure to do so could bring the game into disrepute and the Referee may apply* Rule 17. * disfavour, discredit, state of being unpopular.
	15.2 A player must be ready to commence play at the announced starting time of the match.
	15.3 A player must not place within the court any object(s), clothing or equipment. 15.4 A player must not leave the court during a game without the Referee's permission. If they do, the Referee may apply Rule 17.
	15.5 A player may not request a change of Marker or Referee. 15.6 A player must not deliberately distract the opponent. If this occurs, the Referee shall apply Rule 17. 15.7 A player should appeal by saying "Let please" or "Appeal please" according to the circumstances. Pointing with the finger or racket, other gestures, raised eyebrows or other eye activity are not universally recognised methods of appeal. 15.8 A player must comply with any additional competition regulations (e.g., sponsor's clothing requirements) as well as those contained within the Rules.

	Rule 16 - BLEEDING, ILLNESS, DIABILITY AND INJURY
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	16. BLEEDING, ILLNESS, DISABILITY AND INJURY (see flowchart in Appendix 4.2) 16.1 Bleeding: The Referee shall immediately stop play when a player has visible bleeding, an open wound or blood-stained clothing. Before allowing play to continue, the Referee must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped, the wound has been covered and any blood-stained clothing has been changed, allowing such time as is reasonable and necessary and is available on the tournament schedule. If the bleeding was caused solely by (an action of) the opponent, the Referee shall immediately award the match to the player.
	16.1.1 Recurrence (restarting) of bleeding: If the bleeding recurs (starts again), for which recovery time has already been allowed, the Referee shall allow no further recovery time except that the player may concede the game in progress and use the 90-second interval between games for recovery (to stop the bleeding again). If the visible bleeding continues at the end of this 90-second interval, the player shall concede the match. A player may only concede one game for one 90-second interval. If the covering of the bleeding wound falls off or is removed during the match thereby exposing the wound, the Referee shall consider this to be restarting of the bleeding, unless all sign of bleeding has stopped.
	16.2 Illness or Disability: A player suffering illness or disability not involving bleeding has the following options: 16.2.1 starting play again without delay, or 16.2.2 conceding the game in progress, accepting the 90-second interval, or 16.2.3 conceding the match. Symptoms of tiredness, alleged illness or disability not reasonably evident to the Referee or recurrence of pre-existing ailments including injuries sustained earlier in the match shall be dealt with under Rule 16.2. This includes cramps of any kind, actual or impending nausea and breathlessness including asthma. The Referee shall inform the players of the decision and the requirements of the Rules.
	16.3 Injury 16.3.1 In the event of a player claiming an injury has occurred, the Referee must be satisfied that the injury is genuine and, if so, decide the category of injury, informing the players of the decision and of the requirements of the Rules. The player is only entitled to recovery time immediately after the injury occurred. The categories are: 16.3.1.1 self-inflicted, in which the opponent did not contribute to the injury; 16.3.1.2 contributed, in which the opponent accidentally contributed to or accidentally caused the injury. The Referee shall not interpret the words "accidentally contributed to or accidentally caused by" to include the situation in which a player is crowding the opponent. 16.3.1.3 opponent-inflicted, in which the opponent solely caused the injury.
	16.3.2 If the injury involves bleeding, Rule 16.1 shall apply until the bleeding has stopped. Then Rule 16.3.3 applies.
	16.3.3 If bleeding is not involved, the following Rules shall apply: 16.3.3.1 For a self-inflicted injury (Rule 16.3.1.1), the Referee shall allow 3 minutes for the injured player to recover. The Referee shall call "Time" at the end of the 3-minute period after giving a 15-second warning. If the player requests additional recovery time beyond 3 minutes, the Referee shall require the injured player to concede one game, accept the 90-second interval between games, and then start play again or concede the match. If the injured player has not returned to the court when "Time" is called, the Referee shall award the match to the opponent.
	16.3.3.2 For a contributed injury (Rule 16.3.1.2), the Referee shall allow one hour for the injured player to recover, and such additional time as the time schedule of the competition permits. The Referee shall call "Time" at the end of any recovery time allowed. The injured player must, by the end of this period, start play again or concede the match. If the injured player starts play again, the score at the end of the rally in which the injury occurred shall stand.
	16.3.3.3 For an opponent-inflicted injury (Rule 16.3.1.3), the Referee shall apply Rule 17 and, if the injured player requires time to recover, the Referee shall award the match to the injured player.
	16.4 If an injured player, having been granted a recovery time interval, wishes to start play again before the end of that interval, the Referee shall permit the opponent sufficient time to prepare to start play again.
	16.5 If a player claims injury and the Referee is not satisfied that an injury has occurred, the Referee shall ask the player to start play again, or concede one game, accept the 90-second interval available and then either start play again or concede the match.
	16.6 If conceding the game, the player shall retain (keep) any points already scored and at the end of the 90-second interval between games shall either start play again or concede the match.

	Rule 17 - CONDUCT ON COURT
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	17. CONDUCT ON COURT 17.1 If the Referee considers that a player's behaviour is disruptive, intimidating or offensive to the opponent, an official or a spectator, or could in any way bring the game into disrepute, the Referee shall penalise the player. (see Guideline 15) 17.2 Offences with which the Referee shall deal under this rule include audible and visible obscenities, verbal and physical abuse, dissent to Marker or Referee, abuse of racket, ball or court, and coaching, other than during the interval between games. Other offences include significant or deliberate physical contact (Rule 12.12.1) and excessive racket swing (Rule 12.4), unfair warm-up (Rule 3.2), late back on court (Rule 7.4), dangerous play or action (Rule 16.3.1.3) and time wasting (Rule 7.6).
	Definitions helpful for this Rule: audible obscenity - includes any word considered blasphemous (against a religion) or of a sexual nature; difficult when player uses own language which is not that of Referee; in some countries, use of the f... word is considered worthy of the award of a Conduct match, whereas in other countries the f... word and other similar words are more tolerated; visible obscenity - typical example is rubbing hand along racket handle (simulating male masturbation and meaning the slang 'wanker'); verbal abuse - includes expressions such as "you're useless", "typical wrong decision - again!", "learn the Rules, idiot", etc. physical abuse - (attempting to) assault the Referee, Marker, opponent or spectator by physical violence; dissent - continual disagreement with Referee's decisions; abuse of racket - for example, breaking racket against court wall, floor or own body; throwing racket to floor, or at Referee; abuse of ball - includes hitting ball wildly out of court after hearing Referee's decision; expressly breaking ball; abuse of court - includes closing the court door violently; breaking part of the tin; damaging surface of wall; coaching - from outside the court during games.
Guideline 16	17.3 The Referee shall apply one of the following penalties for these and any other offences: Warning (called a Conduct Warning). Stroke awarded to opponent (called a Conduct Stroke). Game awarded to opponent (called a Conduct Game). Match awarded to opponent (called a Conduct Match).
	17.3.1 If the Referee stops play to give a Conduct warning, the Referee shall allow a let.
	17.3.2 During a rally, if an incident occurs warranting the award of a Conduct stroke, the Referee shall stop play if it has not already stopped and award a stroke. The award of the Conduct stroke becomes the result of the rally.
	17.3.3 If the Referee awards a Conduct stroke as a result of an incident between rallies, the result of the completed rally stands, and the Conduct stroke award is additional to the score but without further change of service box.
	17.3.4 If the Referee awards a Conduct game, that game shall be the one in progress or the next game if one is not in progress, in which latter case the interval between games shall not apply. The offending player shall keep any points already scored in the game awarded.

	Rule 18 - CONTROL OF A MATCH
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	18. CONTROL OF A MATCH 18.1 A Referee, assisted by a Marker, normally controls a match. Although the Referee may undertake the duties of the Marker as well, the WSF recommends that separate officials carry out the two roles. (see Guideline 17). Despite this Rule, you will find the two official situation occurring rarely, except in top professional matches. You will almost certainly perform most of your officiating duties as a combined Referee/Marker (the Single Official), quite simply due to the limited number of people willing and able to officiate in squash matches. When you consider the abuse and insulting comments that you will receive as a Referee, it is surprising that anyone wants to join our very small group.
	18.2 The correct location for the Referee and Marker is at the centre of the back wall, as close to that wall as possible, above the out line on the back wall, and preferably with seating. And if you ever find yourself in this perfect situation, please let us know ! It is becoming less and less common to see the Officials anywhere near the court, and almost never in the position suggested. Media coverage and spectator viewing become primary, and officiating becomes secondary in these commercially influenced days. And, as officials, we must respect this, as sponsorship pays for the events to take place. However, it does not help the quality of refereeing decisions as depth perception is greatly reduced when the officials are seated low down and about 20 meters from the court's back wall. And for the Marker, it is almost impossible to determine whether a ball has passed close to or actually hit the tin/board. We must be grateful that technology is beginning to catch up with the world of sport and we should look into more possibilities of electronic aids, such as the Sensorline, and other so-called "electronic tin" devices.

	Rule 19 - DUTIES OF A MARKER
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	19. DUTIES OF A MARKER 19.1 The Marker shall call the play , followed by the score, with the server's score called first. The Marker shall call services and returns which are not good using the recognised calls of "Fault", "Foot-fault", "Not up", "Down", "Out", "Hand-out" and "Stop" (see Appendix 3.1) as appropriate, and shall repeat the Referee's decisions (see Guideline 18). "call the play" is an unusual expression - it means that the Marker is the person who shouts (makes a call) if a player's shot is judged to be incorrect in any way.
	19.2 At the end of the rally, the Marker shall call the score without delay, but only after the Referee has decided any appeals.
	19.3 If the Marker makes a call, the rally shall stop. See Rules 11 and 20.4 for the Referee's action if the Marker does not make a call in situations when a shot is not good. 19.4 The Marker, if unsighted or uncertain, shall make no call.
	19.5 If play stops without the Marker having made a call, the Marker, if unsighted or uncertain, shall advise the players and the Referee shall make the relevant decision. If the Referee is also uncertain, the Referee shall allow a let.
	19.6 The Marker shall keep a written record of the score and the correct side for service. The Marker should also record all decisions and times (total match time, each game time, and time of each delay). See scoring for typical recording systems.

	Rule 20 - DUTIES OF A REFEREE
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	20. DUTIES OF A REFEREE (see Guideline 19) 20.1 The Referee shall decide on all appeals, make decisions where the Rules call for them, and shall decide all appeals against the Marker's calls or lack of calls. The decision of the Referee shall be final. The Referee must announce all decisions to the players on the court and must make all calls in a voice loud enough to be heard on the court and by the audience . "in the gallery" in the original WSF Rules is a typically old-fashioned term - most modern centres do not have galleries, but have glass-backed courts with or without seating.
	20.2 The Referee shall exercise control: 20.2.1 when one of the players appeals, including an appeal against any specification. 20.2.2 to ensure that all relevant Rules are applied correctly. 20.2.3 when the behaviour of any spectator, official, manager or coach is disruptive to the play or offensive to the players, officials or spectators. The Referee shall suspend play until the disruption has stopped and if necessary shall require the offending person(s) to leave the court area.
	20.3 The Referee shall not intervene in the Marker's calling of the score unless the Referee decides that the Marker has called the score incorrectly. In that case the Referee shall correct the score and the Marker shall repeat the corrected score.
	20.4 The Referee shall not intervene in the Marker's calling of the play unless the Referee decides that the Marker has made an error in stopping play or allowing play to continue, in which case the Referee shall immediately decide accordingly.
	20.5 The Referee shall enforce all Rules relating to time.
	20.6 The Referee shall keep a written record of the score and the correct side for service. The Referee should also record all decisions and times (total match time, each game time, and time of each delay). See scoring for typical recording systems.
	20.7 The Referee is responsible for ensuring that court conditions are satisfactory for play.
	20.9 The Referee may award a match to a player whose opponent is not present on court, ready to play, within ten minutes after the announced time of play.

	Guideline 1 - CHANGE OF EQUIPMENT
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G1. CHANGE OF EQUIPMENT In order to prevent one player from gaining an unfair rest interval through a change of equipment, the Referee, before allowing a player to leave the court to make the change, shall be satisfied that there has indeed been a material deterioration of the equipment. The preference for another racket, or a different pair of shoes where no physical deterioration is evident, is not sufficient reason for the player to change that equipment. The player may leave the court to effect the change as quickly as possible and must do so within 90 seconds.
	If a player's glasses break or a player loses a contact lens, that player is permitted 90 seconds, after which the player must start play again. If a player is unable to start play again because of lack of alternative equipment, the Referee shall award the match to the opponent.

	Guideline 2 - TIME WASTING
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G2. TIME-WASTING Time-wasting is an attempt by one player to gain an unfair advantage over the opponent. Prolonged discussion with the Referee and slow preparation to serve or receive service are examples. The Referee shall apply Rule 17 when this occurs. While excessive ball bouncing prior to service is time-wasting, it does not constitute serving the hand out. Players should be aware that during the 90-second intervals, the Referee's call of "Fifteen seconds" is advice for them to return to court. A player who is not ready to resume play on the call of "Time" is gaining an unfair advantage and the Referee shall apply Rule 17.

	Guideline 3 - FALLEN OBJECT
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G3. FALLEN OBJECT Rule 7.7 makes it clear that, if any object falls (or is thrown) to the floor of the court, play must stop. Since an injury may occur if a player treads on any object of significant size or texture, the Referee or Marker shall halt play with the call "Stop" or the player(s) may stop and appeal. If the fallen object is unnoticed by players and officials until the end of the rally and the Referee decides that there has been no effect on the outcome of the rally, the result of the rally shall stand (Rule 7.7.6). Players are responsible for holding onto their equipment. As a general rule, a player who drops or throws a piece of equipment will lose the rally. Exceptions are equipment falling as a result of a collision in which case the Referee may allow a let or award a stroke depending on whether the player has hit a winning return. If the collision results in an appeal for interference, Rule 12 will take precedence. If a player drops a racket without colliding with the opponent, the Referee shall allow the rally to continue under most circumstances. It is considered that the player is already at a significant disadvantage, as the player must pick up the racket to remain in the rally. The Referee shall deal with a player's deliberate dropping or throwing of an object to the floor of the court under Rule 17 (conduct on court).

	Guideline 4 - PLAYER HIT BY THE BALL INCLUDING TURNING AND FURTHER ATTEMPT
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G4. PLAYER HIT BY THE BALL INCLUDING TURNING AND FURTHER ATTEMPT If the ball hits the non-striker, the Referee shall make a decision in all cases and the Marker's call is not required until after the Referee has made this decision. If the ball, coming from the front wall, hits the non-striker without interference occurring, the non-striker loses the rally unless further attempt applies (Rule 10). The definition of "Attempt" makes it clear that even a fake swing of the racket or feint at the ball is an attempt, but racket preparation comprising only backswing with no racket movement towards the ball is not an attempt. Rules 9 and 10 cover the various situations in which the ball going to the front wall hits the non-striker. If the ball hits the striker (without interference), the striker loses the rally and the Marker shall call "Not up", because the striker has not struck the ball correctly. The Referee need not make a decision unless the Marker fails to make a call. When the ball strikes a player and interference has occurred, the Referee shall apply Rule 12. In deciding to play the ball on turning, a player must ensure that the return will not hit the opponent. If the player does hit the opponent with the ball after turning, the Referee shall award the rally to the opponent, unless the opponent made a deliberate movement to prevent a good return reaching the front wall, in which case the Referee shall award a stroke. This is just repeating the Rule itself !

	Guideline 5 - INTERFERENCE ON TURNING OR A FURTHER ATTEMPT
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G5. INTERFERENCE ON TURNING OR A FURTHER ATTEMPT When a player turns or makes a further attempt to play the ball, the opponent still has an obligation to make every effort to provide the player with freedom to sight the ball and to get to and play the ball as provided for in Rule 12. However, the act of turning or of recovering for a further attempt is often so quick that the opponent does not have a reasonable opportunity to clear before the interference occurs. In such cases, the Referee shall allow a let. Conversely, if the opponent had ample time to clear but made no effort to do so, or deliberately moved thereby creating the interference, the Referee shall award a stroke to the player. When a player shapes to play the ball on one side and then brings the racket across the front of the body to take the ball on the other side, it is neither turning nor making a further attempt, and if interference occurs, Rule 12 applies. This position frequently occurs after the ball has hit the side wall and the front wall simultaneously and then rebounds into the middle of the court.

　

	Guideline 6 - MAKING EVERY EFFORT AND MINIMAL INTERFERENCE
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G6. MAKING EVERY EFFORT AND MINIMAL INTERFERENCE The opponent must make every effort to clear the ball after playing a return. The opponent's route should allow the player unobstructed direct access to the ball, provided the player has not moved in to play the ball so quickly as to block the opponent's exit. In the latter case, the Referee shall allow a let unless the player could not have made a good return, in which case the Referee shall not allow a let. However, it is equally important for the player to make every effort to get to and play the ball. If the player does not make every effort to get to and play the ball, that is a significant factor in the Referee's assessment of whether or not that player could have reached the ball and made a good return. The Referee shall decide the degree of effort that the player should make to demonstrate "making every effort". This does not give the player the right to abuse the opponent physically, and the Referee shall penalise significant or deliberate physical contact under Rule 12 or Rule 17. When a player appeals for a let having encountered some interference, the Referee, when deciding that the interference had no effect on that player's sighting of the ball and freedom to get to and play the ball, shall not allow a let. This is minimal interference and includes situations in which: the opponent 'crossed the flight' of the ball very early in its trajectory from the front wall but still allowed the player time to sight the ball; or the player brushed past the opponent on the way to the ball without affecting the player's direct access; or the racket swing brushed the opponent, the opponent's clothing or racket without affecting the racket's swing. However, when interference has occurred, the Referee shall allow a let in situations in which the player was clearly making every effort (albeit short of physical contact with the opponent) to get to and play the ball and had demonstrated to the Referee the ability to reach the ball.

	Guideline 7 - INTERFERENCE WITH THE STRIKER'S SWING AND REASONABLE FEAR OF HITTING THE OPPONENT
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G7. INTERFERENCE WITH THE STRIKER'S SWING AND REASONABLE FEAR OF HITTING THE OPPONENT Rule 12.2.3 allows the player "freedom to hit the ball with a reasonable swing". If the player stops play due to the opponent not granting this freedom and the player appeals, the Referee shall consider the following options: 1. If the opponent is too close and has prevented the player's reasonable swing and is hit or would have been hit with the racket, the Referee shall award a stroke to the player. 2. If the player stops play as a result of slight racket contact with the opponent, who is making every effort to clear, the Referee shall allow a let. This is different from the minimal interference described in Guideline 6. The amount of contact must be sufficient to affect the player's swing, but insufficient to prevent it. 3. If the player stops play for fear of hitting the opponent and the opponent, though close to, does not prevent the player's reasonable swing, the Referee shall allow a let under Rule 13.1.2 (reasonable fear of injury). As long as the opponent does not prevent a reasonable swing, a let is the appropriate decision. 4. If the player stops play for fear of hitting the opponent and the opponent is well clear of the reasonable swing, the Referee shall not allow a let as the player has judged the opponent's position incorrectly.
Blocking	* 'Blocking' (the intentional delay of appropriate movement off the ball) has become one of the biggest and most irritating problems in the modern game. It appears to be difficult for the older referees to see when an outgoing striker is 'blocking' intentionally. However, it is also difficult for any referee to penalise the clever player who disguises the 'block' by subtle movements of the arms and/or legs and/or body. One of the best proponents of the intentional 'block' was a certain member of the Khan family. When playing a good drop-shot, the player would move effectively and quickly off the ball. When the shot was not so good, that player would intentionally delay the movement off the ball. In almost all cases, the frustrated opponent would only be allowed a let, instead of the more effective stroke. Once, we observed a referee handling this player effectively and the match was quite excellent. ** This means that simply stopping when the player thinks that interference will prevent the player getting to the ball is not sufficient reason for the Referee to allow a let or award a stroke.
Barging	The degree of effort that is required by the incoming striker, in order to demonstrate "making every effort," is for the Referee to decide. Players should note that this does not give them licence to abuse their opponents physically , and unnecessary physical contact will be penalised under Rules 12 (on interference) and 17 (on conduct on court). The player 'barging' (pushing violently and unnecessarily) into an opponent (even if almost justified as 'making every effort') should be severely penalised using Rule 17 (on conduct on court). Once penalised in this way, the player will think twice before doing it again.
Positive	A Referee, however, should not refuse lets in situations where the player was clearly making every effort (albeit short of physical contact with the opponent) to get to the ball and had demonstrated to the Referee the ability to reach the ball. * Here again, this Guideline is written in the negative - it would be better to say "A Referee shall allow a let...."

	Guideline 8 - METHOD OF APPEAL
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G8. METHOD OF APPEAL The correct method of appeal when interference has occurred or Rule 13 instances (lets) have occurred is to say "Let please" and for other occurrences under Rule 11 is to say "Appeal please". Players sometimes use other forms of appeal including a raised hand or racket, especially when communication between players and Referee is difficult. A Referee accepting any form of appeal other than the standard "Let please" or "Appeal please" must be satisfied that the player is actually making an appeal.

	Guideline 9 - TIMING OF APPEALS
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G9. TIMING OF APPEALS The timing of an appeal on interference is important. In the case of an appeal concerning fair view and freedom to hit the ball directly to the front wall (commonly known as "crossing the flight"), the Referee shall consider the situation at the time the player could have hit the ball. In the case of interference on backswing, the appeal must be immediate, and before the player makes any attempt to play the ball. Any attempt to hit the ball after backswing interference has occurred indicates that the striker has accepted the interference and thus forfeits the right of appeal.
	If there is interference in the act of playing the ball, which includes a reasonable backswing, hit and reasonable followthrough, an appeal is justified. The Referee should consider whether the opponent was crowding (standing too close) and not allowing freedom to play the ball in deciding whether to allow a let or to award a stroke.

	Guideline 10 - EARLY APPEAL
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G10. EARLY APPEAL If a player makes an appeal for interference before the result of the opponent's return is known, this is regarded as an early appeal. If a player makes an early appeal and the opponent's return subsequently goes down or out, the Referee shall allow the result of the rally to stand, the player winning the rally. When the opponent appeals for a let for interference before the player has completed a reasonable follow-through, this is also regarded as an early appeal. In this case, the opponent has no right of appeal and the Referee shall not allow a let.

	Guideline 11 - CREATED INTERFERENCE
Idea by Clive Pollard Do you have any comments on the content or any suggestions ? Please fill in our comments form	G11. CREATED INTERFERENCE At all times an opponent must allow the player unobstructed direct access to play the ball. However, sometimes the situation arises in which the opponent has caused no interference (i.e., the opponent has clearly provided the required direct access) but the player takes an indirect route to the ball which takes the player towards, or very close to, the opponent's position. The player then appeals for a let because of being "obstructed" in access to the ball. If there is no genuine reason for this indirect route, the player has created the interference where none otherwise existed and, if the player appeals, the Referee shall not allow a let. Whether the player could make a good return is not a consideration - in order to remain in the rally the player must get to and play the ball. This is different from two situations in which a player, in attempting to recover from a position of disadvantage, does not have direct access to the ball. In the first situation, the player is "wrong-footed" and anticipates the opponent hitting the ball one way, starts moving that way, but having guessed wrongly, changes direction to find the opponent in the way. In this situation, the Referee shall allow the player a let on appeal if the recovery is sufficient to demonstrate that the player would have made a good return. In fact, if the opponent prevents the incoming player from playing a winning return, the Referee shall award a stroke to the player. Secondly, if a player plays a poor return that gives the opponent a position of advantage, the Referee shall allow the player a let only if, in taking the direct line to the ball for the next return, the Referee decides that, but for the interference, that player would have been able to get to and play the ball.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　