Auckland Squash Junior Interclub
Introduction to Rules, Marking and Refereeing
This introduction is intended to provide a brief overview of the Rules of the game of Squash
and the control of the game of squash by a Marker and a Referee.
OBJECT OF THE GAME:
The aim of the game is to strike the ball in a manner so that the opponent cannot return
the ball to the front wall before the ball bounces twice.
For a return to be good, it must hit the front wall above the "tin", and it doesn't matter if it hits
the other walls before or after the front wall.
The receiver may then strike the ball on the volley (i.e. on the full) or after the first bounce.
The court has a height limit defined by the red line, or top edge of a glass court. A ball hitting
the red line or striking the top edge of a glass court is "out".
BASIC TIPS FOR THE MARKER AND REFEREE
You need to control the conduct of the game.
• Speak loudly and clearly to both players so that they can hear you and understand
what you are saying.
• Be Fair……Be Consistent….Be Courteous
The Marker should keep the score and call the game.
The Referee should observe, assist the Marker and make decisions regarding any Let appeals.
• Pay attention to the game so that you can be certain of what occurs during a rally.
• There will be times when you are unsure of what happened – if so, then say so - and
ask for a replay of the point.
• If the serve is Down, or the ball goes Out, or there is a Double Bounce…or the like…then
call those items immediately rather than let the rally continue.
Encourage players to call for a Let when interference occurs and to prevent dangerous shots
being played.
When a Let is called, your response will be either:
• “No Let” (no replay, point to opponent)
• “Yes Let” (replay)
• “Stroke” (yes interference/obstruction occurred - appeal successful - point scored)
Deciding on a “Stoke”…..Ask yourself :
1) Was the ball good ? (no more than one bounce) ...AND
2) Was the striker obstructed from playing a shot to the front wall?...AND
3) Was the striker in position and poised to strike the ball?.....Yes to all 3 = Stroke
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Deciding on “No Let”…Ask yourself:
a)
Could the player have got to the ball?....No = No Let
b)
Would the ball have bounced twice before player got to it?...No = No Let
If you are certain it is NOT a Stroke, and NOT a No-Let, then Yes-Let should be your
call.
OBSTRUCTION
One room…Two players…they are almost certain to get in each others way!
Players must avoid causing interference to their opponents. …after playing their shot they must
get out of the way!
If they do not try to avoid interference they lose the rally.
If they try to avoid interference but cannot, the rally is played again (called a 'let').
If the striker is prevented from hitting a shot directly to the front wall, due to interference or
obstruction by the other player, then the striker wins the point. … “Stroke”.
• Awarding a Stroke should be an easy decision…but if you find are not certain that then
calling a Let (or possibly a No-Let) is likely to be the right decision.
SERVICE
The right to serve at the beginning of the game is determined by the spin of a racket.
The server retains the right to serve as long as they win points and must serve from alternate
sides of the court for each point.
The server stands with at least one foot inside the service box and hits the ball directly onto the
front wall above the cut line.
The server can have only one serve and loses the serve if:
• the server does not have at least part of one foot in contact with the floor within the
service box, without touching the service box line
• the server makes an attempt to serve but fails to strike the ball.
• the ball touches any wall other than the front wall first .
• the ball does not hit the front wall between the service line and the out of court line
(hitting either line is a fault) .
• the ball once served hits the roof or lights
• the ball (unless volleyed) does not land in the back quarter of the court opposite to the
one served from.
Point-A-Rally (PAR) SCORING
Regardless of who serves - the winner of each rally scores a point.
Who wins the rally also wins the right to serve next (“handout”).
A game is played to 15 points, except that at 14 all for the first time , the game continues until
one player is two points clear (i.e. 16-14, or 17-15 etc).
Matches normally consist of the best of 5 games.
When each game commences, you should announce the game score....eg “John leads 2-0, John
to Serve, Love All”. This tells the players that you are ready to ref !
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Question Time !!.. test yourself……
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE RULES OF SQUASH, MARKING and REFEREEING
1)
What do you tell the players after they’ve had half of their 5 minute warm up time?
A - Cross Over
B - Swap Sides
C - Half Time
2)
What is the call to end the warm up time?
A - 5 minutes
B - Time to Start
C - Spin a Racket
D – Time
3)
How much time is allowed between the end of the warm up and the start of the game?
A - None
B - 2 minutes C - As long as the players need D - 90 seconds
7.1
4)
What is the marker's call at the start of each game?
A - Serve when ready B - Play Ball C - Smith leads 2-0, Smith to serve, Love all,
5)
How long do players have between games?
A - 10 seconds
B - 30 seconds
C - 90 seconds
7.1
6)
What is the call if the server's ball touches the service line on the front wall when serving?
A - Cut
B - Stop
C - Fault
D - Not Up
E - Down
7)
What is the call if the serve bounces back and touches the red line on the side wall ?
A - Too high B - Not In
C - Out
D – Fault
E – No call, its OK. 5.7,5.8
8)
What is the correct call to indicate that there has been a double bounce?
A - Double Hit B – Stop
C - Stop Play D - Not Up E - Double Bounce
9)
What is the correct call by a player if they feel they are obstructed by their opponent?
A - Let Please B - Stroke Please
C - Say Nothing but give a Look to the Ref
10)
What is your call to stop a rally for any reason?
A - No call, you must wait until they finish the rally
B - Hold It.
11)
At 14 all what should the marker tell the players ?
A - Nothing
B - 14 all, Win by two
C - Game Ball
12)
What is the marker's call at 14/13 in the fifth game?
A - Game Ball
B - Game Ball, Match Ball
C - Stop.
C- Match Ball
13)
The referee should explain all of their decisions on request by either player.
A–You must give an explanation B-Explanations are not required, but preferable. 3.7.11
14)
True / False
The marker must ensure that both players have a fair warm-up and not allow one player
to monopolise the ball.
15)
True / False
The marker should announce that the match is the best of 5 games at the start of the
match.
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16)
True / False
A serve is good if the server has both feet on the line of the service box.
17)
True / False
The receiver may appeal immediately if he/she thinks the serve is a fault.
18)
True / False
A player should always appeal against interference or obstruction immediately it occurs.
19)
True / False
The referee cannot award a stroke or a let if no one makes an appeal.
8.4
20)
True / False
A player must make every reasonable effort to allow an opponent freedom to play the
ball.
21)
True / False
The ball must still be played if it hits an opponent's clothing but not the player.
22)
Serve made with one foot outside the service-box and the other foot on the line. Is it?
A)
Good serve
B) Yes Let
C) Foot Fault
5.7.2 & 5.8
23)
The server serves the ball; the receiver makes a swing and hits the ball into the tin. The
receiver then claims to have not been ready to receive the serve and requests a let. Is it?
A)
Yes Let
B)
No Let
5.10
24)
After hitting the ball, what must a player do?
A) Move to the Tee
B)
Admire the shot
B) Make every effort to clear
8.1
25)
A ball hits close to the out-line. The Marker is unsure and says nothing. What should the
Referee do if sure the ball was out?
3.7.5 & 10.6.3
A) Wait until the end of the rally
B) Call a Let C) Stop play and call the ball out
26)
A player has his racket ready and can hit the ball directly to the front wall. The opponent
is in the way of the shot. The player stops play and calls "Let please". Is it?
A)
Yes Let
B)
No Let
C) Stroke
8.11.1
27)
A player hits a loose shot and attempts to clear. Opponent moves to hit the ball, but stops
and calls “Let”, believing that the player was obstructing a direct shot to the front wall.
What is the Referee’s decision if the player was just clear?
8.6.6
A) Stroke - to opponent
B)
No Let
C)
Yes Let
29)
A player hits a return down the wall to the back corner and, having hit the shot, then
moves in a straight line back to the "T". The opponent's direct access to the ball in the back
corner is blocked.
Is it?
A) Stroke - to opponent
B)
No Let
C)
Yes Let
8.6.5
30)
A player hits a drop-shot but it is not a winner and makes every effort to clear. The
opponent moves in quickly to get to the ball and collides with the player, whose exit path is
now blocked. Is it?
A) Stroke - to opponent
B)
No Let
C)
Yes Let
8.6.5
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31)
A player attempts to play the ball, but the opponent is so close that the player's swing is
prevented.
Is it?
A) Stroke - to player
B)
No Let
C)
Yes Let
8.9.2
32)
A player hits the ball and stands still. The opponent is unable to gain access to the ball.
The opponent stops play and requests a let.
Is it?
A) Yes Let
B) No Let
C)
Stroke - to player
8.6.5
33)
A player attempts to hit the ball down the wall, but the ball hits the nick between the sidewall and the front wall and rebounds quickly back towards the "T".
The player, moving
back towards the "T", runs into the opponent's swing. Is it?
A) Stroke - to player
B)
No Let
C)
Yes Let
8.9.2
All Done?
Did you get them all correct?
Not sure?
Send us an email and we will send you an answer sheet…
[email protected]
Being a Marker or Referee isn’t always easy…but knowing the rules helps!
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