Thanks Neil Butler
The Importance of Marking
How important is it to mark the game of squash correctly?
To me, when in the role of the Referee, assisted by a Marker, I have three participants to control or look after, these being the two players and the Marker. My workload is reduced to two if the Marker is fulfilling their role correctly.
Some people do see the significance of marking correctly, but as I have told potential candidates, as a Marker you are a storyteller.
Not only do you have to use the correct terminology, but you have to be heard.
My assessment for a good Marker is:
- Use of correct terminology
- Good clear voice
- Willing to operate as part of the part of the Referee/Marker team
The first two points are easy to achieve but the third point is the most important.
The Marker should communicate with the Referee if they are not sure if the players shot is “not up, down or out”. This communication does not have to be verbal but can be a simple ‘hand’ gesture.
The Referee can also respond in a similar manner to the Marker, with a similar positive or unsure gesture.
By doing this, the Referee/Marker team are aware of what the outcome will be if a Let is asked for at the end of the rally, on a particular shot during the rally.
The Marker has to be positive in calling situations that will stop play. If unsure, then the Marker allows the rally to continue.
Just as important is the communication with the players and spectators.
The Marker must announce the match, introduce each game, and announce the result of each game and of the match;
- must call “fault”, “down”, “out”, “not up” or “stop”, as appropriate;
- must make no call, if unsure about a serve or return;
- must call the score without delay at the end of a rally, with the server’s score first, preceded by “hand out” when there is a change of server;
- must repeat the Referee’s decision after a player’s request for a let, and then call the score;
- must wait for the Referee’s decision after a player’s appeal against a Marker’s call or lack of a call, and then call the score;
- must call “Game Ball” when a player needs 1 point to win a game, or “Match Ball” when a player needs 1 point to win the match;
- must call “10-all: a player must win by 2 points” when the score reaches 10 all for the first time in each game.
Examples of Marker’s Calls
Match introduction:
- “Smith to serve, Jones to receive, best of 5 games, love-all.”
Order of calls:
- Anything affecting the score (e.g. Stroke to Brown). ii)
- The score with the server’s score always called first.
- Comments on the score (e.g. Game ball).
Calling the score:
- “Not up. Hand out, 4–3.”
- “Yes let, 3–4.”
- “Stroke to Jones, 10–8, Game Ball.”
- “Fault, hand out, 8–3.”
- “Not up, 10-all a player must win by 2 points.”
- “10–8, Match Ball.”
- “13–12, Match Ball.”
End of a game:
- “11–3, game to Smith. Smith leads 1 game to love.”
- “11–7, game to Jones. Smith leads 2 games to 1.”
- “11 – 8, match to Jones, 3 games to 2, 3–11, 11–7, 6–11, 11– 9, 11– 8.” 1
Start of successive games:
- “Smith leads 1 game to love. Love-all.” “
- Smith leads 2 games to 1. Jones to serve, love-all.”
- “2 games all. Smith to serve, love-all.”
Trans-Tasman Squash Test Series
Still plenty of time to register as a Marker or Referee! If you are interested in being part of the Officials team, register your interest at PerthMasters2025@squashwa.asn.au.
Also, if you are around the squash scene, come and see me and I can give you more information and answer any concerns you may have regarding officiating.
Quote of the Month
“The meek may inherit the earth – but they will never win games of football” – Mick Malthouse
Leave a Reply