Thanks Neil Butler
Introduction to the Squash Rules
Squash is played in a confined space, often at high speed. Two principles are essential for orderly play:
Safety: Players must always place safety first and not take any action that could endanger the opponent.
Fair play: Players must respect the Officials and the opponent and play with honesty.
The rules are not only for referees but also for players.
How many can put their hand on their heart and say “I have read the rules”?
Unlike many other sports, all players in squash are required to either Referee or Mark in a competition match. Sometimes you are lucky enough to have a qualified Referee to do this for you, however, for the majority of League, Pennant and tournament matches you will be required to carry out the duties of either the Referee or the Marker.
How many of us (me included) will watch an AFL game and make decisions based on gained knowledge from fellow spectators, commentators, possibly ex-players, without having read the rules?
How often do you hear a commentator say that they disagree with a decision, particularly a technical decision, only to come back later and say the umpire or referee was correct?
Most squash players learn the rules through just playing the game. Some knowledge is gained through discussions after a match over a beer.
To make sure the two principles stated above are carried out there is an obligation on players to read and understand the rules of the game. To achieve a fair outcome of a match the Referee and Marker must have their obligations under the rules of the game.
“To make sure the principles of SAFETY and FAIR PLAY are carried out, there is an obligation on players to read and understand the rules of the game.”
This does not mean you have to sit exams or qualify as a Referee but to occasionally read the rules or ask questions until you are convinced one way or the other that you understand certain situations that occur on the squash court.
My interest in the rules started very early on when I was playing in a tournament and I thought I knew the rules, having never read them, and the referee was making decisions that I disagreed with. After the match I went and bought a rule book and found out that the referee was correct. When I finished reading the rules I found the referee’s name in the back of the book as being part of the group that had developed the rules – so I guess he was right!
Question of the Month
John’s protective eyewear drops to the floor during a rally without any collision having taken place with his opponent Mary. What should the Referee do?
- Allow play to continue.
- Stop play and award a stroke to Mary.
- Allow play to continue if John picks up the eyewear immediately.
Quote for the Month
“Winners never blame anybody. It’s only losers who try to blame other people for what went wrong. So never con yourself that your failures, and your weaknesses, are someone else’s fault.”
– Ron Barassi (Former VFL player and AFL Coach)
Answer to Quiz
- b) Stop play and award a stroke to Mary (Rule 12.2.4.1)
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