Rule 18 - CONTROL OF A MATCH

Idea by Clive Pollard

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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.

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.

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