Rule 5 - THE PLAY

Idea by Clive Pollard

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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.

Continue ?

Read on - Rule 6

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