Rule 9 - BALL HITTING THE OPPONENT AND A PLAYER TURNING

Idea by Clive Pollard

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9. BALL HITTING THE OPPONENT AND A PLAYER TURNING

9.1 (see Guideline 4) If the player hits the ball which, before reaching the front wall, hits the opponent (including anything worn or carried - and including the racket), play shall stop. The Referee, in addition to considering possible interference, shall decide the ball's trajectory (flight or path) and shall:

9.1.1 award a stroke to the player if the return would have been good and the ball would have struck the front wall without first touching any other wall, unless Rule 9.1.2 (turning) or 9.1.3 (further attempt) applies;

This is a major change ! Does this offer the possibility of abuse of the Rules - opponent deliberately (but very subtly) interfering with the player who then hits the ball (albeit gently) against the opponent ?

Guideline 5

9.1.3 if the player's return is a further attempt, allow a let, provided that Rule 9.1.2 (further attempt) does not apply.

9.1.5 if deciding the player's return would have been a winning return, award a stroke to the player; 

Note that the possibility of awarding the rally to the striker requires absolute certainty from the Referee that the shot would have been a winner. Any doubt on this would lead to a let being allowed.

9.1.6 award a stroke to the opponent if the return would not have been good.

9.2 If the player turns:

9.2.1 the player may, before striking the ball, out of fear of hitting the opponent with the ball, stop and appeal. The Referee shall:

9.2.1.1 allow a let if deciding that there was a reasonable fear of the ball hitting the opponent, and the player would have been able to make a good return unless Rule 9.2.3 (unnecessary turning) applies, or

9.2.1.2 not allow a let if deciding that the player could not have made a good return.

9.2.2 the player may, because of interference (by the opponent) stop play and appeal. The Referee shall:

9.2.2.1 allow a let if deciding that the player is unable to complete an attempt to play the ball because of interference by the opponent, or

9.2.2.2 award a stroke to the player if deciding that the opponent did not make every effort to avoid the interference on turning, or

9.2.2.3 not allow a let if deciding that the player could not have made a good return regardless of the interference.

9.2.3 The Referee shall not allow a let if deciding that the act of turning was to create the opportunity to appeal rather than an attempt to return the ball.

This is intended to prevent the infamous "Egyptian" turning, in which the player intentionally turns when they would have been able to play the ball without turning. The situation was very apparent when junior Egyptian players started to turn ordinary good shots by their opponents (e.g., the almost perfect lob to the back corner) into possible let situations, which referees found it difficult to refuse.

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