FULL SET OF RULES

(with modified wording for ease of translation)

Idea by Clive Pollard

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The game of Singles Squash is played between two players, each using a racket, with a ball, and in a court, all three of which meet WSF specifications (see Appendices 5.1, 5.2, 5.3).

2. SCORING

2.1 Only the server scores points. The server, on winning a rally, scores a point; the receiver, on winning a rally, becomes the server.

2.2 A match shall consist of the best of three or five games, at the option of the organisers of the competition. The player who first scores nine points wins the game, except that on the score reaching eight-all for the first time, the receiver shall choose, before the next service, to continue that game either to nine points (known as "Set one") or to ten points (known as "Set two"). In the latter case, the player who first scores two more points wins the game. The receiver shall clearly indicate this choice to the Marker, Referee and the opponent.

The Marker shall call "Set one" or "Set two" as applicable before play continues.

The Marker shall call "Game ball" to indicate that the server requires one point to win the game in progress or "Match ball" to indicate that the server requires one point to win the match.

3. WARM-UP (see definition in Appendix 2)

3.1 Immediately before the start of play, both players shall be allowed onto the court of play for a period of five minutes to warm-up together.

After two-and-a-half minutes of the warm-up, the Referee shall call "Half time" and the players shall change sides unless they have already done so. The Referee shall also advise the players when the warm-up period is complete with the call of "Time".

3.2 In the warm-up, both players must have equal opportunities of striking the ball. A player retaining the strike for an unreasonable time is warming-up unfairly. The Referee shall decide when the warm-up is unfair and shall apply Rule 17 if necessary.

3.3 A player may warm up the ball during any interval.

3.4 The players may warm the ball up to playing condition after any interval if the Referee agrees.

4. THE SERVICE

4.1 The spin of a racket decides the right to serve first and then play starts with a service. Thereafter, the server ('hand-in') continues to serve until losing a rally, whereupon (the server becomes 'hand-out' and) the opponent becomes the server, and this procedure continues throughout the match. At the start of the second and each subsequent game, the winner of the previous game serves first and is called 'hand-in'.

4.2 At the beginning of each game and each hand, the server shall choose from which box to serve and thereafter shall serve from alternate boxes whilst remaining the server. However, if a rally ends in a let, the server shall serve again from the same box.

If the server moves to the wrong box or a player is uncertain of the correct box for serving, the Marker shall announce the correct box. The Referee shall indicate the correct box if the Marker is uncertain, or incorrect, or there is a dispute.

4.3 To serve, a player shall release the ball from either a hand or the racket and then strike the ball. Should the server make no attempt to strike the ball after that release, the server shall release the ball again for that service.

4.4 A service is good if all the conditions in Rules 4.4.1 - 4.4.5 are met:

4.4.1 the server has part of one foot in contact with the floor within the service box without any part of that foot touching the service box line (part of that foot may project over this line if it does not touch the line) at the time of striking the ball.

4.4.2 the server, after releasing the ball for service, strikes it correctly on the first or further attempt before the ball falls to the floor, touches a wall, or touches anything the server wears.

4.4.3 the server strikes the ball directly onto the front wall between the service and out lines.

4.4.4 unless volleyed by the receiver, the first bounce of the ball on the floor is in the quarter-court opposite the server's box without touching the short or half-court lines.

4.4.5 the server does not serve the ball out.

4.5 A service which does not meet the requirements of Rules 4.4.1 - 4.4.5 is not good and the Marker shall make the appropriate call. The calls are: "foot-fault" for Rule 4.4.1; "not up" for Rule 4.4.2; "fault" for Rule 4.4.3 if the ball strikes a side wall first or the front wall on or below the service line but above the board; "down" for Rule 4.4.3 if the ball strikes on or below the board or on the floor; "fault" for Rule 4.4.4; "out" for Rule 4.4.5.

A service in which the ball is considered to have struck the front wall and a side wall at the same time is not good and is called "fault".

4.5 The server must not serve until the Marker has completed calling the score. The Marker must call the score without delay. If the server serves or attempts to serve before the Marker completes calling of the score, the Referee shall stop play and ask the server to wait until the Marker has completed calling the score.

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.

6. GOOD RETURN

A return is good if all the conditions in Rules 6.1 - 6.4 are met:

6.1 The player returns the ball correctly before it has bounced twice on the floor.

6.2 The ball strikes the front wall above the board, either directly or via side wall(s) and/or the back wall, without first touching the floor or any part of the player's body or clothing, or the opponent's racket, body or clothing.

6.3 The ball is not out.

7. CONTINUITY OF PLAY

After the server delivers the first service, play shall be continuous so far as is practical. However,

7.1 at any time the Referee may suspend play, because of bad light or other circumstances beyond the control of the players and officials, for an interval decided by the Referee. The score shall stand. If another court is available and the original court remains unsuitable for play, the Referee may transfer the match to it.

7.2 There shall be a 90-second interval between the end of the warm-up and the start of the first game and between all games. Players may leave the court during these intervals but must be ready to play before the end of the 90-second interval.

If both players agree, play may start or restart before the end of the 90-second interval.

If a player satisfies the Referee that a change of equipment, clothing or footwear is necessary, the player may leave the court to make the change as quickly as possible, but must do do within 90 seconds.

7.4 After 75 seconds of a permitted 90-second interval, the Referee shall call "Fifteen seconds" to advise the players to be ready to resume play. At the end of 90 seconds, the Referee shall call "Time".

It is the responsibility of the players to be in a position to hear the calls of "Fifteen seconds" and "Time".

Should one or both players not be ready to restart play when "Time" is called, the Referee shall apply Rule 17.

7.5 If a player is injured, ill or disabled the Referee shall apply Rule 16.

7.6 The Referee, on deciding that a player has delayed play unreasonably, shall apply Rule 17.

7.7 If an object, other than a player's racket, falls to the floor of the court while a rally is in progress the requirements are:

7.7.1 the Referee, on noticing a fallen object, shall stop play immediately.

7.7.2 a player noticing a fallen object may stop play and appeal.

7.7.3 if the object falls from a player, then that player shall lose the rally unless the player has hit a winning return or the cause is a collision with the opponent. In the latter case, the Referee shall allow a let unless the player appeals for a let because of interference, in which case the Referee shall apply Rule 12.

7.7.4 if the object falls from a source other than a player, the Referee shall allow a let unless the player has hit a winning return.

7.7.5 if the player has already made a winning return when the object falls to the floor of the court, that player shall win the rally.

7.7.6 if a dropped object remains unnoticed until the end of the rally, the result of the rally shall stand.

7.8 If a player drops their racket, the Referee shall allow the rally to continue unless interference occurred (Rule 12), the ball touched the racket (Rule 13.1.1), distraction occurred (Rule 13.1.3) or the Referee applies a conduct penalty (Rule 17).

8. WINNING A RALLY

A player wins a rally if:

8.1 the opponent fails to deliver a good service (Rule 4.4).

8.2 the opponent fails to make a good return (Rule 6), unless the Referee allows a let or awards a stroke to the opponent.

8.3 the ball touches the opponent (including anything worn or carried), without interference, when the opponent is the non-striker, except as is otherwise provided for in Rules (hitting the opponent with the ball) and 10 (further attempts to hit the ball). If interference occurs then Rule 12 applies. In all cases the Referee shall make the decision.

8.4 the Referee awards a stroke to the player as provided for in the Rules.

9. BALL HITTING THE OPPONENT AND A PLAYER TURNING

9.1 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;

9.1.2 if the player turned, award a stroke to the opponent, unless the opponent made a deliberate movement to intercept the return, in which case the Referee shall award a stroke to the player;

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.

9.1.4 allow a let if the ball either had struck or would have struck any other wall before the front wall and the return would have been good, unless Rule 9.1.5 (winning return) applies;

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

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 to 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.

10. FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO HIT THE BALL

If the player attempts to strike the ball and misses, the striker may make further attempts.

10.1 If, after being missed, the ball touches the opponent (including anything worn or carried - and including the racket), the Referee shall:

10.1.1 allow a let, if deciding that the player could otherwise have made a good return, or

10.1.2 award a stroke to the opponent, if deciding that the player could not have made a good return.

10.2 The Referee shall allow a let if any such further attempt is successful but results in a good return being prevented from reaching the front wall by hitting the opponent, including anything worn or carried.

10.3 The player may, because of interference on the further attempt, stop play and appeal. The Referee shall:

10.3.1 allow a let, if the player is unable to complete a further attempt to play the ball provided a good return was possible, or

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

10.3.3 not allow a let, if deciding that the further attempt would not have resulted in a good return.

11. APPEALS

The loser of a rally may appeal against any decision of the Marker affecting that rally.

A player should make an appeal under Rule 11 by saying "Appeal please". The Referee, if uncertain of the reason for an appeal, may ask the player for an explanation.

If the Referee disallows an appeal under Rule 11, the Marker's decision shall stand. If uncertain, the Referee shall allow a let, except if Rules 11.2.1, 11.5 or 11.6 apply.

Appeals and Referee interventions in specific situations are dealt with below (see also Rule 20.4).

11.1 Appeals on Service:

11.1.1 If the Marker makes a call of "Foot-fault", "Fault", "Not up", "Down" or "Out" to the service, the server may appeal. If the Referee agrees with the appeal, the Referee shall allow a let.

11.1.2 If, after the service, the Marker makes no call, the receiver may appeal, either immediately or at the end of the rally. The Referee, if certain that the service was not good, shall, without waiting for an appeal, stop play immediately and award the rally to the receiver. In response to an appeal, the Referee shall:

11.1.2.1 if certain that the service was good, award the rally to the server;

11.1.2.2 if uncertain, allow a let.

11.2 Appeals on Play other than Service:

11.2.1 A player may appeal if the Marker calls "Not up", "Down" or "Out" following that player's return. The Referee, if agreeing with the appeal or uncertain whether the Marker's call was correct, shall:

11.2.1.1 allow a let, unless Rules 11.2.1.2 or 11.2.1.3 apply;

11.2.1.2 award the rally to the player if the Marker's call interrupted that player's winning return;

11.2.1.3 award the rally to the opponent if the Marker's call has interrupted or prevented a winning return by the opponent.

11.2.2 If the Marker fails to call "Not up", "Down" or "Out" following a player's return, the opponent may appeal either immediately or at the end of the rally. The Referee, if certain that the return was not good, shall, without waiting for an appeal, stop play and award the rally to the opponent. In response to an appeal the Referee shall:

11.2.2.1 if deciding the return was good, award the rally to the player;

11.2.2.2. if uncertain, allow a let.

11.3 After the delivery of a service, a player may not appeal for anything which occurred before that service, unless Rule 14.3 (broken ball) applies.

11.4 When the loser makes more than one appeal concerning a rally, the Referee shall consider each appeal.

11.5 If a player appeals the Marker's call of "Foot-fault", "Fault", "Not up", "Down" or "Out" to a service, but that same service subsequently is clearly a fault, not up, down or out, then the Referee shall decide only on the subsequent occurrence.

11.6 If a player appeals the Marker's call of "Not up", "Down" or "Out" to a return but that same return subsequently is clearly down or out, the Referee shall decide only on the subsequent occurrence.

12. INTERFERENCE

12.1 The player whose turn it is to play the ball is entitled to freedom from interference by the opponent.

12.2 To avoid interference, the opponent must make every effort to provide the player with:

12.2.1 unobstructed direct access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow-through.

12.2.2 a fair view of the ball on its rebound from the front wall.

12.2.3 freedom to hit the ball with a reasonable swing.

12.2.4 freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall.

12.3 Interference occurs if the opponent fails to fulfil any of the requirements of Rule 12.2, even though the opponent makes every effort to fulfil those requirements.

12.4 A player's excessive swing can contribute to interference for the opponent when it becomes the opponent's turn to play the ball.

12.5 A player encountering possible interference has the choice of continuing to play or of stopping and making an appeal to the Referee.

12.5.1 A player seeking a let or a stroke should appeal by saying "Let please".

12.5.2 Only the player whose turn it is to play the ball may appeal. The player must appeal either immediately the interference occurs or, when clearly not continuing play beyond the point of interference, without undue delay.

12.6 The Referee shall decide on the appeal and shall announce the decision with the words "No let", "Yes let" or "Stroke to...(name of appropriate player)" (see flowchart in Appendix 4.1). The Referee alone makes all decisions, which are final. The Referee, if uncertain of the reason for an appeal, may ask the player for an explanation (before making the decision).

12.7 The Referee shall not allow a let and the player shall lose the rally if the Referee decides that:

12.7.1 there was no interference or the interference was so minimal that the player's fair view of the ball and freedom to get to and play the ball were not affected.

12.7.2 interference occurred but either the player would not have made a good return or the player had not made every effort to get to and play the ball.

12.7.3 the player moved past the point of interference and played on.

12.7.4 the player created the interference in moving to the ball.

12.8 The Referee shall award a stroke to the player if:

12.8.1 there was interference, which the opponent did not make every effort to avoid, and the player would have made a good return.

12.8.2 there was interference, which the opponent made every effort to avoid, but the opponent's position prevented the player's reasonable swing and the player would have been able to make a winning return.

12.8.3 there was interference, which the opponent made every effort to avoid, and the player would have made a winning return;

12.8.4 the player has refrained from hitting the ball which, if hit, would clearly have struck the opponent going directly to the front wall; or to a side wall but in the latter case would have been a winning return (unless Rule 9.2 - turning, or Rule 10 - further attempt applies).

12.9 The Referee shall allow a let if there was interference, which the opponent made every effort to avoid, and the player would have made a good return.

12.10 The Referee shall not award a stroke to a player who causes interference to the opponent by using an excessive swing.

12.11 The Referee may allow a let under Rule 12.9 or award a stroke under Rule 12.8 without an appeal, if necessary stopping play to do so.

12.12 The Referee may also apply Rule 17 when interference occurs. The Referee shall, stopping play if it has not already stopped, apply an appropriate penalty if:

12.12.1 the player made significant or deliberate physical contact with the opponent;

12.12.2 the player endangered the opponent with an excessive swing.

13. LETS

In addition to lets allowed under other Rules, the Referee may or shall allow lets in certain other cases. A player should ask for a let by saying "Let please". The Referee, if uncertain of the reason for the player asking for a let, may ask the player for an explanation (before making the decision).

13.1 The Referee may allow a let if:

13.1.1 the ball in play touches any article lying on the floor.

13.1.2 the player refrains from hitting the ball onto any of the walls including the back wall owing to a reasonable fear of injuring the opponent.

13.1.3 the Referee decides that an occurrence on or off the court distracted a player. A player making an appeal for distraction must do so immediately the distraction occurs. However, the Referee may award a stroke to a player who has been distracted if that player could have played a winning return if the distraction had not occurred.

13.1.4 the Referee decides that a change in court conditions affected the result of the rally.

13.2 The Referee shall allow a let if:

13.2.1 the receiver is not ready and does not attempt to return the service.

13.2.2 the ball breaks during play.

13.2.3 the Referee is unable to decide an appeal.

13.2.4 a player makes an otherwise good return but either the ball lodges in any part of the playing surface of the court, preventing it from bouncing more than once on the floor, or the ball goes out after its first bounce.

13.3 If the player appeals for a let under Rules 13.1.1 to 13.1.4, the Referee shall allow a let only if the player could have made a good return. For an appeal by the opponent under Rules 13.1.1, 13.1.3 and 13.1.4, this is not a requirement.

13.4 If the player attempts to play the ball, the Referee may still allow a let under Rules 13.1.1, 13.1.3, 13.1.4, 13.2.2.

13.5 The appeals requirements of Rule 13 are:

13.5.1 A player's appeal is necessary for the Referee to allow a let under Rules 13.1.2 (player only), 13.1.3, 13.2.1 (receiver only) and 13.2.3.

13.5.2 A player's appeal or Referee intervention without appeal is applicable to Rules 13.1.1, 13.1.4, 13.2.2 and 13.2.4.

14. THE BALL

14.1 At any time, when the ball is not in actual play, a player or the Referee may examine the ball. The Referee may substitute another ball if both players agree, or if a player appeals and the Referee finds that the ball is actually broken.

14.2 If a ball breaks during play, the Referee, after confirming that it is broken, shall replace it promptly with another ball.

14.3 If the ball breaks during play without this being noticed during the rally, the Referee shall alllow a let for the rally in which the ball broke if the server appeals prior to the next service or if the receiver appeals before attempting to return that service.

14.3.1 If the receiver appeals before attempting to return the service and the Referee decides that the ball broke during that service, the Referee shall allow a let for that rally only but, if uncertain, the Referee shall allow a let for the previous rally.

14.4 Rule 14.3 does not apply to the final rally of a game. In that case a player must appeal immediately after the rally.

14.5 If a player stops during a rally to appeal that the ball is broken only to then find that the ball is not broken, that player shall lose the rally.

14.6 The ball shall remain within the court at all times unless the Referee permits its removal.

14.7 When the Referee has given the players a new ball or when a match is restarted after some delay, the Referee shall allow the players to warm the ball up to playing condition. Play shall then restart when the Referee or when both players decide, whichever is earlier.

15. DUTIES OF THE PLAYERS

15.1 A player must observe all the Rules and the spirit of the game. Failure to do so could bring the game into disrepute and the Referee may apply Rule 17.

15.2 A player must be ready to commence play at the announced starting time of the match.

15.3 A player must not place within the court any object(s), clothing or equipment.

15.4 A player must not leave the court during a game without the Referee's permission. If they do, the Referee may apply Rule 17.

15.5 A player may not request a change of Marker or Referee.

15.6 A player must not deliberately distract the opponent. If this occurs, the Referee shall apply Rule 17.

15.7 A player should appeal by saying "Let please" or "Appeal please" according to the circumstances. Pointing with the finger or racket, other gestures, raised eyebrows or other eye activity are not universally recognised methods of appeal.

15.8 A player must comply with any additional competition regulations (e.g., sponsor's clothing requirements) as well as those contained within the Rules.

16. BLEEDING, ILLNESS, DISABILITY AND INJURY (see flowchart in Appendix 4.2)

16.1 Bleeding: The Referee shall immediately stop play when a player has visible bleeding, an open wound or blood-stained clothing. Before allowing play to continue, the Referee must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped, the wound has been covered and any blood-stained clothing has been changed, allowing such time as is reasonable and necessary and is available on the tournament schedule.

If the bleeding was caused solely by (an action of) the opponent, the Referee shall immediately award the match to the player.

16.1.1 Recurrence (restarting) of bleeding: If the bleeding recurs (starts again), for which recovery time has already been allowed, the Referee shall allow no further recovery time except that the player may concede the game in progress and use the 90-second interval between games for recovery (to stop the bleeding again). If the visible bleeding continues at the end of this 90-second interval, the player shall concede the match. A player may only concede one game for one 90-second interval.

If the covering of the bleeding wound falls off or is removed during the match thereby exposing the wound, the Referee shall consider this to be restarting of the bleeding, unless all sign of bleeding has stopped.

16.2 Illness or Disability: A player suffering illness or disability not involving bleeding has the following options:

16.2.1 starting play again without delay, or

16.2.2 conceding the game in progress, accepting the 90-second interval, or

16.2.3 conceding the match.

Symptoms of tiredness, alleged illness or disability not reasonably evident to the Referee or recurrence of pre-existing ailments including injuries sustained earlier in the match shall be dealt with under Rule 16.2. This includes cramps of any kind, actual or impending nausea and breathlessness including asthma. The Referee shall inform the players of the decision and the requirements of the Rules.

16.3 Injury

16.3.1 In the event of a player claiming an injury has occurred, the Referee must be satisfied that the injury is genuine and, if so, decide the category of injury, informing the players of the decision and of the requirements of the Rules. The player is only entitled to recovery time immediately after the injury occurred. The categories are:

16.3.1.1 self-inflicted, in which the opponent did not contribute to the injury;

16.3.1.2 contributed, in which the opponent accidentally contributed to or accidentally caused the injury. The Referee shall not interpret the words "accidentally contributed to or accidentally caused by" to include the situation in which a player is crowding the opponent.

16.3.1.3 opponent-inflicted, in which the opponent solely caused the injury.

16.3.2 If the injury involves bleeding, Rule 16.1 shall apply until the bleeding has stopped. Then Rule 16.3.3 applies.

16.3.3 If bleeding is not involved, the following Rules shall apply:

16.3.3.1 For a self-inflicted injury (Rule 16.3.1.1), the Referee shall allow 3 minutes for the injured player to recover. The Referee shall call "Time" at the end of the 3-minute period after giving a 15-second warning. If the player requests additional recovery time beyond 3 minutes, the Referee shall require the injured player to concede one game, accept the 90-second interval between games, and then start play again or concede the match. If the injured player has not returned to the court when "Time" is called, the Referee shall award the match to the opponent.

16.3.3.2 For a contributed injury (Rule 16.3.1.2), the Referee shall allow one hour for the injured player to recover, and such additional time as the time schedule of the competition permits. The Referee shall call "Time" at the end of any recovery time allowed. The injured player must, by the end of this period, start play again or concede the match. If the injured player starts play again, the score at the end of the rally in which the injury occurred shall stand.

16.3.3.3 For an opponent-inflicted injury (Rule 16.3.1.3), the Referee shall apply Rule 17 and, if the injured player requires time to recover, the Referee shall award the match to the injured player.

16.4 If an injured player, having been granted a recovery interval, wishes to start play again before the end of that interval, the Referee shall permit the opponent sufficient time to prepare to start play again.

16.5 If a player claims injury and the Referee is not satisfied that an injury has occurred, the Referee shall ask the player to start play again, or concede one game, accept the 90-second interval available and then either start play again or concede the match.

16.6 If conceding the game, the player shall retain (keep) any points already scored and at the end of the 90-second interval between games shall either start play again or concede the match.

17. CONDUCT ON COURT

17.1 If the Referee considers that a player's behaviour is disruptive, intimidating or offensive to the opponent, an official or a spectator, or could in any way bring the game into disrepute, the Referee shall penalise the player.

17.2 Offences with which the Referee shall deal under this rule include audible and visible obscenities, verbal and physical abuse, dissent to Marker or Referee, abuse of racket, ball or court, and coaching, other than during the interval between games. Other offences include significant or deliberate physical contact (Rule 12.12.1) and excessive racket swing (Rule 12.4), unfair warm-up (Rule 3.2), late back on court (Rule 7.4), dangerous play or action (Rule 16.3.1.3) and time wasting (Rule 7.6).

17.3 The Referee shall apply one of the following penalties for these and any other offences:

Warning (called a Conduct Warning).

Stroke awarded to opponent (called a Conduct Stroke).

Game awarded to opponent (called a Conduct Game).

Match awarded to opponent (called a Conduct Match).

17.3.1 If the Referee stops play to give a Conduct warning, the Referee shall allow a let.

17.3.2 During a rally, if an incident occurs warranting the award of a Conduct stroke, the Referee shall stop play if it has not already stopped and award a stroke. The award of the Conduct stroke becomes the result of the rally.

17.3.3 If the Referee awards a Conduct stroke as a result of an incident between rallies, the result of the completed rally stands, and the Conduct stroke award is additional to the score but without further change of service box.

17.3.4 If the Referee awards a Conduct game, that game shall be the one in progress or the next game if one is not in progress, in which latter case the interval between games shall not apply. The offending player shall keep any points already scored in the game awarded.

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.

18.2 The correct location for the Referee and Marker is at the centre of the back wall, as close to that wall as possible, above the out line on the back wall, and preferably with seating.

19. DUTIES OF A MARKER

19.1 The Marker shall call the play, followed by the score, with the server's score called first. The Marker shall call services and returns which are not good using the recognised calls of "Fault", "Foot-fault", "Not up", "Down", "Out", "Hand-out" and "Stop" (see Appendix 3.1) as appropriate, and shall repeat the Referee's decisions (see Guideline 18).

19.2 At the end of the rally, the Marker shall call the score without delay, but only after the Referee has decided any appeals.

19.3 If the Marker makes a call, the rally shall stop.

19.4 The Marker, if unsighted or uncertain, shall make no call.

19.5 If play stops without the Marker having made a call, the Marker, if unsighted or uncertain, shall advise the players and the Referee shall make the relevant decision. If the Referee is also uncertain, the Referee shall allow a let.

19.6 The Marker shall keep a written record of the score and the correct side for service.

20. DUTIES OF A REFEREE (see Guideline 19)

20.1 The Referee shall decide on all appeals, make decisions where the Rules call for them, and shall decide all appeals against the Marker's calls or lack of calls. The decision of the Referee shall be final.

The Referee must announce all decisions to the players on the court and must make all calls in a voice loud enough to be heard on the court and by the audience.

20.2 The Referee shall exercise control:

20.2.1 when one of the players appeals, including an appeal against any specification.

20.2.2 to ensure that all relevant Rules are applied correctly.

20.2.3 when the behaviour of any spectator, official, manager or coach is disruptive to the play or offensive to the players, officials or spectators. The Referee shall suspend play until the disruption has stopped and if necessary shall require the offending person(s) to leave the court area.

20.3 The Referee shall not intervene in the Marker's calling of the score unless the Referee decides that the Marker has called the score incorrectly. In that case the Referee shall correct the score and the Marker shall repeat the corrected score.

20.4 The Referee shall not intervene in the Marker's calling of the play unless the Referee decides that the Marker has made an error in stopping play or allowing play to continue, in which case the Referee shall immediately decide accordingly.

20.5 The Referee shall enforce all Rules relating to time.

20.6 The Referee shall keep a written record of the score and the correct side for service.

20.7 The Referee is responsible for ensuring that court conditions are satisfactory for play.

20.9 The Referee may award a match to a player whose opponent is not present on court, ready to play, within ten minutes after the announced time of play.

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