Since 12 of the 15 Rules are identical (or almost
identical) to the Singles Rules squash players, referees and spectators will
need to make very few adjustments. Only Rules 5 (The Serve), 8 (Interference)
and 9 (Ball Hitting A Player) contain major differences from the Singles Rules.
With regard to the principles of play, these Rules do not change the concepts
already found in the current Rules. In fact, there is only one aspect that
these revised Rules has attempted to clarify: the obligation of the outgoing
striker or that striker's partner to make an effort to avoid interference if
the ball is struck and returns close to one of them (Rule 8.10). For the rest,
the language has been simplified in order to clarify the complications that
arise when four players are on the court.
The Annual General Meeting also approved the addition
of an Annexure to the Rules of Singles Squash; this to advise coaching
limitations and to allow the use of player analysis technology.
Both the new Singles Appendix and the full Doubles
Rules become effective on 1 January 2015 and can be found at http://www.worldsquash.org/ws/rules/rules-of-squash-2
We hope that these revised Rules will help to promote
the understanding of them and encourage the growth of squash.
Yours in Sport
N Ramachandran
President
