It’s important to know and understand the rules. If your child is unfortunate enough to get injured, fall ill, or begin bleeding during a match, being familiar with the official World Squash Federation rules below will help you navigate the situation correctly and fairly for everyone involved.
13. ILLNESS, INJURY AND BLOOD INJURY
Note: For an injury and a blood injury, the time allowed for recovery starts when the Referee has determined the condition is genuine and has decided on its category. Recovery time is permitted only when the injury occurs, and if permitted at the end of a game includes the interval between games.
13.1. ILLNESS
13.1.1. 13.1.2. 13.2. Injury A player who suffers an illness or physical impediment that does not involve an injury or blood injury (such as a cramp, nausea, a blister, or breathlessness, as well as asthma), must either continue play immediately or concede the game in progress and take the game interval, if available, to recover. The player must then resume play or concede the match. If a player’s vomiting or other action causes the court to become unplayable, the match is awarded to the opponent.
THE REFEREE: 13.2.1. if not satisfied that the injury is genuine, must advise the player to decide whether to resume play immediately, or to concede the game in progress and take the game interval, if available, and then resume play or concede the match;
13.2.2. If satisfied that the injury is genuine, must advise both players of the category of the injury and of the time permitted for recovery; Note: The score at the conclusion of the rally in which the injury occurred, stands.
13.2.3. If satisfied that this is a recurrence of an injury sustained earlier in the match, must advise the player to decide whether to resume play immediately or concede the game in progress and take the game interval, if available, and then resume play or concede the match. Note: A player who concedes a game/match retains any points/games already scored.
13.2.4. CATEGORIES OF INJURY:
13.2.4.1. SELF-INFLICTED: where the injury is the result of the player’s own action. This includes a muscle tear or sprain, or a bruise resulting from a collision with a wall or falling over. The player is permitted up to 3 minutes to recover and, if not then ready to resume play, must concede that game and take the game interval, if available, for further recovery. The player must then resume play or concede the match.
13.2.4.2. 13.2.4.3. 13.3. BLOOD INJURY CONTRIBUTED: where the injury is the result of accidental action by both players. The injured player is permitted up to 15 minutes to recover. The player must then resume play or concede the match. Opponent-inflicted: where the injury is caused solely by the opponent.
13.2.4.3.1. 13.2.4.3.2. Where the injury is accidentally caused by the opponent, the Referee may apply Rule 14 (Conduct), and the injured player is permitted up to 15 minutes to recover. If the player is then unable to resume play, the Referee must award the match to the injured player. Where the injury is caused by the opponent’s deliberate or dangerous play or action, if the injured player requires any time for recovery, the Referee must award the match to the injured player. If the injured player is able to continue without delay, the Referee must apply Rule 14. (Conduct).
A blood injury occurs when a player bleeds and the flow is enough to transfer blood to their opponent or the court. A scrape, graze or nick with no blood flow is not a blood injury and play must continue. Visible blood through a bandage, dressing or covering is not a blood injury. Note: It is the player’s responsibility to cover any existing wounds before going on court. Once a blood injury occurs, the injured player must leave the court, and the Referee must ensure that the injured player returns to the court in the shortest time possible.
13.3.1. CATEGORIES OF BLOOD INJURY:
13.3.1.1. PRE-EXISTING WOUNDS: If an uncovered or inadequately covered pre-existing wound has caused the blood injury, the injured player must concede the game in progress and take the game interval, if available, for treatment. The player must then resume play or concede the match.
13.3.1.2. 13.3.1.3. 13.3.1.4. SELF-INFLICTED: Where the blood injury is caused by a player’s own action or condition (such as a fall, lunge, dive, crowding, nosebleed or similar), the player is permitted for up to 5 minutes to stop the blood flow and cover any wound. If the injured player is not ready to resume play after 5 minutes, the player must concede the game and take the game interval, if available, for further recovery.
If the same blood injury reoccurs, no further recovery time is permitted, and the injured player must concede the game and take the game interval, if available, for further recovery.
If the same blood injury reoccurs and is caused by both players’ actions (see 13.3.1.3.: Contributed) the injured player shall have further reasonable time to address the blood injury. If the injured player cannot resume play within the permitted time, the Referee must award the match to the opponent.
CONTRIBUTED: Where the blood injury is caused by both players’ actions, the injured player has reasonable time to stop the blood flow and cover any wound. Reasonable time is determined by the Referee, who may be assisted by on-site medical personnel, if available.
If the same blood injury reoccurs, through no fault of either player or by both players’ actions, the injured player shall have further reasonable time to address the blood injury.
If the same blood injury reoccurs, solely due to an action by the injured player, the player shall have no further time to address the blood injury and must concede the game and take the game interval, if available, for further recovery. If the injured player cannot resume play within the reasonable time allowed, the Referee must award the match to the opponent.
OPPONENT INFLICTED: Where the blood injury is caused solely by the opponent;
13.3.1.4.1. Where the blood injury is caused solely by the opponent’s accidental action, the Referee may apply Rule 14 (Conduct), and the injured player has reasonable time to stop the blood flow and cover any wound. Reasonable time is determined by the Referee, who may be assisted by on-site medical personnel, if available. If the injured player cannot resume play in the reasonable time allowed, the Referee must award the match to the injured player.
If the same blood injury reoccurs, through no fault of either player or by both players’ actions, the injured player shall have further reasonable time to address the blood injury. If the blood flow cannot be stopped in a reasonable time the Referee must award the match to the injured player.
If the same blood injury reoccurs, solely due to an action by the injured player, the player shall have no further time to address the blood injury and must concede the game and take the game interval, if available, for further recovery. If the injured player cannot then resume play, the Referee must award the match to the opponent.
13.3.1.4.2. Where the blood injury is caused by the opponent’s deliberate or dangerous play or action, the Referee must apply Rule 14. (Conduct) and award the match to the injured player.
13.3.1.5. 13.4. Where there is a stoppage in play, the court must be cleaned, and bloodstained clothing replaced. An injured player may resume play before the end of any permitted recovery-period. Both players must be given reasonable time to prepare to resume play.
13.5. It is always the injured player’s decision whether or not to resume play.
