G8 MAKING EVERY EFFORT AND MINIMAL INTERFERENCE

The opponent must make every effort to clear the ball after playing a return. The opponent’s route should allow the player unobstructed direct access to the ball, provided the player has not moved in to play the ball so quickly as to block the opponent’s exit. In the latter case the Referee shall allow a Let, unless the player could not have made a good return, in which case the Referee shall not allow a Let.

However, it is equally important for the player to make every effort to get to and play the ball. If the player does not make every effort to get to and play the ball, that is a significant factor in the Referee’s assessment of whether or not that player could have reached the ball and made a good return.

The Referee shall decide the degree of effort that the player should make to demonstrate “making every effort”. This does not give the player the right to abuse the opponent physically and the Referee shall penalize significant or deliberate physical contact under Rule 5 or 15.

When a player appeals for a Let, having encountered some interference, that had no effect on that player’s view of the ball and freedom to get to and play the ball, the Referee shall not allow a Let. This is minimal interference and includes situations in which the opponent crossed the flight of the ball very early in its trajectory from the front wall but still allowed the player time to sight the ball; the player brushed past the opponent on the way to the ball without affecting the player’s direct access; and the racquet swing brushed the opponent, the opponent’s clothing or racquet without affecting the racquet’s swing.

The player’s partner must also allow opponents free access to the front wall and a clear view of the ball and front wall.

However, when interference has occurred, the Referee shall not refuse a Let in situations in which the player was clearly making every effort (albeit short of physical contact with the opponent) to get to and play the ball and had demonstrated to the Referee the ability to reach the ball.