G7 INTERFERENCE ON TURNING

A player who turns on the ball (or comes around) must make every effort to play the ball. The changes in this Rule are designed to eliminate the abuse of the safety Let provision, often invoked by a player to recover from a defensive position, while continuing to provide safety for all players on court. In doing so the following provisions apply:

1. The turning player should warn his opponents as early as possible that he is turning by declaring his intent to turn (turning, coming around or some other clear verbal warning). Failure to do so will result in a warning initially; however failure subsequently to announce a turn or to announce the turn late could result in a Point to the opponents.

2. If the turning player fails to declare his intention to turn and then hits either opponent with the ball a Point will be awarded to the opponents.

3. If the turning player fails to declare his intention to turn and then requests a Let due to his opponents’ positions on the court, the Referee should warn the turning player that future failure to declare a turn could, at the Referee’s discretion, result in No Let being awarded.

4. However if the turning player fails to call turning or calls late but plays the ball safely, then the Referee should allow play to continue and after the point has concluded, warn the turning player that future failure to declare a turn could, at the Referees discretion, result in the awarding of a Point to the opponents due to unsafe or dangerous play.

5. The turning player’s opponents must make every effort to clear to give the turning player the full front wall and the side walls in the front third of the court, as well as provide freedom to the striker to play the ball.

6. Where possible, the turning player should play the ball to the front wall or to the sidewalls in the front third of the court. If the turning player does not play the ball he will not be granted a Let if he is considered to be unreasonably trying to get out of an unfavourable position, especially when the opponents have cleared properly.

7. If the ball hits an opponent who has cleared to allow the turning player to play the ball safely to the front third of the court, the turning player will lose the Point. Also to ensure the safety of the players on the court in enforcing the Turning rule, if the turning player plays a shot which is considered reckless or dangerous (not safe) the striker will be penalized and a Point will be awarded to the opponents.

The exceptions are as follows:

a. Where the striker, while planning to play his normal shot, is forced to turn to play the ball due to the ball “squirting” off the back or side wall, forcing the striker to turn unexpectedly; in this case a Let will be allowed, provided the striker could have played the ball.

b. When the opponents do not make every effort to clear, after turning has been declared, then the striker need not play the ball and a Let will be allowed and the Referee should warn the opponents that future failure to clear will result in a Point to the striker.

Footnote to Referees:

The overriding principle for all Referees is that the game should be played safely and fairly, and Referee’s calls should be made to promote safety while preserving the integrity of the Rules, and the flow of the game. The Referee should include, when making his judgement, whether or not the turning player could have reached the ball and played it to the front wall and would it have resulted in a safe return.

Ultimately it is the responsibility of the player turning to play the ball in a safe manner. Failure to do so, may at the discretion of the Referee, result in a warning, or, if the Referee deems the conduct offensive, a Point.

An initial warning applies to both players of the team warned.