What to Expect from Referees During the 2025/26 Season

The Rules now stipulate ‘access to the ball’ without requiring additional modifiers previously used (unobstructed, direct), catering for movement in all areas of the court.

This represents a significant change in terminology. The previous modifiers created unnecessary confusion and contradictions – “unobstructed” suggested a zero-tolerance standard completely free from interference, yet the rules also allowed for “minimal interference.” “Direct” implied moving in a straight line without deviation, which does not reflect actual player movement patterns on court.

The previous terminology was limiting and prevented adaptability for the different movement required in various areas of the court. Players naturally circle around each other when exchanging drives from the back corners and approach the ball from angles at the front to maximise shot options.

The simplified “access to the ball” removes these contradictions whilst maintaining player responsibilities: after completing a reasonable follow-through, a player must make every effort to clear, while the opponent making every effort to play the ball must be provided with all four requirements – fair view, access, space for a reasonable swing, and freedom to strike to any part of the front wall.

Rule 8.9 now states:

• If “the swing was, or could have been, affected by the position of the opponent”, a let is allowed;
• If “the swing was prevented by the position of the opponent”, a stroke is awarded.

These changes recognise that swings can be affected or prevented by positioning alone, without requiring physical contact. Rule 8.9.3 has been removed as these scenarios are now covered by the updated wording.

The definition of turning has changed and now occurs when a player rotates in a way that causes them to lose sight of either the ball or the opponent, or when the ball passes behind their body from one side to the other. This covers all potentially dangerous turning situations.

If the striker encounters interference while turning, and could have made a good return, then:

• If “the swing was prevented, even though the opponent was making every effort to avoid the interference”, a stroke is awarded;
• If “the non-striker had no time to avoid the interference”, a let is allowed;
• If “the striker could have struck the ball without turning, but turned in order to create an opportunity to request a let”, no let is allowed.

Rule 12 now consolidates distraction, fallen objects, and court conditions under one framework. New provisions cover scenarios where the court floor becomes wet through a player diving, falling, or placing a wet hand or knee on the floor. Players who create wet areas must continue play or concede the rally and cannot subsequently request a let for safety reasons if play continues. The referee retains authority to stop play if conditions are deemed unsafe, and if the wet area is believed to have been caused deliberately to gain an advantage, conduct penalties will apply.

Several timing adjustments align with professional practice:

• 1 minute between warm-up and start of play (previously 90 seconds);
• 2 minutes between games (previously 90 seconds);
• Up to 2 minutes for equipment changes (previously 90 seconds).

Recovery time now starts when the referee announces the injury category, providing clarity on timing. Several injury categories have reduced maximum recovery periods:

• Self-inflicted Injuries: Up to 3 minutes (previously fixed 3 minutes);
• Contributed Injuries: Up to 15 minutes (previously up to 30 minutes);
• Opponent-inflicted Accidental Injuries: Up to 15 minutes (previously fixed 15 minutes);
• Self-inflicted Blood Injuries: Up to 5 minutes (previously fixed 5 minutes).

It is the player’s responsibility to cover any existing wounds before going on court. If a blood injury occurs from an uncovered or inadequately covered pre-existing wound, the injured player must immediately concede the game in progress and take the game interval for treatment.

The definition now includes physical impediments such as blisters alongside cramps, nausea, and breathlessness.

Attempting to influence the referee and turning as a dangerous action are now explictly included within the Conduct rule, creating consistency with professional standards.