As professional squash continues to evolve, the game has become increasingly physical and strategic. Players often dive as a tactical move to extend rallies and reach seemingly impossible shots. This technique, while impressive, requires clear understanding of the rules to promote fair play and safety for all participants.
If you are refereeing at PSA events, it is important to remember that:
• Any player who chooses to dive loses the right to stop the rally and ask for a let as they have altered the condition of the court and therefore accepted the playing surface.
• The non-diving player has the option to stop for safety but must do so prior to the diving player’s next shot. In other words, if the non-diving player plays on and allows the diving player’s following shot, at that point the rally must continue as the court conditions are deemed to have been accepted by both players.
• If the diving player hits a winning return, then a no let can still be awarded, even if the striker stops for safety.
• The referee has the right to intervene and stop play at any time should the conditions be deemed unsafe.
These guidelines support both safety and fair play while allowing for the spectacular elements that make modern professional squash so exciting.
This process was developed by WSO in collaboration with the PSA and the player’s representatives and is explained in the video below by Head of WSO Lee Drew. Please note that these rules should only be applied at PSA events. It is always important to check with the appropriate persons how the rule will be interpreted at any event you are officiating.
