UPDATED Rules 2021/22
Rules of the Lincolnshire Squash Leagues
1. Registration
The competition is open to any clubs in the Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North-East Lincolnshire area. It is recommended that clubs are affiliated to England Squash. Clubs must have adequate playing and changing facilities.
Each player must be registered with an activated England Squash membership by game week 4 of the season
2. Entry Fee
- The entry fee for the competition is £50.00 per team
- Racketball entry is £30.00 per team
Note: Fees should be paid prior to the first match, funds should be paid to Lincoln Squash Leagues.
3. Player Eligibility
a)Players must be squash members of the clubs from which their team plays from and generally may only play for ONE club per season.
b)Teams must submit their seeding list (in the correct format) to the League Sub-Committee by 13/10/2021. After this date new players are not permitted to be added to the seeding list until the halfway point of the season. The only exception to this is if they are new members to the club. Please note that injured players should be included on the seeding list and can play when they are fit to return to action.
c) Teams may re-seed on 1st January. Notice of re-seeding MUST be received by the League Sub-Committee between the dates of 19/12/2021 and 31/12/2021. Failure to do so will result in a 2 point penalty. No new player(s) may be introduced into a Club's seeding list after 31st December. The only exception to this is if they are new members to the club. Please note that injured players should be included on the seeding list and can play when they are fit to return to action.
d)If a team includes an ineligible player(s) then all rubbers from the highest string down from where the contravention occurred are awarded as 3-0 walkovers to the opposing teams with the points from the match being recalculated accordingly.
e) No-one may play in the last 5 fixtures if they have not already played for the team that season - even if they were on the seedings list.
4. Team Members
a)A team will consist of 5 players. Players must play in order of merit as per their team`s seeding list.
b)Racketball teams will consist of 3 players
c)If a team plays out of their seeding order then all rubbers from the highest string down from where the contravention occurred are awarded as 3-0 walkovers to the opposing teams with the points from the match being recalculated accordingly.
d)If a rubber is conceded, then all rubbers from the highest string down from where the contravention occurred are awarded as 3-0 walkovers to the opposing teams with the points from the match being recalculated accordingly.
e)If a team does not field a full team 3 times in a season, they will be deducted 15 points. For every subsequent match after this point that they do not field a full team they will be deduced 5 points..
5. Representing another team from the same club
- A player may play up for other teams within the club providing they play strictly to make up numbers in teams after all the team’s registered players have been found unavailable and must not be used to strengthen a team. You may play up a maximum 3 (THREE) times in league matches, you cannot play for another team in the same division or play down.
Note: ‘If a player plays ‘up’ for a fourth time, they may continue to play for the higher team, but no longer the lower team.
- When playing up for the higher team the player must play at the lowest string possible
6. Playing of Fixtures
- All matches are to be played on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights. Racketball league will take place on a Thursday evening
Dates and start times will be on the official fixture list.
- Home fixtures on a Weekend fixture are to commence no earlier than 16.30 and no later than 19:45
- Home fixtures on a weeknight should start no earlier than 19:00pm and no later than 19:45
- Late starts may be penalised by the forfeit of the last string for the offending team. If the match runs out of court time, the home team will concede any matches in progress or yet to begin.
- Double header matches are not allowed
7. Rearranging of Fixtures
a)All matches must be played on the day arranged and in accordance with the fixture lists.
b)The date for the playing of a particular match may be re-arranged if BOTH captains are in agreement. Captains should make arrangement for a new date and this should be advised to the committee prior to the date of the original fixture. If both captains cannot agree on a date then the fixture must be played on the original date. The committee will only make rulings on rearrangements if the fixture cannot be fulfilled due to non-availability of courts.
c)Not having your strongest team available is not a valid reason for the committee to get involved to rearrange matches. Where disputes arise there should be at least two weeks prior to the original fixture date so a ruling can be made
d)Any team failing to fulfil a entire fixture (i.e. no show) will be deducted 10 points and the full 19 points awarded to the opposition.
e)Any team failing to fulfil more than 2 fixtures in the season will be withdrawn from the league and all points removed from the leagues
8. Order of Play
- Matches should be played with a minimum of 2 courts.
- Recommended order of play being: 5 - 4 – 1 – 2 - 3
9. Results and Score Card
- It is recommended that a score card is used prior to the match commencing so both teams can ensure players are playing in the correct order. The Home Team Captain is responsible for entering results on the respective league website. No changes to results can be made so if results are later found to be incorrect then they must deleted for re-entry.
RESULTS MUST BE ENTERED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE COMPLETION OF THE MATCH OR A 4 POINT DEDUCTION WILL BE INCURRED.
10. Games and points
a)Squash – Premier Division Matches will be the best of 5 rubbers with each rubber the best of 5 games. Each game won will score one point for that team. A bonus of 4 points will be awarded to the winning team (decided on rubbers). Each game will be par scoring to 11 points & 2 clear points if required.
b)Squash – League 1 and below Matches will be the best of 5 rubbers with each rubber the best of 5 games. Each game won will score one point for that team. A bonus of 4 points will be awarded to the winning team (decided on rubbers). Each game will be par scoring to 15 points & 2 clear points if required.
c)Racketball - Matches will be the best of 3 rubbers with each rubber the best of 3 games. Each game won will score one point for that team. A bonus of 4 points will be awarded to the winning team (decided on rubbers). Each game will be par scoring to 15 points & 2 clear points if required.
11. Referees and Markers
a) All matches must be properly refereed/marked.
b) A single referee is considered adequate. The home team is responsible for arranging this.
c) Unless agreed otherwise the home team will officiate all rubbers on mid-week league.
d) Teams should ideally share marking duties, with the onus on the Home Team to mark the majority.
12. Rules of Play and Ball
- The rules of play are the current rules of the World Singles Game of Squash, approved by the World Squash Federation. Version 2014-03 the latest version available at the time of edit.
- The ball used should be the current Dunlop Double-Yellow Spot Pro Squash Ball. Provided both captains agree, a Single Yellow Spot Dunlop Match Squash Ball may be used on cold courts.
- Racketball balls should be the standard double yellow Dunlop racketball ball per http://www.englandsquashandracketball.com/play-squash-and-racketball/rules-of-play/racketball
13. Courts
Courts used for League Matches must be of standard markings, with the walls painted white or cream and the court floors tactile and safe. Rainbow courts should not be used unless agreed by both captains.
14. League Table
a) The league table shall be ranked on priorities as follows:
Total Points
Fewest points conceded
Most Matches Won
Least matches Lost
Most points Gained against opposing team*
Fewest points conceded against opposing team*
Fewest matches won by Walkover.
*Only used if separating a two-way tie.
In the unlikely event of teams still being inseparable a playoff may be arranged at the discretion of the League Secretary.
15. Disputes and Complaints
a) Any dispute or complaint must be referred to the League Secretary, in writing, within 14 days of the offence occurring.
ANY DISPUTE REPORTED AFTER THIS TIME PERIOD HAS ELAPSED WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY REJECTED.
a) The League Secretary may settle minor disputes. Otherwise matters should be brought to the attention of the League Committee by a team captain, referee or bystander to be considered. The Committee may refer the issue to a League Meeting or England Squash depending on the issue. The decision from any of these groups will be considered final with no right of appeal, whether or not it is covered by these rules and neither the County Committee or League Secretary will enter into further correspondence regarding the matter.
16. Infringing of Rules
a) The County Association Committee or League Secretary reserve the right to take such action as deemed necessary against any individual or club considered to be infringing any of these rules.
17. County Cup Competitions
|
Parker Cup: |
Any five squash players (must be playing members of the respective club) |
|
Kesteven Cup |
Any two Squash, one Over 45, one Lady, One Squash57. (Must be playing members of the respective club) |
|
Alford cup |
Five over 35 squash players. (Must be playing members of the respective club) |
Cup registration will be £10 per team, with one team per club allowed in cup competitions.
Once a player has played for a club in the league they are tied to that club for the cup competition. In other words a player can-not play for one club in the league and then for another club in one of the cup competitions.
18. League Cup Knockout *format to be agreed*
a) Scoring will be Par scoring to 15 points - sudden death at 14-14
b) Entry is automatic, All Teams will play in one competition, scoring will be handicapped per league status and updated each season. Games will be best of 5. A player has to play three or more weekend league games for that particular before they can play in the final of the team knockout. Players may play up only ONCE in the cup competition. Each round will be re-drawn
c) Each round will be scheduled into a week during the season except preliminary games.
d) Games must be played within specified week although home match times may vary with clubs hosting more than one home team.
e) Any team not fulfilling the fixtures from the first round will not be eligible for the cup plate competition.
f) Any court Fees are to be shared equally between home and away teams.
19. Eye Protection
Juniors (u19) playing in the leagues must wear approved eye protection. If a junior turns up without eye protection they will not be allowed to play and the points will be awarded to the opponent.
It is recommended that all adults wear eye protection when playing both squash and in particular, Racketball
20. Results & Contact
If you need to add players due to injury, team members can be added via request to https://airtable.com/shrERlUzQkh6E2CZg
Players must be added prior to start of the match
RESULTS MUST BE ENTERED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE COMPLETION OF THE MATCH OR A 4 POINT DEDUCTION WILL BE INCURRED.
21. League Rule Changes
League rules can be amended by the Squash committee at any point within the season if an organisation (deemed appropriate) amend guidance or restrict the rules on normal 'Play'. Such as National Lockdowns, Pandemics:
Organisations include (but not limited to) England Squash, UK government, the HSE etc
