These Guidelines apply to all US Squash sanctioned events at all times. It is the responsibility of the player, coach, family member or spectator to know and understand the US Squash Player and Family-Coach-Spectator Sportsmanship and Conduct Guidelines. By entering a US Squash sanctioned event, the entrant agrees to accept and abide by the Guidelines and the US Squash Code of Conduct Sanction System.

A flagrant disregard or violation of the Guidelines shall render the player liable to disciplinary action as set forth by the Sanction System. Coaches, representatives and relatives are under similar obligation to adhere to the Guidelines. Players shall be held liable for their entourage's actions.

If anyone observes a violation of the Sportsmanship and Conduct Guidelines, he or she is encouraged to report it to the Tournament Director or US Squash staff if present.

US Squash expects each player, family and coach to adopt and promote the following:

  1. Player Guidelines

    • Know the WSF Rules of Squash and abide by them.
    • Adhere to all facility rules and regulations.
    • Be courteous on and off the court to all opponents, referees and tournament staff.
    • Avoid withdrawing after start times are posted and avoid defaulting during the course of an event.
    • Register and arrive on time and at the proper court.
    • Be considerate during the 5-minute warm-up period. Share practice equally with your opponent - only hit the ball to yourself 2 or 3 times, before hitting cross court.
    • Treat referees and markers with respect and appreciation.
    • Accept decisions with grace and refrain from showing displeasure, disbelief, or disgust.
    • Accept coaching only between games or during appropriate breaks in play.
    • Win and lose gracefully; maintain composure before, during and after each match.
    • Shake hands with your opponent after the match and shake hands and thank the referee and marker.
    • Promptly report scores after the match.
    • Referee all matches as directed by the tournament staff.
    • Use approved eye protection on court at all times during practice and match play.
    • Be aware of specific tournament or venue dress codes and adhere to them.

    Player Misconduct

    Misconduct on court includes, but is not limited to: (i) a flagrant violation of the Sportsmanship and Conduct Guidelines (ii) any violation of 'Rule 17: Conduct on Court'.

    For Reference: From the Rules of World Singles Squash, 2001

    17. CONDUCT ON COURT

    17.1 If the Referee considers that a player's behavior is disruptive, intimidating or offensive to the opponent, an official or a spectator, or could in any way bring the game into disrepute, the Referee shall penalize the player.

    17.2 Offenses with which the Referee shall deal under this rule include audible and visible obscenities, verbal and physical abuse, dissent to Marker or Referee, abuse of racquet, ball or court and coaching, other than during the interval between games. Other offenses include significant or deliberate physical contact (Rule 12.12.1), excessive racquet swing (Rule 12.4), unfair warm-up (Rule 3.2), late back on court (Rule 7.4), dangerous play or action (Rule 16.3.1.3) and time-wasting (Rule 7.6).

  2. Family-Coach-Spectator Guidelines

    • Applaud effort and fair play, acknowledge good shots, rallies and points equally and uniformly.
    • Avoid cheering for faults, tins, or unforced errors.
    • Do not intervene with a squash match in progress. Only the referee or Tournament Director and staff may do so.
    • Provide coaching only between games and within the time limitations; keep players near the court during breaks.
    • Do not interact with or influence the referee or official in any way during a match, regardless of age or ability.
    • At all times be considerate of the Tournament Director, his or her staff and volunteers and the venue.
    • Be responsible for your own tidiness at the venue.

    Family-Coach-Spectator Misconduct

    Players shall be held liable for misconduct by his or her family members and coaches ("the entourage") at US Squash sanctioned tournaments. Misconduct by a member of the entourage shall include, but is not limited to: (i) a flagrant violation of the Sportsmanship and Conduct Guidelines (ii) language, gestures or actions which defame, berate or otherwise bring into disrepute the tournament, its staff or its participants at any time during an event (iii) interference of any kind with a Tournament Director, tournament staff member, referee, player or member of an opponent's entourage during an event.