How do I handle an injury, illness or blood on court?
Rule- South Africa
- Squash South Africa
- World Squash Singles Rules 2025
- Referees
- Markers
- All ages
- 2026
- Officials
Under World Squash Singles Rule 13, first decide whether the injury is genuine and which category it is, then tell both players the category and the recovery time. Recovery time starts from that decision, applies only when the injury happens, and if given at the end of a game includes the game interval. The score at the end of the injury rally stands.
| Category | Recovery time | If not ready |
|---|---|---|
| Illness (cramp, nausea, blister, breathlessness, asthma) | None | Play on, or concede the game and use the interval, then play on or concede the match |
| Self-inflicted injury | Up to 3 min | Concede the game, use the interval, then play on or concede the match |
| Contributed (both players, accidental) | Up to 15 min | Concede the match |
| Opponent-inflicted, accidental | Up to 15 min (you may also apply Rule 14) | Award the match to the injured player |
| Opponent-inflicted, deliberate or dangerous | Any time needed means the match is awarded to the injured player; if they play on, apply Rule 14 | |
| Recurrence of an earlier injury, or not genuine | None | Play on, or concede the game, then play on or concede the match |
(enough blood flow to transfer to the opponent or the court): the player must leave the court; get them back as quickly as possible, clean the court and have bloodstained clothing replaced.
Added 21 Oct 2026