Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Refs and Rules

Squash deep clean: World No 1 Ali Farag backs referee directives

World No. 1 Ali Farag has welcomed the PSA’s initiative to try and address some of the blights -- including blocking and dissent -- that have threatened to ruin...

Gingell and Santamaria named first professional squash referees

Roy Gingell and Andrea Santamaria have been appointed as squash’s first ever full-time professional referees. World Squash Officiating (WSO) - the organisation dedicated to the...

‘More structure’: Victor Crouin on referees, directives and squash technology

French squash star Victor Crouin has admitted he will wait to see the “consequences” of Lee Drew’s appointment as head of World Squash Officiating,...

Squash continues aim for pro referees and ‘free-flowing sport’

Lee Drew, the head of World Squash Officiating (WSO), wants to professionalise refereeing as he bids to develop a global message of communication and...

Mostafa Asal to fly to UK for workshops with Willstrop and Drew

Mostafa Asal will fly to the UK later this month to work on his movement with former world squash No.1 James Willstrop -- and...

Squash power plays, sudden death enhance 2023 World Tour Finals

The twists and turns of the best-of-three short format will be further enhanced at the PSA World Tour Finals with the addition of power...

Squash closes in on first professional referees

The man responsible for driving the high standard of squash officiating across the world has revealed that the sport is “not far off” having...

Decisions, decisions: What the stats tell us about squash’s ‘interference offenders’

JAMIE ABBOTT, co-founder of squash data business Cross Court Analytics, crunches the numbers on refereeing decisions in the men’s and women’s games. Two feisty rivalries,...

World Squash Officiating denies referees told to avoid ‘yes lets’

Lee Drew says there is a “misconception” among players that squash officials have been instructed to avoid awarding lets on the PSA World Tour.  A...

Squash stars call for return of ‘simple let’

World squash tour players have backed calls for more "collaborative discussions" surrounding the current issue of lets - or lack thereof. World No 34 Aly...

Nick Matthew exclusive: squash referees can learn many lessons from rugby

Every year, watching the Six Nations makes me marvel at the way rugby union is officiated – and compare it to the refereeing in...

Nick Matthew exclusive: ‘Coaches who try to influence referees should be banned’

I attended the recent British Junior Open in Birmingham and came away with many observations which caused me concern. But let me begin with...

David Pearson Exclusive: Referees need to show they’re in charge but not act like headmasters

Officials need to be in much better positions, make themselves heard, and don't allow any backchat By DAVID PEARSON- Squash Mad Guest Columnist In his second...

Lee Drew lands new role as PSA referees’ boss

Leading coach Lee Drew revealed as the first-ever PSA Refereeing Director By MICHAEL CATLING - Squash Mad Chief Reporter LEE DREW has landed a key role...

US Open: You the ref

Thanks to Jamie Davis for sending through this video clip from the US Open clash between Alison Waters and Donna Urquhart. The Australian gets a...

Blog: Selby stirs up a toxic argument

  PLAYERS AND REFEREES: COLLISION WARNING Interesting to see Daryl Selby take issue with some points in a recent Squash UK Blog concerning the often-bitter divide...

BLOG: A whole new bawl game

By ALAN THATCHER So, former England football captain John Terry was found not guilty of using racist abuse during his ugly confrontation with Anton Ferdinand. The...

Pakistan row over age tests

This is an astonishing story from The News website in Pakistan, where a row has erupted over methods of testing junior players to determine...

BLOG: Let there be light

  By ALAN THATCHER It's obvious that Joe McManus, the Commissioner of the US-based Pro Squash Tour, is not going to pack up his bags any...

Blog: Turning on the backhand

I have been enjoying a thread of posts on the Let's Talk forum at Squashsite concerning the act of "turning"  on a serve. As a...

World record: The match lasting 31 hours!

From the Basingstoke Observer Two Basingstoke squash players have beaten the world record for the longest match ever played. Super-fit Grant Ward, 29, from Basingstoke, and...

Blog: Mayans would have made top referees

Just reading an article in the Daily Mail about a game played by the ancient Mayan civilisation which had rules similar to squash. The report...

PSA: Razik walks off court to hand Cuskelly Vancouver title

                                                  By ANDREW DENT New South Welshman Ryan Cuskelly celebrated the biggest win of his career when Canadian opponent Shahier Razik stormed off court in the...

ESR: New Level 1 courses and coaching seminars

Coaching news from ESR There is a Level 1 Coaching Course starting in January at Finchley Manor. http://www.englandsquashandracketball.com/find/courses/100 A series of Coaching Seminars is coming up,...

BLOG: Colour clashes should be avoided

                                                                    BY ALAN THATCHER Whatever happened to the clothing rules at major tournaments, designed to prevent players taking to the court in identical colours? Sorry to have...

World Open: Nicol David feels at home

Nicol David’s bid to win the World Open a record sixth time carried her to a notable revenge and to the semi-finals in her...

WSF: Courting a new generation of female players

Squash Courts A New Generation Of Female Players On World Squash Day Squash is all set to attract a new generation of female players thanks...

WSF: Pakistan Federation chief punished

WSF Penalises Pakistan Federation Chief 7 October 2011 The World Squash Federation (WSF) has taken action against Pakistan Squash Federation Honorary SecretaryIrfan Asghar for bringing both the sport...

ALAN’S ARCHIVES: Alan on Egypt’s success

VERBATIM - Alan Thatcher on EgyptPublished by: SquashZAG on 21st May 2010 Everybody wants to know the Egyptians’ secret. The answer is simple: numbers, with...

British Open heads for Hull, via the O2 Arena

The British Open is back on the calendar and it's coming to Kent! England Squash and Racketball announced today that the finals of the British...

Referees need help with long-distance vision

Here's my response to Steve Cubbins' article on referees in his new Blog On The Tyne, headlined How Many Referees Is Enough? Source: www.cubbins.info Steve Some...

WSF: New logo is off the wall!

WSF Unveils New Corporate Logo 20 September 2011 The World Squash Federation today launches a bold new visual identity. The WSF's new corporate logo is intended to achieve...

PSA: Video referees here to stay

PSA To Roll Out Video Review For All TV Events 8 September 2011 After extensive trials at recent major PSA World Tour events, the Professional Squash Association is...

WSF: Germany to host referees’ conference

Germany To Host 2011 WSF Refereeing Conference The 13th World Squash Refereeing Conference will take place in Paderborn in August, immediately preceding theMen's World Team Championship being...

REFS AND RULES: Blocking and trapping

From The Squasah Official By BARRY FAGUY This is reworked from an earlier article from years ago about this very important subject – the group of...

REFS AND RULES: Newsletter gems

It's always a pleasure to receive Barry Faguy's online newsletter, The Squash Official, produced for squash referees in Canada but thoroughly deserving of a...

MATTHEW THE MASTER

Nick Matthew showed to a packed house at the East Wintergarden exactly why he is world champion and world number one as he came...

Calgary: Rocky road as refs walk out

As referees at Canary Wharf get used to the new PSA Video Review system, news is spreading about  a referees' revolt in the Rocky...

PSA launch TV review system

PSA introduces TV Referee at Canary Wharf A major squash initiative is launched by the PSA this evening at the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic...

Canary Wharf injury crisis: What next?

  A fascinating insight here  into how referees may "adjust" rules in the interests of sportsmanship Rod Symington and Graham Walters deal with an issue that...

The Squash Official Newsletter

Thanks to Barry Faguy for emailing through the latest, mid-season edition of The Squash official Newsletter. I always enjoy the exchanges of views and advice...