What are the penalties for bad behaviour in squash?
A · Advanced · Officials, injuries and conduct · 6 of 6Four, in rising order: a conduct warning, a conduct stroke, a conduct game and a conduct match. A stroke is a point to the opponent. The referee chooses according to how serious the offence is and need not start with a warning. A repeat of the same offence cannot be punished more lightly than the time before.
How it works
- The four: a conduct warning, a conduct stroke, a conduct game or a conduct match.
- By severity: the referee picks the level "depending on the severity of the offence".
- Never lighter: a later penalty for the same offence "may not be less severe than the previous penalty".
- The offences: obscenity, abuse, unnecessary contact, dangerous play, dissent, trying to influence the referee, abuse of equipment or the court.
- Also: an unfair warm-up, delaying play, deliberate distraction and receiving coaching during play.
- Stopped for a warning: a let is played.
- Stopped for a stroke: the conduct stroke becomes the result of the rally.
- Stroke after a rally: the rally's result stands and the point is added, with no change of service box.
- Conduct game: the game in progress, or the next one if none is in progress.
- Points kept: a player penalised with a game or the match keeps the points and games already won.
- Any time: including during the warm-up and after the match has ended.
- Other rules: players may not place objects in the court or ask for a change of official.
The glossary has the conduct penalties entry, the stroke, the referee, the game, the match and the warm-up entry.
Tricky cases
A player smashes their racket against the wall after losing a rally. What can the referee give?
Any of the four, by severity. Abuse of equipment or the court is listed as unacceptable behaviour.
A player was given a conduct stroke for dissent earlier. They argue again. Can the referee give a warning?
No. A penalty for a later similar offence may not be less severe than the previous one.
The referee awards a conduct stroke between rallies at 9-9. What is the score?
10-9 to the opponent of the offender, and the server does not change box.
A player is given a conduct game at 3-7 in the second game. What do they keep?
Their three points in that game and any games already won. The game is awarded to the opponent.
Why the rule exists
The introduction to the rules names two principles, safety and fair play. The conduct rule is how both are enforced. A scale with four steps lets the referee respond to swearing and to a deliberate dangerous swing differently, and the rule against going lighter stops repeat offending.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Play stopped for a warning | Let | WSF Rule 14.10.1 |
| Play stopped for a stroke | The stroke decides the rally | WSF Rule 14.10.2 |
| Stroke between rallies | Point added, same service box | WSF Rule 14.10.3 |
| Conduct game between games | The next game is awarded, with no extra interval | WSF Rule 14.10.4 |
| A person other than a player | The referee suspends play until it stops or they leave | WSF Rule 3.6.14 |
From the rule book
World Squash Federation, Rules of Singles Squash (version 1.2.2, effective 1 September 2025), the Introduction, Rule 14 and Appendix 2. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Squash Singles Rules 2025 (PDF).