When is a player awarded a stroke for a blocked swing or a blocked shot?
I · Intermediate · Lets and strokes · 2 of 5If the opponent's position prevented the swing, it is a stroke, even if they were trying to move. If the swing was only affected, it is a let. If the striker holds the shot because the ball would have hit the opponent on its direct way to the front wall, that is a stroke as well.
How it works
- Swing affected: the swing "was or could have been affected" by an opponent who was trying to clear: a let, or a stroke if the return would have been a winner.
- Swing prevented: a stroke, "even if the opponent was making every effort to avoid the interference".
- Reasonable swing: backswing and follow-through "do not extend more than is necessary".
- Excessive swing: if the striker caused the interference with one, no let.
- Exaggerating for a stroke: real interference, but the striker overdid the swing to earn a stroke: only a let.
- Direct to the front wall: the ball would have hit the non-striker on a direct path: stroke.
- Via a side wall: the ball would have hit the non-striker and then a side wall, or a side wall and then the non-striker: let, or a stroke if it would have been a winner.
- Would have missed them: the general rules on interference apply.
- Holding the shot: these rulings apply when the striker "refrains from striking the ball" and asks for a let.
The glossary has the stroke, the let, interference, the front wall, the boast and the referee.
Tricky cases
The striker's racket touches the opponent lightly on the backswing but the shot could still be played. Let or stroke?
A let, if the swing was affected and not prevented and the opponent was trying to clear. A stroke if the return would have been a winner.
The opponent is standing right in front of the striker, who stops. The shot would have gone straight to the front wall. Decision?
Stroke to the striker.
The striker was going to play a boast off the side wall, and the opponent stood on that line. Decision?
A let, unless the boast would have been a winning return, in which case it is a stroke.
A player takes an enormous backswing that catches an opponent standing well clear. Do they get a let?
No. If the striker caused the interference by an excessive swing, no let is allowed. Excessive swing is also listed as dangerous play under the conduct rule.
Why the rule exists
These are the safety rules of the sport. A player who swings through an opponent or drives the ball into their back can injure them, so the rules reward the striker who stops. Giving a stroke for holding back removes any reason to play the shot and hope.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Swing affected | Let | WSF Rule 8.9.1 |
| Swing prevented | Stroke | WSF Rule 8.9.2 |
| Ball direct to the front wall | Stroke | WSF Rule 8.11.1 |
| Ball via a side wall | Let, or stroke for a winner | WSF Rule 8.11.2; 8.11.3 |
| After turning or on a further attempt | Let, not a stroke | WSF Rule 8.11.1 |
From the rule book
World Squash Federation, Rules of Singles Squash (version 1.2.2, effective 1 September 2025), Rules 8.9 to 8.11 and 14.6.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Squash Singles Rules 2025 (PDF).