1. You may challenge a player one, two or three positions above you on the ladder. If you are a new player (having just signed up) you can challenge any player at any position, including number 1, with your first challenge.

2. When you are ready to make a challenge, go to the rankings page and click on the player you wish to challenge, and then follow the instructions. Players are encouraged to include a phone number in their 'contact details' (accessed through the options page) so that challengers can contact them by phone as well as by email. All games should be played within 7 days of a challenge being made (see rules 10-12 for implications).

3. You should play your game at a mutually convenient time at a location chosen by the player being challenged. The player being challenged MUST offer the challenger at least 3 different 'match times' (on different days). If the challenger cannot make any of these times then the CHALLENGE is VOID. The challenger should then cancel the challenge using the button on the score reporting page.

4. If the player being challenged cannot offer 3 different 'match times' (on different days) then the CHALLENGE IS FORFEIT, and the CHALLENGER WINS by default. The player being challenged should then use the button on the score reporting page to forfeit the match.

5. If either party is more than 20 minutes late in attending an agreed match then the late player loses the match.

6. The match will be decided by a best of 5 games format. The winner of the match should register the win on the rankings page within 3 days of completing the match.

7. If you make a successful challenge your name will be "shuffled" above the name of the player you challenged. Therefore you may jump up one, two or three positions at a time.

8. After resolving a challenge, both players must wait 5 days before either player may issue the other a re-match challenge. Both players are free to challenge other players in the ladder immediately.

9. Please check with your opponent regarding any 'local rules' prior to playing. (resolving lets vs. strokes for instance)

10. If no result has been recorded by two thirds of the way through the challenge period 5 days) a reminder is emailed to both parties.

11. If no result has been recorded by the end of the challenge period a warning is sent to record the result within a 3 day 'grace period'.

12. If no result has been recorded by the end of the grace period then the CHALLENGE IS CONSIDERED FORFEIT and CHALLENGER WINS by default.

13. If the challenger wishes to cancel the challenge they may do so within the challenge and grace period with no consequences.

14. If the player being challenged wishes to forfeit the challenge they can do so within the challenge and grace period and the game is won by the challenger by default. There is a button on the reporting page that will let you forfeit instead of reporting a score.

15. Please try to work out any conflicts. If you cannot, you may contact me and explain the problem. My decision will be final.

World Squash Rules -- Singles (html)

World Squash Rules -- Singles (pdf)

Abridged Rules 2001 (pdf)

Resolving a Let vs. a Stroke

World Squash Federation

Squash Canada

Squash Ontairo

Thunder Bay Squash Association

Guide-to-Squash.org

SquashClub.org

Elo scoring system

You will have noticed a points score appear next to player names on the rankings page (if logged in). This is a trial points rating system based on the classic Elo system. Players will be awarded points for winning and lose points for losing depending on how difficult the system calculates your opponent to be. It will take a few games to settle down the scoring system. Currently the rating is displayed for information purposes only but in future it will be possible to arrange the ladder ranking system around this points score.

This software is provided free of charge. To support further development of the ladder please consider making a donation. Thank you.

The ladder is hosted on a not for profit basis by squash-ladder.net. The data held is not processed for any purpose other than to allow individuals to participate in the ladder. The information held is Name and Email address. It is your choice if you wish to include any further contact details. They are stored in a password protected database. Your password to access the site is stored in the database in an encrypted form. The data is relatively safe but no guarantee is made regarding security. It is believed that these uses do not necessitate that the database and squash ladder be notified under the Data Protection Act, UK. Your ladder operator may need to register as a data operator depending on their country of operation. If you have any concerns about data protection or data security please discuss this with your ladder operator.

Technical Information