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Let please...?

Refereeing is a thankless but necessary task. Knowing the Rules and using the correct calls is expected of referees, but the really difficult part is making decisions when one of the players appeals for a let. Below is a summary of the thought process a referee should go through when asked ‘Let Please‘…

The striker has four basic rights, and interference has occurred if the opponent fails to provide him with any of these, even if he has made every effort to do so:

Unobstructed direct access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow-through

A fair view of the ball on its rebound from the front wall


Freedom to hit the ball with a reasonable swing


Freedom to play the ball directly to the front wall If no interference has occurred, or the interference was so minimal that the player’s view of and freedom to get to and play the ball were not effected, then it’s NO LET, otherwise move on to no.2

Did the obstructed player move past the point of interference and play on? Or create the interference in moving to the ball?If the answer to either question is YES, then it’s NO LET

Did the obstructing player make every effort avoid the interference ?If he didn’t, then it’s a STROKE. 

Did the interference prevent the player’s reasonable swing?If YES, then it’s a STROKE to the player.

Could the obstructed player play a winning return?If YES, then it’s a STROKE,
otherwise it’s just a LET unless the following applies:

Would the obstructed player have struck the opponent with the ball going directly to the front wall or, if going to a side wall, would it have been a winning return?If either answer is YES, then it’s a STROKE to the player.

Remember that this is a simplification – read the rules thoroughly. The over-riding principle of the rules is to ensure a fair result for both players.

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