Rules Rule: Honesty is the Best Policy in Self-Officiated Games

In addition to being an excellent racquetball player and coach, my good friend Stephen Deves here in St. Louis is a terrific human being. Anyone who knows Stephen will confirm that he carries an infectious smile wherever he goes, treats everyone with kindness and respect, and is exceedingly honest. In fact, the only real criticism I have ever heard anyone make about Stephen (because it was me making it) is his questionable hair styling choices, but that’s for another article in another newsletter. 

I remember a self-officiated match Stephen and I played several years ago during our Wednesday night singles league. About three or four shots into a rally, I stopped play because my shot skipped. I called the skip against myself and began walking towards the back of the court. Stephen tossed the ball to me saying, “It’s your serve, the shot was good, and I didn’t get to it.” We debated the issue for a minute or two, me arguing that my shot was bad and Stephen arguing the shot was good. (For the record, I won the game 15-11, but who’s keeping track, right?) 

Stephen Deves

This story segues into a perfect topic for a Rules Rule! article—the rules for self-officiated matches. If you are reading this, first, thank you! second, my presumption is that you have at least a basic understanding of the rules of racquetball (for example, short serve, long serve, foot fault, etc.) But did you know that there are some specific rules in self-refereed matches? 

No? Well, let’s discuss. 

Be Honest! Naturally, the first rule I mention is not actually a rule at all. In fact, if you search USA Racquetball’s Rulebook, you will not find the word “honest.” Yet, the need for honesty and integrity is implicit in the rules. For example, Rule D.2 says, “As a matter of etiquette, players are expected to make calls against themselves any time they are not sure.”

How many of us have played a self-officiated match against an opponent that refused to be honest? It’s not fun, and the whole point of racquetball is “fast, fun, fitness.” And let’s be candid:  the only matches with significant prizes are going to have referees involved. If you’re playing a self-officiated game, it’s likely a consolation bracket or your weekly league play. The reward for winning those matches is not worth sacrificing your reputation. 

As USA Racquetball’s National Rules Commissioner, I respectfully request the racquetball community add an unofficial rule. We’ll call it the “What Would Stephen Deves Do? Rule.” (I can already envision the t-shirts.) The concept is simple:  Always, but especially in self-officiated games, be honest. If your shot skipped, call it a skip. If your serve was short, call it short. If you’re not sure, err on the side of integrity and fair play.

Following the release of the July Rules Rule! article, a gentleman emailed me about the number of times players refuse to acknowledge when they commit a penalty hinder during self-officiated games. I completely understand that penalty hinders are a controversial topic, and that nobody wants a penalty hinder called against them whether in refereed or self-officiated games. But this gentleman’s point is valid:  If you committed a penalty hinder in a self-officiated game, call it against yourself. You might lose the rally, but you’ll be known as the “honest player” that everyone likes. Plus, you will help others understand that a penalty hinder looks like.

This point is made clear in Rule D.5, which reads “penalty hinders are usually unintentional, so they can occur even in the friendliest matches.” (In my case, it’s more that I am just too sore and exhausted to get out of the way). Any player who realizes they have committed a penalty hinder should “simply declare their opponent to be the winner of the rally.” If there is a sincere disagreement between the players whether a penalty hinder occurred, the rally should be replayed.

Calling the Score. Under Rule D.1, it is the server’s responsibility in a self-officiated racquetball game to call the score. Also, both players should “agree on the server’s and receiver’s score BEFORE each first serve.” 

During Rallies. Under Rule D.2, the offensive player has the responsibility to call whether his or her shot skipped, whether there was a double bounce, or if an illegal hit occurred. Play should continue unless the offensive player makes one of these calls. If the offensive player does not make a call, and the other player believes a shot was “not good” (e.g., the defensive player thought the offensive player skipped the ball), the defensive player “may appeal to the hitter by pointing out which shot was thought to be bad and request that the hitter reconsider.” If the offensive player still believes his or her shot was good and the defensive player is convinced otherwise, the players should replay the rally. 

Fault Serves. Rule D.3 specifies that the receiving player in a self-officiated game has the primary responsibility to call a fault serve, “though either player may make it.” A receiving player must make the call immediately and may “not wait until the ball has been hit to gain the benefit of seeing how good the return was.” In other words, a receiver cannot return a serve then make a fault serve call against the serving player. 

Screen Serves. Rule D.3 goes on to specify that screen serve calls are the “sole responsibility” of the receiving player. However, the receiving player may not call a screen serve after attempting to hit the ball. Also, a receiving player cannot put himself or herself out of position (e.g., standing on the side wall to receive serve) in order to create a screen serve where one would not otherwise exist. In other words, a screen serve should only be called if the receiving player is in “good position” near center court. 

Spoiler alert:  check out a future Rules Rule! article discussing the screen serve issue that has become a hot-button topic!

Foot faults, ten-second violations, etc., usually require a referee to be called. However, if one player believes the other is abusing any of these rules, Rule D.3 advises the players, “Be sure there is clear agreement on what the rule exactly says and reach a mutual understanding that the rules should be followed.” 

Hinders. Under Rule D.4, only the player attempting to hit a shot “can stop play by calling a hinder and must do so immediately and not wait to see how good the resulting shot was.” If the hindered player “believes they can make an effective return in spite of some physical contact or impairment that has occurred, they may continue to play but should not claim a hinder thereafter.” 

Disputes. If the players simply cannot find common ground, or if they desire to have a referee assigned, the tournament director should try and find a referee. 

Hopefully this has helped you better understand the rules regarding self-officiated matches. Until next month, please enjoy some Nutella® Biscuits as you read the other amazing content in this month’s Serving Up the News. 

National Rules Commissioner Joshua Jones welcomes questions from members and will respond timely along with occasionally featuring a few in USA Racquetball’s Serving Up the News. Write to Josh at rulescommissioner@usaracquetball.com, and you may see your question in a future issue of this newsletter!