BOX LEAGUE

Since guest participants—including adult and club players—may have larger swings and hit with greater power than junior players, court spatial awareness is crucial. Safety remains the top priority at Ignite Squash, and we ask all players to exercise extra caution during their matches.

Players will be grouped according to their AJSS ranking, squash level and age group. The box structure is designed to allow players to compete against others of a similar playing level while also providing opportunities to challenge themselves and progress.

Players may move up or down between boxes at the end of each league period based on their final results.

The box league matches will be organised through Club Locker.

• Each box will consist of 4 players, with a maximum of 5 players per box.
• Each player is expected to play against every other player in their box during the league period.
• Each match will be played best of 3 to 11 points.
• Matches should be played according to standard squash rules unless otherwise stated in these regulations.
• Players should enter their results on Club Locker as soon as possible after completing their match.
• Once a match has been completed, the result is final and cannot be replayed.
• Any dispute regarding the result should be raised with the league organiser immediately after the match.

Guest players will be regularly invited to participate in the Ignite Box League. Guest players may include:

• High-level junior players
• Adult players
• Professional players
• Players from other clubs

Guest players will provide students with the opportunity to:

• Play against players of different levels, styles and experience.
• Gain more varied match-play experience.
• Experience different playing styles and match situations.
• Increase the intensity and competitiveness of Box League matches.
• Experience a more realistic competition environment.
• Prepare for actual tournament conditions.

5.1 Handicap

Higher-level players may play under a handicap system. In the Ignite Box League, the handicap is a scoring adjustment designed to allow players of different skill levels to compete more closely. Instead of both players starting at 0–0, the stronger player may start with negative points while the other player starts with positive points. This means the stronger player needs to win more rallies to win the game.

Example: If Simmy, the stronger player, starts at -5, while the opponent starts at +3, the match begins with a scoring difference between the two players.

5.2 Determining the Handicap

Handicaps for guest players will be decided by Ignite. Handicaps may be adjusted based on match results. Handicaps may take into consideration player ratings, such as AJSS rankings and Squash Levels, as well as previous match results.

5.3 Purpose of the Handicap

The handicap system is designed to create closer and more competitive matches. A handicap may result in longer and more competitive games, requiring the higher-level player to work harder to close the scoring gap.

All matches will be played best of 3 games to 11 points. A game is won by the first player to reach 11 points, subject to standard squash scoring rules.

• Players should enter their results on Club Locker as soon as possible after completing their match.
• Once a match has been completed, the result is final and cannot be replayed.
• Any dispute regarding the result should be raised with the league organiser immediately after the match.

The Box League is designed to provide players with an authentic match-play and competitive environment.

During the Box League matches:

• Coaches will not provide coaching or tactical instructions during the match.
• Parents and teammates may provide encouragement and support during the session, provided this is done respectfully and does not interfere with the match.
• Players are encouraged to make their own decisions during matches and learn to adapt to different opponents and situations.
• Coaches may observe matches and take notes to identify areas for development.

After the match:

• Players will receive post-match feedback from the coaching team.
• Coaches will highlight key areas that the player did well and areas that can be improved.
• Where appropriate, coaches will provide a training focus/programme for the player to work on during regular training sessions leading up to the next Club Locker Box League session.

The purpose of this feedback is to help players understand how their match performance connects to their training and development.

The league organiser will allocate a specific date, time and court/location for the box league matches. All matches must be played according to the schedule provided by the league organiser where possible.

If a player is unable to attend the designated box league date, they may arrange to play their match on another Tuesday within the same league period, subject to player availability. For example, for Box 1, if a player is unable to attend the scheduled match on Tuesday, 6 October, they may arrange to complete the match on Tuesday, 13 October or Tuesday, 20 October instead.

• Alternative matches must be arranged in advance with the opponent and the league organiser.
• A coach or another designated player may referee the match if the league organiser is unavailable.
• Players are expected to complete all of their scheduled league matches within the allocated league period.
• Players who are unable or unwilling to complete a match before the next organized date may be recorded as having forfeited the relevant match(es), subject to the provisions regarding genuine illness, injury or exceptional circumstances.

If two or more players finish their box with the same number of wins, their final positions will be determined using the following tie-break system:

Number of Wins

Players will first be ranked according to the total number of matches won.

Total Points Scored

If players remain tied, the player with the greater total number of points scored across all of their matches will be placed higher. As each match is played as a single game to 11 points, the total points scored by each player across their matches will be used to determine their position.

Final Tie

If two or more players remain completely tied after applying the above criteria, the league organiser will determine the final position by an appropriate method, such as a deciding match or random draw, depending on the circumstances and time available.

The final positions determined using this tie-break system will be used to decide which players move up, remain in their current box, or move down in accordance with the League Movement rules.

At the end of each league period:

• Players finishing at the top of their box will move up to the next box.
• Players finishing at the bottom of their box will move down to the next box.
• The remaining players will generally stay in their current box, subject to the league organiser’s discretion and the number of participants.
• If a player is unable to participate in the next league period, the league organiser may move a player up from the next lower box to fill the available position.

The league organiser reserves the right to make adjustments to box composition where necessary to ensure that each box has sufficient players and that matches can be completed. The purpose of the movement system is to allow players to compete against others of a similar playing level.

Players entering the box league are expected to make a genuine effort to play all of their scheduled matches across the allocated league period.

If a player is unable to attend the designated match date, they may arrange with their opponents to play the match on another available Tuesday within the same league period, subject to player availability.

If a player is unable or unwilling to make reasonable arrangements to complete their match within the league period, the match may be recorded as a forfeit. If a player moves down from the first group into the second group (or into any lower group) and then does not play their matches in that new box, the player will be deemed to have forfeited those matches.

For any match that is forfeited:

• The player who fails to play will be recorded as losing 0–11.
• The opponent will be awarded a 11–0 win.
• The result will count towards the league standings.
• No points will be awarded to the player who forfeits the match.

This rule applies where a player joins or remains in the box league but does not make a reasonable effort to participate after being placed in a lower box.

Players are expected to arrive on time for their scheduled Box League matches.

• If a player agrees to a specific match time and subsequently fails to attend without reasonable notice, the league organiser may record the match as a 11–0 forfeit.
• If a player arrives 20 minutes or more after their scheduled match time, the match will be recorded as a forfeit, unless the league organiser determines that there are genuine exceptional circumstances. The opponent will be awarded an 11–0 win.
• Repeated no-shows may result in the player being removed from the league.
• Players should communicate with their opponent and the league organiser as early as possible if they expect to be late or unable to attend.

Genuine injuries, illness or exceptional circumstances will be considered by the league organiser on a case-by-case basis.

• Players should inform their opponents and the league organiser as soon as possible if they are unable to play, with a medical certificate to be provided.
• The league organiser may decide whether a match should be rearranged or recorded as a forfeit.
• Players should not be penalised for circumstances genuinely outside their control where reasonable notice has been given.

Players should try to resolve any disagreement between themselves first. If an agreement cannot be reached, the matter should be referred to the league organiser. The league organiser’s decision will be final in relation to the administration of the box league.

• Decisions made by the players refereeing the match from outside the court shall be final.
• Once a match has been completed and the result has been recorded, there will be no replays or rematches unless specifically approved by the league organiser due to exceptional circumstances.

All players are expected to:

• Play fairly and respect the standard rules of squash.
• Respect opponents, court staff and other club members.
• Arrive on time for arranged matches.
• Communicate promptly when arranging or rearranging matches.
• Maintain good sportsmanship regardless of the result.

16.1 Participation & Assumption of Risk

Squash is a physical and competitive sport that involves inherent risks, including but not limited to accidental contact, falls, collisions, injuries and other incidents that may occur during matches or while participating in the Box League.

By participating in the Ignite Box League, players and their parents/guardians acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with the activity. Ignite Squash, its coaches, staff, organisers and representatives will take reasonable steps to maintain a safe playing environment. However, Ignite Squash shall not be responsible or liable for any injury, loss, damage, accident or incident that may occur during or in connection with the Box League session.

16.2 Acceptance of Rules & Regulations

By registering for and participating in the Ignite Box League, players and their parents/guardians confirm that they have read, understood and agreed to comply with all rules, regulations and requirements stated in this handbook.

Participation in the Box League constitutes acceptance of these rules, including the rules relating to match format, scheduling, forfeits, no-shows, sportsmanship, disputes, league movement and guest players. Players are expected to follow all reasonable instructions given by Ignite coaches, staff and the league organiser during the session.

Ignite Squash reserves the right to take appropriate action where a player does not comply with the rules, including recording a match as a forfeit, adjusting league placement or removing the player from the Box League where necessary. By signing up for the Box League, players and their parents/guardians acknowledge that participation is subject to the terms and conditions set out in this handbook.