Rules

1. Player Positions and Scoring

Teams will need 4 players each week, except Division 5.0, which requires 3 players.  Team captains will organize their players in order of ability, ranked from 1 to 4 (or 1 to 3 for Division 5.0). Matches will be played between players of equal rank. Each match is a best-of-5 format with PAR scoring to 11.

2.ClubLocker Rating Ranges

To ensure balanced competition, teams should aim to keep the ClubLocker ratings of their players within the specified ranges:

• • 3.5 League: 3.2 – 4.2
  • (The rating at the start of the season will determine a player’s eligibility for each division. Only one 4.0-level player is allowed to play for each team per week.)
  • 4.0 League: 3.8 – 4.7
  • 4.5 League: 4.5 – 5.2
  • 5.0 League: 5.0 – 6+ (players be at a minimum 5.0 rated)

3. Concussion Protocol: Rowan’s Law

All participants in LeagueTO must acknowledge the following:

1. Concussion education/awareness
2. Concussion protocol
3. Removal-from-sport protocols
4. Return-to-sport protocols

Please visit Squash Ontario’s Concussion Page to read and sign the acknowledgment form.

4. Player Position Movement

Players may only move up or down one position from their previous match on any consecutive appearance. Failure to comply will result in a default for that player, and all matches played below that position will also be defaulted. This rule prevents “sandbagging,” but exemptions may apply in cases where a team’s composition requires a more significant adjustment. Example: A player may play position 1 one week and position 3 the following week, as long as the players above them have recently played in those higher positions.

If a captain is unsure about their lineup, they should consult a league convenor before the match.

5. Junior Players in LeagueTO

Junior players may participate in LeagueTO if their maturity is vouched for by their Pros/Coaches/Guardians. A junior player may compete in Division 5.0 if their ClubLocker rating is below 5.0. For this exemption, the club Pro/Coach must confirm that the player’s experience has outpaced their rating.

6. Club Start Times & Days of Play

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday leagues: 7:00 pm – 7:40 pm
• Saturday league: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

If a team is running late, they must inform the other team immediately. Matches must start within 40 minutes of the scheduled time, or the late team will be defaulted. If both teams agree, the matches may still proceed. In emergencies, a replay may be allowed at the convenor’s discretion (see Rule 16 for weather-related issues).

Matches should ideally start with even-numbered positions (2 and 4) first, followed by odd-numbered positions (1 and 3). If players are unavailable, matches should begin with the lowest-ranked available players.

7. Official Ball

The league’s official ball is the Dunlop Pro Double Yellow Championship ball. The home team will provide two new balls at the start of the first two matches, though slightly used balls with visible markings are also acceptable.

8. Referees

All matches must be refereed. Each team will referee 2 of the 4 matches.
During playoffs/finals, each match will be refereed by two players—one from each team. One player will act as the Marker (responsible for scoring and calling lines), and the other as the Referee (responsible for let requests and appeals).

9. Reporting

Home captains should submit match scores on ClubLocker within 24 hours. Failure to report within 48 hours will result in a 1-point penalty. Matches not reported within 7 days will be defaulted by the home team.

10. Points

Each match won earns one point, plus a bonus point for the overall winning team. In the event of a tie, the tiebreaker will follow this order:

1. Most games won
2. Most points scored
3. A 3-point tiebreak played by the last two players on court (determined by a racquet spin for serve). The original referee will oversee the tiebreak.

In playoffs, the same referee and marker will officiate the tiebreak.

11. Participation on Multiple Teams/Clubs

Players may participate on multiple teams if their ClubLocker rating is within the acceptable range for both leagues. However, they may not play for multiple teams in the same league or in the playoffs for more than one team.

12. Standards for Play

Teams must adhere to the following standards:

• Courts must have international lines and markings. Converted courts are acceptable (please see rule 17)
• Properly maintained squash courts with changing facilities are required.
• If court conditions are poor (e.g., slippery), the team will play away matches until conditions improve.
• The home team will arrange dinner options for the away team, with each player responsible for their own costs.
• A courtesy note should be sent to visiting teams if towel service or showers are unavailable.

13. Dress Code

Players must wear appropriate squash attire. Some clubs (Donalda, TRC, Cambridge, B&R, TLTC) require all-white clothing.

14. No New Players Towards End of Season

New players cannot be added towards the end of the regular season. The number of matches needed for qualification minus one will determine the cutoff (e.g., if 3 matches are required, no new players are eligible in the last 2 matches).

15. Illegal Players & Defaulted Matches

Teams using illegal players will forfeit points. If the illegal player is at position 4, the team forfeits that match; if they are in any other position, all matches below that position are defaulted. Reasons for default include:

• A player’s rating is too high for the division
• A player is out of position (see Rule 4)

16. Schedule Changes

Matches must be played as scheduled unless there is a mutual issue (e.g., a power outage or snowstorm). Captains must agree on a rescheduled date within 48 hours. If a date cannot be agreed upon, teams may face defaults.

17. Converted Courts

For regular league play, clubs with North American or racquetball converted courts, or any unusual court construction, may use those courts at the discretion of the home team captain. However, all playoff matches must be played on regulation International courts.
If the hosting club does not have access to International courts for a playoff match, they must arrange for the match to be played at another club with International courts, while still maintaining host team status.

18. Squash Ontario

Any club entering a team in LeagueTO must be a member in good standing with Squash Ontario.
Teams playing at a club, community center, or school that is not a member of Squash Ontario may purchase insurance coverage through Squash Ontario to be eligible to participate in the league.

19. Defaults

If a team defaults 2 matches during the regular season, they will be considered to have withdrawn from the league. If a team withdraws partway through the season, all points earned up to that point will be expunged.
If a team defaults an entire evening without rescheduling, 2 points will be deducted from their total points.

20. Minimum Attendance Requirement

If fewer than 2 players are present, it will be considered a default.

21. Protective Eyewear

It is recommended that players wear protective eyewear at all times. Juniors (under 19) are required to wear polycarbonate protective eyewear.

22. Code of Conduct

LeagueTO abides by the Squash Ontario Members’ Code of Conduct. All participants must comply with Squash Ontario’s policies.

23. Finals/Playoff Rules

The playoff format for Fall 2024 is yet to be determined. To qualify for the finals, a player must have played at least 3 matches during the regular season.
Teams must submit their proposed lineups to the convenor for approval at least one day before playoff matches. If lineup changes are necessary, teams must follow the convenor’s suggestions.

For playoff matches, a two-referee system will be used (see Rule 8). Each match will have two officials:

• Marker: Responsible for marking the scoresheet, calling the score, ruling on double bounces, and making line calls.
• Referee: Responsible for handling let requests and appeals on line calls and double bounces.