Link to video - here

Rule(s) that apply:

8.1. After completing a reasonable follow-through, a player must make EVERY EFFORT to clear, so that when the ball rebounds from the front wall the opponent has:

8.1.1. a fair view of the ball on its rebound from the front wall; and
8.1.2. unobstructed direct access to the ball; and
8.1.3. the space to make a reasonable swing at the ball

My Thinking
Player in Blue plays a reasonable drop shot and then moves directly back towards the service box with minimal lateral/central movement.

This is NOT my definition of clearing from the front corners.  The problem is that it is presently (at time of writing 16 July 2024) the accepted movement by the PSA.

Why is it not a clearing movement?

Clearing must be defined by (a) making EVERY EFFORT to move away from the ball and (b) EVERY EFFORT to move away from the wall towards which you have played the ball.

This movement here is not doing EITHER or if at all, ABSOLUTELY MINIMALLY with (a) actually taking the SAME LINE as the ball, with the ball generally coming back towards  the non-striker, so not moving away from its general direction (b) and moving less than 6 inches from the sidewall towards which the ball has been played when it should be in FEET – maybe TWO FEET.

See attached pictures below

NOTE:  TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE
This movement (rather like a goal keeper narrowing the angles) narrows the angle that the striker can take to get to the ball and, from the foreshortened view from the referee 30 yards away makes it look like the striker has played the player and not the ball.  That could not be further from the truth and is actually the other way round (the non-striker has deliberately played the striker and it is always a travesty of justice when no lets are being handed out willynilly.

The PSA and WSF need to seriously address this.

My Call (applying Rules 8.1 - 8.1.1 - 8.1.3 - 8,1,3 above) – Stroke not making EVERY EFFORT to clear - in fact, making no effort.

Words you can say to the players: 

Stroke not making EVERY EFFORT to clear

Other Possible Calls

None as it is total failure to make every effort to clear unless you think striker could not have made a good return, then “no let” - this is absolutely not my view.

Match Referee Decision

No Let – I have no understanding as to why unless as above.

Thought Process Flowchart Graphic  – Click here

Graphic 1   Click Here

Graphic 2   Click Here

Graphic 3   Click Here