Situations
1.) Court hinders. If, after the ball has been legally served, in the referee’s opinion, an erratic bounce is caused by a court obstruction or irregularity, a court hinder should be called. Players should not stop play at any time in anticipation of a call. Included in court hinders is the ball that hits a wet spot on the floor, causing it to skid, or a ball that skids due to it being wet by any other means. This is the referee’s call, not the player’s. (See Rule 3.4 A.4 and 4.3 A.1)
Interpretation
Balls that skid on wet floors are court hinders, assuming that the player was in position to make a return had the ball bounced truly.
2.) Ball hits opponent. When a returned ball touches an opponent on the fly before hitting the wall, and the shot obviously would not have been fair, the player who was hit by the shot will be awarded the rally . If there is any doubt in the official’s mind, a dead ball hinder shall be called.
3.) Body contact. If body contact occurs and the referee believes it was sufficient to stop the rally, either to prevent injury or because the contact distracted or prevented a player from being able to make a reasonable return, a hinder will be called. Except for the offensive player stopping play during his/her back-swing, physical contact is not an automatic hinder. Any other time an offensive player may immediately stop play and call contact, however, this is not an automatic hinder and the player stops play at his/her own risk. It is the judgment of the referee as to whether the contact impeded the play.
4.) Moving on service. If the server or his/her partner moves out of the way of a legally served ball. (See Rule 4.3.B.1)
5.) Back-swing hinder. A player may not stop play, except on physical contact during his/her backswing. He/she may immediately say “Contact” if he/she wants a contact hinder. If he/she elects to hit the ball, no contact call will be permitted. The defensive player may not stop play if contact occurs during his/her opponent’s back-swing.
6.) Safety holdup. Any player about to execute a return who believes he/she will strike his/her opponent with his/her hand, arm, or ball may immediately stop play and request a dead-ball hinder. This call must be made immediately and is subject to approval by the referee. The referee must grant the hinder if he/she believes the holdup was reasonable and the player otherwise might have been able to return the shot. The referee might also call an avoidable hinder if warranted. (See Rule 4.9 G) This does not affect the rules on legal hinders. (See Rule 4.7.B.1)
Interpretation
This situation comes about when the offensive player finds himself/herself unable to execute a swing without immediately hitting the opponent with his/her hand, arm or the ball. This rule is designed to increase the safety of all players and is not meant to create additional opportunities for players to stop play. Players who call for a safety hold-up and stop play may find the referee in disagreement, in which case the referee’s call prevails.
7.) Other interference. Any other unavoidable interference that prevents a player from having a fair chance to see or return the ball.