Squash: Rules, Gameplay and Equipment

Squash: Rules, Gameplay and Equipment

Here is a brief introduction to squash rules, gameplay and equipment.

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Rules and Gameplay

Objective

  • Score points by making the ball bounce twice on the floor before the opponent can return it

  • Winning a rally occurs when the opponent fails to make a legal return

Scoring System

  • Uses PAR (Point-a-Rally) scoring:

    • Games are played to 11 points

    • A player must win by a margin of 2 points

  • Matches are generally played as best of 3 or 5 games

Gameplay Basics

  • Players alternate hitting the ball against the front wall

  • The ball may hit the side walls or back wall before or after the front wall, as long as it stays within the court boundaries

  • The ball must not hit the floor twice before being returned

  • Rally continues until one player fails to hit the ball legally

Equipment and Court

Racket

  • Lightweight, weighing between 110–170 grams

  • Made from graphite or composite materials for strength and flexibility

Ball

  • Small, hollow rubber ball

  • Different speeds indicated by colored dots (e.g., single, double, or triple yellow dot for slower balls)

  • The ball’s speed affects bounce and play style

Court

  • Enclosed, rectangular court with four walls

  • Front wall features:

    • Service line (marking where the serve must hit above)

    • Tin (a bottom boundary; hitting below results in a fault)

    • Out-of-bounds line at the top

  • Side and back walls are marked with boundary lines

  • Court dimensions standardized by the World Squash Federation

Other Gear

  • Non-marking shoes to protect the court surface and provide grip

  • Protective eyewear, especially recommended for juniors and beginners

  • Grip accessories for better racket handling

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