Summary of the rules of squash

Score Summary

To win a squash match you must win 3 out of 5 games. The first player to win 3 games wins the match. Games are played to 11 points. If the score is tied 10-10, the first player to advance by 2 points wins the game. For example, if he leads 13-11, he has won the game.

Either player can earn a point (they do not have to be serving to earn a point).

Warming up

If you are playing in a tournament or other sanctioned match, squash rules require a maximum warm-up of 5 minutes (2.5 minutes per side). Sometimes you have the flexibility to warm up a bit more, but if the tournament is on a tight schedule, you may be required to do this, so be aware of that.

Before the match begins, spin a racket to determine who will serve first.

Service

Each point begins with a serve. The server decides whether to serve from the right service box or the left service box. The server must place at least one foot inside the service box, without touching the service box line.

The serve must hit the front wall first, above the service line painted on the front wall. The ball must hit completely above this line without touching it. The ball must land in the opposite back quarter of the court, unless volleyed by the opponent.

If the server wins the point, then they serve from the other service box and continue alternating while winning points. If the server loses the rally, the other player becomes the server and decides which service box they would like to serve from.

At the start of a new game, the player who won the last game serves first.

rallies

To continue play, you must hit the ball before it bounces twice. You can hit your shot from the side or back walls, or directly to the front wall, as long as the ball makes contact with the front wall before it hits the ground. Your shot must also be played over the tin (the strip of metal or wood along the bottom of the front wall) and must remain within the outer bounds of the court. If you can’t follow up with a good hit, your opponent wins the point, regardless of who is serving.

Interference

During the game, you are not allowed to block your opponent’s swing or block them from getting the ball back. If you interfere with your opponent’s swing while hitting the ball, this is called a “strike” and you lose the point. Similarly, if you are standing between the ball and the front wall, and your opponent is standing with his racket ready and ready to hit his shot, this is a shot and you lose the point. If you block the other player from moving towards the ball and don’t make every effort to get out of the way, this is also a hit.

If you block the opponent from moving towards the ball and try their best to get out of the way, this is called a “leave” and the point is lost. If the opponent was ready to hit the ball, it would be a hit, but if the opponent was unable to move towards the ball, this is a let.

If you block the opponent from moving towards the ball, and there was no chance for your opponent to get their shot back, this is called a “no let”, and you win the point despite the interference.

Often these situations can be ambiguous. If the players cannot agree, it is best to play a let. Of course, in a tournament there are often referees to determine the calls.