Squash is a fast-paced racket sport that requires players to be agile, strategic, and mentally sharp.
Understanding the basic rules and scoring is crucial for anyone looking to play squash, whether recreationally or competitively. This guide will walk you through all the essential aspects of squash, including court layout, scoring methods, serving rules, rally rules, and more.
Basic Rules of Squash
Squash is traditionally played in a best-of-five game format, with players aiming to win three games to claim victory. Each game is won by reaching a specified number of points first, and the rules governing rallies and scoring determine how points are accumulated.
Objective of the Game:
The primary objective is to hit the ball onto the front wall, ensuring it stays within the boundaries, and prevent the opponent from making a legal return. Players take turns striking the ball until one player fails to return the ball, commits a fault, or the rally ends in a “let” (replay).
Gameplay Overview:
- A rally begins with a serve and continues until a fault or winning shot is made.
- The ball must be struck before it bounces twice on the floor.
- A player can hit the ball against any wall, as long as it hits the front wall before touching the floor.
- The ball must remain within the marked boundaries on the front, side, and back walls during a rally.
Scoring Overview:
Squash has two main scoring systems: the Point-a-Rally (PAR) system and hand-in-hand-out (HiHo) system. The PAR scoring system is currently the most widely used in professional and competitive squash.
Point-a-Rally (PAR) Scoring System:
Each rally results in a point being awarded, regardless of which player served.
Games are typically played to 11 points, with players needing to win by a two-point margin if the score reaches 10-10.
A match is won by the first player to win three games (best-of-five format).
Hand-in-Hand-Out Scoring System:
Points can only be scored by the server. If the receiver wins a rally, they do not score a point but gain the right to serve.
Games are usually played to 9 points. If the score reaches 8-8, the receiver can choose to set the game to 9 points (sudden death) or 10 points (win by two).
This system is less commonly used in modern squash but is still favoured by some traditionalists.
The PAR scoring system is preferred for its simplicity and faster pace, making it the standard in international competitions.
Going Deeper – Game Play Rules
Any rally in squash begins with the serve.
Before the first serve of a match, and after each change of server, the server chooses which service box they wish to serve from. Following this, while retaining the serve, the server must serve from alternate boxes, unless the rally ends in a Let, at which point they must serve again from the same box to replay the point.
Serving Position and Requirements:
To serve, the server drops or throws the ball from a hand and strikes the ball with the racket. A serve is good as long as:
- The server has at least one foot in the service box when striking the ball.
- The serve hits the front wall above the service line and below the outline.
- After hitting the front wall, the ball lands in the opponent’s back quarter of the court – unless volleyed by the receiver
A serve that hits the service line, the short line, the half court line, or any line bounding the top of the court is a fault.
Types of Serves:
Lob Serve: A high serve that arcs towards the back corner, designed to push the receiver into a defensive position.
Power Serve: A fast, low serve aimed at catching the receiver off guard.
Body Serve: A serve directed at the opponent’s body, making it challenging to return.
Once the serve has been struck, the rally begins, with players exchanging shots until one fails to return the ball or a fault is committed – or a refereeing decision is required.
Decisions – Yes Let, No Lets and Strokes
If you’re getting started in squash or learning how to play squash, one of the trickiest areas to grasp is interference — and the decisions that come with it: lets, no lets, and strokes. These rulings can change the outcome of a rally, and understanding them will help you become a more confident and fair player.
Interference can occur during play, leading to specific rulings. In general, according to the rules of squash as per the WSO (World Squash Officiating) 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:
- a fair view of the ball on its rebound from the front wall
- unobstructed direct access to the ball
- the space to make a reasonable swing at the ball
- the freedom to strike the ball to any part of the front wall. Interference occurs when the player does not provide the opponent who is making every effort to look for, go to, and play the ball with all of these requirements.
If any of these aspects are not met, it will result in one of the following decisions:
• Let: A rally is replayed without awarding a point if interference is accidental, neither player is entirely at fault, and prevents a fair play.
• No Let: No replay is granted if the referee deems there was minimal or no interference.
• Stroke: A point is awarded to the obstructed player if the interference is significant and prevents a clear winning shot.
Lets
A Yes Let is a situation that arises when a player experiences interference during a rally, but the interference is deemed unintentional or accidental. It occurs when the players experience interference that they were not able to avoid, despite making every effort, and results in them obstructing their opponent’s shot.
Inadvertent Contact: If a player accidentally makes contact with their opponent while making a legitimate effort to play the ball, a Yes Let could be called. This could include unintentional body contact or minor racket clashes that do not significantly affect the outcome of the rally.
Lack of Access to or from the Ball: If a player’s movement or positioning inadvertently obstructs their opponent’s access to or from the ball the ball, resulting in interference, a Yes Let may be called. The hindered player will then have the opportunity to replay the rally.
These situations acknowledge that the interference was accidental and allow for the point to be replayed.
When a Yes Let is called, the rally is stopped, and the point is replayed. Neither player is awarded a point for that particular rally, maintaining fairness in the game.
No Lets
A “No Let” is awarded when a player does not deserve a replay of the rally, despite requesting a Let due to interference or hindrance. Instead of receiving another chance to play the point, the player who asked for a Let loses the point.
Minimal Interference: A “No Let” decision may be reached if the interference during the rally is considered minimal. This means that the obstructed player’s ability to reach or play the ball was only slightly impeded, and they still had a reasonable opportunity to make a shot.
Winning shots: If there was unintentional interference but the referee believed that the player’s shot was a winning one and that the opponent would not have been able to make a good return, then the referee will decide that a “No Let” is appropriate.
Lack of Reasonable Effort: To avoid a “No Let,” the player requesting a Let must demonstrate reasonable effort to reach the ball. If the referee determines that the player did not make a genuine attempt to play the shot, a “No Let” may be awarded.
Safety Considerations: Safety is of utmost importance in squash, however, if a player stops for reasons of safety but the referee determines that there was neither interference nor reasonable fear of injury, then the referee will decide to award a “No Let”.
To reduce the likelihood of “No Let” situations, it is essential to practice good court etiquette. Avoid unnecessary interference by always making a genuine effort to get to and play the ball. Position yourself wisely to reduce the chances of creating interference, ensuring fair and uninterrupted gameplay.
Strokes
A stroke is awarded when a player is obstructed or prevented from playing a shot due to interference caused by their opponent.
Interference: The primary factor in stroke decisions is considering the intent and level of interference that occurred during the rally. Interference can manifest as physical contact, preventing the opponent’s access to the ball, or hindering their ability to hit a shot.
Access: A stroke may be awarded to the opponent if a player would have been able to make a good or winning return, but the opponent did not clear their shot, or they were not making every effort to provide access and avoid the interference.
Safety: The safety of the players is paramount in squash. If a dangerous shot or excessive closeness between the players poses a risk of injury, the referee may award a stroke to ensure the well-being of the players. If an opponent is directly in the way of and preventing a player’s swing, whether a backswing or a follow through, the point is awarded to the player who is unable to swing.
Front wall interference: A stroke is also awarded to the opponent if a player is directly in the way of the ball reaching the front wall. It’s important to note that ‘any part of the front wall’ refers specifically to the space required for executing either a straight or a cross-court shot with safety.
As a beginner, it’s important to avoid unnecessary interference by giving your opponent enough space to play their shots. Make a concerted effort to position yourself appropriately and avoid obstructing your opponent’s access to the ball.
Understanding kets, no lets and strokes in squash is vital for beginners to grasp the nuances of the game. By comprehending the factors influencing decisions, accepting the rulings made by the referee or marker, and practicing good court etiquette, you will be well on your way to becoming a skilled squash player.
Court Etiquette and Safety
Etiquette and safety are also important aspects of squash, as the sport is played in a confined space with high-speed movements and shots.
Respect for Opponents:
Players should avoid unnecessary contact and give their opponents enough room to play the ball.
Calling for a “Let” or “Stroke” should be done respectfully, without verbal abuse or aggressive behaviour.
Safety Considerations:
Protective eyewear is recommended, especially in doubles play or when playing with harder balls.
Players should be mindful of swinging their racket when their opponent is in close proximity.
Improve Your Understanding of Squash Rules
Watch Matches: Watching professional squash matches can provide a practical understanding of rules and scoring.
Take Lessons: Consider taking lessons from a certified squash coach to understand the nuances of the game.
Practice Regularly: The more you play, the more comfortable you’ll become with the rules and strategies.
Understanding the basic rules and scoring of squash is essential for enjoying the game and competing fairly. From the layout of the court to the intricacies of serving and rallying, mastering these fundamentals will allow you to play with confidence and develop your skills further. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, having a solid grasp of the rules ensures a smoother, more enjoyable playing experience.
