Squash (sport)

Squash is a racket and ball sport played by two players (or four players for doubles) in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball. The objective of the game is to hit the ball in such a way that your opponent is unable to play a valid return.

Gameplay:

The players alternate in striking the ball with their rackets onto the playable surfaces of the four walls of the court. The ball must hit the front wall above the tin (a metal strip at the bottom) and below the out line. After hitting the front wall, the ball is allowed to bounce once on the floor before a player must return it. Players can hit the ball directly to the front wall, or use the side and back walls in their shot trajectory.

A rally continues until one of the players fails to make a legal return. This can occur if:

• The ball bounces twice on the floor before being struck.
• The ball hits the tin.
• The ball hits the out lines.
• The player fails to hit the ball onto the front wall.
• The player obstructs the opponent's access to the ball (referred to as "interference" or "let").

Scoring:

The standard scoring system is point-a-rally scoring (PARS) to 11 points. In PARS, a point is awarded to the player who wins a rally, regardless of which player served. If the score reaches 10-10, a player must win by two clear points.

Equipment:

• Racket: Made of lightweight materials such as graphite, carbon fiber, or titanium.
• Ball: A small, hollow rubber ball, with different "speeds" indicated by coloured dots, suited to varying player skill levels.
• Shoes: Non-marking athletic shoes are required to avoid damaging the court surface.
• Eye Protection: Recommended, especially for beginners, to protect against impact from the ball or racket.

Court:

The squash court is a rectangular box with four walls. The standard dimensions are:

• Length: 9.75 meters (32 feet)
• Width: 6.4 meters (21 feet)
• Height to the out line on the front wall: 4.57 meters (15 feet)
• Height of the tin: 48 centimeters (19 inches)

Strategy:

Squash is a physically and mentally demanding sport. Key strategies include:

• Court Positioning: Controlling the "T" (the intersection of the center line and the short line) provides the best position to cover the court.
• Shot Selection: Varying shot types (e.g., drives, boasts, drops, lobs) to disrupt the opponent's movement and create openings.
• Fitness: High levels of endurance, speed, and agility are essential.
• Tactical Awareness: Anticipating the opponent's shots and adapting strategy accordingly.

Governance:

The sport is governed internationally by the World Squash Federation (WSF).