Why Squash Is Worth Starting
Squash is one of the most demanding and rewarding racquet sports in the world. Played in an enclosed court with four walls, it combines explosive athleticism, tactical depth, and extraordinary fitness demands. But here's the good news: you don't need to be fit to start squash. Squash makes you fit. Even beginner rallies get your heart rate up quickly, and improvement comes fast when you understand the basics.
Understanding the Court
A standard squash court is 9.75 metres long and 6.4 metres wide. The key lines to understand are:
- The tin: A metal strip at the bottom of the front wall (approximately 48 cm high). Any ball hitting the tin is out — it's the equivalent of the net in tennis.
- The service line: A horizontal line on the front wall. Serves must hit the wall above this line.
- The out line: The boundary around the top of all four walls. Any ball touching or above this line is out.
- Service boxes: Two small boxes at the back of the court from which serves are delivered.
Basic Rules
- Serving: The server stands in one of the two service boxes and hits the ball to the front wall above the service line. The ball must then land in the opposite back quarter of the court. Players alternate sides after winning the serve.
- Rallying: After the serve, players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall. The ball can also hit the side and back walls before reaching the front wall — as long as it hits the front wall. The ball must bounce on the floor no more than once before being struck.
- Scoring: Most modern squash uses PAR (Point-A-Rally) scoring to 11 points, win by 2. You score a point on every rally, regardless of who served. Matches are typically best of 5 games.
- Lets and strokes: Because players share the court, interference rules are critical. A "let" replays the point; a "stroke" awards the point outright. Calling lets honestly is part of squash's etiquette and spirit.
The Four Basic Shots to Learn First
1. The Drive
The bread-and-butter shot of squash. A straight drive hit firmly and low along the side wall, forcing your opponent deep into the back corner. Focus on keeping the ball tight to the wall — a ball that strays into the middle of the court gives your opponent an easy attacking opportunity.
2. The Cross-Court
Similar to the drive but aimed diagonally to the far back corner. Used to move your opponent across the court and create space. Aim for the ball to hit the side wall just behind the service box on the far side.
3. The Drop Shot
A softly played shot aimed to die in the front corner — ideally hitting the front wall just above the tin and trickling along the side wall. An excellent attacking shot when your opponent is deep in the back of the court.
4. The Boast
A shot played into the side wall first, which then travels to the front wall. Most commonly used as an emergency recovery shot from deep in the back corners, but can also be played as an attacking two-wall boast from mid-court.
Court Safety and Etiquette
Squash is played in a small shared space, so safety comes first:
- Always wear eye protection — squash-specific goggles are strongly recommended for beginners and juniors.
- Give your opponent clear access to the ball and a direct path to the front wall after you've played your shot.
- Call lets fairly and openly. Squash has a strong tradition of self-refereeing at recreational level.
- Move back to the centre "T" position after each shot — this is the tactical hub of the court.
Your First Steps
Book a beginner's lesson at your local squash club — most clubs offer introductory sessions or group starter programmes. A basic squash racquet, non-marking court shoes, and eye protection are all you need to begin. Within a few sessions, you'll be moving around the court, hitting basic shots, and — most importantly — having a genuinely great workout.