If your fitness is poor or you haven’t played Squash for some time, don’t overdo it.
Remember, Squash is a fast game. If you have a rally which requires a lot of short sharp movement, it may take your body a moment or two before it realises that a lot of oxygen is needed for recovery.
This can result in a sudden increase in heart rate.
This is not a good thing for those who lack fitness.
The server, with at least one foot in the service box, starts play by hitting the ball directly onto the front wall between the cut line and the outline to rebound so that, if allowed, it bounces for the first time in the opposite half of the court and behind the short line.
When returning a serve requires some decision making, eg take the ball high in the air, let the ball drop, let the ball hit the side wall before volleying, or maybe volley boast.
The 2(or 4 for doubles) Squash players, each with a racket, take it in turns (for doubles, each team takes turns) to hit the ball onto the front wall within the large area defined by the outline at the top and the line marking the top of the tin at the bottom (the striker may play the ball onto the side or back walls first before it hits the front wall).
The ball must stay within the court. The ball must be hit on the first bounce or volleyed.
Play continues until the ball goes out or down or is hit after the first bounce.
Squashgame Gold: Advanced Text and Video Content
Video Forehand recovery from the Back Corner
Retrieving Tight Shots from the Back Corner
Learning to "dig" shots out of the corners can be puzzling for beginners.
This video shows you how to approach the ball, and how important it is to keep away from the walls when playing shots close to the wall and corner.
A point is scored only when the server wins a rally.
When the server loses a rally he or she loses the right to serve and the opponent becomes the server.
When a point has been scored durng play, the server must serve from the opposite service box.
The first player to nine points wins a game.
A match usually consists of the best of five games; that is, the first player to win three games wins the match.
If, in any game, the score reaches eight-all, then the player who reaches 8 first, decides whether that game is to be played to nine (Set 1) or ten points (Set 2).
The first player to reach the chosen number of points wins the game.
Point-a-Rally(PARS)
A point is scored for each rally won.
Usually matches are played to the best of 5 games with each game being played to 15 points.
In the event of the scores being 14 all, the first player to 14 can select whether the game will be played to 15 (Set 1) or 17 points (Set 3)
This method of scoring usually results in shorter playing time for a match.
Other options
Play a time limit game of between 25 to 45 minutes with two or three breaks of 1 minute duration.
PARS is very flexible - players can create their own game play format.
To view print friendly score sheets click the image/link (right or below).
The Score Sheet is divided into two sides, one side for each player.
Each side has an "L" and "R" marked in a box, which stands for Left and Right Service Box.
As the Server serves from the Right Box, the Scorer's pencil points to Box "R". The pencil stays in the box until the point is won or lost. The Server's score is always called first, eg 5:3 Smith serving or 3.5 Brown if Brown had won the point and was to serve.
The pencil would point to the appropriate service box.
Note: There are two ways of scoring:
1. Traditional Method - The Server can only score points, and the first to 9 points wins.
2. PARS (Point a Rally) - The winner of the rally wins the point, first to 11 points wins.
Hold the grip firmly at all times during the swing. Keep a firm wrist during the swing.
Approach the ball from one side (usually from the side closest to the centre of the court). Right handed Squash players should try to play "forehands" on the right hand side of the court and play "backhands" on the left hand side of the court. (Reversed for left handers).
Once the ball has been struck, it is the responsibility of the striker to clear the way for the opponent to make a return.
If there is interference in the opponent reaching the ball, the players should play the point again (this is called playing a LET).
If your opponent is in the way of you making a return or is in danger of being hit in the process, a “LET” should be played.
Both the striker and the opponent should make every effort to clear the ball or to get to it if a “LET” is to be played.
If the player hits the ball back to themselves and hits them or goes very close to them, a “STROKE” is awarded to the opponent, winning the rally for them.
Because squash is a very fast game and requires quick co-ordinated reflexes the use of modified equipment (a shorter racket and larger ball) can help novices gain confidence, and have more enjoyment.
Racket Ball and Mini Squash are games played on a squash court that might suit some players who are having difficulty managing the full size equipment.