Ultimate Squash Rules Guide: Basic Scoring to Fun Facts

Because most of them don't know this sport that well and maybe only reserve a room for fun, many basic questions come up, such as:

Points together form sets, which in turn determine the winner of the match.

Lines of the squash court

There are many lines on a squash court. The first line is the outside line that runs across the top of the back wall and down the sides of the side wall.

Any ball that goes outside this area will be ruled out and a point will be awarded to your opponent.

A sign runs along the bottom of the back wall, technically the 'net'. If the ball touches the backboard, it is considered a foul.

90cm above the board is the service line. All services must be above this line or it is not a legitimate service.

The back of the field is split into two rectangular sections where a player must start before each point. There is a service box in each section and a player must have at least one foot inside while serving or waiting to receive the serve.

Here is England Squash with some good tips:

4 ways to earn points in squash

You can score a point in 4 ways:

1. the ball bounces twice before your opponent hits the ball
2. the ball hits the backboard (or net)
3. the ball goes outside the perimeter of the field
4. a player deliberately causes interference to prevent his opponents from touching the ball

Also read: how do I choose my squash shoes?

Win the game

To win the game, you must reach the required number of sets determined before the start of the match. Most sets are the best of 5 games, so the first of that number wins.

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If a game goes 10-10, a player with two clear points must win to win that game.

So you see, a lot of rules but actually good to keep. And there is even released a squash score app!

Advice for beginners

Striking a ball must be repeated between 1.000 and 2.000 times to become automatic. If you teach yourself a wrong stroke, you will eventually need thousands more repetitions to correct it.

It's so hard to get rid of a wrong shot, so take a few lessons as a beginner. 

You should see the ball at all times. If you lose sight of the ball, you are always too late.

Go straight back to the “T” when you hit the ball. This is the center of the lane.

If you let the ball bounce in one of the four corners, your opponent has to walk further and through the walls it becomes difficult to hit a good ball.

Once you've got the hang of it, it's time to improve your technique and tactics. You can search for strokes and running lines online.

Are you planning to play squash more often? Then invest in a good racket, balls en real squash shoes:

Lighter rackets are made from carbon and titanium, heavier rackets from aluminum. With a light racket you have more control.

Start with a ball with a blue dot. These are slightly larger and jump a bit higher; They are slightly easier to use.

In any case, you need sports shoes that don't leave black stripes. If you go for real squash shoes, you choose more stability and shock absorption while turning and sprinting.

Your muscles and joints will thank you!

Choose the right ball

The great thing about this sport is that everyone can play a fun game, whether you are just starting out or have years of experience.

But you do need the right ball. There are four types of squash balls available, your playing level determines which type of ball is suitable for you.

Most squash centers sell double yellow dot balls. Like the Dunlop Pro XX – Squash Ball.

This ball is intended for the advanced squash player and is used in matches and professional tournaments.

This ball must first be warmed before use and a player must be able to hit well.

It's best to bstart with a ball with a blue dot. With the Dunlop intro squash ball (blue dot) the game becomes a lot easier. This ball is a bit bigger and bounces well.

It also doesn't need to be warmed up.

With some more experience you can play a ball with take the red dot, such as the Technicfibre . Your fun and physical effort will increase even more!

If you play better and better and if you play the ball with more and more ease, you can switch to a ball with a yellow dot, if the Unsquashable Squash Balls Yellow Dot.

Frequently asked questions about squash rules

Who serves in squash first?

The player who serves first is determined by spinning the racket. After that, the server continues to bat until it loses a rally.

The player who wins the previous game serves first in the next game.

Read here all the rules around serving in squash

How many people do you play squash with?

Squash is a racket and ball sport played by two (singles) or four players (double squash) in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball.

The players alternate hitting the ball on the playable surfaces of the four walls of the field.

Can you only play squash?

Squash is one of the few sports that can be successfully practiced alone or with others.

So you can only practice squash, but of course not play a game. Practicing solo helps to refine the technique without any pressure.

Read also everything for a good training session on your own

What happens if the ball hits you?

If a player touches the ball which, before reaching the front wall, touches the opponent or the opponent's racket or clothing, play ends. 

Read also all about the rules when touching the ball

Can you serve twice with squash?

Only one save is allowed. There is no second serve like in tennis. However, a serve is disallowed if it hits a side wall before it hits the front wall.

After the serve, the ball can hit any number of side walls before hitting the front wall.

Also read: these are the best squash rackets to advance your game

Joost Nusselder, the founder of referees.eu is a content marketer, father and loves to write about all kinds of sports, and has also played a lot of sports himself for most of his life. Now since 2016, he and his team have been creating helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with their sports activities.