Squash is a high-speed racket sport played by two (singles) or four players (doubles) in a four-walled court. Players use a small, hollow rubber ball, taking turns to hit it against the front wall. The ball can bounce off the side walls, but must not hit the floor before reaching the front wall. Key skills in squash include agility, strategy, stamina, and precision. A unique aspect is the game's tactical nature; players must position themselves and hit shots in a way that makes it difficult for the opponent to return the ball. Scoring is typically to 11 points, and a player must win by two clear points.
Squash is popular in countries like England, Egypt, and Australia, with major leagues and tournaments including the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour, where top players compete globally.
Squash originated in the early 19th century at Harrow School in England, where students discovered a new game by playing with punctured rackets balls, which "squashed" on impact. This new game quickly gained popularity. Initially, squash had no standardized rules or court dimensions, leading to variations in play. The sport spread to other schools and eventually worldwide. In the 20th century, squash saw formalization with standard rules and court sizes.
Over the years, equipment evolved – rackets became lighter and more powerful, and balls were optimized for better play. Squash developed into a competitive sport with global tournaments, attracting professional athletes and a dedicated following.
Squash is evolving with advances in technology and increasing global interest. Technological enhancements in equipment, like more sophisticated rackets and wearables, are improving player performance and training. The sport is gaining traction in new regions, diversifying its player base and fan following. Efforts to include squash in the Olympic Games continue, which could significantly boost its global profile and investment.
Moreover, the rise of youth programs is nurturing a new generation of players, ensuring a vibrant future for the sport. Professional circuits like the PSA World Tour are becoming more competitive, attracting top athletes and increasing media coverage, which further popularizes squash worldwide.
You can score in four ways: the ball bounces twice before the opponent hits the ball, the ball hits the backboard, the ball goes out of bounds, or a player intentionally tries to stop their opponents from getting the ball.
A squash match can last from 20-minutes to 90-minutes depending on the level of the players and the setting of the game. Squash is a quick pace sport and can be started and finished quickly if both players are familiar with the rules.
Squash rackets and balls are smaller than racquetball. Another difference is that there is an “out of bounds” area on the squash court and there isn’t once in racquetball. In both sports, come rules are similar, yet the scoring limit is different: squash is scored up to 9 points and racquetball matches are scored to 15.
