Resources
A Brief History of Squash
Squash is a racket sport that originated in 19th-century England. It evolved from the game of “rackets,” which was played in London prisons and later in British private schools. Around 1830, students at Harrow School began hitting the ball against walls in a smaller, enclosed space, creating a new version of the game.
The defining feature of this new game was that the ball would “squash” against the wall, slowing the rally and making the game more technical – which is how the sport got its name.
By the early 20th century, squash became more formalized, with standardized courts and the growth of clubs and university competitions in the UK. The sport then spread throughout the British Empire – particularly to Egypt, India, and Pakistan – before reaching a global audience.
Today, squash is played in over 185 countries, with national federations governed by the World Squash Federation (WSF), founded in 1967. The sport enjoys international recognition, prestigious competitions, and will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Objective and Rules of the Game
The goal in squash is simple: win the match. Matches are played as best-of-3 or best-of-5 games, depending on the competition. Each game is played to 11 points. If the score reaches 10–10, a player must win by 2 points.
Players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall.
The ball may touch the side walls or front-back walls before hitting the front wall, but it must stay below the out line and above the tin (the metal strip at the bottom).
The ball must not bounce twice before being returned.
A player scores a point if :
- Their opponent fails to return the ball before the second bounce
- The ball goes out of bounds (above the out line or below the tin)
- The opponent commits a service fault
- They are awarded a stroke (the opponent clearly obstructed the shot)
Key Shots
- Drive: The basic shot – a straight, powerful hit along the side wall
- Drop Shot: A soft shot that falls just behind the tin
- Boast: A shot deliberately played off a side or back wall before hitting the front wall
- Lob: A high, lofted shot that slows down the rally
- Nick: A winning shot that lands where the wall meets the floor, almost impossible to return
- Volley: Hitting the ball before it touches the floor.
Common Terms
- Serve: The starting shot, alternated after each point
- Rally: Continuous exchange of shots until the point is won
- Let: A replayed point (e.g., accidental interference or obstruction)
- Stroke: A point awarded when an opponent clearly prevents a shot
- No Let: The referee decides interference was insufficient; the point continues
Joins Us and
Become
a Member