In the first glance, you may mistake this game as indoor tennis. No, it is not, though it looks quite similar to it but to some, this game is maybe a touch more difficult than tennis. You require some serious stamina to compete in a game of squash and not to forget, agility.
The game of squash is played around the world with a tremendous level of following – most of the squash followers are either professionals or amateurs who dream to play Squash for their respective countries or regions. Though Squash is not in the Olympics yet, the officials do have expressed their desire to make Squash part of the 2024 Olympic games.
Object of Playing Squash
Squash is played in a small area, similar to a small room, where two players hit the ball onto the wall and when it returns, it is supposed to be hit by another player now. Every time a player misses the ball when it’s his turn to hit, his opponent gets a point. In the end of the game, the player with the most points is declared winner.
How to Play?
Squash is played with a racquet and squash ball, both players stand side by side and hit the ball in alternative turns in a court covered from all sides by side walls and back walls. Players are not supposed to hit the ball with any part of the body, and points are scored by making your opponent miss the ball or commit a foul.
Rules about sidewalls and point scoring confuse many people in the beginning, if you have just started to play Squash and are eager to learn how it is played professionally, the rest of the article awaits you to answer your all questions and clear your all doubts.
General Rules of Squash
- It’s not only a single game, but doubles can also play it. However the rules remain the same.
- After recochiating of the front wall, the squash ball can hit the side wall.
- The hitting wall is 6.4 meters wide. You cannot hit the ball on this line or above it, otherwise it would be considered a foul.
- If it hits the side wall directly, it would be considered a foul.
- If a player deliberately comes in the way of the opponent, it is also considered a foul.
- You cannot hit the same ball twice.
- You can’t catch the ball but only hit it with a racket.
- For winning a game, besides scoring a decided number of points, being two points ahead of your opponent is also necessary.
- If the points are drawn, then the player who scores two consecutive points wins the game.
Time Duration of a Squash Game
It all depends on the competitiveness of the game. The more competitive the game is going to be, the longer it is going to continue.
A game of squash consists of a decided number of sets and each set finishes on a decided number of points. Upon the ending of the last set, the player with most points is declared winner. On average, a professional squash game lasts up to 90 minutes.
Toss in Squash
In circumstances where toss matters for both players, a racket/coin toss takes place based on which it is decided who will take the first serve.
Squash Field
The total dimension of a squash field may vary from place to place but the type of markings remains the same. There is a line at the top of the back wall, hitting-wall. If the ball hits that line or goes above it, it is considered out of the play and the player loses a point. This hitting wall can be up to 6.4 meters wide.
Similarly there is a line at the bottom of the wall, this line is like a net in squash. If the ball goes below the net, it is considered a foul. There are two service boxes in which a player must have his one leg whilst they are serving or their opponent is serving.
Playing Equipment
The game of squash is played with a racket and a squash ball.
Racket: A typical squash racket can be 27 inches long and 8.5 inches wide. The strung area is 77.5. Sq inch and permitted maximum weight is 255 grams.
Squash Ball: The squash ball is 40mm in diameter and can weigh up to 135 grams to 170 grams.
Famous Squash Tournaments
Though squash is slightly undermined by the emergence of modern sport, and by no means it is an easy game, it used to be on the pinnacle of its popularity in the 90s. Still, there are tournaments played which attract professional squash players from worldwide and keep the game alive. Here are a few of them.
- World Squash Championship
- Australian open
- British Open
Besides these international tournaments, squash is also played at national level in various countries.
Famous Squash Venues
Squash can’t be played anywhere, but only in squash designated arenas. With the passage of time, the indoor squash areas are getting modern and comfortable. Some of the famous squash arenas in the world area:
- Hong Kong Harbour
- Grand Central Terminal, New York
- The Shanghai Bund
- The Great Pyramid of Giza
Famous Squash Awards
The squash games were mostly dominated by Pakistani squash players until late 90s, then squash players from a few other countries as well emerged, the game became more popular and more kinds of awards were introduced. Let’s have a look at the different types of international squash awards.
- Squash player of the year
- Junior player of the year
- Most improved player of the year
- Mckay player of the year
- Breakthrough player of the year
Governing Body
The World Squash Federation (WSF) is the international governing body for squash and indoor racquet sport which was previously known as squash rackets. The federation is also a member of the SportAccord and the Association of the IOC Recognised international sports federations.