Squash is a fast and physically demanding racket sport played by two players in a four walled court. It will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The rules are set by the World Squash Federation. Here is a simple guide.
The court
- Players hit a small rubber ball against the front wall.
- The front wall has an out line at the top and a metal strip at the bottom called the tin. A ball hitting the tin is out.
- The side and back walls also have out lines.
- The floor has a short line and service boxes.
Scoring
- Most matches use point a rally scoring, where a point is won on every rally, regardless of who served.
- A game is played to 11 points.
- If the score reaches 10 all, a player must win by two clear points.
- Matches are usually best of five games.
Serving
- The server must have at least one foot inside the service box.
- The serve must hit the front wall between the service line and the out line.
- It must land in the opposite back quarter of the court, unless the receiver volleys it.
- The server changes boxes after each point won.
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The rally
- After the serve, players take turns to hit the ball.
- The ball must hit the front wall before it touches the floor, and may hit side or back walls on the way.
- The ball can bounce only once on the floor before being returned.
Lets and strokes
Because players share the same space, interference is common:
- Let: the rally is replayed, usually when a player is blocked but could not have won the point anyway.
- Stroke: a point is awarded to the player who was blocked when they could have made a winning return.
- No let: given when a player could not have reached the ball or did not make enough effort.
Referees make these decisions, and video review is used in top events.
Safety
- Players should wear protective eyewear, especially juniors, as required by many federations.
- Avoid swinging when an opponent is in the way.
Squash at the Olympics
In October 2023, the International Olympic Committee approved squash as one of the new sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
India in squash
Indian players like Saurav Ghosal, Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal Karthik have won major medals. India won the men’s team gold at the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou in 2023. The Squash Rackets Federation of India governs the sport.
Bottom line
Squash is played to 11 points with fast rallies off the front wall. With its Olympic debut ahead, it is a great time for Indian fans to learn the rules.
Source / स्रोत: World Squash Federation, Squash Rackets Federation of India, Sports Authority of India
