Squash rules

Two players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall. It must hit above the tin and below the out line, and the opponent must return it before its second bounce. A point is played on every rally and a game goes to 11. Below is everything in detail, step by step, with diagrams.

1. 1Squash court dimensions and markingsSquash is played in a closed box of four walls. The ball can bounce off any wall, but the front wall is the one that matters: every shot must reach it. The lines show where the ball is in play and where it is out.
2. 2Squash serve rules and how to serveEvery rally starts with a serve. There is no second serve in squash: a fault gives the point straight to the opponent.
3. 3Squash scoring: PAR-11 explainedSquash scoring is simple: a point is won on every rally, whoever served. The system is called PAR (point-a-rally) to 11.
4. 4Squash rally rules: the basicsPlayers hit in turn. The goal is to send the ball to the front wall so that the opponent can’t return it before its second bounce.
5. 5Out and tin in squash: what counts as a faultThe two most common faults in squash are out (too high) and the tin (too low). The whole game happens between them: the lower you hit over the tin, the harder it is for your opponent — and the higher the risk.
6. 6Let and stroke in squash: interference explainedSquash is the only racket sport where players share one space. That’s why the rules spell out in detail what happens when one player gets in the other’s way.
7. 7Squash tactics for beginners: the T, drive, drop, lob, boastSquash is called chess with rackets. It’s not the hardest hitter who wins, but the one who makes the opponent run further while staying in the middle of the court.