Squash Rules
The objective of squash is to hit the ball against the front wall so it bounces twice before the opponent can return it, scoring points when they fail to make a valid return. The player with the most points wins the match.
Rules
1. Players
- Matches are played 1 vs 1.
2. Time
- Matches begin 5 minutes past the hour and last up to 60 minutes.
- Continuous play is expected; 90-second breaks are allowed between games.
3. Boundaries
- Standard squash court used.
4. Scoring
- Best of 5 games.
- Each game to 15 points (win by 2 if tied at 14).
- Point-a-rally (PAR) scoring system.
- If time expires, the player leading wins.
5. Warm-up
- 5-minute warm-up (2.5 minutes per side).
- Ball must be warmed up before play resumes after delays.
6. Good Return
- Ball must hit front wall above tin and below out line.
- Side/back wall contact is allowed before hitting front wall.
- Faults include: “Not Up,” “Down,” and “Out.”
7. Service
- First server decided by racket spin.
- Server alternates service boxes after each point won.
- Good serve: ball hits front wall above service line and lands in opposite back quarter.
8. Rallies
- Players alternate hitting until one fails to return.
- Rally ends if ball hits opponent before reaching front wall.
- Safety is paramount—do not strike the ball if risk of injury exists.
9. Turning
- “Turning” occurs when a player follows or lets the ball pass around them before hitting.
- If the ball hits an opponent after turning, the rally is awarded to the opponent.
- If unsure, stop play—“Let” may be called.
10. Further Attempts
- Players may retry hitting after a miss.
- If second attempt would be good but hits opponent → Let.
- If not good → rally lost.
11. Interference
- Players must avoid obstructing opponent’s access, view, or swing.
- Interference outcomes:
- Let: if opponent tried to avoid interference.
- No Let: if interference was minimal or return impossible.
- Stroke: if opponent didn’t avoid interference or return would be winning.
12. LETs
- Rally replayed; server serves again from same box.
- LETs allowed for:
- Ball touching foreign object.
- Safety concerns.
- Receiver not ready.
- Ball breaks during play.
13. Bleeding, Injury & Illness
- Bleeding must be stopped before continuing.
- Injury caused by opponent → injured player wins match.
- Self-inflicted injury → 3 minutes to recover or concede a game.
- Shared fault → 1 hour recovery allowed.
- Illness (e.g. cramps, asthma) → player must play or concede a game.
- Vomiting on court → opponent wins match.