Squash Rules for Beginners: Serving, Scoring and Lets

Squash is fast, but its core rules are simple. Here is what you need for your first match.

The court

• Front wall: has the out line at the top, the service line in the middle and the tin at the bottom.
• Floor: divided by the short line and half-court line into back quarters, each with a service box.
• Side and back walls: in play, with an out line marked along the top.

Basic play

1. After the serve, players take turns hitting the ball.
2. The ball must hit the front wall above the tin and below the out line, either directly or after hitting side or back walls.
3. The ball may bounce once on the floor before you hit it.
4. You lose the rally if the ball bounces twice, goes out, or hits the tin.

Serving

• Stand with at least one foot fully inside a service box.
• Hit the ball directly onto the front wall above the service line.
• The ball must land in the opposite back quarter (unless volleyed by the receiver).
• The server who wins a rally serves again, alternating service boxes.

Scoring

• Point-a-rally to 11. Every rally scores a point.
• At 10-10, play continues until a player leads by two.
• Matches are usually best of five games.

Lets and strokes

Squash players share a small space, so interference happens.

• Let: the rally is replayed, for example after minor interference.
• Stroke: the point goes to the player who was prevented from playing a reasonable shot.
• No let: the player wasn’t really impeded or couldn’t have reached the ball.

Players should clear the ball’s path after their shot and give the opponent room to play.

Safety

• Wear protective eyewear.
• Don’t swing if your opponent is in the way; ask for a let.
• Wear non-marking indoor court shoes.