How To Play Squash: A Beginners Guide – Equipment, Rules & Tactics

Have you ever wanted to start playing squash, but weren’t sure how to go about it?

If the above applies to you, then don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We teamed up with Professional Squash Player Lisa Aitken to delve into everything you need to know to play squash!

Squash is the latest sport to be announced for the Olympic Games in LA28, so we want to give you a whistle-stop tour of how to play the ‘world’s fittest sport’. From the equipment you need, to the rules of squash ,the tactics, and everything in between, you’ll be ready to step onto the squash court by the time you’ve finished read this article.

Squash Basics

Lisa Aitken: “Squash is a sport that tests every aspect of your physical and mental ability – plus it’s a lot of fun. So, today we’re going to break down the rules so you can get to know the sport and play along! 

“Before anything though, you’ll need the right equipment to get you started. You’ll need a pair of non-marking court shoes, a ball, and most importantly, a racket. Goggles are also available to help protect your eyesight, and they’re mandatory for anyone 19 years old or under.”

Squash Court Layout

“The layout of the squash court is simple. You have the front wall, the back wall, and the side walls. 

“Running around the top of the court is the out-line, and at the bottom of the front wall is the tin. The remaining lines are the service areas.”

Warm-Up

“Players spin a racket to decide who serves first.  

“Before starting a match, spend five minutes hitting the ball between you and your opponent to get it warmed up – two or three shots each and then pass it over, and swap sides half way through – the hotter the ball, the bouncier it’s going to be.

How To Serve In Squash

“To hit a good serve, you have to have at least one foot inside the service box as you play the shot. If your foot is outside the box, it’s considered a ‘foot fault’, and your opponent wins the point.  

“The ball must hit the front wall above the service line and land in the opposite back quarter of the court. There’s no second serve in squash, so make sure to get this right first time! 

“The server continues serving from alternate sides until they lose a point. After that, the serve passes to the opponent, who can choose the side they would like to serve from, continuing to alternate thereafter. 

How To Win A Point In Squash

“After the serve, players take turns hitting the ball. The ball must hit the front wall before it hits the floor. The ball can hit the side and/or back walls before hitting the front wall – this is called a boast. 

“A player scores a point when their opponent fails to return the ball before it bounces twice or hits it out of bounds – that means either on or above the outlines or on or below the tin. 

How Many Points Are There In A Squash Game?

“Games are played to 11 points, and matches are usually best of five games. To win a game, you must win by at least two clear points. So, if the score reaches 10-10, the first player to go two points clear of their opponent, for example, 12-10 or 13-11, wins.”

Refereeing Decisions: Lets and Strokes

“In squash, opponents often share the same space, which can lead to players getting in each other’s way. This is where lets and strokes come in. When a let is awarded, neither player wins a point and the rally is replayed. When a stroke is awarded, the point is awarded to the obstructed player. 

“A let can be given when a player thinks they could have reached the ball if not for interference, when unsure if the ball was good, or if there’s an accidental collision. They can also be awarded if a player is worried there’s a chance they may hit the opponent with the ball – this is called a safety let. 

“A stroke is awarded if a player obstructs their opponent’s direct path to the ball, if a player doesn’t make sufficient effort to clear the way after their shot, or if a player is blocked from playing a winning shot.”

Squash Tactics

“Finally, let’s talk tactics. There are three very simple things to get you started here. 

“The first is to get back to an area called the ‘T’ after every shot. This will make reaching your opponent’s next shot as easy as possible, no matter where they hit it. 

“The second is to get the ball running along the side wall – the closer your shot is to the wall, the harder it is for your opponent to hit it.

“The final tactic is to hit the ball away from your opponent. The more work you can put in their legs, the quicker they’ll get tired, and the closer you’ll be victory.”

If you want even-more in-depth advice on how to play squash, head to the Squash Skills website.

You can also watch the full ‘How To Play Squash’ video with Lisa Aitken by clicking here, while more information on the PSA Squash Tour, follow the PSA on  X, Facebook, Threads, Instagram, WhatsApp, or TikTok.