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Voted by Forbes Magazine as the world’s healthiest sport across a broad range of criteria, squash is a fun, fast and exciting sport that is easy to learn and can be played all year-round – no matter your age, skill level or gender.

It is one of the most widely played sports in the world - played in more than 185 countries by 20 million people on nearly 50,000 courts.

Squash is a safe non-contact sport that does not need expensive equipment and is one of the easiest sports to participate in. You can practise alone, play singles with a partner, or even doubles (4 on a court). You only need a racquet and ball to enjoy a vigorous workout.

It is a gender-neutral sport and gives equal opportunities for males and females to participate, enjoy and compete. You can play it as a social activity or join a team and play in competitions at your local club. Bring your friends and family along to your local squash centre and enjoy a game together.

GETTING STARTED

Finding a Court

The easiest way to find a Squash Centre that suits you is to jump online and search. Another alternative is to ask someone else because there is a good chance they’ll know where to go.

Ready to Go?

Gather up a couple of mates, ring a squash centre and book a court. Wear sports clothing and sports shoes, preferably white soled. Bring some water, and a lot of energy If you don’t have equipment, just ask at the courts – there is generally equipment to use or hire.

Let’s Get Started!

Don’t forget to warm up – both yourself and the ball (squash balls bounce better when warm). Try a few stretches, then hit the ball to the front wall for 5 minutes or so to help warm up your arm and the ball.

Basic Rules   Two players take turns to hit the ball onto the front wall.                    A point is awarded each time a players wins a rally.

How to Serve

• stand with one foot in the service box
• hit the ball to the front wall landing it above the service line, below the out-line
• the ball then must travel from the front wall to the opposite back corner (behind the short line and on the other side of the half court line from where it was served)
• the ball can rebound off other walls or be hit on the full (a volley).
• the server serves from alternate service boxes until they lose the rally.

During the Rally

• the ball MUST hit the front wall each shot but can hit other walls before or after
• the opponent must hit the ball before the 2nd bounce on the floor
• players can hit the ball before it bounces on the floor (a volley)
• players can use all the court after the serve is hit, there are no restrictions of where to run.
• try not to get in your playing partner’s way when it is their turn.

When is a ball out?

• when it hits the tin or out-line
• when it hits above the out-line (on a serve or during a rally)
• when it bounces on the floor more than once before being hit
• when a serve lands in the incorrect area (a fault)

Scoring

• the player who wins the rally scores a point
• a game goes up to 11 points, if the score is 10-all the game continues until a player wins by 2 points.
• a match is the best of 5 games.

Squash Balls

Different types of balls have different coloured dots on them – denoting different levels of bounciness and hang time. Beginner players like to choose a ‘bouncier’ ball as it stays warmer, bounces higher and makes it easier to sustain rallies. More advanced players select a less bouncy ball. Ask the Squash Centre staff what type of ball you should be using.

Squash Racquets

When choosing a racquet to purchase pick one up and have a swing. Find one that feels comfortable to hold that isn’t too heavy. The Squash Centre staff will be able to assist you in choosing the right one. If you are strapped for cash most squash centres have hire racquets available so you don’t need to go out and buy one straight away.

RULES OF SQUASH

The Rules of Squash (both for Singles and Doubles) are governed by the World Squash Federation. If you would like to find out more about the rules go to the World Squash Federation website www.worldsquash.org

under their Rules & Regulations section. There is a ‘Getting Started’ poster that is very good for beginner squashies or you can check out the full official rules of squash.