How-to
How to play squash
- England Squash
- 3 min read
Squash is easy to pick up and improve once you know the basics – and it doesn’t take long before rallies start to flow.
Watch the video or read our helpful guide below for a quick insight into the rules.
The aim of the game - winning rallies
The main aim of squash is to win rallies against your opponent.
Players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall. The ball can also hit the side or back walls, but it must reach the front wall before it hits the floor.
The ball has to hit the front wall above the ‘tin’ (the bottom section of the front wall). If it hits the tin, goes above the top red lines, or bounces twice before it’s hit again, the rally’s over.
Win the rally; win the point – it’s as simple as that! Once rallies get going, the game quickly becomes fast, dynamic and fun to play.
How serving works
Serving starts each point – and it quickly becomes second nature once you’ve tried it a few times.
Players spin a racket to decide who serves – correct call serves first. The server chooses which side to serve from first. If they win the point, they continue serving from the other side, alternating sides each time they win a point. If they lose the point, the other player serves next.
To serve, at least one foot must be inside the service box. The ball must hit the front wall above the service line (the line in the middle of the front wall) and land in the opposite back quarter of the court.
How scoring works
Games are played to 11 points, but you must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 10-10, you keep playing until one player is two points ahead.
Points can add up quickly, so rallies and consistency make a real difference.
Matches are usually played as best-of-three or best-of-five games.
'Lets' and 'strokes' explained
Squash is a fast-paced, energetic sport played in a relatively small space, so safety matters.
If your opponent’s too close for you to play your shot safely, play stops, and the point is replayed. This is called a ‘let’.
If your opponent’s position stops you from playing your shot at all, that’s called a ‘stroke’. You automatically win the point.
A helpful tip for beginners
After every shot, try to move back to the ‘T’ in the middle of the court. This gives you the best chance of reaching the next shot.
You're ready for your first match
You’ve got the basics mastered – now it’s time to play!
