Squash: Origins of the Game, Rules, Where and How to Play?

Squash is an indoor sport played by two or four people (optionally) using rackets and a ball. During the game, the ball is hit against the walls of the playing area to keep it from hitting the floor more than once. Squash is an intense activity game that requires the entire body to work quickly and allows you to burn approximately 800 Kcal per hour, according to Forbes research.

History

Squash is thought to have originated in British prisons in the early 1800s and was first played in the early 19th century. After a few decades, the game became popular in schools across the United Kingdom. Students discovered an activity during breaks, and the game quickly spread. Students in private schools refined the rackets toward the end of the 19th century, adapting them for smaller areas. In the 20th century, the popularity of the game grew, and private squash schools appeared.

Squash: Rules

The game is played to 11 points, and the first player to reach 11 points wins the set. The match is played to 2 or 3 sets won (amateurs usually play in two sets and professionals in three).

If the score is tied at 10-10, the game continues until a two-point lead.

Before the match, players warm up for 5 minutes, spending two and a half minutes on each side of the court.

The game starts with a serve, which is performed by the player who “won” the racket spin – when the racket comes to a stop, the stick indicates which side the player will serve first. It is served until the point is lost, if the opponent wins the point, he takes over the serve as well.

A player must stand with at least one foot in the serving square and not touch the line when serving. A good serve is one that hits the front wall above the serving line but below the top boundary line. After bouncing, the ball must land in the opposite square of the court from where the serving player is.

After the serve, the game continues until the opponent requests a “LET,” appeals, or one of the referees signals a stoppage of play: this can also happen if the ball hits one of the players or the racket of the non-striker when it is up to another to make the strike.

Learn more about other sports

If you interested in squash, you might also like other sports. We invite you to learn more – about the rules of American football, darts, and football.