What is squash?

What is squash? In short, it’s a fast indoor racquet sport played by two people inside an enclosed four-walled court, taking turns hitting a small rubber ball against the front wall until one player can’t return it. It’s widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding racquet sports in the world — and once it clicks, it’s gloriously addictive.

What is squash, exactly?

Squash is a racquet sport for two players (singles) or four (doubles) played inside a sealed court. Unlike tennis, there’s no net between you and your opponent — you share the same space and hit the ball against the same front wall, alternating shots. The ball is small, hollow and rubber, and it doesn’t bounce much, which is exactly what makes the game so quick and so tiring. Rallies are short, sharp and relentless.

The court and the kit

A standard singles court is 9.75 metres long and 6.4 metres wide, with painted lines marking the service boxes and the “out” boundaries on all four walls. The line you’ll hear players curse at most is the tin — a strip along the bottom of the front wall. Hit below it and the rally is over. You need surprisingly little to start: a squash racquet (lighter and smaller-headed than a tennis racquet), a pair of non-marking indoor court shoes, eye protection, and a ball suited to your level.

How a rally works

One player serves, hitting the ball onto the front wall above the service line so it rebounds into the opposite back quarter of the court. From there, players take turns striking the ball to the front wall. The ball can hit the side or back walls along the way — that’s where the tactics live — but it must reach the front wall before bouncing twice on the floor. A rally ends when someone fails to return the ball cleanly, hits the tin, or sends it out of bounds.

Scoring

Modern squash uses point-a-rally scoring (PAR): you score on every rally regardless of who served, and games are played to 11 points, win by two. Most matches are best-of-five games, though casual and club formats often play best-of-three — which is exactly what we run at Big Time Squash. It keeps matches tight, fast, and built for a full day of bracket play.

Why squash gets under your skin

Ask anyone who plays and they’ll tell you the same thing: squash is part chess, part sprint. You’re constantly trying to move your opponent out of position while reading where they’ll send the ball next, all at a pace that leaves you gasping. It’s a fantastic workout, the learning curve is rewarding, and the social side — especially in a tournament setting — is half the fun. The international governing body, the World Squash Federation, oversees the sport globally, and it is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

Want to try it?

The best way to understand squash is to play it. Come find out what Big Time Squash is all about — our tournaments welcome players of every level, and the full-placement format means you’ll get plenty of matches whether you win your first or not. Check the next Playday, see how the BIG rating tracks players over time, or get in touch to join the group. Bring your racquet — we’ll handle the rest.