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Rules

Squash: rules

Two players share an enclosed four-walled court and take turns hitting the ball so that it reaches the front wall above the tin before it bounces twice on the floor. Every rally scores a point, games go to 11 with a two-point lead needed from 10-all, and a match is usually the best of five games.

Importance 4 out of 5Importance rating
RacketWiki EditorsVerified 25 October 20261 source

Serve

  • The server drops or throws the ball and hits it straight to the front wall, between the service line and the out-line, with one foot on the floor inside the service box and not touching its lines; the ball must then land in the opposite quarter-court (the back quarter on the receiver's side) without touching a line, unless the receiver volleys itSource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 5.7 · tier 1
  • The server picks a service box at the start of each game and whenever the serve changes hands, then alternates boxes for as long as they keep winning ralliesSource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 5.2 · tier 1
  • There is no second serve: a serve that breaks Rule 5.7 is a fault and the receiver wins the rallySource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 5.8 · tier 1
  • A serve that touches the service line, the short line, the half-court line or any out-line counts as a faultSource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 5.8, Note · tier 1
  • If a rally ends in a let, the server serves again from the same boxSource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 5.3 · tier 1

Scoring

  • The player who wins a rally scores one point and serves next, whoever servedSource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 2.1 · tier 1
  • A game is played to 11 points; from 10-all it continues until one player is two points aheadSource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 2.2 · tier 1
  • A match is normally the best of five games, but may be the best of threeSource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 2.3 · tier 1

Rally

  • A return is good if it is struck before the ball bounces twice and reaches the front wall above the tin and below the out-line without first touching the floor or either player; it may hit other walls on the waySource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 6.2 · tier 1
  • After a reasonable follow-through, each player must try to get out of the way so the opponent has a fair view of the ball, access to it, room to swing, and freedom to hit to any part of the front wallSource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 8.1 · tier 1
  • A player who is obstructed may stop and ask for a let; the referee then allows a let, awards a stroke (the rally) to the striker, or allows nothing, depending on whether a good return was possible and whether the opponent tried to clearSource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rules 8.2 and 8.6 · tier 1

Faults and losing the rally

  • A player loses the rally if their return touches the tin, goes out, or reaches the front wall only after bouncing on the floorSource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 6.2 · tier 1
  • A player who lets the ball bounce twice on the floor before striking it loses the rallySource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 6.2.1 · tier 1
  • If the ball hits the striker on its way back from the front wall and there was no interference, the opponent wins the rallySource: World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Singles Rules 2025 V1.2, Rule 9.2.3 · tier 1

Sources

  1. World Squash Singles Rules, World Squash Federation, 2025, V1.2 (effective 1 September 2025; updated 14 June 2025 at the WSF Extraordinary General Meeting)worldsquash.sportOfficial rulebook or governing body (tier 1 of 5)