Playing equipment
'Standard' rackets are governed by the rules of the game. Traditionally they were made of laminated timber, with a small strung area using natural 'gut' strings. After a rule change in the mid-1980's, they are now almost always made of composite materials or metals (graphite, kevlar, titanium, and/or boron) with synthetic strings. Modern rackets are 70 cm (27 inches) long, with a maximum strung area of 500 square centimetres (approximately 80 square inches) and a weight between 110 and 200 grams (4-7 ounces).
The balls (manufactured by Dunlop, Prince, Pointfore,Wilson and others) are made from two pieces of highly durable rubber compound glued together and buffed to a matte finish. Different balls are provided for the varying conditions and standards of play: more experienced players are able to use balls that are smaller and have less bounce than those used by less experienced players. Small coloured dots on the ball indicate the level of bounciness and hence, the standard of play it is suited for. A bouncier ball is said to be "fast" whereas a less bouncy ball is said to be "slow".
The recognised colours are:
- Double Yellow - Extra Super Slow
- Yellow - Super Slow
- Green or White - Slow
- Red - Medium
- Blue - Fast
The 'double-yellow dot ball', introduced in 2000, is currently the competition standard. Prior to this the yellow-dot was long considered standard. There is also a high-altitude ball, used in places like Mexico City and Denver.
Other balls available are:
Because of the vigorous nature of the game, players need to wear comfortable sports clothing and robust indoor (non-marking) sports shoes. In competition, men usually wear shorts and t-shirt or polo shirt. Women normally wear a skirt and t-shirt or tank top, or a sports dress. Towelling wrist and head bands may also be required in humid climates. Eye protection with polycarbonate lenses is also recommended, as players may be struck by a fast-swinging racket or the ball, which can typically reach speeds of up to 200 km/h (125 mph) - in the 2004 Canary Wharf Squash Classic, John White was recorded driving balls at speeds over 270 km/h (170 mph). Many squash venues require the use of eye protection. The rules state that all juniors and doubles players must wear eye protection.
The play and scoring
For a rally to be started the correct player serves from the correct service box. At least part of one foot must be in that box and after being struck by the racquet- the ball has to go above the service line but below the out line of the front wall and land in the alternate service quarter, unless volleyed by the returner.
The players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall (referred to as 'rallying'). The ball may be volleyed (hit on the fly) or hit after its first bounce and before the second. To be considered 'good', the ball must reach the front wall below the 'out' line and above the 'board' or 'tin', before touching the floor. The ball may also be struck against any of the other three walls before and/or after reaching the front wall. Shots that are first played off the side or back walls are referred to as 'boasts' or 'angles'.
The rally continues until a player is unable to return his or her opponent's shot or makes a mistake (e.g. hits the ball 'out', or hits it after its second bounce, or onto the floor, 'board' or 'tin'), or a 'let' or 'stroke' is awarded by the referee for interference (see below).
In the 'traditional' British scoring system (as adopted in 1926), a point is scored only by the server (when the receiver is unable to return the ball to the front wall before it has bounced twice). When the receiver wins the rally, they are awarded only the right to serve.
Games are usually played to 9 points (alternatively, the receiver may opt to call 'set two' and play to 10 when the score first reaches 8-8). Competition matches are usually played to 'best-of-five' (ie. first player to win 3 games wins the match).
Alternatively, in the point-a-rally scoring system (referred to as PARS or 'American' scoring), points are scored by the winner of each rally, whether or not they have served. Traditionally, PARS scoring was up to 15 points (or the receiver calls 15 or 17 when the game reaches 14 all). However, in 2004, the PARS scoring was reduced to 11 for the professional game (If the game reaches 10 all, a player must win with two consecutive points with the serve).
In the 'international' game, club, doubles and recreational matches are usually played using the traditional 'British' scoring system. Scoring systems and rules can be adapted subtly to accommodate shorter game time (e.g. games played to 7 points, best-of-three games) or multiple players (e.g. a form of squash called three-quarter court, where one service box is blocked out and excess players wait in that area while two players play a single point in the remaining area of the court).
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