In the 'traditional' British scoring system, 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. If the game reaches 8-8 then the receiver may ask for 'one' or 'two' electing to play first to 9 or first to 10 respectively. Competition matches are usually played to 'best-of-five' (ie. the player to win the most out of 5 games).
In the point-a-rally scoring system (often referred to as PARS or 'American' scoring), points are scored by the winner of each rally, whether or not they have served. The game is also played to 9 points.
Interestingly it used to be the case that 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 by two clear points). PARS is now used on the men's Professional Tour, and the tin height has been lowered by two inches for the men's professional tournaments (these changes have been made in a hope to shorten the length of the rallies and therefore the match). The women's Professional Tour, however, still uses the original "up to 9 English scoring" and the original tin height.
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). The 'British' scoring is generally used for USSRA (United States Squash Racquets Association) matches.
Squash is played between two players on a squash court each using a standard racket, and a ball approved by England Squash & Racketball.
Matches are the best of 3 or 5 games, at the option of the competition organizer. Each game is point a rally scoring to 11 (PAR 11). If the score in a game is tied at 10-10, a player must win by 2 clear points.
Matches are the best of 3 or 5 games, at the option of the competition organizer. Each game is point a rally scoring to 11 (PAR 11). If the score in a game is tied at 10-10, a player must win by 2 clear points.
Matches are the best of 3 or 5 games, at the option of the competition organizer. Each game is point a rally scoring to 11 (PAR 11). If the score in a game is tied at 10-10, a player must win by 2 clear points.
Matches are the best of 3 or 5 games, at the option of the competition organizer. Each game is point a rally scoring to 11 (PAR 11). If the score in a game is tied at 10-10, a player must win by 2 clear points.
Points can be scored by either player. When a player fails to serve or to return the ball, in accordance with the rules, the opponent wins the point. When the Receiver wins a point, they become the Server and add one to their score.
a. The right to serve is decided by the spin of a racket or coin. Thereafter the Server continues to serve until they lose the point; the opponent then becomes the Server.
b. At the beginning of each game and each hand, the Server has the choice of serving from either service box and shall thereafter alternate for as long as they score points and remains the Server.
c. The ball must be served direct on to the front wall between the service line and the out line, so that on its return, unless volleyed, its first bounce lands within the back quarter of the court opposite to the Server’s box.
d. A service is a fault: (i) If at the time of striking the ball the Server fails to have at least one foot in contact with the floor within the service box, and no part of that foot touching the line surrounding the service box (called a foot-fault ).
After a good service has been delivered, the players return the ball alternately until one or other fails to make a good return, or the ball otherwise ceases to be in play, in accordance with the rules. NB: If any part of the ball touches the out line the ball is deemed out or if the ball hits the tin or the floor on its first bounce the ball is deemed down. Similarly, if the ball bounces on or before the short line from a service, the serve is deemed a fault.
A return is good if the ball, before it has bounced twice on the floor, is returned by the striker on to the front wall above the tin, without touching the floor or any part of the striker’s body or clothing, provided the ball is not hit twice, down or out.
A Let is an undecided stroke, and the service or rally in respect of which a Let is allowed, shall not count and the Server shall serve again from the same box. (a) A Let may be allowed:
(i) If the striker refrains from hitting the ball owing to a
reasonable fear of injuring the opponent.
(ii) If the striker, on the way to playing the ball incurs
sufficient interference to impede their access to the ball when
the striker would have otherwise played a good shot.
(iii) If the Referee is asked to decide an appeal and is unable to
do so.
(b) A Let shall be allowed:
(i) If the Receiver is not ready, and does not attempt to take the
service.
(ii) If the ball breaks during play.
(iii) If an otherwise good return has been made, but the ball goes
out on its first bounce.
(iv) If the ball in play touches the receiver or anything carried
or worn by the receiver whilst on the way to the side wall or back
wall in anticipation that the ball would have reached the front
wall and hence been a good return.
A player wins a stroke:
a) If the server fails to make a good serve (See point 4 on the
Service).
b) If the opponent fails to make a good return of the ball in
play.
c) If the ball in play touches the opponent or anything carried or
worn by the opponent whilst on the way to the front wall.
d) If a player drops the racket, calls out or in any other way
distracts the opponent, and the Referee considers that such
occurrence has caused the opponent to lose the stroke.
e) If the ball hits the ceiling or any object outside of the
court.
After playing a ball, a player must make every effort to get out of the opponents way.
That is:
(i) A player must make every effort to give the opponent a fair
view of the ball, so that it may be sighted adequately for the
purpose of playing it.
(ii) A player must make every effort not to interfere with, or
crowd, the opponent in the latter’s attempt to get to, or play,
the ball.
(iii) A player must make every effort to allow the opponent, as
far as the latter’s position permits, freedom to play the ball
directly to the front wall, or to either side wall.
Immediately preceding the start of play, a period not exceeding five minutes shall be allowed on court for the purpose of warming-up The complete rules of Squash can be downloaded from the England Squash & Racketball website, download here.
211
Current Members
120
Matches per Week
41
Years of History
