How to Play Squash: A Beginner's Guide to Rules, Scoring and Kit (UK 2026)
Quick answer: To play squash, two players take turns hitting a small rubber ball against the front wall of a four-walled court, letting it bounce no more than once before returning it. Games are played to 11 points, you must win by two, and matches are usually best of five. All you need to start is a racket, a ball, goggles and non-marking indoor shoes.
Squash looks frantic from the gallery, but learning how to play squash is easier than it seems. It is a brilliant workout, it is cheap to try and almost every UK town has a court you can book by the hour. This guide from Central Sports covers the court, the rules, the scoring, the basic shots and the kit a first-timer needs.
What is squash and how does a game work?
Squash is played in an enclosed court measuring roughly 9.75m long by 6.4m wide. Two players share the court and hit the ball alternately against the front wall. There are no teams, no net and no crossing sides: you are both in the same space, so movement and courtesy matter as much as power.
A rally starts with a serve. After that, you and your opponent take turns returning the ball to the front wall, either on the volley (before it bounces) or after one bounce. The ball can hit the side or back walls on the way, but it must reach the front wall before it touches the floor. The rally ends when someone fails to return the ball properly, hits it into the "tin" (the metal board at the bottom of the front wall) or hits it above the out line.
The basic squash rules every beginner should know
The rules of squash are simple once you have played a few rallies. The essentials are:
- You may hit the ball before it bounces or after a single bounce, never after two.
- Every shot must hit the front wall above the tin and below the out line.
- After you hit the ball, you must give your opponent a clear swing at it and a direct route to the ball.
- If a rally is interrupted because you were in the way, the referee (or the players, at club level) call a "let" and replay the point. If you clearly stopped a winning shot, it can be a "stroke", which means the point goes to the player who was blocked.
Most casual games are self-refereed, so honesty and good manners are part of the game. The official rulebook is published by England Squash if you want the detail on faults and interference.
Squash scoring explained
Modern squash scoring is point-a-rally. That means whoever wins the rally scores a point, whether they served or not. The first player to 11 wins the game, but you must be two points clear, so at 10-10 play continues until someone leads by two. Matches are normally the best of five games, although club leagues sometimes play best of three.
The player who wins a rally serves the next one. Serves alternate between the left and right service boxes, and the server keeps the box while they keep winning points. A legal serve hits the front wall between the service line and the out line and lands in the opposite back quarter of the court, unless the receiver volleys it.
Basic shots and tactics for first-timers
Do not try to smash winners in week one. The most useful shot in squash is the straight drive: a firm hit along the side wall that dies in the back corner. Do it well and your opponent is stuck behind you, chasing the ball while you take the middle of the court, known as "the T".
Three habits will improve your game fast. Return to the T after every shot, because that is the shortest route to any part of the court. Keep your racket up and ready, with a short backswing so you can hit in tight spaces. And aim to hit the ball deep and tight to the wall before you try anything fancy such as drops or boasts. A few coaching sessions at your local club will save you months of bad habits.
What kit do you need to play squash?
You need four things: a racket, balls, eye protection and proper shoes. A squash racket is light and small-headed, and beginners are best served by a lightweight, head-light model that is easy to swing. Our guide to the best squash rackets in the UK explains weight and balance in detail.
Balls come in different speeds. Slower, bouncier balls are more forgiving when you are learning, while the yellow-dot ball is the standard for regular club play. Our squash ball guide shows which dot you need. Please do not skip eye protection: a squash ball travels fast and squash goggles are cheap insurance. Finally, wear non-marking indoor court shoes with good grip, as running shoes can leave black marks and slide on the floor. See our squash shoe guide for more.
Top picks from Central Sports for new squash players
These are in stock at the time of writing. Prices and sizes can change, so check the product page before you buy.
- Ashaway PowerKill 115 Meta (£76.93): a light 115g racket that is easy to swing and forgiving for players building their technique.
- Babolat Shadow Team 2 (£45.00): a budget-friendly indoor court shoe for your first few months of playing.
- Babolat Shadow Spirit 2 (£72.00): a step up in cushioning and support if you plan to play weekly.
- Dunlop Progress Squash Ball (£2.14): a slower, more forgiving ball for learning to keep rallies going.
- Dunlop Competition Squash Balls, tube of 3 (£7.33): the standard club ball for when you are ready for faster rallies.
Browse everything in our squash collection, or see the full range at centralsports.co.uk.
Frequently asked questions
What are the basic rules of squash in the UK?
Hit the ball against the front wall above the tin and below the out line, with no more than one bounce, and give your opponent room to play. Games go to 11, win by two, in a best-of-five match. England Squash publishes the full rulebook.
Can you hit the ball off the side wall first in squash?
Yes. During a rally the ball can hit the side or back walls first, as long as it reaches the front wall before it bounces on the floor.
Do you have to let the ball bounce in squash?
No. You can hit the ball on the volley, before it bounces, or after one bounce. It must not bounce twice.
Is squash easy to learn?
The rules are easy and you can rally within your first session. Mastering movement and shot accuracy takes longer, which is why a few lessons and regular practice make a big difference.
Ready to start playing squash?
Now you know how to play squash, the next step is to book a court and try it. Start with a light racket, a forgiving ball, goggles and proper shoes, and focus on the T and the straight drive. When you are ready to kit up, head to the Central Sports shop for rackets, balls, shoes and accessories with fast UK delivery.