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The Complete Guide to Squash Rules

Squash is famous for relentless rallies played off the walls in a tight court β€” with the sport newly confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, here are the fundamentals.

The objective

Squash is an indoor sport played in a four-walled court, where two players take turns hitting a ball against the front wall with a racket, scoring points when the opponent fails to return it legally or breaks a rule. Because the court is small and the pace is fast, it is widely considered one of the most physically demanding racket sports.

Scoring (point-a-rally to 11)

A game is won by the first player to reach 11 points, and a match is won by whoever takes 3 of 5 games. If the score reaches 10-10, play continues until one player leads by 2 clear points. Either player can score on any rally, regardless of who served.

The front-wall target zone

The front wall has two marked lines: an upper "out line" and a lower "tin" (telltale). The ball must land between them β€” above the tin and below the out line β€” or the point is lost. Consistently hitting that narrow target zone is the core skill of the game.

Lets and strokes (interference rules)

Because the court is so tight, players frequently get in each other's way mid-swing. Depending on the situation, the referee calls either a "let" (the rally is simply replayed with no score change) or a "stroke" (a point awarded to the player who was obstructed, when the interference was deliberate or blocked a clear scoring chance). Giving your opponent room to swing freely is considered basic squash etiquette.

The serve rule

A serve must be struck from inside one of the two service boxes, hit the front wall above the marked service line, and land in the opposite back quarter of the court to be valid. Whoever wins the rally keeps serving next.

Newly added to the 2028 LA Olympics

Squash was left off the Olympic program for decades despite repeated bids, but it has now been confirmed as an official event for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Its compact court footprint and fast-paced, dramatic rallies were cited as key reasons for its inclusion.

One of the most physically demanding racket sports

Because rallies in squash unfold continuously off the walls of a small court, it is widely considered one of the more physically taxing racket sports around. Players change direction dozens of times within a short span, which builds both cardiovascular endurance and quick reflexes at the same time.

Rising interest thanks to its Olympic debut

Squash made repeated bids for Olympic inclusion over the years without success, until it was finally confirmed as an official event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That milestone has brought a noticeable wave of new interest and participation in the sport internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I just need to hit the front wall anywhere to score?

No β€” the ball has to land inside a specific target zone: below the out line and above the tin (telltale) on the front wall. Hit outside that zone and the point is lost, so precise height control matters a great deal.

What happens to the score when a let is called?

When a let is called, the rally is voided with no change in score, and the same player serves again to restart it. If the referee instead judges the interference to be deliberate or to have blocked a clear scoring chance, a stroke is awarded to the obstructed player instead.