ISEA - Squash Link Basic rules of squash volunteers

Rules of Squash, how to play safely AND Meet Squash Link’s Volunteers

Basic Rules of Squash and how to play safely

Basic rules: Squash is played between two individuals (singles) on a Squash Court. One player serves to start a rally which proceeds until one player hits the ball out or down or fails to hit the ball before it has bounced twice.

The server, with at least one foot in the service box, starts play by hitting the ball directly onto the front wall between the service line and the outline to rebound so that, if allowed, it bounces for the first time in the opposite half of the court and behind the short line.

It may hit another wall after hitting the front wall, providing the ball lands within the correct half court.

The receiver may hit the ball on the full. If the server wins the rally they serve from the alternate service box.

If the receiver wins the rally they choose which box to start serving from.

The 2 Squash players, each with a racket, take it in turns to hit the ball onto the front wall within the large area defined by the outline at the top and the line marking the top of the tin at the bottom (the striker may play the ball onto the side or back walls first before it hits the front wall).

The ball must stay within the court and be hit on the first bounce or volleyed.

Play continues until the ball goes out or down or is not hit after the first bounce.

Once the ball has been struck, it is the responsibility of the striker to clear the way for the opponent to make a return.

If there is interference in the opponent reaching the ball, the players should play the point again (this is called playing a LET).

If your opponent is in the way of you making a return or is in danger of being hit in the process, a “LET” should be played.

Both the striker and the opponent should make every effort to clear the ball or to get to it if a “LET” is to be played.

If the player hits the ball back to themselves and hits them or goes very close to them, a “STROKE” is awarded to the opponent, winning the rally for them.

Basic squash skills:

Hold the grip firmly at all times during the swing. Keep a firm wrist during the swing. Approach the ball from one side. Right handed Squash players should try to play "forehands" on the right hand side of the court and play "backhands" on the left hand side of the court (and vice versa for left-handers).

Basic squash tactics:

• Hit the ball away from your opponent, making them run.

• Hit backhand shots on the backhand side of the court and forehands on the forehand side.

• Hit the ball to the corners and close to the side walls.

• Volley during play whenever possible.

• Return to the centre of the court quickly each time you make a return whilst watching the ball.

Scoring system(s): These have evolved over time. The original scoring system is known as English scoring, also called hand-out scoring. Under this system, if the server wins a rally, they receive a point, while if the returner wins the rally, only the service changes (i.e., the ball goes "hand-out") and no point is given. The first player to reach 9 points wins the game. However, if the score reaches 8–8, the player who was first to reach 8 decides whether the game will be played to 9, as before (called "set one"), or to 10 (called "set two"). At one time this scoring system was preferred in Britain, and also among countries with traditional British ties, such as Australia, Canada, Pakistan, South Africa, India and Sri Lanka.

The current official scoring system for all levels of professional and amateur squash is called point-a-rally scoring (PARS). In PARS, the winner of a rally always receives a point, regardless of whether they were the server or returner.

Games are played to 11, but in contrast to English scoring, players must win by two clear points. That is, if the score reaches 10–10, play continues until one player wins by two points. PARS to 11 is now used on the men's professional tour.

Another scoring system is American scoring. The rules of American scoring are identical to PARS, apart from games are played to 15. This system is not widely used because games were considered to last too long and the winner would usually be the fitter player, not necessarily the better player.

Competition matches are usually played to "best-of-five" (i.e. the first player to win three games)

Coaching points:

• • • • • • • • •

Warm up: importance of raising the heart rate Stretches Safety: goggles Basic rules of squash Grip: a firm handshake Racket position: up and in vertical position Lunging movement Rotation Basic technique and movement on court: forehand, backhand, serve and rally

Squash Glossary

Here are the most common terms and phrases that will assist you in clearly communicating with other squash players:

American scoring – identical to point-a-rally scoring (PARS), in which both the server and receiver can score a point during a rally, apart from games are played to 15 not 11.

Back wall boast: a shot that hits the back wall and then perhaps the side wall before it hits the front wall.

Boast – a shot hit to the near sidewall before it hits the front wall.

Carry – a ball that is not hit cleanly on the racket; it touches the strings throughout the stroke.

Counterdrop – a drop shot hit off of a preceding drop shot.

Crosscourt – a ball that goes to the opposite side of the court after striking the front wall.

Doublehit – a ball that contacts the strings more than once during a stroke; similar to a carry.

Drive – a typical groundstroke, usually hit for good length.

Drop – a shot hit short, usually not too high above the tin.

English scoring: The original scoring system, also called hand-out scoring. Under this system, if the server wins a rally, they receive a point, while if the returner wins the rally, only the service changes (i.e., the ball goes "hand-out") and no point is given. The first player to reach 9 points wins the game.

Game – usually won by the first player to earn 11 points (PAR scoring).

Get – a difficult retrieval of an opponent’s shot; often heard in the complimentary phrase ‘nice get’.

Groundstroke: a stroke played after the ball has bounced as opposed to a volley.

Hot ball – when the squash ball has physically warmed up from being struck. It is bouncier in this state.

International scoring – only the server can score points in this system; also known as point-a-serve scoring. Games are usually to 9 points. When the score reaches 8-8, the receiver has to choose ‘set 1’ (the game must end at 9-8) or ‘set 2’ (the score must end at either 10-8 or 10-9).

Kill – a hard-hit shot that ends a point definitively.

Length – refers to hitting the ball into the back portion of the court so as to move the opponent back. That is good length.

Let – a determination to replay a point in its entirety.

Lob – a ball hit so that it travels high in the air after hitting the front wall.

Nick – a ball that hits the crack between the floor and a wall once it bounces off the front wall. This is usually a winner.

No let – determination that no obstruction or interference has occurred, and that a point should not be replayed.

Point-a-rally scoring – The current official scoring system for all levels of professional and amateur squash is called point-a-rally scoring (PARS). In PARS, the winner of a rally always receives a point, regardless of whether they were the server or returner. Games are played to 11, but in contrast to English scoring, players must win by two clear points.

Rail – a ball hit for good length along a side wall.

Rally – a series of shots by players during a game that begins with a serve and ends with the ball no longer in play.

Return – this is the shot that comes after the serve; also called a serve return.

Reverse – a ball hit into the opposite side wall before it reaches the front wall.

Serve – this shot begins every squash point.

Service box – a squash area marked on the court floor. It defines where the server must stand while serving.

Short line – a line crossing the full width of the court floor. It marks the front of the service boxes.

Stroke – a determination that interference has occurred and warrants awarding the rally to the interfered player.

The T – an area on the floor of the court where the short line intersects with the halfcourt line. It is often a good location from which a player can reach the opponent’s next shot.

The tin – a barrier across the lower part of the front wall. All shots must contact the front wall above this barrier to be good. If the ball hits below, it is down.

Tight – describes a shot when the ball is hit along a side wall, typically touching it, requiring a more accurate touch to return it.

Volley – a ball struck in the air, before it bounces on the floor.

Squash Link Volunteers

Mark Kelly

From: Laois

Studied: Law at University of London and Trinity College Dublin

Why I play squash: to develop healthy relationships with a diverse range of great people all over the world whilst staying fit, developing my playing and coaching skills and keeping happy. ‘Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will’.

Elvy Da Costa

From: Goa

Studied: Sociology

Why I play squash: I have been coaching for many years, working for Trinity Squash Club, and other teams at provincial and national stages during that time. I started coaching after I had played. As they say, while playing was great I also was lucky enough to meet many people and make a few really good friends. One of the things I have learned coaching is that despite squash being an 'individual' sport most people really enjoy playing on teams and learning to work together. Hopefully all those participating on a Squash Link programme can experience some of the best that squash has to offer.

Robert Ta

From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Studying: Medicine at Trinity

Why I play squash? I play squash because it's healthy and my teammates are like my second family away from home. Never doubt yourself because you never really know what you can really achieve in the right conditions.

Ailbhe MacGreevy

From: Rathfarnham in Dublin

Studying Business, Economics and Social Studies (BESS)

Why I play squash: to keep fit and because I really enjoy it! I started playing when I joined Trinity two years ago. I find that it's a great way to clear your head and you can make loads of new friends from it. Squash is easy to pick up and once you stick with it you'll make major headway!

Ellen McKay

Dave Mulligan

From: Dartry in Dublin.

From: Meath.

Studying Functional Biology in my Studied: Business Studies in Trinity third year.

College, Dublin.

Why I play squash: I started playing Why I play squash: I was introduced squash in my second year of college to squash at Trinity and fell in love looking for a way to play sport in a with the game. Simply put I play welcoming environment and to squash because it is fun! It's fast have a bit of fun as well, and I’m paced, fantastic exercise and there's still playing so squash had what I no chance of getting rained on! was looking for! If I was to start Squash is also a very sociable sport, I again, I’d tell myself to keep at have made a lot of great friends it and to play as much as possible, through the sport and this keeps me which isn't difficult as the game is coming back each and every week. great fun!

Shane Sheehan

William Foley

From: I'm a native of Cork From: Kilkenny

Studied: Reading for a PhD in Studying: Philosophy and Economics Computer Science at TCD. in Trinity College.

Why I play squash: I've been Why I play squash: because it's fun! playing squash for about 4 years Who aims at the end cannot spurn and enjoying every minute of it. The the means! community built around the club in TCD adds hugely to this enjoyment.

For me, helping to spread this ethos of squash and education through Squash Link is a compelling idea.

Andy Waller

From: Castleknock, Dublin

Studying: I am in my final year Journalism and Radio student in Rathmines College.

Why I play squash:I play squash to improve my game, to stay fit and it lets me relax away from work. I use sport in general to build community and make friends for life! When I'm not on Twitter or playing sport I'm working on my degree!

Conor Ringland

From: Kerry but now live in Dublin.

Studied: Law at Trinity College, Dublin.

Why I play squash: because it's a fastpaced exhilarating game and a great way to keep myself in shape. Squash allows those of all abilities to play competitively and the sport also encourages respect and the necessity to have a positive attitude.

Megan Yusko

Theo Anderson

From: I was born in Los Angeles From: Exeter, England and Belfast, California, and moved over to Ireland.

Ireland when I was 6.

Studying: I am currently in my third Studying: Pure Maths. year studying Sociology and Social

Policy in Trinity College.

Why I play squash: to make my

opponent run as much as possible! I Why I play squash: When I started started playing squash at age 7, playing squash I loved it so much progressed to prep school champion that I have been playing ever since! and was ranked No.1 in Ireland and Not only do I enjoy it as a sport, but top 10 in Europe.

I have also been a member of the

Trinity Squash Club and it has given Currently ranked top 20 in Ireland. I me the chance to have so much fun just really enjoy playing squash. and meet many great people!

Mark Styles

From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA .

Studying: Management Science and Information Systems Studies (MSISS) at Trinity.

Why I play squash: mainly to keep fit. I started playing five years ago and loved training hard and competing in tournaments.

Tamaki Marumo

From: Japan

Studying: Business, Economics and Social studies (BESS).

Why I play squash: I love meeting new people and learn so much by communicating with them. Squash has been my tool to establish a lifestyle in new places. I've lived in Germany and the UK and squash provides opportunities to integrate with local people and understand their culture; it helps me to establish strong relationships.

Albert Daly

From: Loughrea, Co Galway

Studied: Engineering

Why I play squash: I first played squash as a graduate student in Canada in the 1980s. Squash is a fun sport which can be used to maintain a very high level of fitness, both mentally and physically, at whatever level it is played. I particularly came to enjoy squash as a team sport.

When I returned to Ireland in 2007 I started playing with Trinity club and really enjoy the competitive and social element of the club.

Laura Daly

Emmett Minch

From: Cork From: Mullingar, Westmeath

Studied: Deaf Studies (recently Studying: Engineering. graduated).

Why I play squash: it is fun, keeps Why I play squash: I have been me fit and helps me to focus. playing squash for just over a year

and my only regret is that I didn't

start earlier. It's a great sport to keep fit, have some fun and to make friends. Seeing yourself improve over time is such a great feeling, for example, hitting a shot that you might not have been able to do before (or stop running into the side walls like I used to do a lot!).

James Kong

From: Singapore

Studying: Medicine at Trinity.

Why I play squash: Squash is a great way to compete and socialize, as well as to maintain my health both physically and mentally. I am a firm believer in the value of sport in society and Squash Link is based on this idea.

Rui Chen

From: Singapore.

Studying: Physiotherapy in Trinity College Dublin.

Why I play squash: I played Squash back in my hometown, Singapore, and am still continuing to play in college. Unlike most other sports, Squash has a small and close-knit community where one can easily make new friends through this common interest. Squash is a very enjoyable sport that you can play any day, in any kind of weather and will also keep you fit.

Stephen Coleman

From: Wexford.

Studying: Maths and currently in my final year.

Why I play squash: because it demands quick thinking, skill and stamina; a really interesting sport which also has a great social side.

From: Tallaght.

Studying: Psychology.

Why I play squash: to keep fit and make friends. I'd like to see squash more open to be played by people from similar backgrounds as myself, and for people to generally see they can do whatever they like no matter where they started off in life.

David Connolly

VOLLEY BOAST DOUBLEHIT NICK CARRY HOT BALL REVERSE COUNTERDROP TIGHT RETURN STROKE LOB DRIVE RAIL NO LET CROSSCOURT GET SERVICE BOX DROP THE T KILL GROUNDSTROKE LET SERVE SHORT LINE GAME LENGTH THE TIN RALLY