THE GAME
Squash is a game that can be played at any age. It is
an easy game to learn, and there are modified games and equipment to suit every
size and skill level.
Providing players with the opportunity for life-long involvement in sport, squash is an ideal sport for people of all abilities because it can be played either as an enjoyable leisuretime activity or a competitive sport; an individual, team or mixed sport regardless of weather conditions and with little risk of injury.
People
who play squash keep fit, look and feel good,
and are better able to live
healthy and full lives.
Throughout Australia there are many opportunities to play squash, ranging from organised competitions to friendly social matches.
The
Court
The court is an enclosed rectangular room with a flush door in the
centre of the rear wall. In play, all four walls and the floor are used. Click
here for court diagram.
The
Racquet
There are many types of racquets on the market, and the best racquet
is the one that feels right for you.
If you do not own a racquet, you can easily hire one at a squash centre.
Mini or junior racquets are also available for children, providing a smaller grip size for smaller hands, and a shorter shaft length to assist children learning the game.
Which
ball should I use?
The level at which you play will determine which type
of ball will be the best for you to use. If you are unsure, ask at your local
squash centre. The speed and degree of bounce of a squash ball is indicated by
the colour of the dot on the ball.
Children may progress from a foam ball about the same size as a tennis ball, to a rubber ball which is slightly larger than a normal squash ball.
Clothing
When playing squash, light clothing such as a t-shirt, shorts or skirt and white
soled sports shoes are recommended.
Body
Warm Up
Muscle and joint injuries can be prevented by warming up the body
correctly. A five minute total body warm-up for players should consist of general
body warm-up as well as specific muscle stretching.
Warm/Cool
Down
Just as important as the warm-up is the cool down. A five minute
cool down and specific muscle stretch should complete each session.
Eye
Protection
In order to prevent serious eye injuries, we recommend that
players wear eye protection which comply with the current Australian Standard.
BASIC
RULES
Two players, each with a racquet, take turns to hit a ball onto
the front wall within the large area defined by the red line at the top of the
court (‘out of court line’) and the red line marking the top of the tin at the
bottom of the front wall.
A rally begins when the server, standing in one of the service boxes, hits the ball directly onto the front wall to rebound in the opposite half of the court behind the "short" line.
Every service ball must strike the front wall first between the out of court line and the centre ("service") line. The server must have one foot entirely within either the left or right service box when serving the ball into play. The service ball must land (after striking the front wall first) in the quarter court, opposite to the box from which it was served, on the full. Thereafter, all lines on the floor and the service line on the front wall are ignored.
During the subsequent rally the ball must hit the wall between the out of court line and the bottom line (‘tin’). The side walls and back wall are used any time after the service ball has struck the front wall whilst the rally continues.
The player receiving the ball can choose to hit the ball before it bounces but must hit the ball before it has bounced twice on the floor. If the ball hits the "out" line, the "tin" or the floor before reaching the front wall, the rally is lost.
A match consists of three or five games, each game being to nine points - the first player to reach nine points wins the game. A point can only be won by the server and changeover of service is effected when the server loses the service or subsequent rally.
HISTORY OF SQUASH
Squash was invented in Harrow school (England) around 1830.
The first Squash courts in Australia were established in 1913 at the Melbourne Club in Victoria and the inaugural governing body for the sport, the SRA of Victoria (now the Victorian Squash Federation) was formed in 1937.
Australian squash legends, Geoff Hunt and Heather McKay, have gone down in history as not only the best Australian squash players of all time but as the best in the World. Hunt was World Champion seven times and won eight British Open titles while McKay was the most successful squash player of all time, being undefeated in international competition for an outstanding 19 years.
Australia’s own Sarah Fitz-Gerald made history when she became the first female squash player to win both the junior and senior World Championship titles in 1987 and 1996 respectively.
Today, there are 170 squash playing nations, involving nearly 20 million players, participating on 50,000 squash courts.
The Victorian Squash Federation is the central authority in Victoria in all matters connected with the organisation and development of the game of squash.
last updated by Squash Logic: 2 February, 2003