Squash Rules for Beginners: How to Play

Squash in 30 seconds

Two players take turns hitting a ball against the front wall of an enclosed court. You must hit it before it bounces twice on the floor, and your return must reach the front wall legally. Win a rally, earn a point and serve next. Most games go to 11, with a two-point winning margin.

Start with the court

The front wall has a lower tin, a service line and an upper out line. The floor has a short line, half-court line and two service boxes. During a rally, you can use the side and back walls, but the ball must reach the front wall before touching the floor after your shot.

How to serve

At the start of a game or when you win the serve, choose either service box. Alternate boxes while you retain the serve; after a let, serve again from the same box. When you hit the ball, one foot must be on the floor inside that box and clear of its boundary lines. Release the ball from your hand or racket and strike it before it touches anything else. Your serve must hit the front wall directly above the service line and below the out line, without hitting the front and side walls simultaneously. If not volleyed, its first bounce must land in the opposite back quarter without touching its boundary lines. You lose the rally if you serve a fault.

How to win a rally

Your opponent loses the rally if they fail to make a legal return, for example by letting the ball bounce twice, hitting the tin, or sending the ball out. You can volley the ball before it bounces, or play it after one bounce. During normal rallies, the front-wall service line does not restrict your shots.

How scoring works

The winner of every rally scores one point. Games are played to 11, but at 10-all you continue until one player is two points ahead. A match is normally best of five games, though best of three is possible.

What are lets and strokes?

Squash is played in a shared space. After hitting the ball, move out of your opponent’s way. Interference can lead to a let, which replays the rally, or a stroke, which awards a point. Always stop rather than risking a dangerous swing.

Choose the right ball

A bouncier blue or red dot ball can make it easier to build rallies when you are starting out. As your game develops, you can move to single yellow or double yellow balls. Longer rallies are usually more useful than struggling with a ball that barely bounces.

Your first-match checklist

Warm up properly, agree whether you are playing best of three or five, follow the service order correctly and keep the score out loud. Above all, give your opponent room to play and enjoy the competition.

Frequently asked questions

Can you hit the side wall in squash?

Yes. During a rally, a shot can hit a side wall before the front wall, provided it remains a legal return.

How many bounces are allowed?

You must hit the ball before its second bounce on the floor.

Do you need to win by two?

Yes. At 10-all, play continues until one player leads by two.

Read our squash scoring rules and squash ball dots guide when you are ready for more detail. For beginner-friendly personalised gifts, explore Dunlop Intro squash balls and check the current product guidance.

Rules checked against World Squash Singles Rules, September 2025, sections 2, 5, 6 and 8: official squash rules.