Squash (sport)

Squash is an indoor racquet sport which was, formerly, called "Squash Rackets", a reference to the 'squashable' soft ball used in the game (compared with the harder ball used in its parent game Racquets or Rackets – see below).

The game is played by two players (or occasionally four players for doubles) with 'standard' rackets in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball.

Squash historians assert that the game originated in the 19th century at the Harrow School, just outside London in England, as a derivative of the game of Racquets. The first recorded construction of purpose-built squash courts was at Harrow in the 1860s. It is possible that earlier squash courts were created at Harrow by sub-dividing a racquets court, which is almost exactly the size of three Squash courts (to allow more players on the courts at the same time).

The game generally remained the preserve of the schools and universities until the early part of the 20th century, by which time it was becoming popular in the private clubs (such as the RAC in London) and with officers in the British armed forces.

The U.S. became the first nation to form a dedicated association and codify its game in 1907. In the same year, the (British) Tennis and Rackets Association formed a squash rackets sub-committee to administer the game, which became progressively codified during the 1920s. Subsequently, the (British) Squash Rackets Association was formed and took over administration of the game in 1928. The game is now administered by the WSF (World Squash Federation). The men's professional game is managed by the PSA (Professional Squash Association) and the women's by WISPA (Women's International Squash Players Association).

Squash continued almost exclusively as the game of the upper-middle and/or upper class(es) until around the 1950s, when commercial operators began building public courts. The game boomed in popularity, with participation peaking around the early 1980's. Despite a downturn in player numbers, the game remains popular in many places, especially Australia, northwestern Europe, North America and Asia (primarily the south and southeastern regions thereof).

At the elite level, the game was strictly divided between amateur players (usually 'gentlemen' and 'ladies') and professional players, who were often coaches employed by the exclusive clubs. This division started to break down with the growth of the commercial side of the game in the 1960s, with the women's game becoming 'open' in 1973 and the men's game in 1980.

Playing equipment

'Standard' rackets are governed by the rules of the game. Traditionally they were made of laminated timber, with a small strung area using natural 'gut' strings. After a rule change in the mid-1980's, they are now almost always made of composite materials or metals (graphite, kevlar, titanium, and/or boron) with synthetic strings. Modern rackets are 70 cm (27 inches) long, with a maximum strung area of 500 square centimetres (approximately 80 square inches) and a weight between 110 and 200 grams (4-7 ounces).

The balls (manufactured by Dunlop, Prince, Pointfore,Wilson and others) are made from two pieces of highly durable rubber compound glued together and buffed to a matte finish. Different balls are provided for the varying conditions and standards of play: more experienced players are able to use balls that are smaller and have less bounce than those used by less experienced players. Small coloured dots on the ball indicate the level of bounciness and hence, the standard of play it is suited for. A bouncier ball is said to be "fast" whereas a less bouncy ball is said to be "slow".

The recognised colours are:

Double Yellow - Extra Super Slow
Yellow - Super Slow
Green or White - Slow
Red - Medium
Blue - Fast

The 'double-yellow dot ball', introduced in 2000, is currently the competition standard. Prior to this the yellow-dot was long considered standard. There is also a high-altitude ball, used in places like Mexico City and Denver.

Other balls available are:

Dunlop max (blue) (aimed at beginners) which is 12 percent larger and has 40 percent longer 'hang time' than a Double yellow dot ball and has 'instant bounce'
Dunlop Max progress (red) (for players wishing to improve their technique) which is 6 percent larger with a 20 percent longer hang-time than a Double yellow dot ball and has instant bounce

Because of the vigorous nature of the game, players need to wear comfortable sports clothing and robust indoor (non-marking) sports shoes. In competition, men usually wear shorts and t-shirt or polo shirt. Women normally wear a skirt and t-shirt or tank top, or a sports dress. Towelling wrist and head bands may also be required in humid climates. Eye protection with polycarbonate lenses is also recommended, as players may be struck by a fast-swinging racket or the ball, which can typically reach speeds of up to 200 km/h (125 mph) - in the 2004 Canary Wharf Squash Classic, John White was recorded driving balls at speeds over 270 km/h (170 mph). Many squash venues require the use of eye protection. The rules state that all juniors and doubles players must wear eye protection.

The play and scoring

For a rally to be started the correct player serves from the correct service box. At least part of one foot must be in that box and after being struck by the racquet- the ball has to go above the service line but below the out line of the front wall and land in the alternate service quarter, unless volleyed by the returner.

The players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall (referred to as 'rallying'). The ball may be volleyed (hit on the fly) or hit after its first bounce and before the second. To be considered 'good', the ball must reach the front wall below the 'out' line and above the 'board' or 'tin', before touching the floor. The ball may also be struck against any of the other three walls before and/or after reaching the front wall. Shots that are first played off the side or back walls are referred to as 'boasts' or 'angles'.

The rally continues until a player is unable to return his or her opponent's shot or makes a mistake (e.g. hits the ball 'out', or hits it after its second bounce, or onto the floor, 'board' or 'tin'), or a 'let' or 'stroke' is awarded by the referee for interference (see below).

In the 'traditional' British scoring system (as adopted in 1926), a point is scored only by the server (when the receiver is unable to return the ball to the front wall before it has bounced twice). When the receiver wins the rally, they are awarded only the right to serve.

Games are usually played to 9 points (alternatively, the receiver may opt to call 'set two' and play to 10 when the score first reaches 8-8). Competition matches are usually played to 'best-of-five' (ie. first player to win 3 games wins the match).

Alternatively, in the point-a-rally scoring system (referred to as PARS or 'American' scoring), points are scored by the winner of each rally, whether or not they have served. Traditionally, PARS scoring was up to 15 points (or the receiver calls 15 or 17 when the game reaches 14 all). However, in 2004, the PARS scoring was reduced to 11 for the professional game (If the game reaches 10 all, a player must win with two consecutive points with the serve).

In the 'international' game, club, doubles and recreational matches are usually played using the traditional 'British' scoring system. Scoring systems and rules can be adapted subtly to accommodate shorter game time (e.g. games played to 7 points, best-of-three games) or multiple players (e.g. a form of squash called three-quarter court, where one service box is blocked out and excess players wait in that area while two players play a single point in the remaining area of the court).

Strategy and tactics

The fundamental strategy of the game is to hit the ball straight up the side walls to the back corners referred to as a 'rail'(formerly called a 'drive' or 'good shot'), then move to the centre of the court near the "T" to be well placed to retrieve the opponent's return. Attacking with soft shots to the front corners (referred to as 'drop shots') causes the opponent to cover more of the court and may result in an outright winner. 'Angle' shots (see above) are used for deception and again to cause the opponent to cover more of the court.

Highly-skilled players often attempt to finish rallies by hitting the ball at an angle onto the front wall and into an area known as the 'nick' (the junction between the side wall and floor) which if done properly will cause the ball to roll out along the floor and be unreturnable. If the shot misses the nick, however, the ball may bounce out from the side wall and allow the opponent an easy attacking shot. Hitting opposing players with the ball if they obstruct results in extra points through a stroke.

Perhaps the one key strategy in squash is known as "dominating the T". The T is the intersection of the red lines near the centre of the court where the player is in the best position to retrieve the opponent's next shot. Really skilled players will return a shot, and then move back toward the T before playing the next shot. From this position, the player can quickly access any part of the court to retrieve the opponent's next shot with a minimum of movement.

Rallies between experienced players may involve 30 or more shots and therefore there is a very high premium on fitness, both aerobic and anaerobic. As players become more skilled and, in particular, better able to retrieve shots, points often become a war of attrition. At higher levels of the game, the fittest player has a major advantage.

Ability to change the direction of ball "at the last" instance is also important to off-balance the opponent. "Expert players" can anticipate the opponent's shot few hundreds of milli-seconds before, compared to the "average player" and this gives them a chance to react sooner. Such skill is usually acquired by a lot of practice and game experience.

Interference and obstruction

Interference and obstruction are an inevitable aspect of this highly athletic sport, where two players are confined within a shared space. Generally, the rules entitle players to reasonable access to the ball, a reasonable swing and an unobstructed shot to any part of the front wall. When interference occurs, a player may appeal for a 'let' and the referee (or the players themselves if there is no official) then interprets the extent of the interference. The referee may elect to allow a 'let' and the players then replay the point, or award a 'stroke' (either a point or the right to serve) to the appealing player, depending on the degree of interference and whether the player interfered with was likely to have hit a winning shot had the interference not occurred.

When it is deemed that there has been little or no interference, the rules decree that no let is to be allowed, in the interests of continuity of play and the discouraging of spurious appeals for lets. Because of the subjectivity in interpreting the nature and magnitude of interference, the awarding (or withholding) of lets and strokes is often controversial.

If the ball was travelling towards the side wall and hits the opponent, it is usually a let. However, it is a stroke if the ball is travelling straight to the front wall and the ball hits the opponent.

Cultural and social aspects of squash

The relatively small court and low-bouncing ball makes the game harder to master than its American cousin racquetball, as the ball may be played to all four corners of the court. Since every ball must strike the front wall above the tin (unlike racquetball), the ball cannot be easily killed. As a result, rallies tend to be longer than in racquetball.

Squash provides an excellent cardio-vascular workout. In one hour of squash, a player may expend 700 to 1000 calories (3,000 to 4,000 kJ) which is significantly more than most other sports. The sport also provides a good upper and lower body workout by utilising both the legs to run around the court and the arms/torso to swing the racquet.

There are several variations of squash played across the world. In the US 'hardball' singles and doubles are played with a much harder ball and different size courts (as noted above). Whilst 'hardball' singles has lost much of its popularity in North America (in favor of the 'International' version), the hardball doubles game is still active. There is also a doubles version of squash played with the standard ball, sometimes on a wider court, and a more tennis-like variation known as squash tennis.

Squash games are most competitive and enjoyable when played between players of similar skill levels. However there is no international standard method for evaluating the players' skill levels. This creates a rather interesting phenomenon within the squash community: many squash players are constantly on the look-out for potential partners who are compatible physically, mentally, and technically.

Squash now has a universal appeal, as there are courts in 148 countries in the world from Argentina to Zambia.

Three novel programs in Boston and New York City, SquashBusters, CitySquash and StreetSquash, which may become models for similar programs in other cities, use squash as an academic and development catalyst after school and during the summer.

Players and records

The (British) Squash Rackets Association conducted its first British Open championship for men in 1930, using a 'challenge' system: Charles Read was designated champion, but was beaten in home and away matches by Don Butcher. This championship continues to this day, but now using a knockout format since 1947.

Since its inception, the men's British Open has been dominated by relatively few players: F.D. Amr Bey (Egypt) in the 1930s; Mahmoud Karim (Egypt) 1940s; brothers Hashim Khan and Azam Khan (Pakistan) 1950s and 1960s; Jonah Barrington (Great Britain and Ireland) and Geoff Hunt (Australia) 1960s and 1970s; Jahangir Khan (Pakistan) 1980s; Jansher Khan (Pakistan) 1990s. Recent championships have been shared by players from England, Scotland, Wales, Australia and Canada.

The women's championship started in 1921, and has similarly been dominated by relatively few players: Joyce Cave and Nancy Cave (England) in the 1920s; Margot Lumb (England) 1930s; Janet Morgan (England) 1950s; Heather McKay (Australia) 1960s and 1970s; Susan Devoy (New Zealand) 1980s; Michelle Martin (Australia) 1990s.

Because of its traditions, the British Open is considered by many to be more prestigious than the World Open, which began in the mid-1970s.

Heather McKay, with her lengthy and absolute dominance of the game during the 1960s and 1970s, is undoubtedly the greatest woman player of all time. Amongst the men, most modern commentators consider Hashim Khan (1950s) or Jahangir Khan (1980s) to be the greatest male players (the two Pakistani players are distantly related). Other worthy contenders are Jonah Barrington, Geoff Hunt and Jansher Khan.

In 2004, 26 year old Vicky Botwright (16th seed) posed for a photoshoot on court in a sports bra and thong stating that she was hoping to bring more attention to the often overlooked sport. However, the Women's International Squash Players' Association stated that the rules of the sport require female players to wear either a skirt or dress and Botwright will not be allowed to play in such attire in official matches.

References

Bellamy, Rex (1978). The Story of Squash. Cassell Ltd, London. ISBN 0304297666.
Palmer, Michael (1984). Guinness Book of Squash. Guinness Superlatives Ltd, London. ISBN 0851122701.

External links

Watch the World's best Squash Players LIVE