Squash
This guide covers World Squash Singles Rules 2025, version 1.2, effective 1 September 2025. Two opponents share an enclosed court and alternate hitting the ball against the front wall; these are not doubles rules.
Rules
Squash singles rules
This guide covers World Squash Singles Rules 2025, version 1.2, effective 1 September 2025. Two opponents share an enclosed court and alternate hitting the ball against the front wall; these are not doubles rules.
Scoring and winning
Every rally winner earns one point and serves next. A game is played to 11, but at 10–10 play continues until one player leads by two points.
The serve
The racket-spin winner serves first. At the start of a game or after gaining service, choose either service box; alternate boxes while retaining service. After a let, serve again from the same box.
Legal returns and lines
Strike the ball once, without prolonged racket contact, before its second floor bounce. It must reach the front wall above the tin and below the out-line without first touching the floor; side or back walls may be used.
Warm-up and intervals
The shared warm-up lasts at most four minutes, with sides changed after two minutes. Both players must have equal opportunities to hit the ball; one player cannot monopolise the warm-up.
Interference and safe access
After a reasonable follow-through, clear the opponent's view, route to the ball, reasonable swing and shot to any part of the front wall. Both players must make every effort to fulfil their responsibilities.
Let, no let or stroke
A let replays the rally. Normally it applies when a good return was possible and the opponent tried fully to clear. No let applies when no meaningful interference occurred, a good return was impossible, or play continued beyond the interference.
Turning and a ball hitting a player
Turning includes losing sight of the ball or opponent by rotating, or letting the ball pass behind the body from one side to the other. Stop if striking would endanger the opponent; special interference provisions apply.
Officials, appeals and video review
The marker calls the score and faults; the referee decides appeals and interference. Appeal before the next serve, except for the special broken-ball procedure. An appeal about a game's last rally must be immediate.
The ball and court conditions
A ball breaking during a rally produces a let. A player who stops for a supposedly broken ball loses the rally if it is intact. A ball wedged in the court produces a let; an unusual bounce alone does not.
Illness and non-bleeding injury
Cramp, nausea, breathlessness and similar illness do not create a standard medical timeout: continue or concede the game and use the available game interval, then resume or concede the match. The referee first confirms and classifies an injury.
Bleeding and recovery
Transferable bleeding requires the player to leave court, stop the flow and cover the wound; clean the court and replace bloodstained clothing. A scrape without flowing blood or blood visible through a dressing is not automatically a blood injury.
Conduct and penalties
Dangerous play, abuse, avoidable contact, deliberate distraction, delay and coaching during play are prohibited. Do not leave during a game without the referee's permission or request replacement of an official.
Protective eyewear and coaching
WSF recommends suitable protective eyewear during all play and warm-ups. It is mandatory in WSF-sanctioned junior and doubles events; that statement does not make it universally mandatory for adult singles.
This guide covers World Squash Singles Rules 2025, version 1.2, effective 1 September 2025. Two opponents share an enclosed court and alternate hitting the ball against the front wall; these are not doubles rules.