Squash is a fast game in a four-walled room: two players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall. A game goes to 11 points and takes beginners 5 to 10 minutes. It is a good workout from the very first time, with a lot of running in a small space. Here is what you need for the first time, how to book a court and how to find an opponent at your level in Estonia.
What you need
- Racket. Most venues rent rackets, so you need not buy one for the first visit. When you start playing regularly, buy a light racket with a large head, it forgives mistakes. Strings and grips wear out and get replaced.
- Ball. The dot on a squash ball tells you how much it bounces. Beginners use a blue dot ball, it bounces the most and rallies last longer. The black dot ball is for recreational players. The double yellow dot ball is for competitions and barely bounces when cold.
- Indoor shoes. A light, non-marking sole. Running shoes make it easy to twist an ankle when moving sideways, and a black sole leaves marks on the floor.
- Eye protection. Required for children and juniors, and in all doubles under the World Squash rules. Sensible for any beginner: the ball is small and fast.
- Water and a change of clothes. An hour of squash is harder than you expect the first time.
Your first time on court
- Book a court on the venue's website or by phone. 45 minutes is enough for two beginners, an hour is good.
- Warm up. Hit the ball to the front wall in turns and let it bounce before you hit it. Two minutes on each side, as in competitions.
- Learn two shots. A straight drive along the side wall, and the serve. The rest comes later.
- Play for points. The winner of every rally scores a point, a game goes to 11, and at 10-all you play on until one player leads by two.
- Give room. After your shot, clear the way so your opponent can see and reach the ball. It is the most important rule in squash, and it is about safety, not manners.
The full rules are on the official World Squash Federation (WSF) website. The Estonian version is on our squash rules page.
Finding an opponent at your level
In squash the opponent's level matters more than any equipment. A much stronger player runs you off the court, a much weaker one gives neither of you a good game. Three ways:
- Club nights. A club night has several courts and a dozen players who change opponents every 5 to 10 minutes. You play 5 to 8 short games, each against someone at your level, and you can come alone. Kahur.ee club nights are listed on the town pages and on each club's page.
- A coach. Two or three lessons set your technique and your movement on court. Both are hard to fix later.
- A box league. After a couple of months, a box league is a good next step: 5 or 6 players in a box play each other within a month, the best move up and the last move down.
How your level grows
At club nights and kahur.ee competitions your level is worked out after every game. A win against a stronger player counts for more than a win against a weaker one, and a loss to a stronger player costs little. In a couple of months you see how your level moves and who is good to play against.
Questions beginners ask
Is squash dangerous? It is safe when you give your opponent room and do not swing when they are too close. Ask for a let instead and the rally is played again. Eye protection takes away the biggest risk.
How often should I play? Twice a week is a good start. Legs and back are stiff in the first weeks, that passes.
Am I too old? No. People play squash at 60 and beyond at their own pace. At a club night you find someone whose pace matches yours.