University of Chicago

Revised: Winter 2020

GENERAL INFO

• The object of the game is to hit the ball off the back wall, causing your opponent to fail in returning the ball
• Matches are best of 5 games (first to win 3)
• Games are played to 11 (win by 2)
• Rally scoring (score points regardless of serve)
• Squash at UChicago is self-scheduled and officiated (teams must mutually agree on when/where to play)
• Teams must mutually agree to any deviations from these rules prior to the start of play

THE COURT

• Out Line - runs across the top of the front wall and down the sides of the side wall; any ball hitting outside this area is deemed out and a point is awarded to your opponent
• Net/Tin - A board running along the bottom of the front wall; if the ball hits into the board then it is deemed a foul
• Service Line - 3 feet above the net, all serves must hit above this line to be legitimate
• Short Line - line on the floor going across the width of the court; serves must hit the front wall between the out line and the net and land behind the short line on the opposite side of the court
  • A serve that does not travel into the opposite backcourt will be considered a fault
  • Two faults will constitute the loss of the point and serve
• The back of the court is split into two rectangular sections where a player must start from before each point
  • Service Box - in each section; players are required to have at least one foot in while they serve or are waiting to receive the serve
    • With each new service, a player may choose from which side to serve
    • Subsequent serves until there is a change in server ("hand-out") must alternate sides

SCORING

A point is awarded when any of the following happens:

• the ball bounces twice before your opponent hits the ball
• the ball hits the back board (or net)
• the ball goes outside the outline
• a player causes interference purposely to prevent their opponents from getting the ball

GENERAL RULES

• You must hit the ball with your racket within the boundaries on the front wall
• The ball can hit the side wall at any time as long as at some point it hits the front wall.
• A let is called when a player accidently gets in their opponents' way
• A foul is called if the player purposely tries to get in the way of their opponent
• If a game gets to 10-10 then a player must win by two points to win that game
• You cannot hit the ball twice and you cannot carry the ball
• When serving one foot must be within the service box; the same goes for your opponent
• Upon returning a serve you may hit the ball on the volley or after it bounces
• If any part of the ball touches the out line or the tin at any point or the short line during a serve, the ball is immediately considered out, not counted as in
• Serve to begin the game can be determined by spinning the racket or shooting-it-out
• Winning a point also wins the right to serve