Squash is a racquet sports 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 Harrow School, in London, England, as a derivative of the game of Rackets.

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 Royal Automobile Club in London) and with officers in the British armed forces.

Students at the school who were waiting to use the rackets court supposedly began hitting a softer rubber ball against the walls of the buildings with their rackets, and from this the game was ultimately created.

The traditional ‘American’ court for the USA game, is a similar size, but narrower at 18 feet 6 inches (5640 mm). The floor and wall markings differ slightly from the ‘International’ court and the tin is lower, at 15 inches high.

‘Standard’ rackets are governed by the rules of the game. Traditionally they were made of laminated timber (typically Ash), with a small strung area using natural ‘gut’ strings.

The players usually spin a racket to decide who commences serving at the start of the match and this player starts the first rally by electing to serve from either the left or right service box.

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.