TheSquashGlossary

• ACE: Originally, this term meant any winning shot, as opposed to a mistake from the other player, but nowadays it's used to mean a winning serve that the opponent doesn't hit — just like in tennis. Unlike tennis though, an ace in squash is very unusual except at beginner and newcomer level.
• AEROBIC: A type of physical effort where your body uses oxygen to produce energy. Most of a squash match is aerobic — the periods between points and the steady movement around the court. Good aerobic fitness means you recover faster between hard efforts and stay sharp later in a match. See also Anaerobic.
• AGILITY: The ability to change direction quickly and efficiently. In squash, agility means being able to accelerate from the T to any corner of the court, then stop, hit, and recover — all in a short space of time. Ladder drills, cone work, and ghosting are common ways to train it.
• ANAEROBIC: A short, intense burst of effort where your body works faster than oxygen can be supplied. The explosive sprint to a drop shot in the front corner is a good example. Squash requires a mix of both aerobic and anaerobic fitness.
• ANGLE: An outdated term that meant hitting the ball against the side wall before the front wall — what we now call a boast — but only when hit in front of the short line.
• APPEAL: A request made by a player to the referee to reconsider a decision, or to ask for a let or stroke. Players must appeal at the time of the incident — you cannot appeal a decision made several rallies ago. On the professional tour, players appeal to the referee, who may then consult the video referee.
  Real-world example: "Let, please" — the standard appeal for a let.
• ATTACKING: A style of play, or a type of shot, that puts pressure on the opponent and aims to win the rally outright or force a weak return. An attacking shot is typically hit to the front of the court, hit hard, or aimed at the nick. Contrast with defensive.
• ATTACKING BOAST: A boast played with attacking intent — usually from mid-court or the front of the court — designed to win the rally outright or draw the opponent forward. Contrast with the defensive boast, which is played from deep under pressure.

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• BACK WALL: The wall at the back of the court. In most courts, the door is positioned in the middle of the back wall. Some courts have back walls constructed of special glass, and these are referred to as glassbacks, though not everyone uses that term. The height of the back wall varies, but NOT the official playing area. Some back walls rise to form part of a balcony from which spectators watch; others, mostly glassbacks, finish just above the official playing area.
• BACK WALL BOAST: A shot that hits the back wall first, then travels to the front wall, either directly or via a side wall. Often played as a last resort when the ball is close to or behind the player, but it can also be used tactically to surprise an opponent who is not expecting the ball to travel that route. The shot is generally aimed to finish near the opposite side wall (video explanation).
• BACKHAND: We separate one side of the body from the other by defining backhand as being the left side of a right-handed player. For a left-handed player, the backhand is the right side. If you were to swing with your hand — without a racket — the back of your hand would be the most natural part to make contact with the ball, not the palm. The other side is called the forehand.
• BACKSWING: The initial movement of the racket backward before the forward swing begins. A good backswing gets the racket into position early and allows for a smooth, powerful strike. Taking the racket back early is one of the most commonly coached habits in squash.
• BAGEL: An informal term for winning a game 11–0, giving your opponent zero points. The term comes from the resemblance of a zero to a bagel shape. It is rare at any competitive level.
  Real-world example: "He bagelled her in the first game: 11–0."
• BALANCE: Two definitions are used in squash. Firstly, the generally know ability to remain stable i.e. not fall over. It's important to have good balance in squash because players are often moving and hitting the ball at the same time. Secondly, this refers to the racket and where most of its weight is. See Head Heavy/Head Light.Real-world example: "This racket has a great balance."
• BIG MATCH TEMPERAMENT: The psychological ability to perform at your best when the pressure is highest, for example in an important match and in a close fifth game, on a match ball, or in an important final. It is a combination of experience, mental resilience, and the ability to stay calm and focused under pressure.
• BLOOD RULE: A rule that requires play to stop immediately if a player is bleeding. The injured player is given time to have the wound treated, and play resumes only when the bleeding has stopped and the wound is covered. If treatment is not completed within the allowed time, the match may be awarded to the opponent.
• BLUE DOT: The bounciest squash ball, suited to beginners, juniors, and cold or slow courts. The extra bounce makes it easier to keep rallies going when players are still developing their technique. See also Use The Right Ball.
  It's worth noting that Dunlop used to make a blue dot squash ball that was slightly larger than other brands and was called Intro
• BOAST: A shot that hits a side wall or back wall before it hits the front wall. There are sub-types, such as the trickle boast (a UK term). A boast can be a defensive or attacking shot and opens up possibilities that other racket sports like tennis or badminton simply don't have. One key element is that the shot is aimed at the side wall on purpose rather than hitting it first by accident.
• BODY SERVE: A serve aimed directly at the receiver's body, usually at the hip or torso hieght, to make it awkward to swing freely. It is a legal and effective serve variation, particularly against players who stand too close to the side wall or the front of the court when receiving.
  Real-world example: "She used a body serve to surprise her and force a weak return."
• BOUNCE: When the ball hits the wall or floor, though 99% of the time it refers to touching the floor. In squash, the second bounce is particularly important: once the ball has bounced twice, the point is over.
• BOX: Short for service box. Often used with either "right" or "left".
  Real-world example: "Serve is from the right box."
• BOX LEAGUES: A popular club league format where players are divided into small groups (boxes) of typically 4–6 players. Each player plays everyone else in their box, and at the end of the time period (often between 4 to 8 weeks) the top player in each box is promoted and the bottom player is relegated. It is an excellent format for ensuring regular match play at a similar standard.
• BUILDING A RALLY: The process of constructing a point through consistent, patient shot-making rather than going for a winner immediately. A player builds a rally by keeping the ball tight and deep, waiting for the opponent to offer a loose ball before attacking.
• BUILDING PRESSURE: Gradually making it harder for the opponent to play by consistently hitting good length, keeping the ball tight, and forcing them toward the back of the court. Pressure usually builds over the course of several shots until the opponent is forced into an error or a weak return.
• BUMPER STRIP: The strip of, usually plastic, that protects the top part of the racket frame. Not all rackets have them but they should. They are supposed to be made of white, colourless or unpigmented material, but if they are coloured then they must not leave a mark on the wall, not become sharp and therefore dangerous. Also called Bumper Guards.
• BYE: In a draw or tournament, a bye is when a player advances to the next round without having to play a match, usually because there is an odd number of players in the draw. Top seeds often receive byes in the first round of major events.

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• CARDIOVASCULAR TRAINING: Exercise designed to improve the heart and lungs' ability to deliver oxygen to working muscles. Running, cycling, and court-based fitness drills are all forms of cardiovascular training. A high level of cardiovascular fitness is essential for squash, where rallies can be long and recovery time between points is short.
• CARRY: When the ball stays on the strings for longer than a simple rebound, often because of scooping movement. This occurs most often to new players in the back corners, especially on the forehand, and sometimes at the front of the court. Many times, the players do not know it is not allowed and/or did not even notice it has happened. At competitive levels, a carry is generally called a fault and results in the point awarded to the opponent, depending on the situation. Also sometimes called a double hit although this is slightly different.
• CHAMPIONSHIP POINT: The point, and usually announced by the referee, which if won by the player leading, will result in that player winning the championship. Similar to match point and game ball.
• CLINGER: An informal term for when the ball touches the side wall for a long time while moving. A clinger is extremely difficult to retrieve as there is almost no space to swing the racket.
  Real-world example: "Wow, what a clinger!"
• CLIP: To barely touch the tin or the out line with the ball. A clipped tin means the ball hit the very top edge of the tin and was therefore a fault. A clipped out line means the ball just caught the line and was out.
  Real-world example: "He just clipped the tin."
• CLOSED FACE: A racket face that is angled or facing downward toward the floor at the point of contact. However, that does not automatically mean the ball will hit the floor, because a lot depends on the motion of the racket head as contact is made. It is possible to add topspin to shots in squash, but for different reasons to why tennis players do it. The opposite is an open face.
• CLUTCH PERFORMANCE: Playing your best shots at the most critical moments, for example, hitting a winner on match ball or making a great retrieval when a point away from losing. The ability to consistently perform well under pressure is often seen in great players.
• CONCENTRATION: The ability to maintain focus. Being able to concentrate throughout a match, point after point, without being distracted by mistakes, crowd noise, or the score is should be every player's objective. Lapses in concentration at key moments often lead to unforced errors and lost games.
• CONDITION GAME: A practice game where one or both players must follow a specific rule or restriction, for example, only being allowed to play the ball to the back corners, or only playing boasts from behind the short line. Condition games are an excellent way to develop specific skills in a competitive setting.
• CONDUCT STROKE: A point awarded to a player's opponent as a penalty for behaviour that violates the code of conduct, such as racket abuse, verbal abuse, or time wasting. It is more severe than a conduct warning. Repeated violations can result in the match being forfeited.
• CONDUCT WARNING: A formal caution given to a player by the referee for behaviour that is considered unsporting or in breach of the code of conduct. A conduct warning is the first step; repeated violations lead to a conduct stroke or disqualification.
• CONSISTENCY: The ability to produce reliable, well-placed shots rally after rally and match after match. Consistency is often valued above brilliance at club level. A player who rarely makes errors is harder to beat than one who occasionally hits fantastic winners but also many mistakes. There's also the consistency over a season or tournament, not just a single match. This includes training as well as playing.
• CONSOLATION DRAW: A secondary competition within a tournament for players who lose in the first round of the main draw. It gives them the chance to play more matches rather than being eliminated after a single loss. Also sometimes called a "plate competition."
• CONTROLLING THE T: The tactical objective of occupying the T position after every shot. The player who controls the T can reach any part of the court more quickly and/or effectively than their opponent, and forces the opponent to play from less advantageous positions. Controlling the T is central to most squash strategy.
• COOL DOWN: The period of light exercise and stretching after a match or training session to help the body recover. A proper cool-down can reduce muscle soreness, brings the heart rate back to normal gradually, and helps prevent injury over time. Not enough club players perform this properly after a match.
• CORKSCREW: A serve or shot, which is usually hit from close to the middle of the court, that hits the front wall close to the side wall and very high. This combination of position and hitting both walls immediately after each other causes a particular spin that will cause the ball to hit the side wall (hopefully near the back wall) and then move parallel to the back wall, making very difficult to return. The shot must be hit very hard to be effective and the ball must be very hot too. That requirement of hitting hard means it can be difficult to attain the accuracy required. It is difficult to play well and is not often seen at amateur level. When it works, it's great to watch though.
• COUNTER-ATTACK: Playing an attacking shot from a defensive situation, for example, playing an attacking volleying off a lob.
• COURT CRAFT: The ability to adapt your game to match the very specific situation. Essentially, it's intelligent use of the court, for example knowing when to play short or deep, how to construct a rally, when to attack and when to be patient. Court craft develops over years of reflective competitive play and is what distinguishes experienced players from those who rely purely on physical atributes.
• COURT SENSE: An instinctive awareness of where you are on the court, where your opponent is, and what the best shot is in any given situation. Players with good court sense seem to always be in the right place at the right time. It is very similar to court craft, but is really a description of a player's ability to position themselves well. It can also related to safety in new players who often lack the ability to know where their opponent is.
• CROSS-TRAINING: Training in a sport or activity other than squash in order to improve overall fitness, reduce injury risk, or work on specific physical qualities. Common cross-training activities for squash players include running, cycling, swimming, and gym work. Cross-training allows players to keep improving their fitness but also allow their body a chance to rest because they are performing different movements.
• CROSSCOURT: A shot hit from one side of the court to the other directly via the front wall, crossing the centre. A boast is not a crosscourt even though it goes from one side of the court to the other because it hit a side wall first. Crosscourts can be both attacking and defensive shots and are played from various parts of one side of the court to various parts of the other side of the court. Technically, serves are crosscourts, but nobody thinks of them that way. The two other main types of shots are straight drives and boasts.
• CROSSCOURT DROP: A soft drop shot played diagonally across the court into the opposite front corner. Often played from the front court, but can be played from anywhere on the court.
• CROSSCOURT KILL: A kill shot played across the court to the opposite front corner. It is a high-risk, high-reward shot because if it lands well, it wins the rally outright; if it is slightly off, the ball can bounce up and back to the centre of the court, giving the opponent an opportunity to control the rally of even win the point immediately by hitting a winner.
• CROSSCOURT LOB: A lob played across the court, travelling from one side to the other in a high arc. If the ball passes over the opponent's head and lands deep near the opposite back wall, it is a very effective defensive shot. If the arc is too low, the opponent will volley it.
• CROSSCOURT NICK: A nick in the opposite front corner from the side you are playing from, for example, hitting from the right side and making the ball hit the nick in the left front corner. It is one of the most spectacular winning shots in squash and requires both power and precision.
• CUT / SLICE: Hitting the ball with a downward, glancing contact so that the racket strings impart backspin on the ball. A cut or sliced shot has a different set of bounces, on the front wall and floor, than a flat drive, although for most club players the difference is not easy to notice.
• CUT LINE: An older term for the service line on the front wall, which is the line above which a serve must hit.

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• DAMPENER: A small rubber or silicone accessory inserted into the strings of a racket to reduce vibration. Some players find it makes the racket feel more comfortable, others prefer the natural feel of the strings. It has no effect on power or accuracy. In fact, many players and coaches believe it is a waste of time.
• DEAD BALL: A ball that has lost its bounce due to age, cold temperature, or a puncture. A dead ball should be replaced. The term is also used informally to describe a shot that has no pace and just sits up for the opponent.
• DECEPTION: Using body movement, racket preparation, or holding the swing to mislead an opponent about where you plan to hit the ball. Deception is a key skill at higher levels of squash. It is legal as long as it does not involve deliberate physical obstruction.
  Phillip's Note: I consider deception to be the ability to make a shot look like another shot and disguise to make all shots look the same.
• DEFAULT: When a player fails to appear for a match or is disqualified, the match is awarded to their opponent by default. A player can also be defaulted during a match for serious misconduct.
• DEFENSIVE: A style of play, or type of shot, that prioritises keeping the ball in play and staying out of trouble rather than trying to win the point immediately. A defensive shot is typically hit high and deep to the back of the court, giving the striker time to recover to the T. Contrast with attacking.
• DEFENSIVE BOAST: A boast played from deep in the court , usually the back corners, when a player cannot hit the front wall directly or needs time to recover position. It is a common type of boast at club level, played out of necessity rather than as an attacking tactic. Contrast with the attacking boast.
• DEUCE: In traditional (hand-out) scoring, deuce occurred when the score reached 8–8, at which point the player who had just scored could choose to set the game to 9 or 10. In modern Point-a-Rally scoring, "deuce" is not used and the equivalent situation is 10–10, after which a player must win by 2 clear points.
• DIG: To hit the ball off the floor or a wall when it is very close to the surface, usually in the front corners. A dig requires exceptional reflexes and racket control and is often the last-resort shot before a nick.
  Real-world example: "Incredible dig from the front left corner!"
• DISGUISE: Using body movement, racket preparation, or holding the swing to mislead an opponent about where you plan to hit the ball. Disguise is a key skill at higher levels of squash. It is legal as long as it does not involve deliberate physical obstruction.
  Phillip's Note: I consider deception to be the ability to make a shot look like another shot and disguise to make all shots look the same.
• DOUBLE BOAST: An informal term for a shot that hits both side walls before reaching the front wall. It is almost always unintentional and is often quite difficult to return as the ball doesn't bounce far from the front wall.
• DOUBLE HIT: When the racket makes contact with the ball more than once in a single swing. This is a fault and the point is awarded to the opponent. Sometimes confused with a carry.
• DOUBLE YELLOW DOT: The standard ball used on the professional tour and by advanced competitive players. It is the slowest and least bouncy of all the squash balls, requiring significant hitting to heat up. Its slower pace rewards good technique and shot placement over raw power. See Use The Right Ball guide for more details.
• DOWN: A call by the referee to announce that the ball hit the tin. Contrast with not up, which means the ball bounced twice before the player reached it.
• DRAW: The schedule that determines who plays whom in a tournament. Players are "drawn" into positions, and the draw determines the route each player must take to win the event. Seeded players are placed to avoid meeting each other in early rounds. The term comes from the action of drawing (pulling) names from a box.
• DRILL: A structured practice exercise designed to improve a specific skill. Drills in squash range from simple repetitive hitting (e.g., 20 straight drives in a row) to complex movement patterns involving multiple shots. Regular drilling is one of the most effective ways to improve technique.
• DRIVE: A shot hit to the back of the court. This nearly always means after the ball has bounced but it can be played on the volley too. A well-executed drive is one of the most important shots in the game.
• DROP: A soft shot played to the front of the court, designed to land close to the front wall and bounce twice before the opponent can reach it. A good drop shot is often hit with disguise to prevent the opponent from anticipating it. A volley drop is a drop shot played before the ball bounces. See also volley.
  Real-world example: "What a beautiful drop John had no chance for the retrieval."
• DYING LENGTH: A shot that lands close to the back wall on its second bounce and loses most of its pace just as it reaches there, making it very difficult for the opponent to return. Also sometimes called a dying ball.

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• EARLY BALL: To hit the ball at the top of its bounce or before, as it is rising, or even as a volley. Hitting the ball early gives the opponent less time to recover and reduces their options. Aggressive players habitually take the ball early to keep the tempo high. Contrast with late ball.
• ENDURANCE: The ability to maintain a high level of performance over the course of a long match or training session. Squash matches can last over an hour at a high intensity, so endurance is a crucial fitness quality. It encompasses both aerobic fitness and mental stamina.
• ERROR: A mistake made by the player who is hitting the ball, for example, hitting the tin, hitting out, or hitting a very weak shot. Unforced errors are mistakes made without pressure from the opponent; forced errors are caused by a particularly good shot from the opponent.

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• FAULT: An illegal or unsuccessful serve. A serve is a fault if the ball hits the tin, lands outside the required area, goes out of court, hits below the service line on the front wall or if the server's feet are outside the service box or one foot is touching the lines of the service box with the other foot outside (PHEW!) at the point of contact. In squash, only one serve is allowed, meaning a service fault loses the point.
• FEEDING: When one player (the feeder) consistently sends the ball to a specific area of the court so the other player can practice a particular shot or movement pattern. Feeding is a fundamental part of structured squash coaching and practice.
  Real-world example: "She fed from the T while he worked on his backhand drops."
• FEINT: A deliberate fake movement of the body or racket to mislead the opponent about the intended shot. Similar in concept to deception, but refers more specifically to a physical false movement rather than the hold of the swing.
• FITNESS: In the context of squash, fitness refers to a combination of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, speed, agility, and flexibility. Squash is widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding sports, so fitness plays a major role in performance at all levels.
• FLEXIBILITY: The range of motion available at a joint or across a group of muscles. Good flexibility helps squash players get into low positions for shots near the floor, reach wide balls, and reduce the risk of muscle strains. Regular stretching and mobility work are key training components.
• FLICK: A shot played with a fast, late movement of the wrist or forearm to redirect the ball at the last moment. The flick can be a form of deception. However, the term can also mean a player uses their wrist in an incorrect way and as a substitute for a proper swing.
• FLOATER: An informal term for a shot that travels slowly and high, giving the opponent plenty of time to get into position and attack. Usually an unintended result of poor technique or a mishit.
• FOLLOW-THROUGH: The continuation of the racket swing after the ball has been struck. A full (within reason and safety), controlled follow-through is important for generating pace and controlling direction. Cutting the swing short often leads to a loss of power or accuracy at lower levels.
• FOOT FAULT: A serving fault caused by the server not having at least one foot fully inside the service box at the moment of striking the ball. A foot fault results in a fault and the point is awarded to the receiver.
• FOOTWORK: How a player moves their feet to get into the correct position to hit the ball. Good footwork in squash involves recovering to the T after each shot, using small adjustment steps before taking a longer lunge to strike the ball, and moving efficiently to every part of the court.
• FOREHAND: Forehand and backhand both refer to which side of the body the ball is hit from. For a right-handed player, the forehand is the right side of the body, meaning the palm of the hand holding the racket faces the front wall as the racket swings forward.
• FRONT CORNER: The junction between the front wall and either side wall. Getting the ball into the front corners is a key attacking strategy, as it stretches the opponent toward the front of the court. A ball that stays close to the front corner is often difficult to retrieve.
• FRONT COURT: The area of the court between the front wall and the short line. Getting the ball into the front court, particularly the front corners, is a key attacking strategy. A player moved into the front court is vulnerable to a lob or a deep shot behind them.
• FRONT WALL: The wall that players hit the ball toward. Every legal shot must hit the front wall at or above the tin and below the out line. The service line, and out line markings are both painted (or taped) on the front wall.

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• GAME: A unit of scoring within a match. In standard scoring, a game is won by the first player to reach 11 points, with a 2-point lead required if the score reaches 10–10. Matches are typically played to the best of 5 games, though some formats use best of 3.
• GET: Another way of saying retrieve, i.e. reaching and hitting the ball before it bounces twice when it seemed very difficult or impossible to reach. This term is also used in tennis.
  Real-world example: "WOW, what a great get!"
• GHOSTING: A training exercise where a player moves around the court hitting imaginary shots, following a set pattern or responding to a coach's calls. Ghosting mimics match movement and is used to improve footwork, court coverage, and fitness without requiring a ball or a partner.
  Real-world example: "He does 20 minutes of ghosting every morning before breakfast."
• GLASSBACK: A court that has a glass back wall, allowing spectators to watch from behind. Glassback courts are now standard at professional events and many clubs. The glass slightly changes the way the ball comes off the back wall compared to a solid wall.
  Real-world example: "Jahangir is playing on the glassback today."
• GOGGLES: Protective eyewear worn to prevent eye injuries in squash. Squash balls are approximately the same size as the eye socket, making squash a potentially higher risk for eye injuries than most racket sports. Goggles are mandatory in doubles squash and for junior players in many countries, and are strongly recommended for all players.
• GOOD LENGTH: A shot that lands close to the back wall, forcing the opponent into a difficult position deep in the court. A ball hit to a good length typically bounces past the service box, or dies into the corner. Hitting a good length consistently is the foundation of solid squash.
• GOOD WIDTH: A shot that makes it difficult for an opponent to volley the ball easily. The exact angle will depend on the opponent's position on the court. Combined with good length, good width is what makes a straight drive one of the hardest shots in squash to attack from.
• GRINDER: An informal term for a player who relies on physical fitness, relentless retrieval, and consistency rather than attacking shot-making. A grinder's game plan is to outlast the opponent, making them hit one more shot until they make a mistake.
  Real-world example: "He's a real grinder. No matter what you hit, he gets it back."
• GRIP: Three related meanings in squash. Firstly, the way a player holds the racket handle, i.e. the position of their hand.
  Secondly, the material wrapped around the handle to make it more comfortable to hold.
  Thirdly, synonymous with handle, meaning the section of the racket that players hold.

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• HALF-COURT LINE: The line that runs from the middle of the short line to the middle of the back wall, dividing the back half of the court into two equal quarters. It is only relevant for serves. A serve must land in the quarter court opposite to the box the server is standing in.
• HALF-VOLLEY: A shot played immediately after the ball has bounced, when it is still very close to the floor. It requires precise timing and is usually played from the middle of the court and to pressure the opponent. Often it is played to the front of the court.
• HAND IN: A term from the old hand-in hand-out scoring system, meaning the server currently has the serve ("hand in"). When the server loses a rally, it is called "hand out" and the serve passes to the opponent.
• HAND-EYE COORDINATION: The ability to track a moving object with the eyes and time a physical response accurately. Like all racket sports, squash requires excellent hand-eye coordination.
• HANDLE: The section of the racket where the player holds the racket. Often called the grip. Different racket brands have slightly different shapes and sizes, and that can effect how the racket feels to each player.
• HARDBALL: A version of squash played with a harder, faster ball, primarily in North America (particularly in the United States). Hardball doubles is still played competitively. The international game uses a softball, which is a slower, hollow rubber ball.
• HEAD HEAVY / HEAD LIGHT: Describes the balance of a squash racket. A head-heavy racket has more weight toward the top of the frame, which can add power but reduces manoeuvrability. A head-light racket feels lighter in the head, offering faster racket speed. For many players the balance of a racket is as or more important than its weight.
• HIHO: The original scoring system in squash, where only the server could win a point. If the receiver won the rally, they gained the serve but not a point. Games were played to 9. This has largely been replaced by Point-a-Rally (PAR) scoring.
• HINDER: A term used in the rules, when a player's movement or presence unintentionally or intentionally blocks or interferes with the opponent's ability to play the ball. A hinder results in a let. If the interference is deliberate or unavoidable and the opponent would have hit a winner, a stroke may be awarded.
• HITTING DEEP: Deliberately aiming shots toward the back of the court, close to the back wall. Hitting deep consistently keeps the opponent pinned in the back corners, away from the attacking areas of the court near the front.
• HOLD: Pausing the racket swing at some point before impact to delay the shot and mislead an opponent about where the ball will be hit. "Holding" is a form of deception and disguise that it makes it very difficult for the opponent to anticipate where the striker is about to hit the ball.
  Real-world example: "TAXI! She really sent her the wrong way with that hold."
• HOME ADVANTAGE: The perceived benefit a player or team gains from playing on their own club or country's courts, with a home crowd. In squash, home advantage tends to be less significant than in team sports, but familiarity with court conditions and local support can still make a difference.
• HYDRATION: Maintaining adequate water levels before, during, and after play. Even mild dehydration can reduce concentration and physical performance. Most players should drink water regularly during match intervals and throughout training sessions.

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• INJURY TIMEOUT: A period of time allowed for a player to receive treatment for an injury sustained during a match. The rules specify how long this timeout lasts. If the player cannot continue after the allowed time, the match may be awarded to the opponent. An injury timeout is not available for pre-existing conditions.
• INTERFERENCE: Any situation where a player is prevented from making a full and free swing at the ball, or from reaching the ball, due to the opponent's presence. Interference may result in a let or a stroke, depending on whether the interfering player made every effort to clear, and whether the striker would have hit a winner.
• INTERVAL: The periods of time between specific moments in an official match. For example, the time between the end of the knock up/warm up and the beginning of the first serve. Other intervals include between games and for injury breaks.
• INTERVAL TRAINING: A specific type of training where the person trains for a set period of time and then takes a short rest. The set period, the intensity, the type of exercise and the length of rest vary depending on the sport being trained for, the fitness level of the person training and the time of year i.e. during the season or off-season.

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• KILL: A shot played with the intention of winning the point with a winner. A kill is usually hit very hard and low to the front wall, close to the tin, so that it dies before the opponent can reach it. A kill is a high-risk, high-reward shot.
  Real-world example: "He went for the kill on a loose ball and hit the tin."
• KNOCK-UP: The period just before the official the start of a match where both players hit the ball to get the ball hot, provide the final preparation for the muscles, and acclimatize themselves to the court conditions. It is also called the warm up. During the knock-up, players take turns and cooperate, it is not competitive play.
• KNOCKOUT: A tournament format where a player who loses is eliminated from the competition. The winner advances to the next round. A straight knockout draws down from, say, 16 players to a final. It is the most common format for major squash events. See also consolation draw.

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• LADDER: A club ranking system where players are listed in order of strength. Any player can challenge someone ranked above them. If the challenger wins, they move up and the loser moves down. Ladders are a popular and low-pressure way to get competitive match play at a club. They generally do not have a time period of play, because of this in some facility when players leave nobody removes them from the ladder and the system becomes almost useless.
• LEFT-HANDED: A player who holds the racket in their left hand. For a left-handed player, the forehand is on the left side of the body and the backhand is on the right. Left-handed players can be tricky opponents because their shot patterns are mirrored compared to right-handed players.
• LENGTH: A shot "hit to a good length" lands close to the back wall, making it very difficult for the opponent to play an attacking return. Length is one of the most fundamental tactical concepts in squash. A good length keeps the opponent in the back of the court and away from the attacking areas.
• LET: The replaying of a point. A let is awarded when a player is unable to play the ball due to interference from the opponent, or when the safety of either player is at risk. If a let is granted, the serve is replayed with no change in the score. See also stroke and no let.
  Real-world example: "Let, please" — a standard appeal to the referee.
• LOB: A shot hit high and quite soft so that the ball travels in a high arc to the back of the court, making it difficult for the opponent to volley. A lob can be played defensively to give the striker time to recover, or offensively to force a weak return from an opponent caught out of position.
  Real-world example: "Jack just played the best lob of the match!"
• LOB SERVE: A high, arcing serve that hits the front wall well above the service line and travels in a high arc toward the back corner. A well-executed lob serve can be very difficult to return as it comes off the side wall high and drops steeply into the corner. It is particularly effective against players who like to take the serve early.
• LOOSE: A shot that is not well-placed, typically one that sits in the middle of the court, away from the walls, and gives the opponent an easy attacking opportunity. Keeping the ball "tight" to the walls is one of the first lessons in squash tactics.
  Real-world example: "That was too loose. She'll put that away easily."
• LOVE: A term borrowed from tennis occasionally used in squash to mean zero, as in, the score is "love-all" (0–0) or "eleven love" (11–0). More commonly, players simply say the number. See also bagel.
• LUNGE: A long, low step used to reach a ball that is far from the player's starting position, especially in the front corners. A good lunge keeps the body low and balanced, allowing the player to play a controlled shot even at full stretch. Practising lunges as part of ghosting builds both leg and core strength, and stability.

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• MARKER: The official who calls the score, announces "not up," "out," and other factual observations during the match. The marker works alongside the referee in professional squash. In most situations nowadays, one person often fills both roles.
• MATCH: The overall contest between two players or four if it's a doubles match. A squash match consists of multiple games. Most competitive matches are best of 5 games, though club and recreational matches are often best of 3.
• MATCH BALL: The point at which one player only needs one more point to win the match. It is equivalent to match point in other sports.
  Real-world example: "She's serving on match ball now."
• MATCH FITNESS: Being fit specifically for the demands of competitive match play, not just general physical fitness. A player can be gym-fit but still struggle in long matches if they haven't played enough competitive squash. Match fitness develops through playing regularly and simulating match conditions in training.
• MATCH POINT: The moment at which one player needs just one more point to win the entire match. It is often the highest-pressure moment in a match. If the player on match point wins the next rally, they win the match. If they lose it, the match continues. See also match ball and championship point.
• MENTAL TOUGHNESS: The ability to maintain focus, composure, and determination even when things are going badly, for example, when losing, when tired, or under sustained pressure from an opponent. Mental toughness is one of the most important qualities in squash, especially where the outcome of match can change just a few points.
• MID-COURT: The area of the court between the back of the service box and about 2 metres from the front wall. Often used to describe where a ball bounces on the floor rather than the position of the player.
• MOMENTUM: The sense that one player is in control of the match and is building confidence while the other is losing confidence and points. Momentum can change quickly in squash, for example winning three or four points in a row can dramatically change the feel of a match, even if the score is still close.
• MONRAD SYSTEM: A Swiss-style tournament format used in some squash events where players are paired based on their current results, winners play winners and losers play losers, so everyone plays a set number of matches regardless of their wins or losses. It is often used in team events or where maximising the number of matches each player gets is a priority.
• MOVEMENT: How a player travels around the court. Efficient movement in squash means recovering to the T after every shot, reading the game early so you don't have to sprint last-minute, and using good footwork to set up balanced shots. Movement and fitness are closely linked.

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• NICK: The join between the floor and the side walls or back wall (but not the front wall). If the ball hits the nick at the right angle, it will roll along the floor and be impossible to retrieve, making it an outright winner.
• NO LET: A decision by the referee, or agreed between players, that a let is not granted. This usually means the player who appealed for a let either had a clear path to the ball and chose not to take it, or the shot they were going to play would not have been good enough. See also let and stroke.
• NON-MARKING SHOES: Court shoes with soles that do not leave coloured, often black, marks on the floor. Non-marking shoes are required on squash courts to keep the floor clean. Standard outdoor trainers or running shoes should never be worn on a squash court.
• NOT UP: A ruling that the ball has bounced twice before being hit, meaning the shot is invalid and the point is over. The term is called out by players or the referee.
• NUTRITION: What a player eats and drinks to fuel training and matches. Good nutrition supports energy levels, recovery, and concentration. For squash players, carbohydrates provide the primary fuel for high-intensity effort, while protein supports muscle repair and recovery.

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• OBSTRUCTION: When a player physically blocks or impedes the opponent from reaching the ball or swinging freely. Obstruction can result in a let or a stroke depending on severity. Players have a duty to make every effort to clear a path for the opponent after playing their shot. See also interference.
• OFF-SEASON: The period of time when a sport or activity is generally not played or performed. In squash, the off-season is generally considered to be between June and September. That doesn't mean players can't play the sport, it just means that there are generally less people playing and less events. The off-season is usually used to improve areas of a player's squash that are weaker than others, especially certain types of fitness and things that require changing technique.
• OPEN FACE: A side of the strings on a racket (its face) that is pointing upward, away from the floor, at the point of contact. Depending on the angle of motion, opening the face can add height and backspin to the ball. The opposite is a closed face.
• OPEN STANCE: A hitting position where the player's chest faces the front wall rather than turning sideways. An open stance is sometimes used on the forehand when taking the ball early or under time pressure, but the classic squash technique for most shots involves a more side-on position.
• OPPONENT: The player you play against.
• OUT: A shot that hits above the out line, or, depending on the rules of the facility, passing between the light fittings, or touches anything outside the court. An out shot loses the point immediately.
• OUT LINE: The line that marks the upper boundary of the playing area on the front wall and continues around both side walls and the back wall. Any ball that hits the wall on or above this line is out of play. The out line slopes downward from the front wall to the back wall.
• OVERGRIP: A thin layer of grip material wrapped over the existing base grip on the racket handle. Overgrips are used to adjust the thickness of the handle, absorb sweat, and make holding the racket feel better. They are cheaper and easier to use than replacement grips.
• OVERUSE INJURY: An injury caused by repetitive strain rather than a single acute incident, for example, tennis elbow, rotator cuff problems, or knee pain. Overuse injuries are common in squash players who train heavily without adequate rest or who have poor technique that places excessive strain on joints.

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• PLATE: The name of the secondary competition or mini-tournament for players who lose in the first round of the main tournament. It means that nearly all squash tournament give players 3 matches, as even if you lose in the first round of the plate, another match is played against other people who lost.

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• RACKET FACE: The side of the strings that makes contact with the ball. There are two faces on a racket. This term is often used with Open Face and Closed Face when talking about the position of the racket face on impact with the ball.
• REPLACEMENT GRIP: The item that is used to replace the original grip on a racket. However, most players put a replacement grip on top of the original grip to increase the size. Contrast with overgrip, which is a thin, non-sticky, material, that is designed to wrap over anything below it. Replacement grips have one side that is sticky to help it attach to the handle.

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• SEASON: The period of time when a sport or activity is generally played or performed. In squash, the season is usually between September and June or July. In the past, it was very common for people to play tennis in the summer and squash in the winter, whereas nowadays most people either play one or the other, and many play all year round.
• SEED: A seed is a term used in tournament for the top players. It stops the number 1 and 2 players from playing against each other in the early rounds of a tournament. The number of seeds will depend on the number of people in the tournament.

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• TELLTALE: Another term for the tin.

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