SQUASH GLOSSARY

• 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• ANGLE: An outdated term that meant hitting the ball against the side wall before the front wall — what we now call a boast — but only when hit in front of the short line.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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• 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.
• 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).
• BAGEL: Slang 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."
• BALL SPEED (DOT COLOURS): Squash balls are colour-coded by dot to indicate their speed. The double yellow dot is the slowest and is used by professionals and advanced players. The single yellow dot is slightly faster. The red dot is medium and suits intermediate players. The blue dot is the fastest and is recommended for beginners, juniors, or cold conditions. A slower ball requires more effort to warm up and stay bouncy. See also softball and ball temperature.
• BALL TEMPERATURE: Squash balls change dramatically in bounce depending on their temperature. A cold ball barely bounces at all. As a ball is hit repeatedly, it warms up and becomes bouncier and livelier. This is why the warm-up before a match is so important. Professionals use the double yellow dot, which requires the most heat to reach its correct playing bounce.
• BASH AND DASH: An informal term for a style of play that relies on hitting the ball as hard as possible and hoping the power wins points, rather than using tactical variety or shot placement. It can be effective against weaker opponents but is easily countered at higher levels by players with good length and movement.
• BIG MATCH TEMPERAMENT: The psychological ability to perform at your best when the pressure is highest — in a tight 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 fastest and 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 ball speed (dot colours).
• 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.
• BODY SERVE: A serve aimed directly at the receiver's body, usually at the hip or torso, to make it awkward to swing freely. It is a legal and effective serve variation, particularly against players who stand too close to the centre of the court when receiving.
  Real-world example: "She used a body serve to jam him up 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. Also used informally to refer to the court itself, since squash courts are enclosed on all four sides.
  Real-world example: "Get back in the box after your serve."
• 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 season 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.
• BOX SERVE: A serve that is aimed to hug the side wall and land in the back corner, as close to the corner as possible. The goal is for the ball to "die" in the corner, making it very difficult to return. One of the most effective serves in squash.
• 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.
• 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.
• CLINGER: When the ball touches the side wall for a long time. A clinger is extremely difficult to retrieve as there is almost no space to swing the racket.
  Real-world example: "Wow, it just clung to the side wall."
• 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 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 throughout a match, point after point, without being distracted by mistakes, crowd noise, or the score. 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 hits occasional winners but also many mistakes.
• 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 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 reduces 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. 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.
• CROSS-COURT / 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.
• CROSS-COURT DROP: A soft drop shot played diagonally across the court into the opposite front corner. Because the opponent must cover a longer distance, it is a more attacking version of the drop. Often played from the front court, but can be played from anywhere on the court.
• CROSS-COURT KILL: A kill shot played across the court to the opposite front corner. It is a high-risk, high-reward shot — if it lands well, it wins the rally outright; if it is slightly off, the opponent can cut it off with a volley.
• CROSS-COURT 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 away.
• CROSS NICK: A nick in the opposite front corner from the side you are playing from — for example, hitting from the right side and landing the nick in the left front corner. It is one of the most spectacular winning shots in squash and requires both power and precision.
• 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.
• CUT LINE: Another term for the service line on the front wall — the line above which a serve must strike. Some players also use "cut line" to refer to the out line in general.
• CUT / SLICE: Hitting the ball with a downward, glancing blow so that the racket cuts across it, putting backspin on the ball. A cut or sliced shot travels lower and with less pace than a flat drive, making it harder to read. Also called slice.

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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.
• DEAD: A ball that has lost most of its bounce due to being cold or old. A dead ball will not rebound normally and is usually replaced. Also used informally to describe a shot so good the opponent had no chance: "That was dead."
• 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.
• 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 hitter 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 reach the front wall directly or needs time to recover position. It is the most 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 — the equivalent situation is 10–10, after which a player must win by 2 clear points.
• DIG: To scrape 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!"
• DOOR: The entry point into the squash court, usually set into the back wall. A ball that hits the door frame or handle during play is treated the same as hitting any other part of the back wall — it is still in play provided it hits the front wall correctly.
• DOUBLE BOAST: An informal term for a shot that hits both side walls before reaching the front wall. It is almost always unintentional and usually results in a poor, floaty return that is easy to put away.
• 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 warm up. Its slower pace rewards good technique and shot placement over raw power. See also ball speed (dot colours).
• DRAW: The bracket or 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.
• 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 after the ball has bounced, usually with reasonable pace, aimed at keeping the ball close to the side wall and landing deep near the back wall. 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 die before the opponent can reach it. A good drop shot should be 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: "Beautiful drop shot — no chance for the retrieval."
• DYING LENGTH: A shot that lands close to the back wall and loses most of its pace just as it reaches there, making it very difficult for the opponent to return with any power. Also sometimes called a dying ball.

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• EARLY BALL: Taking the ball at the top of its bounce, or even as a volley, before it drops lower. 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 — hitting the tin, hitting out, or failing to reach the ball before the second bounce. Unforced errors are mistakes made without pressure from the opponent; forced errors are caused by a particularly good shot from the opponent.
• EYE GUARD / GOGGLES: Protective eyewear worn to prevent eye injuries in squash. Squash balls are approximately the same size as the eye socket, making the sport higher risk for eye injuries than most racket sports. Eye guards are mandatory in doubles squash and for junior players in many countries, and are strongly recommended for all players.

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• FALLING BALL: A ball that is dropping from above head height at the point of contact. A falling ball is generally considered easier to deal with than a rising ball as the timing is more predictable — though it still requires good footwork and racket preparation.
• 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, or if the server's foot is outside the service box at the point of contact. In squash, only one serve is allowed — a 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 dummy 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 sharp, late movement of the wrist to redirect the ball at the last moment. The flick is a form of deception — the body shape suggests one direction but the wrist flicks the ball elsewhere. It requires excellent wrist control and timing.
• 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.
• FLOOR: The playing surface of the court. In squash, the floor is part of the playing area — the ball must bounce on the floor and not bounce more than once. The floor is typically made of hardwood, though some courts use synthetic surfaces.
• FLOOR NICK: See Nick. The nick always refers to the join between the floor and a wall — specifically the side walls or back wall. "Floor nick" is simply an emphatic way of saying the ball hit the nick perfectly and rolled along the floor.
• FOLLOW-THROUGH: The continuation of the racket swing after the ball has been struck. A full, controlled follow-through is important for generating pace and controlling direction. Cutting the swing short often leads to a loss of power or accuracy.
• FOOT FAULT: A serving fault caused by the server not having at least one foot 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 striking, 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 dies in the front corner is often impossible 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 caught in 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 short line, service line, and out line markings are all painted 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 (deuce). Matches are typically played to the best of 5 games, though some formats use best of 3.
• GET: Another way of saying retrieve — 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!"
• GETTING BEHIND THE BALL: Positioning your body so that the ball is slightly in front of and to the side of you when you strike it, rather than level with or behind your body. Getting behind the ball allows for a full, controlled swing and is a key element of good technique.
• GHOST DRILLS: See Ghosting. Ghost drills are the same concept — moving around the court and mimicking shots without a ball. The term "ghost drills" is sometimes used specifically for structured patterns (e.g., a set sequence of six corners) rather than free-form ghosting.
• GHOSTING: A solo 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."
• 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 twice before reaching the back wall, or dies into the corner. Hitting a good length consistently is the foundation of solid squash.
• GOOD WIDTH: A shot that travels close to the side wall, limiting the opponent's swing and room to manoeuvre. 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: Two related meanings in squash. First, the way a player holds the racket handle — the standard grip in squash is similar to a handshake grip, often called the "hammer" or "Eastern" grip. Second, the material wrapped around the handle. Overgrips can be added on top of the base grip to adjust thickness or to refresh a worn handle.

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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 under pressure in the back corners.
• HAND-EYE COORDINATION: The ability to track a moving object with the eyes and time a physical response accurately. Squash requires excellent hand-eye coordination — the ball can travel at very high speeds, bouncing off multiple walls at unpredictable angles.
• HAND IN: A term from the old 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-OUT SCORING: The old 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 (or 10 in some formats). This has largely been replaced by Point-a-Rally (PAR) scoring.
• 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 — a slower, hollow rubber ball.
• HEAD HEAVY / HEAD LIGHT: Describes the balance point 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 and greater control — preferred by most advanced players.
• HIGH CLEAR: A shot hit high on the front wall so that the ball travels in a high arc to the back of the court. Similar to a lob, a high clear gives the hitter time to recover position and can be an effective defensive shot when stretched wide or out of position.
• HINDER: When a player's movement or presence unintentionally 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 — it makes it very difficult for the opponent to anticipate the direction of play.
  Real-world example: "TAXI! — She really sent her the wrong way with that hold."
• HOLD AND FLICK: A combination technique where the player first holds the swing to commit the opponent to one direction, then flicks the wrist at the last moment to play the ball the other way. It is one of the most effective forms of deception in squash.
• 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 fluid levels before, during, and after play. Even mild dehydration can reduce concentration and physical performance. 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 rest period between games. In professional squash, this is 90 seconds between games, with a 2-minute interval before the fifth game. Players use this time to rest, receive coaching, and hydrate.

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• KILL: A shot played with the intention of winning the point outright — 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."
• 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.
• KNOCK-UP: The warm-up period at the start of a match where both players hit the ball back and forth to warm the ball up and loosen their own muscles. In PSA events, the knock-up lasts a set time (typically 2–5 minutes). During the knock-up, players take turns and cooperate — it is not competitive play.

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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.
• LATE BALL: Taking the ball after it has dropped below its ideal contact height, usually close to the floor. Playing the ball late reduces power and control, and often indicates the player was slow to move or set up. Contrast with early ball.
• 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: The depth of a shot. 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 — 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.
• LOAD MANAGEMENT: The practice of carefully controlling the volume and intensity of training and match play to prevent overuse injuries and ensure peak performance at key times. Professional players and their coaches plan their schedules around major events to avoid burnout.
• LOB: A shot hit high and 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 hitter 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 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.
• LOW CLEAR: A shot hit relatively close to the service line on the front wall, travelling in a flatter arc than a high lob. A low clear travels faster and is harder to volley, but also gives the opponent slightly more time to read and set up compared to a hard straight drive.
• 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 fitness and court coverage.

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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 club matches, one person often fills both roles.
• MATCH: The overall contest between two players. 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 point at which one player needs just one more point to win the entire match. It is 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.
• MENTAL TOUGHNESS: The ability to maintain focus, composure, and determination even when things are going badly — when losing, when tired, or under sustained pressure from an opponent. Mental toughness is one of the most important qualities in squash, where a match can turn around in minutes.
• MID-COURT: The area of the court between the short line and the front wall — roughly the middle third of the court's length. Being caught in mid-court is a vulnerable position, as it is difficult to cover both the front and back of the court from there.
• MIZUNO STEP: A specific footwork pattern used to recover to the T efficiently after playing a shot in the back corners. Named after the footwear brand, the Mizuno step involves crossing the back foot behind the front foot during recovery to generate more speed back toward the T. It is widely taught by coaches at all levels.
• MOMENTUM: The sense that one player has the upper hand and is building confidence while the other is on the back foot. Momentum can shift quickly in squash — a run of 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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• NEUTRAL POSITION: A balanced, ready stance on or near the T between shots. From a neutral position, a player can move quickly in any direction. A "neutral shot" is also sometimes used to describe a safe, unattacking shot played to maintain the rally without conceding ground.
• 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 black marks on the floor. Non-marking shoes are required on squash courts to keep the floor clean and safe. 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.
  Real-world example: "Not up!" — called when the ball bounced twice before being struck.
• 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.
• OPEN FACE: A racket face that is tilted upward, away from the floor, at the point of contact. Opening the face adds height and backspin to the ball. The opposite is a closed face.
• OPEN STANCE: A hitting position where the player 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 on the other side of the contest. Used in the rules of squash to refer to the player who is not currently hitting the ball. See also striker.
• OUT: A shot that hits above the out line, or outside the boundary markings on the walls, or the floor 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, or simply to freshen up an old, worn grip. They are much cheaper to replace than re-gripping the full handle.
• 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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• PACE: The speed of the ball. Playing at pace means hitting the ball hard and fast, which gives the opponent less time to react and recover. Varying the pace of shots — mixing hard drives with soft drops and lobs — is an important tactical tool for keeping the opponent off balance.
• PADDLE: Not to be confused with paddle squash (a different sport), this term is occasionally used informally to refer to a squash racket — though it is more common in North American usage. Most players simply say "racket."
• PARTNER: In the context of solo practice, a partner is another person who feeds balls or plays cooperative drills. In doubles squash, a partner is the player on your team.
• PAT-BALL: An informal, often affectionate term for a style of play where shots are hit softly without much pace or intention. Sometimes used to describe beginners who are still learning to swing properly.
• PATIENT PLAY: A style of play that prioritises keeping the ball in play and waiting for the right opportunity to attack, rather than going for winners from difficult positions. Patient play is particularly effective against players who make many unforced errors when pressured consistently.
• PATTERN RECOGNITION: The ability to read an opponent's tendencies and anticipate what shot they are likely to play based on their body position, preparation, and game patterns. Experienced players develop pattern recognition through match experience and observation.
• PEAK PERFORMANCE: Playing at the highest level you are capable of — technically, physically, and mentally — simultaneously. Reaching peak performance consistently is the goal of training and preparation. Tapering, mental preparation, and match simulation are all used to help players peak at the right time.
• PERIODIZATION: The structured planning of training across weeks, months, or a season. Periodization involves varying the volume and intensity of training over time — building up, then tapering — to ensure a player is at their physical best for major tournaments. It is used by professional squash players and their coaching teams.
• PHILADELPHIA BOAST: A shot that hits the side wall very high, then the front wall, then the opposite side wall, before dropping into the front court. It is a rare and spectacular shot, most commonly seen on hardball squash courts in North America, where the geometry of the shot works particularly well.
• PINCH SHOT: A shot played very close to the side wall in the front court that "pinches" the join between the side wall and the front wall, causing the ball to drop sharply and die near the floor. It is a precise, low-risk winner when executed well.
  Real-world example: "That pinch into the right corner was unreturnable."
• POINT: The unit of scoring. In modern squash, using Point-a-Rally (PAR) scoring, a point is awarded after every rally regardless of who served. The first player to 11 points wins the game, provided they have a 2-point lead.
• POINT-A-RALLY (PAR): The current standard scoring system in squash, where a point is awarded after every rally regardless of who is serving. This replaced the old hand-out scoring system. PAR makes scoring simpler and matches more predictable in length.
• POSITIONING: Where a player stands on the court at any given moment. Good positioning in squash means recovering to or near the T after every shot, standing in a neutral position that gives you the best chance of reaching the ball wherever it goes next.
• POWER SERVE: A serve hit with significant pace, usually aimed directly at the side wall and then deep into the back corner. The goal is to rush the receiver with the pace and angle of the ball, forcing a weak or hasty return.
• PRESSURE: The tactical state of forcing an opponent into a difficult position through good shot selection, length, and movement. Maintaining pressure means keeping the opponent pinned to the back of the court or stretched to the corners, reducing their options.
• PRESSURE HANDLING: The ability to play your normal game — or better — when under intense pressure from the opponent or from the match situation. Players with good pressure-handling skills tend to raise their game in tight moments rather than becoming more cautious or tentative.

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• QUALIFYING: A pre-tournament competition held to decide which players earn spots in the main draw. Players ranked below the main draw entry level compete in qualifying rounds; the winners advance to join the seeded and direct entry players.
• QUARTER COURT: One of the two areas in the back half of the court created by the half-court line. When serving, the ball must land in the quarter court diagonally opposite the service box the server is standing in.

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• RACKET: The implement used to hit the ball. Squash rackets are smaller and lighter than tennis rackets, with a teardrop or oval-shaped head and a long handle. Modern rackets are made from carbon fibre or graphite composite. The strings are also thinner and strung at a higher tension than tennis rackets.
• RALLY: The sequence of shots played between the serve and the end of the point. While it is possible to have a one-shot rally (a winning serve), most rallies in squash involve many exchanges. There is no maximum number of shots in a rally.
• REACTION TIME: How quickly a player responds to the ball after their opponent strikes it. Fast reaction time allows a player to move earlier and take the ball at a better height. Reaction time can be improved through training and becomes naturally faster with match experience.
• RECEIVING POSITION: Where the player receiving the serve stands at the start of a rally. The receiver may stand anywhere they like within the court, though conventionally they stand near the centre of the short line to be equidistant from both front corners.
• RECOVERY: Two meanings in squash. First, the physical process of returning the body to a normal state after exercise — through rest, sleep, nutrition, and light movement. Second, court recovery — moving back to the T after playing a shot so you are in the best position for the next ball.
• RECOVERY STEP: The footwork movement used to return to the T after playing a shot. Good recovery steps are efficient and quick — a player who is slow to recover gives the opponent too much time and space to exploit. The Mizuno step is a specific recovery step technique.
• RED DOT / BLUE DOT: The two faster squash ball types. The red dot is medium speed, suitable for intermediate players and cooler conditions. The blue dot is the fastest ball, used by beginners, juniors, and in very cold courts. See also ball speed (dot colours).
• REFEREE: The official who oversees the match, makes decisions on lets, strokes, and no lets, and ensures the rules are followed. In professional matches, a marker calls the score while the referee makes ruling decisions. Some professional matches also use a video referee.
• RESETTING THE RALLY: Playing a safe, defensive shot — often a high lob or a deep straight drive — to move the rally back to a neutral state after being caught in a difficult position. Resetting is preferable to trying a risky attacking shot under pressure.
• RESILIENCE: The ability to bounce back from setbacks — losing a game, going several points down, or making a series of errors. Resilient players don't let bad patches affect their long-term performance or attitude during a match.
• RETRIEVE: To reach and hit the ball before it bounces twice, especially when it seemed very difficult or impossible to do so. Also used as a noun — retrieval.
  Real-world examples: "Great retrieval!" and "How did he retrieve that?"
• REVERSE ANGLE: A type of boast where the ball hits the side wall on the opposite side from the hand used to play it. For example, if a right-handed player hits a forehand and the ball hits the left-hand side wall first, that is a reverse angle. It's a deceptive and difficult shot.
• RHYTHM: The flow and timing of a player's movement and shot-making. A player "in rhythm" is moving smoothly, taking the ball at the right time, and feeling confident. Disrupting the opponent's rhythm — by varying pace, using lobs, or mixing up shot patterns — is a key tactical tool.
• RIGHT-HANDED: A player who holds the racket in their right hand. For a right-handed player, the forehand is on the right side of the body and the backhand is on the left. The vast majority of squash players are right-handed.
• RISING BALL: A ball that is moving upward after the bounce, before it reaches the peak of its arc. Taking a rising ball is challenging because the timing window is small, but hitting the ball on the way up gives it added pace and can be a powerful attacking option. Contrast with falling ball.
• ROLLER: A type of nick where the ball hits the perfect spot at the join of the floor and wall and rolls along the floor rather than bouncing. A roller is an outright winner — the opponent has no chance of retrieving it.
• ROUGH OR SMOOTH: The squash equivalent of a coin toss to decide who serves first. One player spins the racket and the other calls "rough" or "smooth" — referring to the texture of the strings on the throat of the racket or the logo direction. The winner of the spin chooses to serve or receive.
• ROUND ROBIN: A tournament format where every player in a group plays every other player. The player with the most wins progresses. Round robins guarantee every player a set number of matches and are common at club and national level events.
• ROUTINES: Structured practice drills where players repeat a set sequence of shots. For example, one player feeds straight, the other boasts, then the feeder drops and the other straight drives — and so on. Routines are one of the most efficient ways to develop shot-making and court movement simultaneously.
• RUBBER MATCH: The deciding match when two players or teams are tied in a series. Not specific to squash, but widely used in the sport.
• RULES: The official laws that govern how squash is played, as defined by the World Squash Federation. Key rules cover the serve, lets, strokes, interference, and scoring. Players are expected to know the basic rules, and a referee enforces them in competitive matches.

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• SEEDING: The process of ranking players within a tournament draw to ensure the strongest players don't meet until the later rounds. Seeds are usually placed based on world or national ranking. The top seed is expected to be the best player in the draw.
• SERVE: The shot that starts each rally. The server must have at least one foot inside the service box and hit the ball directly onto the front wall above the service line. The ball must then land in the opposite quarter court without hitting the out line. Only one serve is allowed — a fault means the point goes to the receiver.
• SERVICE BOX: The small square marked in each back corner of the court. The server must have at least one foot inside the service box when striking the ball. Also called the box.
• SERVICE CHEAT: An informal term for a serve that is technically illegal — for example, a foot fault or a serve that barely clips the service line — but is not called by the referee or opponent. Deliberate service cheating is unsporting behaviour.
• SERVICE LINE: A horizontal line on the front wall, above the tin marking and below the out line. A serve must hit the front wall at or above the service line to be legal. Normal shots during a rally can land anywhere above the tin.
• SET POINT: Under old traditional scoring systems, "set" referred to a game, so set point was the same as game ball — one point away from winning the game. In modern usage it is rarely heard, but you may encounter it when reading historical match reports.
• SHADOW DRILLS: See Ghosting. Shadow drills and ghost drills are effectively the same thing — practising court movement without a ball. Some coaches use the term "shadow" specifically for drills done while mimicking the stroke action as well as the footwork.
• SHORT LINE: The line that crosses the full width of the court parallel to the front and back walls, dividing the court into roughly two halves. It is only relevant for serves — the ball must bounce behind the short line (in the back half of the court) after hitting the front wall.
• SHOT DISCIPLINE: Choosing the right shot for the situation rather than going for a low-percentage winner at the wrong moment. Shot-disciplined players know when to attack and when to play safe — and stick to that plan even under pressure.
• SHOT SELECTION: The decision-making process of choosing which shot to play in any given situation. Good shot selection involves reading the opponent's position, assessing your own position, and choosing the option that creates the most problems. Poor shot selection — such as attempting a drop from the back court when under pressure — is one of the most common causes of unforced errors.
• SIDE-ON STANCE: A hitting position where the player turns their body sideways to the front wall, with their non-racket shoulder pointing toward the front. A side-on stance allows for a fuller swing and more power and control than an open stance. It is the recommended position for most squash shots.
• SIDE WALL: Either of the two walls running along the length of the court. The out line runs along each side wall, sloping downward from front to back. Shots can be deliberately played off the side walls as part of a tactical plan, such as with a boast.
• SIDEWALL NICK: The nick at the join between the floor and a side wall. This is the most commonly targeted nick in squash — a ball that hits this join at the right angle rolls along the floor and is an outright winner. See also roller.
• SINGLE YELLOW DOT: A squash ball slightly faster than the double yellow dot, used by club and intermediate players. It requires less hitting to warm up and bounces more than the pro ball. It is a good choice for players who are developing their game but find the double yellow dot frustratingly slow.
• SKID BOAST: A boast played at a very shallow angle to the side wall, causing the ball to skid off the wall and travel on a low, fast trajectory toward the front of the court. The shallow angle makes the ball harder to anticipate and gives it a lower, less predictable bounce than a standard boast.
• SLEEP: One of the most important and often underappreciated aspects of squash performance. Sleep is when the body recovers, repairs muscle tissue, and consolidates skill learning. Professional players prioritise sleep as a core part of their training programme.
• SLICE: See Cut / Slice.
• SOFTBALL: The standard squash ball used in international play — a hollow rubber ball that is slower and bouncier than the hardball used in North American hardball squash. Different dot colours indicate different speeds: yellow dot (slowest, used by professionals and advanced players), red dot (medium), blue dot (fast, suitable for beginners and cold conditions).
• SOLO PRACTICE: Practice done alone on a squash court, without a partner. Common solo drills include hitting straight drives along one wall, practicing serves, and ghosting. Solo practice is an underused but highly effective training method.
• SOLO PRACTICE: See Solo Practice.
• SPECIFICITY: A training principle that states the body adapts specifically to the type of training it is given. For squash, this means that the best way to improve squash fitness is to train using squash-specific movements and demands — not just general running or gym work. Ghosting, court sprints, and condition games all apply the principle of specificity.
• SPEED TRAINING: Training designed to improve how quickly a player can move — particularly the explosive first step from the T to any corner of the court. Court sprints, agility ladders, and short interval runs are common speed training methods for squash players.
• SPLIT STEP: A small jump or weight-transfer movement performed just as the opponent is about to strike the ball. The split step helps a player react quickly in any direction. It is a fundamental movement skill in squash and many other racket sports.
• STAGGERED STANCE: A ready position where one foot is slightly ahead of the other, rather than feet being level. A staggered stance allows a player to push off quickly in the direction their weight is loaded — useful when anticipating a specific shot from the opponent.
• STRAIGHT DRIVE: A shot hit parallel to the side wall, staying close to the wall and landing deep toward the back wall. The straight drive is the most important shot in squash — keeping the ball tight and deep gives the opponent very little room to attack. Also called a rail in some countries.
• STRAIGHT DROP: A drop shot played parallel to the side wall, landing close to the front wall on the same side as it was hit. It is generally considered the safest type of drop as the ball does not need to travel across the court, reducing the margin for error. Contrast with cross-court drop.
• STRAIGHT KILL: A kill shot played parallel to the side wall — hit hard and low to the front wall on the same side as the player. It is a cleaner, lower-risk kill than the cross-court kill.
• STRAIGHT LOB: A lob played parallel to the side wall, travelling high and to the back of the court on the same side. A good straight lob should pass close to the side wall and the back wall, making it very difficult to volley. It is a reliable defensive shot when retrieved from a difficult position in the front court.
• STRATEGIC THINKING: Planning your approach to a match or a point — identifying the opponent's weaknesses, deciding which areas of the court to target, and choosing when to attack and when to be patient. Strategic thinking happens both before and during a match.
• STRENGTH TRAINING: Exercise using resistance (weights, bodyweight, bands) to develop muscular strength and power. Strength training helps squash players generate more power in their shots, protects joints from injury, and improves court speed and stability. It is an important part of any serious squash training programme.
• STRETCHING: Lengthening muscles deliberately to maintain or improve flexibility and reduce injury risk. Dynamic stretching (active, movement-based stretches) is recommended before play, while static stretching (holding a stretch) is best saved for after play during the cool down.
• STRIKER: The player about to hit the ball. The term is used in the rules of squash to make it clear which player is which. See also opponent.
  Real-world example: "The striker didn't have clear access to the ball."
• STRINGS: The interwoven threads that make up the hitting surface of the racket. Most modern squash strings are made of synthetic materials such as polyester or multifilament nylon. Strings wear out and lose tension over time — regular players typically restring their rackets several times a year.
• STRING TENSION: How tightly the strings of the racket are strung. Higher tension gives more control and a crisper feel but less power. Lower tension provides more power and a larger sweet spot but less precision. Squash rackets are typically strung between 24 and 30 lbs. String tension is a matter of personal preference.
• STROKE: A penalty point awarded to a player when the referee decides that the opponent's interference was deliberate or unavoidable, and the striker would have hit a winning shot. A stroke is a stronger ruling than a let. See also no let.
  Real-world example: "Stroke to the receiver — the server didn't clear the ball."
• SUDDEN DEATH: In some squash formats, if the score reaches 10–10, a sudden death point may be played — whoever wins that single point wins the game. This is an alternative to the standard rule of needing to win by two clear points from 10–10. Some club formats and recreational matches use sudden death to keep match times manageable.
• SWING: The full motion of the racket when hitting the ball — from the backswing through contact to the follow-through. A compact, efficient swing is important in squash due to the limited space in the court and the speed of play.
• SWISS SYSTEM: A tournament format where players are paired each round based on their results so far — similar to the Monrad system. No one is eliminated; everyone plays a set number of rounds. Final positions are determined by total wins and points difference. It is increasingly used in squash team events.

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• TACTICAL AWARENESS: Understanding the tactical options available at any point in a rally and choosing the best one quickly. Tactically aware players read the opponent's position, notice patterns, and adapt their game plan during the match rather than playing on autopilot.
• TAPERING: Reducing training load in the days or weeks before a major event so the body is fully recovered and ready to perform at its best. A proper taper allows fatigue from training to subside while maintaining fitness levels. Tapering is a well-established part of elite squash preparation.
• TAXI: A term used to describe a player who has guessed their opponent's shot incorrectly and moved in the wrong direction. Often used by commentators to highlight this moment, sometimes with humour. The incorrect guess may be caused by deception from the striker.
  Real-world example: "TAXI! — She really sent her the wrong way with that hold."
• T / T-POSITION: The central position on the court where the short line meets the half-court line, forming a T shape. Controlling the T is one of the most important tactical objectives in squash — the player at the T is best placed to reach any part of the court quickly. After every shot, the aim is to return to or near the T.
• TEMPO: The overall pace and rhythm of a match or a rally. A player can increase tempo by taking the ball early and hitting hard, or slow it down with lobs and delayed shots. Controlling the tempo is a sign of tactical maturity — the ability to impose your preferred pace on the match.
• THREE-WALL BOAST: A boast that hits two side walls as well as the front wall. The Philadelphia boast is the classic example. Three-wall boasts are rare but spectacular and tend to land softly near the front of the court.
• TIE-BREAK: The deciding element when a match or game is level at a critical point. In squash, the standard tie-break situation is when the score in a game reaches 10–10 — the game then continues until one player leads by 2 points. Some formats use sudden death at this point instead.
• TIGHT: A shot that travels very close to the side wall, making it difficult for the opponent to swing freely. Keeping the ball "tight" is a fundamental tactical principle — loose shots that sit away from the wall are much easier to attack.
  Real-world example: "That backhand was incredibly tight — he had no room to swing."
• TIME VIOLATION: A penalty given when a player takes too long between points or during an interval. The WSF rules specify how much time is allowed between rallies and at game intervals. Repeated time violations can result in a warning, then a conduct stroke.
• TIN: The metal strip at the bottom of the front wall, equivalent to the net in tennis. Any ball that hits the tin or below is out of play and the point is lost. The tin makes a distinctive sound when struck, making it easy to identify. In standard courts, the top of the tin is 48 cm (19 inches) from the floor.
• TRICKLE BOAST: A soft boast played from behind the short line — usually the back corners — that barely reaches the far side wall and dies close to the front wall. It is a UK term. The shot is played with very little pace and is used to deceive the opponent who expects a straight drive.
• TURN: When a player turns their body to play the ball on the other side from which they were prepared — typically in the back corners when the ball comes off the back wall. Turning requires care around the safety rules, as the racket swing can put the opponent at risk.
• TURNING: When a player turns their body in the back of the court to play the ball on the other side from which they were prepared — usually because the ball has come off the back wall past them. Turning is permitted, but the player must be careful not to swing the racket unsafely if the opponent is behind them. The opponent must be given sufficient warning before a player turns.
  Real-world example: "He's turning in the back corner — watch out for the swing."
• TWO-WALL BOAST: The standard boast — a shot that hits one side wall and then the front wall. When players say "boast," they usually mean the two-wall boast. The three-wall boast also exists but is far rarer.

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• UNDER PRESSURE: Playing shots or making decisions when the opponent has forced you into a difficult position — short of time, stretched wide, or deep in the corners. Playing well under pressure is a key skill and a significant part of what makes squash so demanding mentally.
• UNFORCED ERROR: A mistake made without significant pressure from the opponent — for example, hitting the tin on an easy ball in the middle of the court. Reducing unforced errors is one of the fastest ways for club players to improve their results.
  Real-world example: "Three unforced errors in a row cost him the game."

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• VIDEO REFEREE: At professional events, an official with access to multiple camera angles who can review contentious calls — such as whether a ball hit the tin or the out line. The video referee advises the on-court referee.
• VISUALIZATION: A mental training technique where a player vividly imagines performing shots, rallies, or match scenarios in their mind. Research suggests that mental rehearsal can improve physical performance. Many professional squash players use visualization as part of their pre-match routine.
• VOLLEY: A shot hit before the ball bounces on the floor. The volley is a powerful weapon in squash — it reduces the time the opponent has to recover and cuts off their shot early. The serve must be a volley. Volleys can be combined with other shots, such as a volley boast or a volley drop.
  Real-world example: "That volley drop was the best shot of the match."
• VOLLEY BOAST: A boast played before the ball bounces — hitting the ball off the side wall and then the front wall in one fluid volley motion. It is a high-risk, high-reward attacking shot that can completely surprise an opponent who expects the ball to go straight or deep.
  Real-world example: "He cut in front and played a volley boast — completely wrong-footed her."
• VOLLEY DROP: A soft drop shot played as a volley — intercepting the ball before it bounces and placing it gently into the front corner. The volley drop is one of the most effective attacking shots in squash because it removes the opponent's recovery time entirely.
  Real-world example: "She picked off that loose cross-court with a volley drop — stunning shot."
• VOLLEY KILL: A hard, low volley aimed at the front wall close to the tin, intended to win the rally outright. The volley kill takes the ball early and gives the opponent almost no time to react. It is best played from mid-court on a ball that sits up.

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• WALKOVER: A match awarded without being played because the opponent fails to appear, withdraws, or is disqualified. The winning player advances in the draw without playing. Sometimes informally used to describe an easy win, though strictly it means a non-contest.
• WARMING THE BALL: The process of hitting the ball back and forth before the start of a match to bring it up to the correct temperature and bounce. The WSF rules specify a set time for this warm-up. A cold ball barely bounces; a fully warmed squash ball has a noticeably livelier bounce.
  Real-world example: "They only have five minutes to warm the ball up."
• WARM-UP: Preparing the body for play through light exercise and movement before getting on court. A proper squash warm-up typically includes light jogging or skipping, dynamic stretching, and some easy hitting to warm the ball up. Warming up reduces injury risk and helps you reach peak performance faster.
• WATER BREAK: A brief pause in play between rallies or at pre-agreed intervals to allow players to hydrate. In professional squash, water breaks are typically taken at the end of each game. Players should drink water regularly — not wait until they feel thirsty.
• WEAK RETURN: A return that is poorly placed — typically sitting up in the middle of the court, or too short and away from the walls — giving the opponent an easy attacking opportunity. Weak returns are often caused by being under pressure or having poor technique.
• WHITE DOT: A very fast squash ball, similar in speed to the blue dot, occasionally used in junior development or in very cold conditions. It is not widely used in standard competition. See also ball speed (dot colours).
• WIDTH: Using the full width of the court in shot selection. Playing with width — alternating between the left and right sides of the court — stretches the opponent laterally and opens up opportunities. Together with length, width is one of the two key dimensions of squash tactics.
• WILD CARD: An entry into a tournament granted to a player who has not qualified through ranking or performance alone — usually offered by the tournament organiser to a local player, a former champion, or a promising young player. Wild card entries go directly into the main draw or qualifying.
• WINNER: A shot that the opponent cannot reach, or that forces an error through sheer quality. In squash, a winner often means the ball has died in a corner, found the nick, or been hit too well for the opponent to retrieve.
• WORKING BOAST: A boast used as a tactical shot during normal rally play — neither a desperate defensive shot nor an outright winner, but a way of changing the direction of the rally and moving the opponent to the front of the court. It "works" the opponent by forcing them forward.
• WORKING THE BALL: The process of constructing a rally through consistent, purposeful shot-making — gradually moving the opponent around the court until a weakness or opening appears. Working the ball is the opposite of trying to force a winner from the first opportunity.
• WRIST: The use of the wrist in the squash swing. Unlike tennis, where a firm wrist is often recommended, squash benefits from a "whippy" wrist that generates extra racket head speed at the point of contact. Good wrist action is essential for disguise and late shot adjustment.

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• ZONE: A mental state of total focus and effortless performance — sometimes called "flow." A player "in the zone" feels like every shot goes exactly where intended, decisions come instinctively, and the game seems to slow down. The zone is elusive and difficult to sustain, but experienced players recognise when they are in it and try not to disrupt it.
  Real-world example: "She's completely in the zone right now — everything she hits is going in."

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