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• ANGLE: An outdated term that meant hitting the ball against the side wall before the front wall — what we now call a boast — but only when hit in front of the short line.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 forwards. 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).
• BACK WALL NICK: The nick at the join between the floor and a back wall. Hitting this nick is generally considered lucky as it's not a target players usually aim for, except perhaps on serves. See also roller and side wall nick.
• 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.
• BACKSPIN: This describes the direction of the spin imparted on the ball. Using the face of the ball that contacts with the ball, backspin is the top of the ball moving downwards towards the bottom of the ball. From the side is commonly taken to mean imparting spin on the ball, by moving the racket face in a downward motion during the swing and specifically at the point of contact with the ball. This action produces backspin and makes the ball rise slightly on impact with the front wall (almost impossible to see) and then stay low when the ball bounces on the floor. Players hit with slice due to the biomechanics of the squash swing and also because they feel it gives them more control and perhaps makes it harder for their opponent to read their shot. Slice is also call cut. See also topspin.
• BACKSWING: The initial movement of the racket backwards 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: Squash ball types are defined by the colour and number of dots on the ball. The temperature of the court and standard of the players are the two criteria to decide which ball to use. A blue dot is the most bouncy and suitable for complete beginners and on very cold courts. 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 towards 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 downwards towards 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.
• COCKED: This describes a position of the wrist where the thumb and back of the hand is brought as close to the to the forearm (elbow) as possible. It was very important in the days of heavier rackets as it help reduce the risk of injuring your wrist, but also emphasised the correct rotational movement of the forearm.
• 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: This is commonly taken to mean imparting spin on the ball, by moving the racket face in a downward motion during the swing and specifically at the point of contact with the ball. This action produces backspin and makes the ball rise slightly on impact with the front wall (almost impossible to see) and then stay low when the ball bounces on the floor. Players hit with slice due to the biomechanics of the squash swing and also because they feel it gives them more control and perhaps makes it harder for their opponent to read their shot. Cut is also call slice. See also topspin.
• 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.
• DELAY: Delay has two meanings in squash. Firstly, it is related to the rules, and means stopping the game from continuing in a normal manner. A player can be penalised for "delay of game" by the referee. The second reason is related to how a shot is played. If a player can wait a fraction of a second longer than they normally do to hit the ball, this can break their opponent's rhythm and movement fluidity.
• 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: Squash ball types are defined by the colour and number of dots on the ball. The temperature of the court and standard of the players are the two criteria to decide which ball to use. The double yellow dot is 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.
• DOUBLE-HANDED: This means holding the racket in both hands when making contact with the ball. It's incredibly rare in squash. Also called two-handed and is often used to describe a shot rather than a player.
  Real-world example: "John's double-handed backhand is so hard to read!"
• 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.
• 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 practise 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.
• FISHING: The action of asking a for a let in the hope of getting a stroke or when the request was justified.
• 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 forwards.
• 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 towards 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 towards. 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.
• GAMEBALL: The point where if one player wins the point, they win the game ball. It is often the called after the score by the referee to ensure that the players know that one of them could win the game from this point. See also match ball and championship point.
• 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.
• GREEN DOT: Squash ball types are defined by the colour and number of dots on the ball. The temperature of the court and standard of the players are the two criteria to decide which ball to use. However, the green dot (also labelled orange dot) is specifically designed for high-altitude play. In general, it is only available to buy in high-altitude locations. It is supposed to be equivalent to the double yellow dot ball in terms of bounce.
• 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.
• HAND-OUT: A term from the old hand-in hand-out scoring system. When the server loses a rally, it is called "hand out" and the serve passes to the opponent.
• 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 towards 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.
• HEAT-UP: This the process of preparing the body for play through light exercise and movement before getting on court. I use this term over warm-up because you should not be warm when you start a match, you should be HOT! See warm-up. A proper squash heat-up typically includes light ghosting or jogging or skipping, dynamic stretching, and some shadow swings, as well as some mindset preparation. Heating up before playing or training reduces injury risk and helps you reach peak performance faster.
• 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 towards 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.
• LEISURE CENTRE BOAST: 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 when played with disguise or deception. However, at club level it's an easy shot to anticipate because most players turn towards the side wall before they hit it. It is often overused by casual players. Its proper name is a reverse angle.
• 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 towards 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 upwards, 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.
• OPEN-THROATED: A shape of racket that has a cross support, separating the area of the strings from the shaft. This term is often confused with throatless (aka teardrop) shaped rackets. Originally, wooden rackets had a throat that was solid. Then came open-throated wooden rackets that had no wood in the throat section, hence the name. These were introduced to reduce the weight of the racket. Eventually, graphite rackets were produced and they all had open-throats. Later, manufacturers, notably, Prince introduced throatless (aka teardrop) rackets and these became popular. That's when the confusion started. Some people started referring to throatless (aka teardrop) rackets as "open-throated" and the other rackets, the actual open-throated rackets, as traditional rackets.
• OPPONENT: The player you play against.
• ORANGE DOT: Squash ball types are defined by the colour and number of dots on the ball. The temperature of the court and standard of the players are the two criteria to decide which ball to use. However, the orange dot (also labelled green dot) is specifically designed for high-altitude play. In general, it is only available to buy in high-altitude locations. It is supposed to be equivalent to the double yellow dot ball in terms of bounce.
• 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 downwards 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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• PACE: The speed of the ball and the game. 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, which is mixing hard drives with soft drops and lobs, is an important tactical tool to make it difficult for your opponent to anticipate your shots.
• PARTNER: In the context of practice, a partner is another person who feeds balls or performs drills. In doubles squash, a partner is the player on your team.
• 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 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: This is a North American term for the corkscrew shot. 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.
• 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.
• 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, unless there is a let. 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-in hand-out (HIHO) 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 ready poistion that gives you the best chance of reaching the ball wherever it goes next.
• POWER SERVE: A serve hit with significant pace, usually aimed at the side wall above the service box or at the opponent. 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, pace and movement. Maintaining pressure means keeping the opponent near to the back of the court or stretched to the corners, reducing their options.

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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 and short 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. The specification for squash rackets are set by the World Squash Federation. Squash rackets are available in two main forms: open-throated and throatless (aka teardrop). Modern rackets are made from carbon fibre or graphite composite. For more information, see my video: Rackets, Balance and Strings.
• 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.
• RACKETS: Rackets is a separate sport from Squash, which was originally known as Squash Rackets. It is the father of squash due to rackets players essentially inventing squash while waiting for a rackets court to become available. The rackets court is much bigger than a squash court, has black walls and a white, solid ball. There are many other differences and it is a fantastic sport to play (I have).
• RAIL: The North American term for a deep straight drive, meaning a shot hit parallel to the side wall and aimed deep into the back corners.
• 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: an ace), most rallies in squash involve many exchanges. There is no maximum number of shots in a rally.
• RANKING: A measure of level or position within a defined area, group, age etc. Examples could be club number 1 or country number 1. Players may ask "What's your ranking at the moment?". Players can be described as having a high or low ranking. Ranking can also affect seeding within a tournament or competition.
• 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.
• READ: To read somebody's game means to be able to consistently anticipate what shots they are going to play.
  Real-world example: "WOW, she read that drop well."
• 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 (without impeding the server), though conventionally they stand near the corner of their service box.
• RECOVERY: Two meanings in squash. Firstly, the physical process of returning the body to a normal state after exercise, through rest, sleep, nutrition, and light movement. Secondly, court recovery means 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 speed and efficiency of the recovery step is one of the biggest difference between high-level players and amateurs movement.
• RED DOT: Squash ball types are defined by the colour and number of dots on the ball. The temperature of the court and standard of the players are the two criteria to decide which ball to use. A red dot is the second most bouncy and suitable for beginners and improvers. However, a red dot can be used by all standards of player, and is often used by higher standards of players for practising. See also Use The Right Ball.
  It's worth noting that Dunlop used to make a red dot ball that was slightly larger than other manufacturers and it was called the "Progress" ball.
• REFEREE: The official who oversees the match, makes decisions on lets, strokes, and no lets, and ensures the rules are followed. In the past, professional matches, also included a marker who calls the score while the referee makes ruling decisions. Some professional matches also use a video referee.
• 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.
• RESETTING THE RALLY: When a player is under pressure from their opponent, resetting the rally means playing a shot, usually a safe, defensive shot, often a high lob or a deep straight drive, to move the rally back to a neutral or more equal state. Resetting is preferable to trying a risky attacking shot under pressure.
• RESILIENCE: This is the mental ability to recover from potentially negative situations, for example, losing a game, going several points behind, or making a series of errors. Resilient players don't let those negative situations 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 when played with disguise or deception. However, at club level it's an easy shot to anticipate because most players turn towards the side wall before they hit it. Also, called a leisure centre boast because it is often overused by casual players.
• 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, angle, delay, and 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.
• 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". This refers to a thin piece of cotton or similar material, added to the strings, where one side is smooth and continuous and the other is rough and wrapped around the strings. The winner of the spin chooses to serve or receive.
• ROUND: Part of a competition where players play against each other in a knockout format. Depending on the format, the winners go through to the next round and the losers are eliminated aka knocked out (not like boxing though!). Players who lose in the first round, often play in a secondary tournament called the plate.
• ROUND ROBIN: A tournament format where every player in a group plays every other player within that group. The player with the most match wins, game wins or points progresses to the next stage of the tournament, which is usually a knockout stage. Round robins guarantee every player a set number of matches and are common at club and national level events.
• ROUTINES: A routine is a collection of structured practice drills. It can also mean an individual shot or combination of shots, commonly called a drill.
• 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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• 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.
• 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 and point. The server must have at least one foot completely inside the service box and hit the ball directly onto the front wall above the service line. The ball must then land (unless volleyed) in the opposite quarter court without hitting the out line. Only one serve is allowed per point.
• SERVICE BOX: The small square marked on each side of the court. The server must have at least one foot inside the service box when striking the ball. Also called the box.
• SERVICE LINE: The horizontal line on the front wall, above the tin and below the out line. A serve must hit the front wall 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 i.e. 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 SWINGS: These are similar to Ghosting, in that shadow swings means swinging without the ball. This is performed to increase strength or to refine or perfect technique.
• SHAFT: The part of the racket between the racket handle (grip) and the racket head
• SHORT LINE: The line on the floor 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 i.e. the ball must bounce behind the short line (in the back quarter 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 continue with the 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 for them. Poor shot selection i.e. such as attempting a drop from the back court when under pressure, is one of the most common causes of unforced errors.
• SIDE WALL: Either of the two walls running along the length of the court. The out line runs along each side wall, sloping downwards from front to back. Shots can be deliberately played off the side walls as part of a tactical plan, shots that purposefully hit the side wall first are called boasts.
• SIDEWALL NICK: The nick at the join between the floor and a side wall. This is the most commonly targeted nick in squash, and when hit well results in a winner for the striker. See also roller and back wall nick.
• SINGLE YELLOW DOT: A squash ball bouncier than the double yellow dot, which should be used by club and intermediate players. It requires less hitting to warm up and bounces more than the double yellow dot ball. It is a good choice for players who are developing their game but find the double yellow dot frustratingly slow. See Use The Right Ball guide for more details.
• SKID BOAST: A boast played at a very shallow and high angle to the side wall, causing the ball to skid off the side wall, hit the front wall and then go towards the opposite back corner from which it was played. It is not a common shot seen at club or higher levels, although some players like it and use it a lot more than most.
• SLICE: This is commonly taken to mean imparting spin on the ball, by moving the racket face in a downward motion during the swing and specifically at the point of contact with the ball. This action produces backspin and makes the ball rise slightly on impact with the front wall (almost impossible to see) and then stay low when the ball bounces on the floor. Players hit with slice due to the biomechanics of the squash swing and also because they feel it gives them more control and perhaps makes it harder for their opponent to read their shot. Slice is also call cut. See also topspin.
• SOFTBALL: The term used in North American to describe squash. In north America, there is a separate sport called hardball. The court is a little different from squash and obviously the ball.
• SOLO PRACTICE: Practice performed alone on a squash court, without a partner. Common solo drills include hitting straight drives along one wall, practising serves, and ghosting. Solo practice is an underused but highly effective training method.
• 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.
• STRAIGHT DRIVE: A shot hit parallel to the side wall, staying close to the wall and landing deep towards 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, most usually North America.
• 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 (more or less) to the side wall. It is often hit hard and low to the front wall on the same side as contact with the ball.
• STRAIGHT LOB: A lob played parallel to the side wall, travelling high and to the back of the court on the same side. It is a little more risky than a crosscourt lob due to the fact that it could go out at any point in the flight path.
• 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, but was often neglected by amateur squash players.
• 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, although the science is unclear on the second point.
• STRIKER: The player who hits the ball or is 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."
• STRING BED: The area of all of the strings.
• STRING TENSION: How tightly the strings of the racket are strung. It is generally agreed that higher tension gives more control 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, and the type of string and frame also affect the tension chosen.
• 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.
• STROKE: This has two meanings in squash. Firstly, it's 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. The second meaning describes the swing of the racket and movement of the play when hitting the ball.
• SUDDEN DEATH: In some squash formats, if the score reaches 10–10, a sudden death point may be played and 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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• T / T-POSITION: The central position on the court where the player is equitemporal from the four corners of the court, taking into account the time the ball takes to get there. It's not simply 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 because it allows you to dictate the pace and style of the rallies. After every shot, the aim is to return to or near the T.
• 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 incorrectly guessed where their opponent's shot was going 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."
• TELLTALE: Another term for the tin.
• 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 awareness.
• THREE-WALL BOAST: A three-wall boast hits one side wall, the front wall and the other side wall BEFORE the ball hits the floor. When hit quite low, it's possible to hit the nick in the opposite front corner from where the boast was hit. They can be hit purposefully and by accident. The problem with them is that if the ball doesn't hit the nick, it's quite likely that the ball bounces in a way that gives the opponent a clear opportunity to hit a winner.
• THROATLESS (AKA TEARDROP: A shape of racket that does not have the cross support on the upper part of the shaft of the racket. They are also known as teardrop shaped rackets. See open-throated rackets for more details.
• 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 are away from the wall are much easier to attack.
  Real-world example: "That backhand was incredibly tight, it forced a weak return."
• 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 area at the bottom of the front wall. Nowadays, the top part of the tin is a wooden strip across the wall and underneath it is an area that used to be made of metal (tin) that was loosely attached to the wall behind and would make a loud noise when the ball hit it. In some court, it still is metal and in others it's wood.
• TOPSPIN: This describes the direction of the spin imparted on the ball. Using the face of the ball that contacts with the ball, topspin is the bottom of the ball moving upwards towards the top of the ball. From the side is commonly taken to mean imparting spin on the ball, by moving the racket face in an upward motion during the swing and specifically at the point of contact with the ball. This action produces topspin and makes the ball drop slightly on impact with the front wall (almost impossible to see) and then bounce higher than a flat shot when the ball bounces on the floor. Players sometimes hit with topspin when playing half-volleys or when the ball is touching the side wall near the front wall. See also backspin.
• TOURNAMENT: A series of matches in which a number of players compete and the one that prevails through the final round or that finishes with the best record is declared the winner.
• TRICKLE BOAST: A boast played at the front of the court, usually made to look like a drive to surprise the opponent. The angle and speed of the shot mean that it doesn't bounce far from the front wall. It is a UK term. I can't remember the North American term - if you know, please email me.
• TURNING: This is when the ball goes around the player, whether they follow the ball by twisting to keep looking at it or not. This usually happens from a serve or crosscourt with the player in or near a back corner. For example, the retriever is ready for the serve and the server hits a serve that hits the side wall, then the back wall with the ball bouncing near the half-court line. If the retriever has spun and followed the ball, they have lost site of the server and could potentially hit them if they played the shot. If they didn't spin as the ball went around them and could see the server, then they have lost sight of the ball and could mishit it and still hit the server. This is an automatic let in most situations. It's also one of the most misunderstood and argued rules in amateur squash.
• TWO-HANDED: This means holding the racket in both hands when making contact with the ball. It's incredibly rare in squash. Also called double-handed and is often used to describe a shot rather than a player.
  Real-world example: "John's two-handed backhand is so hard to read!"
• TWO-WALL BOAST: The most common boast that hits one side wall and then the front wall. When players say "boast," they usually mean the two-wall boast. This shot is also called a working boast because its main objective is to move the opponent forwards and restrict their options. The three-wall boast also exists but is more risky.

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• UNDER PRESSURE: Playing shots or making decisions when the opponent has forced you into a difficult position, including 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. The players and referee can ask for a video review.
• VISUALISATION: A mental training technique where a player vividly imagines performing shots, rallies, or match scenarios in their mind. Research suggests that visualisation, also called 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 because it reduces the time the opponent has to recover. Players need to be careful to not rush themselves when attempting to play volleys. 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. It is generally considered an attacking shot, but when played at the right time and with a little disguise or deception it can be highly effective.
  Real-world example: "He played the ball early and hit a volley boast, which completely wrong-footed her."
• VOLLEY DROP: A drop shot hit before the ball has bounced.
• 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 and aimed towards the sidewall nick.

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• WALKOVER: A match awarded to a player 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.
• WARM-UP: This has two meanings in squash. Firstly, this is the official time period before a match when the players hit the ball to each for 2 minutes each side. This is done to ensure both players are ready to play the match and become accustomed to the court.
  The second meaning, is the process of preparing the body for play through light exercise and movement before getting on court. I dislike this term because you should not be warm when you start a match, you should be HOT! See heat-up. A proper squash warm-up typically includes light ghosting or jogging or skipping, dynamic stretching, and some shadow swings, as well as some mindset preparation. Warming up reduces injury risk and helps you reach peak performance faster.
• WEAK RETURN: A shot that is poorly placed, easy to return or not hit very hard or close to the side wall giving the opponent an easy attacking opportunity. Weak returns are often caused by being under pressure or having poor technique.
• WHITE DOT: Squash ball types are defined by the colour and number of dots on the ball. The temperature of the court and standard of the players are the two criteria to decide which ball to use. A white dot ball has been superseded by the single yellow dot ball. Some manufacturers still produce balls with this dot, although technically they should be exactly the same as single yellow dot balls, they might not be. See also Use The Right Ball.
• WIDTH: This term relates to the idea of using the full width of the court in shot selection. When a player is described as having good width it means that their crosscourt shots re difficult to volley. They stretch the opponent laterally and open 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. It hits the side wall then the front wall">, bounces and the second bounce should be close to the nick on the opposite side wall. When played well, it reduces the opponent's options with little risk to the striker. It is 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 forwards.
• WORKING THE BALL: The process of constructing a rally through consistent, purposeful shot-making, trying to move the opponent around the court until a weakness or opening appears. Working the ball is the opposite of trying to hit a winner from the first opportunity.
• WRIST: The joint between forearm and hand. With modern light rackets, keeping the wrist cocked is less important than in the past, but good squash technique uses forearm rotation more than a bendy wrist.
• WRONG-FOOT: To make an opponent move in the wrong direction. This can be done with delay, disguise or deception. See also taxi.

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• YELLOW DOT: Squash ball types are defined by the colour and number of dots on the ball. The temperature of the court and standard of the players are the two criteria to decide which ball to use. A yellow dot squash ball, often referred to as a "single yellow dot" or just "yellow dot", is the second least bouncy ball and is suitable for most club players and/or colder courts. There exists a lot of ball snobbery in squash and too many players use a double yellow dot ball because the pros do, but they should be using a single yellow dot ball.
  See also Use The Right Ball.

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• ZONE: A mental state of total focus and effortless performance, it is 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 really working her opponent."

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