Squash

Knock up, spin and serve. Play squash as a competitive sport or for leisure.

Whether you want to get your squash thrill back or pick up a racket for the first time, you’ll find squash an exciting, indoor court-based game for all ages and abilities. All you need is a ball, a racket, a friend and a wall – and a spare lunch break.

The players alternate in striking the ball with their racquet and hit the ball onto the playable surfaces of the four walls of the court.

There are lines around the court which outline the area in which the ball is considered in play – if the ball is hit out of these lines, or if an opponent fails to return the ball the point is lost. The person with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

Why is it good for me?

  • Squash provides an intense cardiovascular and muscular workout
  • Improves reaction, agility, and hand-eye coordination due to its closed space and speed of play
  • It’s a very sociable game – with a match lasting around 40 minutes, you can take on your friends or colleagues during your lunch break

How much does it cost?

Most leisure centres allow you to pay and play without signing up for a membership, and courts tend to cost between £5 and £10 per hour. Joining a club can cost around £30 a year, and gives you access to competitions, coaching and a thriving social network.

What equipment do I need?

To get started all you need is some comfortable clothes and trainers. Just check before you go whether you need shoes with non-marking soles.

Most clubs and centres have racquets and balls available to hire.

Getting started

So you want to get on court? There are many ways to play squash and England Squash have a range of programmes whether you’re a beginner, returning to the game or want a change of pace.

They also have a squash finder search facility on their website.