Squash is a racquet sport played by two players (or four players for doubles) in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball. Squash is recognized by the IOC and remains in contention for incorporation in a future Olympic program.
The game was formerly called squash racquets , a reference to the "squashable" soft ball used in the game (compared with the harder ball used in its parent game Racquets (or rackets; see below)).
History
Squash developed from at least five other sports involving racquets, gloves, and balls having roots in the early 1500s in France. It's stated that “Squash, with its element of hitting balls against walls, was for entertainment. For example, boys and girls slapped balls in narrow alleys and streets”. Religious institutions in France, such as monasteries, developed a similar game. Monks used gloves that were webbed to hit balls against a fishing net strung across the middle of the courtyards of the monasteries. This developed the early “racquets” used in tennis and squash. Then in late fifteenth century, tennis was developed and spread to other European nations. The next major development of squash took place in England where the game of "racquets" was developed in Fleet Prison, a debtor’s prison. Similar to tennis, it involved racquets and balls, but instead of hitting over a net as in tennis, players hit a non-squeezable ball against walls. A variation of rackets that also lead to the formation of squash was called fives, similar to handball. Fives was essentially the game of racquets, without racquets (the ball was hit with the hand), played against a wall or walls.
These games gained popularity and were further developed in schools, notably Harrow School in England. The first courts built at this school were rather dangerous because they were near water pipes, buttresses, chimneys, and ledges. The school soon built four outside courts. Natural rubber was material of choice for the ball. Students modified their racquets to have a smaller reach to play in these cramped conditions.
In the 1900s the game increased in popularity with various schools, clubs and even private citizens building squash courts, but with no set dimensions. In April 1907 the Tennis, Rackets & Fives Association set up a sub committee to set standards for squash. Then the sport soon formed, combining the three sports together called “Squash”. It was not until 1923 that the Royal Automobile Club hosted a meeting to further discuss the rules and regulations and another five years elapsed before the Squash Rackets Association was formed to set standards for squash in Great Britain.
The sport spread to America and Canada, and eventually around the globe. Players such as F.D. Amr Bey of Egypt dominated the courts in the 1930s and during the 1980s and 1990s Jahangir Khan of Pakistan won the British Open a record of ten times and Jansher Khan of Pakistan won the World Open a record of eight times.
Court
The 'softball' or 'international' court size was codified in London, England in the late 1920s, at 32 ft (9.75 m) long and 21 feet (6.4 m) wide. The front wall was provided with an "out line" 15 feet (4.57 m) above the floor, connected by a raking "out" line meeting the "out" line on the back wall at 7 feet (2.13 m) above the floor. The front wall also has a "service line" (originally called the "cut line") 6 feet (1.83 m) above the floor with a 19 inch high (48 cm) "tin" acting as a 'net' (originally sheeted with metal in order to make a distinctive sound when hit by the ball). The floor is marked with a transverse "half-court" line and further divided into two rear "quarter courts" and two "service boxes", as shown in the diagram above.
The traditional "American" court for the U.S. game, (now referred to as "hardball squash") is a similar size, but narrower at 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 m). The floor and wall markings differ slightly from the "International" court and the tin is lower, at 15 inches (38 cm) high. However, hardball squash was replaced by softball in America as the standard version of squash and has since almost completely died out.
A "Converted Court" is the result of converting racquetball courts to squash. Racquetball courts are 20 feet (6.1 m) wide and 40 feet (12.2 m) in length, so it is relatively easy to install a back wall, producing a squash court of 20 feet (6.1 m) wide by 32 feet (9.75 m) long.
Playing equipment
Standard rackets are governed by the rules of the game. Traditionally they were made of laminated timber (typically Ash), with a small strung area using natural gut strings. After a rule change in the mid-1980s, they are now almost always made of composite materials or metals (graphite, kevlar, titanium, boron) with synthetic strings. Modern rackets have maximum dimensions of 686 mm (27.0 in.) long and 215 mm (8.5 in.) wide, with a maximum strung area of 500 square centimetres (approx. 90 sq. in.), the permitted maximum mass is 255 grams (approx. 9 oz.), but most have a mass between 110 and 200 grams (4-7 oz.).
Squash balls are 39.5 mm and 40.5 mm in diameter, and have a mass of 23 to 25 grams. They are made with two pieces of rubber compound, glued together to form a hollow sphere and buffed to a matte finish. Different balls are provided for varying temperature and atmospheric conditions and standards of play: more experienced players use slow balls that are smaller and have less bounce than those used by less experienced players (slower balls tend to 'die' in court corners, rather than 'standing up' to allow easier shots). Depending on its specific rubber composition, a squash ball has the property that it bounces more at higher temperatures. Small coloured dots on the ball indicate its dynamic level (bounciness), and thus the standard of play for which it is suited. The recognised speed colours indicating the degree of dynamism are:
Balls are manufactured to these standards by Prince, Dunlop, Pointfore, Wilson, Black Knight and others. The "double-yellow dot" ball, introduced in 2000, is currently the competition standard, replacing the earlier "yellow-dot" ball. There is also an "orange dot" ball, which is even less bouncy than the "double-yellow dot" ball, intended for use in areas of high altitude such as Mexico City, Calgary, Denver, and Johannesburg. The lower atmospheric pressure at these high altitude regions means that the ball bounces slightly higher, resulting in the need for such a ball.
Other balls available are:
- Dunlop "Max Blue" (aimed at beginners), which is 12% larger and has 40% longer "hang time" than a "double-yellow dot ball" and has "instant bounce"
- Dunlop "Max Progress" (red) (for players wishing to improve their technique), which is 6% larger with a 20% longer hang-time than a "double-yellow dot ball" and has instant bounce
For the purpose of saving money, a faster (bouncier) ball should be bought. This is because the ball will lose its bouncing abilities over time and if you start off with something like a double-yellow ball, it will be barely playable with age. For competitive players this is not recommended.
Given the game's vigorousness, players wear comfortable sports clothing and robust indoor (non-marking) sports shoes. In competition, men usually wear shorts and a t-shirt or a polo shirt. Women normally wear a skirt and a t-shirt or a tank top, or a sports dress. Towelling wrist and head bands may also be required in humid climates. Polycarbonate lens goggles are recommended, as players might be struck with a fast-swinging racket or the ball, that typically reaches speeds exceeding 200 km/h (125 mph). In the 2004 Canary Wharf Squash Classic, John White was recorded driving balls at speeds over 270 km/h (170 mph). Many squash venues mandate the use of eye protection and some association rules require that all juniors and doubles players must wear eye protection.
Basic rules and gameplay
The court
The squash court is a playing surface surrounded by four walls. The court surface contains a front line separating the front and back of the court and a half court line, separating the left and right hand sides of the back portion of the court, creating three 'boxes' - the front half, the back left quarter and the back right quarter. Both the back two boxes contain smaller service boxes. All of the floor-markings on a squash court are only relevant during serves.
There are four walls to a squash court. The front wall, on which three parallel lines are marked, has the largest playing surface, whilst the back wall, which typically contains the entrance to the court, has the smallest. The out line runs along the top of the front wall, descending along the side walls to the back wall. There are no other markings on the side or back walls. Shots struck above the out line, on any wall, are out. The bottom line of the front wall m
Hi-Tec® Featuring ion-mask - Are You Ready For A Quantum Leap?
Latest News . HI-TEC ion-mask debuts with global consumer launch. 06 April 2009. SGB Golf: HI-TEC unveil breakthrough dry shoe technology. 06 April 2009
Golf | Golf Shoes - Hi-Tec Sports United Kingdom
© 2008 HI-TEC SPORTS PLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Digital Agency - 9xb
Large Range of Hi-Tec Shoes with FREE UK Delivery
Hi-Tec Shoes. Hi-Tec Shoes were founded in 1974 in the appropriately named village of ... for sports and footwear enthusiasts including the Hi-Tec Outdoor, Hi-Tec Court and Hi-Tec Golf ...
Golf | Golf Shoes - Hi-Tec Sports Australia
DT Thunder ; Pure Power WPi ; Pure Distance WPi ; Dri-Tec Spirit ; V-Lite Blade ; V-Lite Valhalla CF Sport ; Dri-Tec Lite ; C2 Comfort ; V-Lite Custom WPi
Ladies Golf Shoes - Footjoy Ladies Golf Shoes - Adidas Ladies Golf ...
Ladies Golf Shoes. Play 18 holes in comfort and style. Our range is better than ever and includes Footjoy Ladies Golf Shoes, Adidas Ladies Golf Shoes, Hi-Tec Ladies Golf Shoes ...
Golf Equipment Shop Online - Planet Golf UK :: Shoes :: Hi-Tec
Shoes Hi-Tec Golf equipment shop online from Planet Golf UK offers discount golf equipment and accessories in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland and some part of Europe.
JJB Golf | Hi-Tec Carnoustie Golf Shoes
Get the highest comfort and maximum performance with the Hi-Tec Carnoustie Golf Shoes. JJB Golf offer a great deal on the Hi-Tec Carnoustie to ensure you feel amazing on the course
Charcoal Grey Hi-Tec Golf Shoes: Compare Prices, Reviews & Buy Online ...
Yahoo! Shopping is the best place to comparison shop for Charcoal Grey Hi-Tec Golf Shoes Compare products, compare prices, read reviews and merchant ratings.
Slate Grey Hi-Tec Golf Shoes: Compare Prices, Reviews & Buy Online ...
Yahoo! Shopping is the best place to comparison shop for Slate Grey Hi-Tec Golf Shoes Compare products, compare prices, read reviews and merchant ratings.
Amazon.co.uk: Hi-Tec - Golf / Athletic & Outdoor Shoes: Shoes ...
Hi-Tec Sports Men's Terra Active Enviro Golf Shoe