Squash words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 21 words · Step 2 of 2

Court and equipment terms

Half court line

The line dividing the back of the court into two service boxes.

Short line

The line marking the front boundary of the service boxes, also relevant to some serve rules.

Ball speed rating

A colour coded system on squash balls showing how bouncy they are, with slower balls used by more advanced players.

Outcomes and officiating

Hand out

The marker's call before the score when the serve changes to the other player.

Shot variations

Reverse boast

A boast hit across the body toward the opposite side wall, used to surprise an opponent expecting a straight shot.

Volley drop

A drop shot played before the ball bounces, taking time away from the opponent.

Trickle boast

A very soft boast that dies quickly near the front corner, hard to reach if not anticipated.

Length

A shot hit deep and close to the side wall, aimed at pushing the opponent toward the back of the court.

Width

A shot hit across the court close to the side wall, used to open up space or move an opponent wide.

Tactical terms

Attacking boast

A boast played with more pace, meant to win the point rather than just change direction.

Holding the ball

Delaying the swing slightly to disguise where a shot is going.

Deception

Using body position or racket preparation to hide the true direction of a shot.

Pressure

Keeping shots tight and consistent so the opponent has less time and space to attack.

Rhythm

The pace and pattern of a rally, which skilled players try to control rather than react to.

Rules and officiating terms

Conduct penalties

Penalties for unacceptable behaviour, in rising order of severity: a conduct warning, a conduct stroke, a conduct game and a conduct match.

Also called: conduct warning, conduct stroke, conduct game, conduct match

The ruleWhat are the penalties for bad behaviour in squash?

No let

The referee's decision that there is no let, so the rally stands. For example, when there was no interference, when the interference was minimal, or when the striker could not have made a good return.

See also: Rally, Interference, Marker, Referee

Yes let

The referee's decision to replay the rally because there was interference that the opponent was making every effort to avoid, and the striker would have been able to make a good return.

See also: Rally, Interference, Marker, Referee

Appeal

A request to the referee, made by saying "Appeal, please", to review the marker's call or lack of a call. The referee decides, and the referee's decision is final.

Ball hitting a player

When the ball hits a player, the rules decide the rally: the player who was hit may lose the rally, or a let or a stroke is awarded, depending on whether the return would have been good, whether the ball was going directly to the front wall, and whether the striker had turned.

Blood injury

A player with a blood injury is given reasonable time to stop the bleeding and cover the wound. If play cannot resume in the time allowed, the game is conceded or the referee awards the match to the opponent.

Turning

A player turns when they rotate so that they lose sight of the ball or the opponent, or the ball passes behind their body. If interference happens while the striker is turning, the referee considers whether turning was dangerous, or whether it was done to try to earn a let.