What is turning in squash, and why does it change the decision?
A · Advanced · Lets and strokes · 1 of 6Turning is when a player rotates so that they lose sight of the ball or the opponent, or lets the ball pass behind their body from one side to the other. The opponent cannot know where the shot will come from, so decisions are less generous to the striker: usually a let where it would have been a stroke.
How it works
- What it is: rotating so as "to lose sight of either the ball or the opponent", or the ball passing "behind their body from one side to the other".
- Swing prevented while turning: still a stroke to the striker.
- No time to clear: "if the non-striker had no time to avoid the interference, a let is allowed".
- Turning to get a let: a striker who could have hit without turning, but turned to create a request, gets no let.
- Front wall after turning: holding the shot earns a let, not a stroke.
- Hitting the opponent after turning: the stroke goes to the non-striker.
- Unless they moved into it: if the non-striker deliberately moved to intercept the ball, the stroke goes to the striker.
- Always a safety question: the referee "must always consider whether the action was dangerous".
- A further attempt: another try at a ball still in play after one attempt has been made.
- Interference on a further attempt: a let, if the non-striker had no time to avoid it.
- Not a further attempt: shaping to play on one side and bringing the racket across to play on the other.
The glossary has turning, the stroke, the let, the ball hitting a player entry, interference and the conduct penalties entry.
Tricky cases
A serve comes off the side wall and back wall and the receiver spins round to take it on the forehand. They stop because the server is in the way. Decision?
A let, if the server had no time to get clear. No let if the receiver turned only to create the chance to ask.
A player turns, plays the shot and hits the opponent with the ball. Who wins the rally?
The opponent. If the striker had turned, the stroke is awarded to the non-striker.
A player swings and misses, then goes to hit the ball again and the opponent is now in the way. Decision?
A let, if the opponent had no time to avoid the interference. They had moved for the first attempt.
A player shapes for a backhand and then plays the ball on the forehand. Is that a further attempt?
No. The rule book says this is not a further attempt.
Why the rule exists
A player who has turned is hitting from a place and at a time the opponent could not predict, and the opponent has usually moved to where a normal shot would have been safe. The rules protect that opponent: a striker who turns and hits them loses the rally.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| No turn, first attempt, ball direct to the front wall | Stroke to the striker | WSF Rule 8.11.1; 9.1.2 |
| After turning | Let for holding; stroke against the striker for hitting the opponent | WSF Rule 8.11.1; 9.1.5 |
| On a further attempt | Let | WSF Rule 8.12.1; 9.1.4 |
| Turning judged dangerous | Conduct rule applies | WSF Rule 8.13.4; 14.6.4 |
From the rule book
World Squash Federation, Rules of Singles Squash (version 1.2.2, effective 1 September 2025), Rules 8.11 to 8.13, 9.1 and Appendix 1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Squash Singles Rules 2025 (PDF).