A Simple Squash Glossary

Here are the most common terms and phrases you need to know in order to clearly communicate with other squash players:

american scoring – also called point-a-rally scoring, in which both the server and the receiver can score a point during a rally.
boast – a shot hit to the near sidewall before it hits the front wall.
carry – a ball that is not hit cleanly on the racquet; it touches the strings throughout the stroke.

counterdrop – a drop shot hit off of a preceding drop shot. Also called a re-drop.
crosscourt – a ball that goes to the opposite side of the court after striking the front wall.
doublehit – a ball that contacts the strings more than once during a stroke. Somewhat similar to a carry.
drive – a typical groundstroke, usually hit for good length.
drop – a shot hit short, usually not too high above the tin.
game – usually won by the first player to earn 9 points. Sometimes games are to 11 or 15 points, depending on the scoring system.
get – a difficult retrieval of an opponent’s shot. Often heard in the complimentary phrase ‘nice get’.
hot ball – when the squash ball has physically warmed up from being struck. It is bouncier in this state.
international scoring – only the server can score points in this system. Games are usually to 9 points.
kill – a hard-hit shot that ends a point definitively.
length – refers to hitting the ball into the back portion of the court so as to move the opponent back.

That is good length.
let – a determination to replay a point in its entirety.
lob – a ball hit so that it travels high in the air after hitting the front wall.
nick – a ball that hits the crack between the floor and a wall once it bounces off the front wall. This is usually a winner.
no let – a determination that no obstruction or interference has occurred, and that a point should not be replayed.

rail – a ball hit for good length along a side wall.
re-drop – a drop shot hit off of a preceding drop shot. Also called a counterdrop.
return – this is the shot that comes after the serve. Also called a serve return.
reverse – a ball hit into the opposite side wall before it reaches the front wall.
serve – this shot begins every squash point.
service box – a square area marked on the court floor. It defines where the server must stand while serving.
short line – a line crossing the full width of the court floor. It marks the front of the service boxes.
stroke – a determination that interference has occurred and warrants awarding the rally to the interfered player.
the T – an area on the floor of the court where the short line intersects with the halfcourt line. It’s often a good location from which a player can reach the opponent’s next shot.
the tin – a barrier across the lower part of the front wall. All shots must contact the front wall above this barrier to be good.
volley – a ball struck in the air, before it bounces on the floor.