One of the world’s best squash players will soon win an Olympic gold medal.
Squash was one of five sports added to the 2028 Los Angeles Games by the International Olympic Committee on Monday, along with cricket, flag football, baseball, softball and lacrosse.
Unlike some of these sports, squash will make its debut at the Games after several previous bids for Olympic status failed, although other racquet sports such as tennis and badminton have become the main sports.
Many may be more familiar with the squash of fruits than the squash of sports.
Here’s everything you need to know about one of the newest Olympic sports.
What is squash in sports?
Squash is a racquet sport played on a four-walled court between two players or four in doubles competition. It is similar in many ways to racquetball, in which players take turns hitting the ball into playable areas on the walls in hopes of securing a point if their opponent cannot hit the ball back.
The sport began in England in the 19th century when students at Harrow School outside London began playing.
How to play squash
In squash, competing players take turns hitting a rubber ball against the front wall of the court.
The first serve made by a player with at least one foot in one of the two service boxes of the court must hit above the service line on the front wall and land beyond the center line on the opposite side of the court. All subsequent shots must hit between the tin line at the bottom of the wall, which is lined with tin to make a sound when the ball hits, and the outside line at the top of the wall.
The ball can be hit in flight or by hitting the ground.
Various shots can be used including forehand, backhand, drop shot, cross court and others. Shots can also deflect off the side or back wall before hitting the front wall.
The player who wins the volley when his opponent is unable to validly return the ball scores a point.
A game of squash is usually played to 11 points, with the winner having to win by at least two points. A match is typically a best-of-three or best-of-five series.
What is the difference between squash and racquetball?
One difference between squash and racquetball is the spelling of the game equipment. Squash uses a racket, while racquetball uses a racket. There are also size differences between the two, with the bat being shorter and wider than a racket.
In every sport, the ball is hollow and made of rubber, but a squash ball is smaller than a racquetball and doesn’t have as much bounce.
A squash court is also slightly smaller than a racquetball court. When serving, squash players are limited to a box on one side of the court, while racquetball players can move anywhere within the off-court service box.
The ceiling and marked areas of the walls are prohibited in squash; in racquetball, all surfaces are in play.
How do you get into squash?
Buy a racket and a ball, find a gym or squash club with courts, and start practicing. You could be a future Olympian!
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