Does Squash Need a Revolution?
- Chris Ogden
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got!
In recent years, the racket sport world has been buzzing with new energy. Sadly, much of the growth is not happening on the Squash Court. Instead, sports like Padel and Pickleball are leading the charge, with Courts popping up across the country, clubs are attracting new audiences, and participation is growing fast!
Their rise has been extraordinary. New facilities are appearing everywhere, participation numbers are booming, and people who have never picked up a racket before are getting involved.
This shows that there is an appetite for racket sports out there. But it also raises an important question for Squash, which is traditionally seen as too difficult or physically demanding for the majority of people to consider getting involved. So the question is: Does Squash need a revolution?
While Squash is an incredible sport once you get into it, the truth is that getting started can be surprisingly difficult. We don't need to abandon the game we know and love - but perhaps how we introduce the sport to the next generation of players needs an innovative solution.
The Beginner PARADOX
If you’ve played Squash for years, it’s easy to forget how hard those first sessions can be for someone who has never played before.
For beginners, these barriers come in many forms and are often off putting for future participation.
Compare this with the experience many people have when trying Padel or Pickleball for the first time; it's no wonder these sports have seen a surge in popularity. Within minutes, players are usually able to rally, laugh, and enjoy the experience from the first ball. The games are naturally social, the learning curve is gentle, and the early success keeps people coming back.
That difference in the first experience is incredibly powerful.
The Squash Ball Issue
Be honest - how many people who have never played Squash before, know that you need to warm the Squash Ball up before you start playing the game? What other sport do you need to increase the temperature of the equipment before it is bouncy enough to play the game properly?
This issue is linked to many beginners unknowingly using the standard double-yellow-dot ball. Without the pace and power of experienced players to warm it up and keep it warm, the ball barely bounces, turning "rallies" into frustrating stop-start exchanges of 1 or 2 shots.
In Padel & Pickleball you can take a ball out of the packet and start playing instantly.
Even when players use the correct ball, another issue appears quickly...
Serve, Return of Serve & Rallying
The first challenge a Beginner can face is simply starting a rally! The Serve in Squash is not easy for new players; or alternatively if one player develops a reasonably strong serve, the rally can end before it even begins, as the return of Serve can also be extremely difficult.
I've heard people say that if you can't Serve, maybe Squash isn't for you...This is exactly the reason people will simply go and play Padel or Pickleball, and those sports' participation will grow, while Squash's declines and Courts continue to close. What seems like a simple skill for regular players, is actually a barrier to new players getting into the sport.
If players can get past the Serve and Return of Serve, whichever ball they use, if one player strikes the ball with reasonable power, the pace can quickly become overwhelming for someone just starting out. The nature of the game means smacking the ball with little regard for accuracy is an easy way to win a point against a beginner. Even Racketball (Squash 57) can still be too quick once someone can start hitting the ball with a bit of pace.
And then there’s the back wall and multiple angles to deal with - one of the trickiest elements for beginners to read and react to in a game of Squash.
Suddenly the sport can feel complicated, technical, and sometimes even intimidating, and that's before bringing in the rules about "Let's" & "Strokes" - something even PSA Ref's seem to be struggling with these days...
Squash Has an Untapped Advantage
What if Squash embraced change and Squash Courts were used in a more flexible way?
There are tens of thousands of courts already built around the world and that infrastructure is a huge asset. However it is all too common to hear of another Squash Court or Club closing down, especially in the UK.
Ultimately, Courts need to be used more. We live in a financially driven world and Squash is an easy target for centres and clubs to repurpose space to generate more income.
What if, instead of being designed for only one version of the sport, Squash Courts became multi-use spaces for different types of games? This isn't to replace traditional Squash - but adding new ways to play on a Squash Court!
Things have already taken a step in this direction, with things like InteractiveSQUASH creating interactive games on the front wall through a projector. This is a hugely innovative way to bring Squash into the digital age.
"This isn’t just a new way to train and play - it’s a groundbreaking reimagining of Squash. With immersive graphics and interactive gameplay, every session transforms into both a physical challenge and a thrilling digital adventure." - InteractiveSQUASH
This is just one way Squash can help reach new players and get more people involved. However, the cost and logistics of instillation means it's not something that is widely available yet.
Our solution involves a less tech driven approach to creating an easier version of the game to get more people on the Squash Court...
A Multi-Format Squash Court
One idea that could help make Squash more beginner-friendly is surprisingly simple:
Add additional lines to the Squash Court.
These lines wouldn’t change the traditional game at all. The existing markings would remain exactly as they are. But additional markings could create new formats designed specifically for beginners and social play.
Two Additional lines would:
Extend the half-court line to the front wall
Connect the back of the service boxes
These two simple changes would create clear zones for coaching games and simplified rallies, while a shorter court removes the challenge of the back wall and reduces the distance beginners need to cover.
Coaches will know these games off by heart, but not everyone wants Coaching or has access to Coaching, so these simple changes could open the door to a whole range of beginner-friendly games. Instead of one very difficult version of the sport, the Squash Court could become a playground for racket sport learning. Beginner friendly games could include:
Short Court Squash (Egyptian 3/4's) - a variation of the full game where the area behind the two Service Boxes is out, removing the problem of the back wall.
Full Front Court - Even Smaller area to play in, with everything past the Short Line "Out".
Front 1/4 Court - Play in just one 1/4 of the Court.
Sides Games - Front 1/4, 3/4 Length & full length versions of the game "Sides"
Each of these games uses an adaptive Serve making it easier to start a Rally.
Each game could be played in doubles, follow on games, or small groups making it more social.
Lines could be a different colour or dotted to differentiate from the full court game lines.
While intensity is part of what makes Squash special for many, it can also make the sport feel less accessible for newcomers. These simple changes will hopefully make the sport easier to get into and more social, keeping up with the trends of Padel and Pickleball.
A Moment of Opportunity
The rise of sports like Padel and Pickleball shows that people are still incredibly excited about racket sports. They want to move, compete, and connect with others.
Marketed in the right way, Squash can be all of those things. Squash already offers one of the most exciting and physically rewarding games in the world! But if we want the sport to thrive in the future, we may need to think creatively about how people first experience it.
Especially with the LA Olympic Games in 2028, where Squash will make its debut, we need to make sure peoples first experiences of the sport are positive, otherwise we risk losing the benefit of the exposure the Olympic Games can bring.
Innovation Without Losing Tradition. The Full game doesn't need to change, but the pathways into the sport do. There is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make the most of the Olympic Games and this boom in other racket sports, as people want to be healthier and be more social.
We'd love to see Clubs and Coaches continue to drive the sport forward and increase participation in the lead up to the Olympics and beyond!
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Does Squash need to innovate to keep up with modern racket sports?
Or is the traditional game already enough?
We’d love to hear your thoughts - and if you’ve ever introduced someone new to Squash, what challenges did they face when getting started?
Share your experiences in the comments to help others on their Squash journey.
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