Squash racquets have a unique design compared to tennis racquets—they’re slightly longer and lighter, tailored for the fast-paced nature of the sport. While you can find a decent racquet from various online retailers, we highly recommend visiting one of the local Pro Shops at Squash Ireland clubs. There, you can test out different options and get expert advice to find the perfect fit. If you’re just starting and want to try out the sport without a big investment, second-hand racquets are a great budget-friendly option. Many clubs even offer loaner racquets so you can get a feel for the game before making a purchase.

As a beginner, you’ll want to start with a squash ball that has a single yellow dot, or even a blue or red dot if you can find them—these are the bounciest and most beginner-friendly. These balls bounce higher, so you won’t have to run as much, making it easier to get a rally going. A rally is when you and your opponent hit the ball back and forth a few times. As you improve and develop more speed and power, you can progress to using double dot balls, which are slower and require more skill.

Here’s a pro tip: just like you need to warm up before a match, you also need to ‘warm up’ the squash ball. This means hitting it hard against the wall several times until it’s nice and bouncy. Alternatively, you can roll the ball under your shoe against the floor to warm it up quickly. A cold squash ball won’t bounce properly, making the game much more challenging.

Before you start racing around the court and leaving burn marks on the floor, it’s essential to ensure your shoes are “non-marking.” A simple test is to place a clean white piece of paper on the floor and rub the sole of your shoe against it with some force—just be careful not to tear the paper. If no scuff marks appear, congratulations—you’ve got non-marking shoes! However, if your shoes do leave a mark, it’s time to find a pair of non-marking shoes before you hit the court. These can be easily found at Pro Shops in squash clubs or most sports retailers.

Knowing a few basic rules will go a long way, and the beauty of squash is its simplicity compared to other sports with complicated rules. Here’s the gist: You win a point if your opponent can’t reach your shot in time and the ball bounces twice or they hit it below the tin line or out. Remember, the ball can only bounce once before it must be returned. If your opponent does manage to return your shot successfully, the rally continues, and it’s their turn to serve until one of you fails to make a good return.

Here’s a tip: The first player to reach 11 points wins the ‘game,’ similar to a set in tennis. However, if the score reaches 10-10, you keep playing until someone gets ahead by two points. The first to win three games takes the match.