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{{short description|Racket sport}} |
{{short description|Racket sport}} |
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{{Infobox sport |
{{Infobox sport |
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Squash has its origins in the older game of [[rackets (sport)|rackets]] which was played in London's prisons in the 19th century. Later, around 1830, boys at [[Harrow School]] noticed that a punctured ball, which "squashed" on impact with the wall, offered more variety to the game. The game spread to other schools. The first courts built at Harrow were dangerous because they were near water pipes, buttresses, chimneys, and ledges. [[Natural rubber]] was the preferred material for the ball. Students modified their rackets to have a smaller reach and improve their ability to play in these cramped conditions.<ref name="zug">{{cite web|url=http://www.ussquash.com/functions/content.aspx?id=1252|title=History of Squash|last=Zug|first=James|work=US Squash|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717181310/http://www.ussquash.com/functions/content.aspx?id=1252|archive-date=17 July 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=17 January 2011}}</ref> In 1864, the school built four outside courts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/hi/squash/newsid_1962000/1962068.stm|title=From prison rackets to squash racquets|date=26 June 2002|access-date=22 July 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> |
Squash has its origins in the older game of [[rackets (sport)|rackets]] which was played in London's prisons in the 19th century. Later, around 1830, boys at [[Harrow School]] noticed that a punctured ball, which "squashed" on impact with the wall, offered more variety to the game. The game spread to other schools. The first courts built at Harrow were dangerous because they were near water pipes, buttresses, chimneys, and ledges. [[Natural rubber]] was the preferred material for the ball. Students modified their rackets to have a smaller reach and improve their ability to play in these cramped conditions.<ref name="zug">{{cite web|url=http://www.ussquash.com/functions/content.aspx?id=1252|title=History of Squash|last=Zug|first=James|work=US Squash|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717181310/http://www.ussquash.com/functions/content.aspx?id=1252|archive-date=17 July 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=17 January 2011}}</ref> In 1864, the school built four outside courts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/hi/squash/newsid_1962000/1962068.stm|title=From prison rackets to squash racquets|date=26 June 2002|access-date=22 July 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> |
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In the 20th century the game increased in popularity with various schools, clubs and private individuals building squash courts, but with no set dimensions. The first squash court in North America was at [[St. Paul's School (Concord, New Hampshire)|St. Paul's School]] in [[Concord, New Hampshire]], in 1884. In 1904 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the earliest national association of squash in the world, the United States Squash Racquets Association, now known as [[U.S. Squash]], was formed. In April 1907, the Tennis, Rackets & Fives Association of Queens, New York, which regulated those three sports ([[fives]] being a similar sport using hands instead of a racket), established a subcommittee to set standards for squash. In 1912, the association published rules for ''squash'',<ref name="zug"/>{{rp|38}} combining aspects of these three sports. In 1912, the [[RMS Titanic|RMS ''Titanic'']] had a squash court in [[First class facilities of the RMS Titanic|first class]], available for 50 cents. The 1st-Class Squash Court was situated on G-Deck. The Spectators Viewing Gallery was one level higher, on F-Deck. Passengers could use the court for one hour unless others were waiting. In 1923, the [[Royal Automobile Club]] hosted a meeting to further discuss the rules and regulations. Five years later, the Squash Rackets Association, now known as [[England Squash]], was formed to set standards for the game in [[Great Britain]] and internationally.<ref name=zug/> |
In the 20th century the game increased in popularity with various schools, clubs and private individuals building squash courts, but with no set dimensions. The first squash court in North America was at [[St. Paul's School (Concord, New Hampshire)|St. Paul's School]] in [[Concord, New Hampshire]], in 1884. In 1904 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the earliest national association of squash in the world, the United States Squash Racquets Association, now known as [[U.S. Squash]], was formed. In April 1907, the Tennis, Rackets & Fives Association of Queens, New York, which regulated those three sports ([[fives]] being a similar sport using hands instead of a racket), established a subcommittee to set standards for squash. In 1912, the association published rules for ''squash'',<ref name="zug"/>{{rp|38}} combining aspects of these three sports. |
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In 1912, the [[RMS Titanic|RMS ''Titanic'']] had a squash court in [[First class facilities of the RMS Titanic|first class]], available for 50 cents. The 1st-Class Squash Court was situated on G-Deck. The Spectators Viewing Gallery was one level higher, on F-Deck. Passengers could use the court for one hour unless others were waiting. |
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In 1923, the [[Royal Automobile Club]] hosted a meeting to further discuss the rules and regulations. Five years later, the Squash Rackets Association, now known as [[England Squash]], was formed to set standards for the game in [[Great Britain]] and internationally.<ref name="zug" /> |
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The rackets were made from one piece English ash, with a suede leather grip and natural gut. |
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⚫ | The 1980s witnessed a period of re-structuring and consolidation. The Cambridge rackets factory was forced to close in face of the move to graphite rackets, and production was moved to the Far East.<ref name="GRAYS">[http://squash.as/grays/history.php "Grays of Cambridge: History"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706085116/http://squash.as/grays/history.php |date=6 July 2011 }} – makers of rackets and founded in 1855 by Henry John Gray, the Champion rackets Player of England. "In those days, the rackets were made from one piece English ash, with a suede leather grip and natural gut. ... The 1980s witnessed a period of re-structuring and consolidation. The Cambridge rackets factory was forced to close in face of the move to graphite rackets, and production was moved to the Far East."</ref> Customization of squash rackets has grown over the years as well. There are custom variations on racket head shape, racket balance, and racket weight. The most common racket variation for international singles squash is a teardrop (closed throat) head shape, even balance, and racket weight of 130g. For hardball doubles, the most common variation is an open throat head shape, even balance, and racket weight of 140g. |
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There are several variations of squash played across the world, although the international version of the sport has become the dominant form. In the United States, a variant of squash known as [[hardball squash|hardball]] was traditionally played with a harder ball and different sized courts. Hardball squash has lost much of its popularity in North America (in favor of the international version). There is [[Squash Doubles|doubles squash]] a variant played by four players. There is also a tennis-like variation of squash known as [[squash tennis]]. Finally, [[racketball]], a similar sport, is also played in the United States. |
There are several variations of squash played across the world, although the international version of the sport has become the dominant form. In the United States, a variant of squash known as [[hardball squash|hardball]] was traditionally played with a harder ball and different sized courts. Hardball squash has lost much of its popularity in North America (in favor of the international version). There is [[Squash Doubles|doubles squash]] a variant played by four players. There is also a tennis-like variation of squash known as [[squash tennis]]. Finally, [[racketball]], a similar sport, is also played in the United States. |
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===Racket=== |
===Racket=== |
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[[File:Nanoldsquash2.JPG|right|thumb|Old and new style squash rackets]] |
[[File:Nanoldsquash2.JPG|right|thumb|Old and new style squash rackets]] |
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Squash rackets have maximum dimensions of 686 mm (27.0 in) long and 215 mm (8.5 in) wide, with a maximum strung area of 500 square centimeters (77.5 sq in). The permitted maximum weight is {{convert|255|g}}, but most have a weight between 90 and 150 grams (3–5.3 oz.). The strings of the racket usually have a tension of |
Squash rackets have maximum dimensions of 686 mm (27.0 in) long and 215 mm (8.5 in) wide, with a maximum strung area of 500 square centimeters (77.5 sq in). The permitted maximum weight is {{convert|255|g}}, but most have a weight between 90 and 150 grams (3–5.3 oz.). The strings of the racket usually have a tension of 25–30.<sup>''[needs units]''</sup> |
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===Ball=== |
===Ball=== |
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The squash court is a playing surface surrounded by four walls. The court surface contains a front line separating the front and back of the court and a half court line, separating the left and right sides of the back portion of the court, creating three 'boxes': the front half, the back left quarter and the back right quarter. Both the back two boxes contain smaller service boxes. |
The squash court is a playing surface surrounded by four walls. The court surface contains a front line separating the front and back of the court and a half court line, separating the left and right sides of the back portion of the court, creating three 'boxes': the front half, the back left quarter and the back right quarter. Both the back two boxes contain smaller service boxes. |
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The court's four walls are divided into a front wall, two side walls, and a back wall. An 'out line' runs along the top of the front wall, descending along the side walls to the back wall. The bottom line of the front wall marks the top of the 'tin', a half meter-high metal area. The middle line of the front wall is the service line. The dimensions of the court are:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://asbsquash.com/faq/squash-court-construction/|title=Squash Court Construction: "How to build a Court?" |
The court's four walls are divided into a front wall, two side walls, and a back wall. An 'out line' runs along the top of the front wall, descending along the side walls to the back wall. The bottom line of the front wall marks the top of the 'tin', a half meter-high metal area. The middle line of the front wall is the service line. The dimensions of the court are:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://asbsquash.com/faq/squash-court-construction/|title=Squash Court Construction: "How to build a Court?" – ASB SquashCourt|website=asbsquash.com|language=en-US|access-date=25 April 2017}}</ref> |
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====Point-a-Rally to 15==== |
====Point-a-Rally to 15==== |
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Point-a-rally scoring to 15 was used for the [[World Squash Championships|World Championships]] between 1989 and 2003. PARS to 15, with the tiebreak being two clear points (as per standard PARS) from |
Point-a-rally scoring to 15 was used for the [[World Squash Championships|World Championships]] between 1989 and 2003. PARS to 15, with the tiebreak being two clear points (as per standard PARS) from 14–14, was used in many amateur leagues because PARS to 11 was considered too short.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kent-squash.co.uk/par-scoring-less-squash/|title=PAR scoring equals less squash}}</ref> This system fell out of favor in 2004 when the [[Professional Squash Association]] (PSA) decided to switch to PARS to 11. Games were considered to last too long and the winner would usually be the fitter player, not necessarily the better player.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://squashclub.org/main/e-lessons/lessons/intermediate_lessons/faq/faq.shtml|title=Frequently asked questions on squash – general squash tips|website=squashclub.org}}</ref> |
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====English/Hand-In-Hand-Out to 9==== |
====English/Hand-In-Hand-Out to 9==== |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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{{portal|Sports}} |
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*[[The Howe Cup]] |
*[[The Howe Cup]] |
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*[[World Squash Federation]] |
*[[World Squash Federation]] |