Scoring and match language
Squash scoring, calls and match language.
Understand English and American squash scoring, point-a-rally games, hand-in hand-out scoring, doubles conventions, lets, strokes and the language used during a match.
In short
Squash can be scored in more than one way. Modern competitive singles commonly uses point-a-rally scoring to 11, while many clubs also play traditional English hand-in, hand-out games to nine or local American-scoring games to 15. Agree the format before you start.
Published by Squash Dog, a trading style of Fagan Consulting Limited. Reviewed 22 September 2026
Coverage note
This guide explains the current standard format alongside traditional and club-level variations. English and American scoring labels, game lengths and doubles serving arrangements can vary by country, competition and club. The Bath & Rackets doubles sequence is recorded as a local convention, not a universal rule.
The basic rally
Serve to begin. Players then take turns striking the ball. A return must reach the front wall above the tin and below the out line, directly or after touching another wall, before the ball bounces twice on the floor.
A rally ends when a player cannot make a valid return, the ball goes out or down, or the referee makes an interference or conduct decision. The scoring system determines who receives the point and who serves next.
Modern point-a-rally scoring
Under point-a-rally scoring, the player who wins every rally scores a point, whether or not they served. Standard competitive singles commonly uses games to 11, with a player needing to lead by two points at 10-all. A match is commonly best of five games, but the organiser or club rules take priority.
This is the format many beginners will see in current competition. It is not, however, the only scoring format used in clubs.
| Format | How a point is won | Typical game target | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point-a-rally | The winner of every rally scores. | 11, normally by two. | Common in modern competition; confirm the match rules. |
| English scoring | Only the server scores. | 9, traditionally. | The receiver wins the rally and service changes, but no point is scored unless they were already serving. |
| American scoring | The winner of every rally scores. | 15 in the Bath & Rackets version described here. | Game target, tie-break and service sequence can be club-specific. |
English scoring: hand-in, hand-out
English scoring is traditionally hand-in, hand-out scoring. The server scores only when winning a rally. If the receiver wins the rally, the call is hand out: service changes, but the receiver does not yet add a point.
Games are traditionally played to nine. At eight-all, the receiver may choose whether the game is played to nine or to ten. Because clubs and competitions may preserve, adapt or replace this format, agree the exact arrangement before playing.
American scoring: point-a-rally to 15
At Bath & Rackets, American scoring is commonly played as point-a-rally to 15: the winner of every rally scores, whether serving or receiving. This is different from English scoring because winning a rally immediately changes the score as well as potentially changing service.
The precise rules for playing at 15, including whether a game must be won by two and how service is administered, should be agreed by the players or taken from the club or competition rules. Do not assume that every club uses the same version of American scoring.
Serving and changing service
In modern point-a-rally singles, the winner of the rally serves next. After winning consecutive rallies, the server normally changes service box. When service changes hands, the new server may choose the service box under the applicable rules.
In English scoring, a receiver who wins the rally becomes the server but does not score a point. That change is why players say hand out. The next rally is then played with the new server able to score.
Bath & Rackets doubles: local order of play
The customary Bath & Rackets doubles sequence described here begins with a racket twist, such as logo up or logo down, to decide which team serves first. The player on the right-hand side generally serves first.
The opening team has one serving turn. If it loses the rally, service passes to the other team. The first player on that team generally serves, followed by their partner. That team therefore has two serving turns before service returns to the opening team. Thereafter, the customary pattern is two serving turns for one team, then two for the other.
This is a club convention, not a universal doubles rule. Serving order, player positions, racket-toss method and scoring can differ between clubs and competitions. Agree the sequence before the first rally.
Lets, strokes and no lets
A let replays the rally. A stroke awards the rally to the player who was obstructed when the interference was serious enough under the applicable rules. A no let means the appeal for a let or stroke is refused.
In many social games, players use lets pragmatically when the situation is unclear, so that the match keeps moving and arguments are avoided. At Bath & Rackets, the customary approach described here is to call lets rather than strokes unless the situation is obvious or the match is competitive. In doubles, the local practice is to call lets rather than strokes.
That practical convention should not be confused with the formal rules. In a competition, the referee or organiser's current rules and decisions take priority.
Language you will hear during a match
- Love all
- The score at the start of a game.
- Hand in
- The server has won the rally and retains service under hand-in, hand-out scoring.
- Hand out
- The server has lost the rally and service changes under English scoring.
- Let
- The rally is replayed.
- Stroke
- The rally is awarded because interference prevented a fair shot under the applicable rules.
- No let
- The appeal for a let or stroke is rejected.
- Not up
- The ball was not returned correctly, for example because it bounced twice.
- Down
- The ball hit the tin or otherwise failed below the permitted front-wall line.
- Out
- The ball hit above the out line or outside the court.
- Game ball
- The next rally could win the game.
- Match ball
- The next rally could win the match.
- Two clear
- A player or team must lead by two points to win under the agreed scoring rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between English and American squash scoring?
English scoring is traditionally hand-in, hand-out: only the server scores, and the receiver must win service before scoring. American scoring is point-a-rally: the winner of every rally scores. The game target and service details can vary, so check the club or competition rules.
What does hand out mean in squash?
Under English scoring, hand out means the server lost the rally and service changes. The receiver does not score a point from that rally unless the applicable format says otherwise.
Is squash played to nine or 11?
Both formats exist. Traditional English scoring is commonly associated with games to nine. Modern point-a-rally competition commonly uses games to 11, normally by two. Some clubs use other targets, including 15-point American scoring.
What is a let in squash?
A let means the rally is replayed, usually because interference affected a player's ability to make a fair shot but did not justify awarding the rally as a stroke.
Do squash doubles use strokes?
The formal rules and competition arrangements should be checked for the event. Some social clubs, including the Bath & Rackets convention described here, use lets rather than strokes in doubles to keep play moving and avoid disputes.
How do you decide who serves first in doubles?
The method varies. At Bath & Rackets, the customary starting method is a racket twist, with the player on the right generally serving first. Confirm the sequence with the club or organiser.
Primary sources
The formal rules links provide the authoritative starting point for current competition arrangements. The English/American terminology and Bath & Rackets doubles practice are included as club-level context supplied in this project conversation, not as universal rules. Check the current club or event rules before relying on local details.