Though many people have trouble distinguishing between squash and racquetball, these sports have distinct sets of rules and require different courts and equipment. However, these sports do share a basic concept. Both sports require two players or doubles teams to share space on a closed court. Players in both sports win points by hitting shots or serves that their opponents can not return to the front wall before the ball bounces twice. Squash and racquetball also both provide a good source of aerobic exercise, and can help players to develop their quickness and agility.
History
Squash has a much longer history than racquetball. Ted Wallbutton of the World Squash Federation credits pupils at the Harrow School in England with the invention of squash in the 1830s. According to Wallbutton, the students hit a punctured ball against a wall and discovered that it "squashed" on impact with the wall. The sport of squash was officially established in 1864. The United States Racquetball Association credits Joe Sobek with the invention of racquetball in 1968.
Courts
Racquetball requires a longer and narrower court than squash. According to the United States Racquetball Association, the standard racquetball court must measure 20 feet wide, 40 feet long and 20 feet high. The standard squash court, on the other hand, must measure 21 feet wide, 32 feet deep and 15 feet high at the highest in-bounds point. Racquetball courts do not have any out-of-bounds areas; all surfaces remain in play during rallies. Squash courts have several out-of-bounds areas, including the ceiling, the tops of the side walls, the top of the back wall and the tin strip along the bottom of the front wall.
Serving
Racquetball and squash follow different rules when it comes to serving. Racquetball players get two chances to serve the ball, while squash players get only one chance to serve. Racquetball players must bounce the ball and then hit it out of the air to serve, while squash players must hit the ball out of the air to serve. The squash serve must hit the front wall above the service line and then bounce behind the short line on the floor. The racquetball serve can hit any part of the front wall before bouncing behind the short line on the floor.
Scoring
In squash, you can win points on your serve and your opponent's serve. Players must reach 11 points with a two-point lead over the opponent to win a game in squash, and players must win three games to win the match of five. In racquetball, players can only win points on their own serve. Racquetball players must reach 15 points with a two-point lead over the opponent to win a game, and they must win two of three games to win the match. The third game in a racquetball match is played to 11 points. Both squash and racquetball allow players to replay points if accidental interference occurs. In racquetball, players can call for a "hinder," and in squash, players can call for a "let."
Equipment
Squash players use a smaller ball that bounces less than the larger racquetball. In fact, beginners often find squash more difficult at first, because the ball bounces so little. Racquetball players use a shorter, wider racquet with a larger hitting surface than the standard squash racquet.
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