Even though squash and racquetball are both played with racquets, they are very different in many ways. The two games began on different continents, but are now popular all over the world. In fact, squash and racquetball have both come under consideration for inclusion as Olympic sports. Despite this common ground, they use different formats, racquets, balls and courts.
History
James Zug, author of "Squash: A History of the Game," traces that sport's beginnings to nineteenth-century England. It didn't become popular outside of Great Britain until the following century, when it spread to Canada and then the rest of the world. According to the International Racquetball Federation, that game began as an American sport in the late 1940s, developed by an athlete looking to create a game that was faster paced than handball. Racquetball grew internationally by the 1980s.
Format
Squash and racquetball are played with either two or four players -- singles and doubles, respectively. The objective of both games is to keep the ball in play with rallies between players. In squash, you want to avoid hitting the opponent with the ball, while in racquetball, the objective is to keep the ball from touching the floor twice, or touching the front wall before the floor.
Racquet
A squash racquet can measure as much as 27 inches, per the World Squash Federation, and weigh less than 8.99 oz. The International Racquetball Federation mandates that a racquet for racquetball may not exceed 22 inches, including the handle. This type of racquet also must have a cord attached to the player's wrist, but there is no weight requirement.
Ball
The balls used for squash and racquetball should both be 2.25 inches in diameter, according to the governing bodies of those sports. A squash ball is constructed of a more elastic rubber, and can weigh less than 1 oz. The ball used for racquetball is heavier, weighing approximately 1.4 oz. A racquetball ball also has a higher bounce, while the squash ball slows down during the rally progression.
Court
A squash court is open on the sides with lines marked around it. A racquetball court is a fully enclosed area, though it may be indoors or outdoors. A squash court is a little smaller, with the singles court measuring 32 by 21 feet. A racquetball court is about 40 by 20, with a height of approximately 20 feet. In squash, if the ball hits the ceiling, it is considered "out"; in racquetball, the ball is allowed to hit the ceiling.
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