Squash

Strategy, physicality, agility. These are the words that come to mind when thinking about the game Forbes Magazine voted as the number one healthiest sport, a game that pros and novices alike gathered to play on a Tuesday in August at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia. From its health benefits to its intense use of strategy, squash is a well-rounded game that’s fun for all skill levels. Not to mention, our team had the privilege of learning from seasoned pro and top-ranked squash player, Olivia Weaver.

So we thought…why not give it a try?

Squash is a racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small rubber ball. Like most court sports, game play starts with a serve and then goes on with a back-and-forth rally that continues until one player fails to return the ball. Unlike most court sports, the rally in squash works by hitting the ball against the four walls.

The ball must be served above the tin (a high metal strip at the bottom of the front wall, acting as the lowest boundary for a valid shot) and below the out line (a line at the top of the front wall that extends along the side and back walls, acting as the “out of bounds” marker). The ball can strike the side or back walls at any time, as long as it hits below the out line and above the tin.

The ball can bounce only once on the floor before a hit is returned and players are free to move anywhere on the court. A rally is won when one opponent fails to return the ball before the second bounce, hits the ball out of bounds, or interferes with the other opponent’s shot.

We got to try our hand at squash at the Artem Specter Center in Philadelphia, PA. The Specter Center is the world’s preeminent squash facility, serving as the national center and a cornerstone for the US Squash Community Affiliate Network.

Weaver, who was part of the first United States team to reach the final of the 2022 Women's World Team Squash Championships, considers squash to be the best kept secret in the world of sports. “It’s one of the best workouts you’ll ever have, but it doesn’t feel like a workout because you’re too busy trying to outsmart your opponent and chase the ball down,” she continued, “It’s fast, it’s creative, and it’s social—you can play at any level and still get a great game.” Weaver’s enthusiasm for squash came through at every turn.

From her positive demeanor when showing us the boundary lines to her genuine encouragement when we went up against her in a game of King’s Court (she definitely let a few of us get a point here and there), her love for the game is infectious, so much so that a few of us came away wanting to try squash on our own time.

We kept it court-sport classic for our day of trying squash. The Swing of Things Skortsie paired perfectly with the Knockout Tank for a functional fit, and the Smockin Hot Dress was a welcome addition and so easy to move in. Of course we loved the Carpe Diem Short with its ultra-comfortable built-in brief and the Tempo Ruched Long Sleeve which was super light and sweat-wicking, making it the perfect layer for a high-impact sport like squash. Special shoutout to the Run For The Hills Short for having just enough stretch for easy movement all over the squash court.

We started with some simple warm-ups to get our bodies moving before taking to the courts in small groups and learning the basics of swinging the racket, chasing the ball, and the ongoing mental game of outsmarting your opponent. The main thing Olivia made sure we understood? It’s all about the T!
In squash, the "T" is a tactical position in the center of the court, one that skilled players try to return to after every shot to maintain a balanced spot in order to be in the best possible position to hit the opponent’s next shot and conversely, control the rally and have a better chance of winning the game.

“The beauty of squash is that there’s no one “right” way to play—it’s problem-solving, fitness, and fun all in one.”