The Basic Requirements for building a Squash Court
(International Soft-ball courts)


Playing Space Requirements

The floor area (playing area) of one singles squash court is 9.75m  x  6.40m.  This is 62.4 square m.  The minimum height from the floor to the ceiling or to anything that projects from the ceiling (lights, fans, air-conditioning ducts, structural items etc.) is 5.64m.  See the detailed specification (go to opening page pull down index) for full details and drawings.

NOTE:  Please ensure that you are working to plans that have the 9.75m x 6.40m floor dimensions.  Some publications show American size Squash Courts, which only have a width of 5.64m or Racquetball Courts, which are only 6.10m wide.  Neither of these is suitable for the International game of Squash. 

Other Requirements

These requirements are dependant on where the Squash  Courts are built and for what purpose they are built.  If, for instance, courts are built into a condominium or hotel then it is possible that there are no other space requirements although we would recommend viewing space behind the glass back wall.  If a glass back wall is not used, then we recommend a small viewing gallery or balcony. 

If courts are built into, say, a Sports Centre or Tennis Court Complex any other requirements may well be catered for by the existing facilities.  In a completely new facility the following are some of the points that should be considered.

  •          Changing Facilities.  Men and Women

  •          Toilets

  •          Showers

  •          Lockers

  •          Drinking facilities. Water Fountain

  •          Office

  •          Bar and Snacks counter including kitchen

  •          Check-in area

  •          Sports Shop/Racket repair

  •          Air-conditioning/Heating

  •          Court lighting control

  •          Public Address equipment

  •          Computer booking equipment

  •          Telephones/Clocks/Fire Alarms

  •          Vending Machines

  •          Notice Boards (more rather than less)

  •          Cabinets for Trophies etc.

  •          First Aid Kits/Emergency Medical Aid

  •          No Smoking/Eating signs

  •          Correct Dress/Footwear signs

  •          Staff requirements (Operations and Maintenance)

  •          Credit Card use facilities

  •          Car parking facilities

  •          Tiered Seating

  •          Insurance

The above list is not exhaustive and some items need not be considered in some circumstances.

Number of Courts

This depends on what you have in mind.  For a condominium or hotel probably one or two are required, depending on the size of the condominium or hotel.  For a commercial fee paying complex a minimum of 4 courts with space for expansion up to 8 courts and preferably more.  An economic study is recommended.  Single or multi-story  construction should be considered.

Court Details

Walls  Walls can be constructed either in brick or concrete block or any other construction method that gives solid non-yielding walls.  The back wall is preferably made of glass, with a door in the centre of the wall.  Such glass is a special product and should be obtained from a recognised supplier.  The back wall does not have to be glass but this is the preferred arrangement to allow spectators to see the game.

The walls (except the glass) are covered with white plaster, which has to be carefully bonded with the walls.  This is particularly important as the walls take punishment from both the wall and to a lesser extent the racket.  The ball , whilst only weighing about 24 gms. Can reach speeds of up to 160Km./hr. and the force can be considerable.  An alternative is plastic or reinforced panels.

Floors  Floors should be constructed of light colored wood (similar in colour to English Beech or Canadian Rock Maple) tongued and grooved in as long  lengths as possible.  Other methods are also used and it is preferable to use a Squash court specialist for the installation.  The boards should be laid from front to back and not transversely. (See photo below) Rubber or other flexible material is used under the wood to give the floor a certain amount of “spring” or “give”.  Our recommendation is that the floor is sanded but not painted, varnished, oiled or polished to avoid players slipping.  


Showing how the floors should be laid

Concrete floors are not usually suitable unless the court is a basic outdoor court without a roof used for beginners.  Parquet floors have been used but do not have the “spring” or “give”.

Lighting  Lighting may be made in various ways but most commonly it is by fluorescent tubes.  The specification, later in the book, gives an example.  If the courts are fee-paying on a time basis, you may wish to consider  the central control of the individual court lighting by the Supervisor/Receptionist.

Note:  No part of any lighting fixture must be lower than 5.64m from the floor level.

Door  It is very important that the door to the court is in the centre of the back wall.  This is because the rear corners of the court are very important in the game of Squash and there should be smooth surfaces unbroken by the cracks of a door which may cause the ball to bounce unevenly.

The door, its frame, hinges and handle should all be flush with the inside back wall.  The door should open into the court and be strong enough to withstand a player crashing into it.  A recessed inside handle is required so that players can open the door.  For a glass back wall, the glass supplier provides the door and all accessories to mount the wall.

The Board and Tin   Particular attention should be paid to the installation of the Board and tin.  This is equivalent to the net in Tennis.  The specification  provides details.

The Line and Out of Court Markings  This also requires particular attention, particularly as to width, placing and colour.  In Tennis any ball on a line is considered “in” whereas in Squash it is considered “out”.  The specification  provides details.

Ventilation and Air-conditioning/Heating    We will not go into the arguments for and against ventilation or air-conditioning/heating.  Whilst there are still a number of courts  that are not air-conditioned or heated, the current trend is for them to be air-conditioned or heated.  What is important, whichever method you use, that no fans, ducts or air-conditioning/heating openings must project into the required clear space.  See the specification.

Coloured Courts  Coloured courts are now allowed by the WSF Specification.  Walls and floors may be coloured and up to a maximum of 3 colours may be used.  Please see section 10 for details.

Doubles Courts  An International Doubles Court has exactly the same dimensions as a International Singles Court with the exception that the width is 7.62m instead of 6.4m.  The general trend in construction is to build singles courts with a movable side wall to increase the size to that of a doubles court.  Squash Doubles is an exiting game for 4 players (rather like Badminton, Tennis and Table Tennis) and the provision of doubles courts should be considered.  The specification gives details of this and several of the suppliers listed can supply such moving walls.

Smoking, Eating and Drinking  It is strongly recommends that no smoking be allowed in any Squash court buildings.

It also recommends that where eating and drinking is allowed in any Squash court buildings that measures are taken, where there is a balcony or gallery, so that no food, drink, glasses, bottles, cans, plates or any other items can fall on the playing surface.

The World Squash Federation

The Technical Committee of the World Squash Federation is responsible for the Specifications that govern the building of Squash Courts.  For details of its members please go to the pull down menu on the opening page.  If you have a query please contact one of these members.