Squash vs Racquetball

Squash and racquetball are two completely different sports. The rackets, balls, and court dimensions differ between the two sports, creating two separate experiences. The rackets used in racquetball are smaller, with their allowed maximum length being 22 inches. Squash rackets can have a maximum allowed length of 27 inches.

A squash ball is smaller at 4 cm. in diameter than a racquetball, which is 2.25 inches in diameter. The racquetball is made of elastic rubber, and therefore has a much livelier bounce, and travels further than a squash ball when struck. The squash ball is made of a softer rubber, and must be hit harder in order to travel the same distance as a racquetball. Because of the smaller and softer ball, there is a greater variety of shots that can be played, making for a more dynamic and challenging style of play.

Also, there is an “out of bounds” area marked out around the squash court, particularly at the base of the front wall, and on the upper boundaries of the side walls. This is not so in racquetball. These boundaries create additional challenges, offering the squash player more opportunities to refine their skills.
In squash, you must allow your opponent the space to hit the entire front wall directly with their shot, but in racquetball you can allow only limited freedom to your opponent to hit only part of the front wall. This means that there are a limited number a shots that can be played, as well as more chances for a racquetball player to be struck by the ball coming from their opponent’s racquet.

In squash, there is more emphasis on clearing out of the way of your opponent, being aware at all times of your opponent’s proximity to you and the ball, and refraining from playing the shot if there is a chance of collision.

Above all else, squash provides an excellent cardiovascular workout. In one hour of squash, a player may expend approximately 600 to 1000 calories. The sport also provides a good upper and lower body workout by utilizing both the legs to run around the court and the arms and torso to swing the racquet. In 2009, Forbes magazine rated squash as the number one healthiest sport to play.