1. You may challenge a player up to 3 positions above you on the ladder. If you are a new player (having just signed up) you can challenge anyone above you, including number 1.

2. All games should be played within 12 days of a challenge being made (unless there are extenuating circumstances) otherwise the challenger wins.

3. You should play your game at a mutually convenient time. If your timings do not coincide (one person can only play work days 9-5 and the other only evenings and weekends) and you CANNOT agree, then you MUST play your match on a weekday commencing between 5:00pm and 8:00pm. This will be known as a 'compulsory match time'.

4. If the person being challenged offers 3 different 'compulsory match times' (on different days) and the challenger cannot make any of them, then the CHALLENGE is VOID.

5. If the person being challenged cannot offer 3 different 'compulsory match times' (on different days) then the CHALLENGER WINS by default.

6. If either party is more than 20 minutes late in attending an agreed match then the late or non attender loses the match.

7. If you make a successful challenge you swap your name with the person you beat. Therefore you may jump (or drop) up to 3 positions at a time.

8. Matches are best of 5 games.

9. Please check with your opponent any 'local rules' prior to playing.

10. If no result has been recorded by two thirds of the way through the challenge period a reminder is emailed to both parties.

11. If no result has been recorded by the end of the challenge period a warning is sent to record the result within a few days 'grace period'.

12. If no result has been recorded by the end of the grace period the challenger automatically wins.

13. If the challenger wishes to cancel the challenge they may do so within the challenge and grace period with no consequences.

14. If the challenged person (challengee) wishes to forfeit the challenge they can record this within the challenge and grace period and the game is won by the challenger by forfeit.

* Games are played at the Georgia State University Recreation Center, which has one squash court. Click here for building hours.

Game Play

• Ladder matches are best-of-5 games.
• Games are scored to 9 points, where only server scores a point.
• Matches must be played with a standard yellow double-dot ball.
• Protective eyewear is encouraged
• For additional information on calling Lets and Strokes, see the Squash Info page.

How do I determine my skill level?

See the the general ratings criteria or the more detailed skill sets published by the United States Squash Racquets Association (USSRA). You may also be able to get a good idea by consulting the skill level of others on the ladder you have played against.

General Squash Related Links

• United States Squash Racquets Association (USSRA)
  publishes rules, rankings, rating criteria, clinics, national tournaments, and more
• guide-to-squash provides videos of lessons an pro-matches -- definitely worth checking out.
• In case you need to have your racquet restrung, here is a list of certified stringers

Guidelines on Interference -- Let or Stroke?

• All players should at least be familiar with the abbreviated rules of squash.
• To learn about the finer details, consult the complete rules on interference
• The interference rules are nicely summarized in this flow chart
• More detailed explanations of how these rules are applied in practice can be found in the RULES FAQ - Ask Don -- especially sections 05. Making Decisions and 08. Hitting opponent are applicable. This FAQ is particularly useful because it presents specific game scenarios that are quite common.

You will have noticed a points score appear next to player names on the rankings page (if logged in). This is a trial points rating system based on the classic Elo system. Players will be awarded points for winning and lose points for losing depending on how difficult the system calculates your opponent to be. It will take a few games to settle down the scoring system. Currently the rating is displayed for information purposes only but in future it will be possible to arrange the ladder ranking system around this points score.

This software is provided free of charge. To support further development of the ladder please consider making a donation. Thank you.

The ladder is hosted on a not for profit basis by squash-ladder.net. The data held is not processed for any purpose other than to allow individuals to participate in the ladder. The information held is Name and Email address. It is your choice if you wish to include any further contact details. They are stored in a password protected database. Your password to access the site is stored in the database in an encrypted form. The data is relatively safe but no guarantee is made regarding security. It is believed that these uses do not necessitate that the database and squash ladder be notified under the Data Protection Act, UK. Your ladder operator may need to register as a data operator depending on their country of operation. If you have any concerns about data protection or data security please discuss this with your ladder operator.

Technical Information