Squash, a fast-moving and very entertaining racquet sport, is a well-documented game that has been played in the UK since always, and it has been a sport that has engaged people of all ages and expertise.

For those who are new to the game, knowing the basic rules is a must as it is the main aspect of both playing and improving your game. 

This beginners guide to squash rules in the UK is meant to offer the basic facts like the court layout and the scoring processes; to give you an initial entry point into this exciting squash experience.

The Squash Court: Layout and Equipment

Court Dimensions and Markings

The squash court is a four-walled rectangular space, 9.75m long, and 6.4m wide. The front of the court is an important part of the court and comprises many important markings:

• The front wall shows a service line 1.83 meters high and a tin line 0.48 meters high.
• The back wall also has a service line, which is lower, at 0.99 meters.
• The floor is divided into the service boxes between the half-court line.

Essential Equipment

Playing a racquetball game is possible only if you possess a racquet, a ball, and clothes that do not stain the court, which is also quite important. Racquets are light and typically made of composite materials, the balls are small and rubbery, and there are different types based on the speed and bounce.

Basic Rules and Gameplay

The Serve

The game starts with a serve, the player is allowed to strike a service while within the service box and at least have a portion of the leg in it; furthermore, the ball has to hit the front wall over the service line and land in the opposite quarter court before it is considered legit, a let (replay) is declared in the case of a service that is not counted, the server is granted one more serve, this part of the game requires precision and power,  Similar to the element of chance in online slots, a well-placed serve can set the tone for the entire game.

Rally and Scoring

After a successful serve, the players immediately hit the ball so that it bounces off the wall opposite to the server. The ball can even hit the rear and side walls apart from the front wall as it must reach the front wall before a bounce takes place. This will be called let, which is a Dead Ball and no point will be given to either player, in case a player gets hit by the ball by the strikers racquet before it hits the wall. The rally will drag on till the player misses hitting the ball before it bounces twice, hits the tin, or the ball goes out of bounds.

Though there are several formats, the most common one, played in the UK, is the point-a-rally scoring (PARS) of up to 11 points. Under PARS, players score a point regardless of who serves. The player with the highest score wins the game. The player has to win with at least two points more than the opponent. The most common case is the game which is three games out of five.

Rules for Fair Play and Safety

Interference and Let

One of the sports that require fair play and respect for your opponent is squash. When a player obstructs his opponent and uses the ball as a weapon, it is called interference, in that case, let can be called provided that the interference is not intentional; if a player does it on purpose, lifts their racket, and uses the ball to hit their opponent thereby obstructing them then the referee can award a stroke to the tackle player.

Stroke and Conduct

A stroke is called when a player is deprived of his winning chance by his opponents behaviour; in a game of squash, the sportsmanship of the players is also significant, the players must act nicely and shouldnt do anything questionable to stop a player or cause a problem with the game.

Strategies for Beginners

Positioning and Movement

In squash, excellent footing and making various movements are virtually non-negotiable, starters must find the T spot, in the middle of the court, after each punch, it is this position that gives you the chance to be in an advantageous position, that is, to play a bigger area and to put pressure on your rival.

Shot Selection

The right shot can be a move-changer. Talking about beginners who should train in the fundamental straight driver, cross-court shots, and boasts (hitting the balls off the side wall). The more acquainted you are with a sum of them the more problematic for your opponent the whole match is going to be.

Advanced Techniques and Tactics

Drop Shots and Lobs

As you move from an apprentice to an expert, the use of complicated tactics like drops and lobs can give your game the required edge. 

• A drop shot is a gentle, low shot that lands just beyond the tin and makes it difficult for the opponent to reach the ball.
• A lob is a very high, arched ball, directed to go to the back of the court so you can recover and reposition yourself. 

In this way, the drop shot and lob can be regarded as two sides of a chess move, one move is offensive, and the other one is defensive.

Mind Games

Squash is not just a physical contest but a battle of mental acumen; skilled squash players apply a wide range of strategies to outplay their rivals, such as varying the speed of play, concealing hits, and taking advantage of the opponents vulnerabilities, what is of utmost importance, is to be the person who is the most mentally keen and to keep your senses sharp so that you always are one step ahead of your opponent.

Squash Etiquette and Culture

Dress Code and Behavior

Squash players in the UK are obliged to comply with the policy of the squash dress code i.e. wearing comfortable, breathable clothes, non-marking shoes, and being disciplined. Being punctual and adhering to the rules of fair play becomes relevant only if you dress modestly and respect the others courtesy; hence, if you have proven to do both.

Joining Clubs and Tournaments

Joining a local squash club can provide valuable opportunities for practice, coaching, and competition, which can be very exciting. There are also several beginner-friendly and social programs organized by numerous clubs in the UK, which are very attractive to people who want to make friends and practice. 

Participating in tournaments, even at the beginner level, can also help you gain experience and meet other squash enthusiasts, even though at the beginning someone can often lose.

The Future of Squash in the UK

Youth Programs and Development

The youth of the UK have a bright future in squash, with many programs specially designed for talent development, which is very nice to see. Additionally, schools are increasingly making squash part of their sports curriculum, which allows them to raise a new generation of players.

Technological Advancements

There are technological advancements that are also facilitating the growth of squash games, different tools supplement video analysis that permits players to practice particular techniques better while apps that log the scores and performance data are in trend, these improvements are providing extra entertaining and interactive practice for all categories of participants.

In conclusion, squash is an exciting and challenging game that can provide many physical and mental benefits to the player. It becomes a lot easier if you follow strategic rules and tips, especially, if you are a beginner and you live in the UK. 

Whether you are having fun playing or wanting to take part in a game at an advanced level, the values of sportsmanship, honesty, and the search for improvement should be your guidelines; open your mind to the complexity and excitement of this game and accompany the endless play and the change and personal growth that squash can offer.

Ireland's hopes of a first Olympic medal in rugby sevens are over following a 19-15 defeat to Fiji in the quarter-finals at the Stade de France.

James Topping's side had led the back-to-back gold medallists by 15-7 in the second half but would let slip their second two-score advantage of the day after an earlier pool-stage defeat to New Zealand.

In what was Ireland's first quarter-final at this level, Fiji had the game's first score within the first minute of the contest.

Iosefo Baleiwairiki fended off the tackle of Niall Comerford to make the key break and finished off the try despite a spirited chase from Chay Mullins.

It was Mullins who would drag Ireland back into the game, scoring a double before half-time to put his side ahead at the break despite both tries going unconverted.

His second felt especially timely, coming just before the interval and from an attack where Ireland had looked to be drifting towards the touchline before Mullins took on Gavin Mullin's pass and burst through the tackle to score.

In the second half, Zac Ward, who has been in excellent form in Paris, put Ireland eight points ahead with an opportunistic finish down the blindside of a ruck after his own strong carry had advanced his side to within a metre of the whitewash.

After a series of underwhelming performances in the pool stage, where they finished second behind Fiji, this was a statement performance from France.

Back-rower Andy Timo scored the opening try after two minutes before 24-year-old Grandidier, who has an English father and a French mother, twice stormed in down the right.

Rayan Rebbadj added the conversions as France led 21-0 at half-time, even with talisman Antoine Dupont starting on the bench.

"We knew we had to start strong against a team like Argentina, they have been so good this season," said Grandidier.

"If we didn't put in a XXL performance against them we knew we would be in trouble."

Argentina narrowed the deficit to 21-14 through tries from Rodrigo Isgro and Marcos Moneta after the break, with Joaquin Pellandini kicking the extras.

Dupont, the irrepressible 15s superstar who is one of the poster boys of the Games, came on to add some nous as France played patiently to slow down their opponent's momentum.

Of course, Dupont also had to sprinkle some magic too. The scrum-half ran in a late try to seal victory and end Argentina's hopes of what would have been seen as a villainous comeback.

Grandidier was at the centre of the celebrations after the final whistle, high-fiving the gleeful supporters on the front row behind the dugout.

"We need to play without pressure which maybe let us down the first couple of games but we set the record straight," he said.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed All-Star Travis Konecny to an eight-year extension worth $70 million, committing to him being a long-term part of their core as they seek to shift from rebuilding mode to contending.

The deal announced Thursday keeps Konecny under contract through 2033. He will count $8.75 million against the salary cap starting in the 2025-26 NHL season, which would make him Philadelphia's highest-paid player.

On a video call with reporters, Konecny described his decision as a no-brainer given what he sees as the organization's trajectory. And he had no doubt in his mind that he wanted to play for the Flyers for the foreseeable future.

"That was one of the biggest things for me was I just wanted to get this over with," Konecny said. "This is where I wanted to be, so it was pretty easy for me to make the decision I was going to stay here as long as possible."

General manager Daniel Briere called Konecny an integral part of the team's fabric and a player who has grown into a significant leader.

"His work ethic, combined with his tenacity and talent, makes him a central figure for what we are building towards," Briere said. "And his determination for our future success speaks volumes about his commitment to our team and city."

Konecny, 27, set career highs with 33 goals and 68 points last season. He was set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer and as a result had been the subject of trade buzz in recent months.

"It never really bothered me," Konecny said. "You always know if something came along that you never know what happens. But I was pretty confident just from conversations that I had had with Danny and how he knew I felt ... that we were going to be able to sort something out."

Instead, the Flyers added Konecny to the list of players signed for multiple years, a group that includes captain Sean Couturier, fellow forwards Joel Farabee and Owen Tippett and defenseman Travis Sanheim.

One of the most exciting developments for the franchise's future came earlier this week when top prospect Matvei Michkov arrived in the U.S. after getting out of his contract in the Russia-based KHL and signing his entry-level deal with Philadelphia. The Flyers selected Michkov with the seventh pick in the 2023 draft, and he immediately became the most important part of the organization's attempt to return to the playoffs in the not-too-distant future.

"From the little videos I've seen on the internet, he looks like a great player and he's going to be a great addition to the team," Konecny said. "I really looking forward to helping him out as much as I can and seeing what he's capable of doing on the ice."

Arsenal are close to finalising a deal with Bologna for defender Riccardo Calafiori, who is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days, sources have told ESPN.

The 22-year-old is set to join up with Arsenal in the United States as their pre-season tour continues with games against Manchester United and Liverpool over the next week.

Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal will pay in the region of 50 million ($64m) for Calafiori with a significant chunk of that amount due to his former club Basel, who negotiated a sell-on fee when allowing him to move in the summer of 2023.

Calafiori is an Italy international capable of playing at centre-back and left-back. He featured in all three of Italy's group-stage matches at Euro 2024 and is set to become Arsenal's first addition of the summer after making David Raya's loan move to Brentford permanent in a deal worth 30m ($38m) in total.

Argentina men's soccer coach Javier Mascherano said the team's Olympic training base was robbed before its chaotic tournament-opening loss to Morocco on Wednesday.

The Argentina delegation filed a police complaint in Lyon, the prosecutor's office of nearby Saint-Etienne said Thursday.

"They went into training and they robbed us, in the Olympic Games," Mascherano said after his team's shocking 2-1 loss. "We didn't want to say anything after training, I don't think it helps anything. But obviously it's a bit disagreeable that these kinds of things happen."

Mascherano said midfielder Thiago Almada's watch was among the items taken.

It has been a troubled start to the Olympics for Argentina, which took gold in 2004 and 2008.

It's game in Saint-Etienne was suspended for nearly two hours after Morocco fans rushed the field and threw bottles to protest what appeared to be an equalizing goal from Cristian Medina in the 16th minute of added time.

The game was eventually resumed after fans were told to leave Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. The goal was overturned after being reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Morocco held on as they played out the final three minutes.

Argentina's soccer federation said it had issued a formal protest Wednesday to world governing body FIFA and would do "what is necessary" to guarantee the safety of players.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that star summer signing Kylian Mbappé will fit right in to the club's lineup despite their already abundant offensive options.

Asked about Mbappé's preference for the left side by his former player John Obi Mikel, who co-hosts the Obi One Podcast, Ancelotti did not specify a role but said there is plenty of room up front.

"Honestly, I haven't thought about it," Ancelotti said about the player's ideal fit. "Fitting Mbappé in the team won't be a problem. It's important to remember what he said: He'll adapt to the team. The key is that each player has to contribute talent and quality in service to the team."

Real Madrid won the LaLiga and UEFA Champions League double last season, when it was typical for forwards Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo to move around under Ancelotti's attack.

"Sometimes you can play on the left, sometimes you can play in the middle," Ancelotti said.

The expectation is that Madrid will start the season under a 4-3-3 scheme with Mbappé alongside Vinícius and Rodrygo. The manager could switch Mbappé to one of his other two teammates' spots during particular stretches.

"I see [Mbappé] him playing up front, and the attack is quite wide. The pitch is 68 meters wide, and we have to cover those 68 meters with the players in front," he joked.

"It could be Vinícius. Because if I ask you, where did Vinícius play last season, it's difficult to say. He didn't play like a [left] winger. The important key to an attacking play is the mobility of the players."

The Italian manager also shed light on his first conversation with Mbappé after his addition from Paris Saint-Germain became official last month.

"Two things: First, I gave him a warm welcome, because the reception from Real Madrid and the fans was exceptional," he said. "Second, I told him to rest, to go on vacation because it's a very long season for players."

As fans questioned whether the U.S. women's national team was ready for the 2024 Olympics after a disastrous World Cup campaign last year, head coach Emma Hayes asked for patience as the team worked through growing pains.

The answers came quickly in the USWNT's opener of the Olympics in France.

The Americans scored three goals in the opening 25 minutes to defeat Zambia 3-0 on Thursday and, despite a quieter second half, they looked convincing in the win. Trinity Rodman's brilliant spin-turn created space for a flashy opening goal before Mallory Swanson scored twice in a minute to punctuate the flying start from the four-time Olympic gold-medalists.

The USWNT's performance featured a proficiency that was lacking in recent matches and an intensity that was rarely seen from the Americans at last year's World Cup. It is exactly the start the Americans needed amid doubts about their place among the world's elite after a round-of-16 exit last year -- the team's worst World Cup in history.

Yes, Zambia played nearly an hour of the match down a player, but the USWNT was dominant and scored three times well before Pauline Zulu was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Lindsey Horan nearly found the net 30 seconds into the match after fullback Emily Fox danced into the penalty area. Rodman hit the crossbar nine minutes into the match and Swanson did the same five minutes later.

The breakthrough came just as it felt like history was repeating itself from the wasteful, scoreless draw in the Americans' sendoff game against Costa Rica nine days earlier. The feelings of déjà vu were quickly erased in Nice, France as Sophia Smith drifted to the left touchline and tip-toed around defenders and found Horan, whose ball to Rodman assisted the magical opening goal.

This was the USWNT attack the Americans hoped to have on the world stage last year, but one that never showed up at the World Cup.

Rodman has arguably been the USWNT's most important player -- certainly in the attack -- over the past year. Thursday was Rodman's 31st consecutive appearance for the U.S. and she is the only player to have appeared in every match since the start of 2023.

Amid the relentless change around this USWNT in transition, Rodman has been the constant -- a status she has earned through tireless two-way play on the right wing. Rodman's opening goal against Zambia, her first in a major tournament, was the climax of that ascent.

Swanson's influence on the field is the other major change from the World Cup. She was arguably the best player in the world at the start of 2023, but a torn patella tendon three months prior to the World Cup ruled her out of that tournament. Her return to the USWNT fold earlier this year was an immediate reminder of what the team missed from Swanson last year.

Hayes has lauded Swanson as a "connector" and someone she has "always admired." The coach's recent description of Swanson as "magnetic" might be the most appropriate -- where Swanson goes, so too does the U.S.

On Thursday, as was the case in previous games, Swanson lined up as a left winger on paper but drifted into central areas. It is from there that Swanson scored both of her goals on Thursday. "Fluidity" is often the word used to describe the front three of Smith, Swanson, and Rodman, and Swanson's return is integral to ensuring it clicks.

The USWNT created nearly 5.00 expected goals against Zambia, per TruMedia. (Expected goals, or xG, are a measure of chance creation -- the higher the xG, the more dangerous a team was.) In 10 combined games at the 2021 and 2016 Olympics, the USWNT never even reached 1.75 xG in a single game, including in a 6-1 win over New Zealand in Tokyo (1.70 xG), highlighting how dominant Thursday's win over Zambia really was.

The USWNT was defensively sound, too, anchored by centerbacks Naomi Girma (the one bright spot from the 2023 World Cup) and Tierna Davidson. They contained Barbra Banda -- who Hayes recently called the most in-form striker in the world -- relegating her to a quiet night that, at one point in the second half, included a desperate shot from 40 yards out.

If there is a trace of disappointment in Thursday's result, it would be that the Americans still wasted several opportunities that could have provided a fourth goal and an edge over groupmates Germany (3-0 winners over Australia) in the goal-difference tiebreaker. The USWNT will rue missing uncontested headers inside the six-yard box by Rodman and Crystal Dunn.

Zambia -- a team that conceded 10 goals in a game at the previous Olympics -- looked awful, playing reactionary soccer on defense, even before going down to 10 players. But five substitutions and several positional changes were also factors in the Americans being less clinical in the second half. It was also the USWNT's fifth consecutive clean sheet under Hayes as the Americans did well to contain Zambia's clinical striker Barbra Banda.

Disappointment not to score more is the type of champagne problem the USWNT can no worry about, a point Hayes has stressed repeatedly recently as she has talked about having respect for the rest of the world. This result was everything the USWNT needed -- they've been asked relentlessly about last year's World Cup and repeated themselves ad nauseum that they have moved on from it.

Saying and doing, however, are two different things, and while the most important thing about Thursday's victory was securing three points and a healthy goal, it was equally an important part of smashing the lingering narrative of yesteryear.

One game does not suddenly make the USWNT the tournament favorites, regardless of what any bookmaker's odds say. But Hayes was insistent her team could not look past Zambia -- and they didn't. They took care of business in the opening game and put themselves in good shape to get out of a challenging group with mighty Germany awaiting on Sunday.

This performance exactly what the USWNT needed -- and that isn't something that could have been said about any of their four matches at last year's World Cup.