Unlike the game of Football, where selecting a ball largely depends on the size, choosing a squash ball can be quite daunting. And it gets more complicated if you are a beginner or looking to pick up this sport as a hobby.
The choice of the ball largely depends on the skill of the players as well as the climate conditions of the squash arena.
One Dot or Double Dots?
This is the first question that comes to everybody’s mind before they take up this game – should I start with a single dot / double dots / single yellow dot etc..
The balls are categorized as a function of ‘Bounce’ and ‘Speed’. The balls’s performance also varies with temperature and it has to be sufficiently warmed up before starting the game.
The figure on the right shows the most common of the squash balls.
The one with 2 yellow dots are used by advanced players and used in competitions
Different Colours Explained
| Colour | Bounce | Speed (Hang Time) | Play Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Yellow Dots | Slow | Very Low | Experienced |
| Single Yellow Dot | Slow | Low | Advanced |
| Single Green Dot | Medium/Slow | Average | Intermediate/Beginner |
| Single Red Dot | Medium | High | Beginner |
| Single Blue Dot | Fast | Very High | Junior/New Players |
Apart from the table above there is also a squash ball with Orange Dot which is used in high altitude climates (primarily because the air is thinner). The Orange Dot ball is Super Slow in bounce and speed to facilitate travelling through thinner air.
Competition Ball
The standard ball for professional competitions are the Double Yellow Dot as prescribed by the World Squash Federation (WSF). This has been in existence since 2001. The Single Yellow Dot ball was the standard practice before 2001.
Beginners
For beginners it is always best to start with the blue or red dot as this gives sufficiency high bounce to learn the game. The double yellow dots require continuous rallies or hitting sufficiently hard to keep the ball bouncy, so it’s recommended to start with the single dot balls before moving to competition ball.
Court Conditions
Sometimes if it’s colder climates or in winters it’s better to play with the single yellow dot ball even for advanced players as the double yellow dots won;t simply bounce due to the cold conditions. So before starting any practice or training, try to take in the different conditions like court temperature, opponent play level, training objective before opting for a squash ball.
Training Conditions
Advanced players many time get hooked on to playing with the double yellow dot but it’s always good to mix it during training. Depending on the objective different kinds of balls can serve different purposes. For example for testing reactions it might be better to use single dot as it comes off the front wall faster (would be interesting to try volleying with a faster ball). For testing control, single red /blue dot can be used. Can an effective drop shot be practiced with a bouncier ball? All these answers depend on the training plan and objective and a different mix of balls can be used for different kind of style and shots.
Dunlop Balls
Dunlop is a major brand manufactuer for squash balls and they make around six different kinds of ball (four for adults and 2 for kids)
The squash ball with a double yellow dot is called the Pro. It´s suitable for very experienced players and is the official ball at most of the professional competitions. The Pro has the lowest bounce and requires a good technique by both players. The ball with a single yellow dot is called the Competition Squash ball. and it has the same dimensions as the official Pro ball but it bounces 10% more. This ball can also be used by advanced players in training sessions and especially in cold weather conditions.
The colors can also vary depending on the manufacturers, so please ensure to check before purchasing. Feel free to send us a message in case of any questions
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player looking to build different skill, it’s always better to understand the playing level and objectives before staring to play the game.
Do check out our other articles on the Court Dimensions and Squash Rules Refresher before starting out this game. Also there are articles on Squash Racquet Buying Guide and Different Shots in Squash as an assist to better your game.