It is time for 5x5 squash

I wrote in 2024 about why we need to improve our sport of squash and it's scoring system, it has been great speaking to fellow squash fans about the system and also speaking to the PSA about updating the scoring system. (See the last blog here)

How we change the scoring and improve our sport, it’s simple, we go to first to 5 points and first to 5 games. You’re never more than 4 points away from an opponent which will get rid of a player throwing the last few points of a game when he or she is 7 - 2 down (something I hate seeing) Every point means something from the word go and with sudden death at 4 points each in every game we could get to the point in a match at four all in games and four all in points making it a winner takes all rally! Imagine that point to decide a match or even an entire event! Excited yet?

Now this may sound like matches will be over in minutes, but a winner would still have to win at least 25 points to win a match (currently at least 33 points) and the overall match times when playing it myself are the difference of 5 – 10 minutes compared to playing PAR to 11 best of 5 games.

I think a change as simple but as radical as this could change how the game is viewed, the excitement of every point would draw a crowd in and keep an audience captivated from the moment they start watching; the scoring could then be easily displayed on a broadcast and allow us to cater for an audience that knows nothing about the sport.

When squash reaches LA28 it needs to be worth watching and I think a new scoring system as well as some other improvements across the board will make it easier and better to watch and understand.

When speaking to some current and former professional players and coaches it was intersting to hear their feedback.

Current PSA Mens World No.12 and French No.1 Victor Crouin said "It's an interesting idea! Always worth trying something new. I like the urgency of having to be focused for 5 points, then a break, then you have to that five times. It's something worth discussing in more in depth, and it's worth trying for sure!"

Former PSA Mens World No.4, SquashTV Commentator and one half of PJ and JB, Paul Johnson said "Something needs to change within the game to help its appeal and a new scoring system could certainly help. I like the sound of the concept and it could create more pivotal and intense moments within the games.  One sided matches will be over quicker so we can get the next match onto court sooner and well contested matches will continue to deliver a healthy match duration too."

If you like the sound of the scoring system, 5 x 5 or whatever you want to call it, give it a go next time you’re on court in a friendly down the club and see how intense it is from the first rally.

As for a new scoring sytem taking off for the PSA, it needs an event to try out the new scoring system to see how it is different and if it works better for a viewer. Fancy hosting an event with this scoring system? Let's talk.