PAR Point-a-Rally scoring

The rules are changing. The international governing bodies have started the ball rolling. Expect the rules to change soon. In England the rules are changing for all junior events, to come in line with Men's professional scoring system. It is known as "American Scoring" by most, where every rally results in a point to the winner.

Herts League PAR Scoring
It was recently decided to adopt the Point-A-Rally scoring system in all league matches. The Herts County Committee says: -

"At the Herts Squash AGM held on 23rd Sept 2008 the following proposal was voted on and carried by the AGM.
The proposal was to move to PAR scoring for the forthcoming winter season. So, Herts Squash will, with immediate effect, change to the PAR (point a rally) scoring system in both the men’s and ladies league squash.
The matches will be played best of five scoring to 11 for divisions 1 and 2, and best of five scoring to 15 for divisions 3, 4, 5 and ladies. In the event of games getting to 10-10 or 14-14, then it will be 2 clear points. However the result can only be entered as 11-9 (div 1 and 2) or 15-13 (div 3,4,5 and ladies)
We consider this a proactive and positive move for squash in Hertfordshire with many other counties also currently considering the change to PAR scoring. After an initial adjustment period for those players not having used the system before, we feel this will create even more competitive matches throughout the county leagues. This system will also be used at the Herts Closed Tournament in January 2009".

The Committee

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TheSquashPlayer Rules Debate.

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In 2008-9 sanctioned England Junior events, will be the first to 11 points per game. It could be 2009-2010 before adults change their scoring system in England. Ian McKenzie of The Squash Player has said the character of domestic (mainly non-professional) squash will change forever and to the detriment.

In a media obsessed world, PAR is inevitable, in my opinion. Here is the England Squash announcement as of 1st August 2008.

England Squash introduce PAR Scoring to all Junior Sanctioned Events

England Squash, the National Governing Body for Squash & Racketball, have announced that all junior sanctioned events will be played under a Point-A-Rally (PAR) scoring system from the 2008/9 season onwards, to keep scoring in junior events consistent with the new European Squash Federation PAR-to-11 rules.

At its AGM in May, the European Squash Federation (ESF) voted to move to PAR-to-11 scoring for all competitive squash under the Federation’s jurisdiction – including the ESF Junior Circuit - for an experimental period of 12 months. England Squash’s Performance Department quickly moved to propose that junior squash in England moved to PAR-to-11 to ensure that young English players were not disadvantaged when playing competitive squash on the European stage.

With this in mind England Squash’s Board of Directors has agreed that all junior sanctioned competitions under its jurisdiction will be PAR-to-11 for the 2008/09 season.

Trials have shown that PAR scoring creates a more exciting game for players and spectators, and there is a strong desire within squash to create a simple and consistent scoring system across all levels of the sport.

“I believe that adopting PAR scoring next season for junior competition will be of significant benefit to all English players. They will be able to develop their game accordingly and feel comfortable using the new scoring system in competitive play, in the future,” revealed Jim Lord, England Squash Director of Development & Competitions. 

For more information on the rules changes contact the England Squash Events Department:

events@englandsquash.com