Sport comparison
Squash vs Volleyball: What's the Difference?
If you're trying to decide between Squash and Volleyball, the honest answer is they're different enough that most people end up enjoying both for different reasons. This page lays out the differences so you can pick where to start.
| Attribute | Squash | Volleyball |
|---|---|---|
| Court size | 9.75m × 6.4m, four-walled enclosed court | 18m × 9m (indoor 6v6) / 16m × 8m (beach 2v2) |
| Equipment | Squash racquet, hollow rubber ball, no net | Volleyball, net at 2.43m (men) / 2.24m (women), no other gear |
| Scoring | PAR-11 (point a rally, first to 11, win by 2), best of 5 games | 25-point rally scoring (win by 2, deciding set to 15), best of 5 sets indoor / best of 3 sets beach |
| Physical demand | Very high — explosive lunging, sustained intensity, often called the toughest racquet sport | High — explosive jumping, lateral movement, full-team coordination |
| Learning curve | Moderate — getting the ball back is easy, controlling it precisely is hard | Steep — basic pass and set are doable in a session, all 6 positions take years |
| Match duration | 30–60 minutes | 60–120 minutes |
| Indoor / outdoor | Indoor only (enclosed court) | Both — indoor 6v6 and beach 2v2 are completely separate disciplines |
| Group size | Singles primarily | 2v2 (beach), 4v4 (recreational), 6v6 (standard indoor) |
How Squash and Volleyball compare
The rule sets diverge in a few specific places that matter on day one.
Squash uses Squash racquet, hollow rubber ball, no net. The scoring runs PAR-11 (point a rally, first to 11, win by 2), best of 5 games, which sounds complex but is intuitive after a few games. Match length is typically 30–60 minutes.
Volleyball, by contrast, plays on 18m × 9m (indoor 6v6) / 16m × 8m (beach 2v2). Physical demand is high — explosive jumping, lateral movement, full-team coordination. Learning curve steep — basic pass and set are doable in a session, all 6 positions take years.
The deciding factors
For someone choosing between the two, the deciding factor is usually time + intensity. Squash is the higher-commitment option in terms of fitness — it's genuinely demanding. Volleyball is easier to fit into a casual schedule and forgives a longer break between sessions.
The biggest practical question is venue access. Squash courts are more common in some countries; Volleyball courts in others. Check what's within 15 minutes of home before committing — the sport you can actually play regularly beats the sport you'd theoretically prefer.
Which should you try first?
Most people we know start with **Squash** because it's the more forgiving option. Once you're comfortable, the other becomes a great complement.
But honestly: try both if you can. Volley supports all 9 sports with separate ELO ratings, so you can play both, see how you progress in each, and decide which one you actually enjoy more after a few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Which sport has more clubs near me?
Depends entirely on where you live. Squash and Volleyball both have growing player bases globally but the density varies enormously by region. Search both terms in your local sports facility directory.
Can I play both Squash and Volleyball?
Yes — and many people do. The skills overlap enough that learning one helps the other (especially the racquet sports). Volley tracks separate ELO ratings per sport, so you can see how you stack up in each independently.
Can I track my Squash and Volleyball ratings in one app?
Yes. Volley supports all 9 racquet, court, and team sports with separate ELO ratings per sport plus an All-Rounder rating that combines them. Free on iOS and Android.
Is Squash or Volleyball better for fitness?
Both are good cardio. Squash demands very high — explosive lunging, sustained intensity, often called the toughest racquet sport; Volleyball demands high — explosive jumping, lateral movement, full-team coordination. If pure intensity per hour is the goal, the higher-demand sport wins. If sustainability over years is the goal, the lower-demand one is the better long-term play.