Good squash commentary makes a fast, hard-to-follow sport watchable: it tells you why a player chose that drop, not just that the rally ended. The best commentators read the game as it happens and turn it into something a newcomer can follow and a regular still learns from.

What Does Squash Commentating Involve, and Why Does It Matter?

Squash commentating means narrating a match in real time and providing insight. A commentator is more than a play-by-play announcer: they describe key moments, explain the tactics and rules behind them, highlight strategies a casual viewer might miss, and build excitement at pivotal points. Without commentary, a match can feel flat or confusing for newcomers; with a skilled voice, a layperson can appreciate a tactical battle or the significance of a championship point.

A commentator juggles several roles at once:

  • Narrator: describing the action clearly, but not redundantly, since viewers can see the ball.
  • Analyst: covering players' tactics, fitness, and mindset.
  • Teacher: clarifying rules, since squash's let and stroke decisions can be tricky.
  • Cheerleader: setting the broadcast's tone, where their enthusiasm shapes how exciting the match feels.

Quick anecdotes or stats about the players add color and turn a simple match into a dramatic story.

Live Commentary Techniques: Pacing, Timing, and Tone

A common rookie mistake is to talk nonstop; experienced commentators use pacing and timing. Rallies can be fast or slow and tactical, and speech should mirror that rhythm: short, excited bursts during fast exchanges, and a slower, lower tone at a tense moment like match ball to build suspense.

Knowing when to stay quiet matters too. After a spectacular rally, with the crowd roaring, a brief pause lets the audience absorb the moment; a simple "What a rally!" then amplifies the excitement rather than drowning it. Varying tone, animated when a rally heats up and measured between points, keeps the broadcast from sounding monotonous and guides the viewer's emotions.

Commentary is often a two-person job: one handles play-by-play (describing rallies), the other colour commentary (insight, backstory, humor). On SquashTV, lead commentator Joey Barrington often teams with co-commentator Paul "PJ" Johnson, dividing duties and handing off smoothly, which keeps the broadcast informative and prevents one voice from dominating.

Balancing Insight with Entertainment

A great commentator is both expert analyst and engaging entertainer. The balance starts with knowing the audience: a niche squash stream of die-hard fans can lean technical (a backhand drop's wrist angle, fitness periodization), while a general or finals audience needs simpler jargon and big-picture narratives such as rivalries and the event's significance.

The goal is to educate without alienating: explain rules and terms concisely for newcomers ("he asked for a let, basically a replay of the point, due to interference") while offering deeper strategy for seasoned fans. Entertainment comes from personality and light humor in calmer moments; the Joey Barrington and Paul Johnson duo is known for good-natured banter, used as seasoning, not the main dish. Insight works best as storytelling: rather than "Player X is tired and hitting shorter," a commentator might note the earlier work is catching up to him as his length falls short. Genuine passion is contagious and keeps both the head and heart of the audience engaged.

From Courtside to Cyberspace: A Brief History and Evolution of Squash Commentary

Squash was long seen as an "un-TV-friendly" sport because of its small ball and enclosed courts, but commentary has adapted with each media era.

Early days: voices on radio

The first broadcast of a squash match was on radio: in 1951, the BBC aired part of the British Open semi-final between Mahmoud Karim and Roy Wilson, the first live radio commentary for squash. The broadcaster, Max Robertson, found he could not describe every shot without overwhelming listeners, so he read the pattern of rallies, anticipated key moments, and explained the game gently. That balancing act set the template: clarity, anticipation, and educating the audience.

Moving to television

As squash grew through the 1970s and 1980s, the glass-walled court let cameras and spectators see the action from outside; an early all-glass court was demonstrated on BBC's Tomorrow's World in 1977. Televised matches became feasible by the late 1970s and 1980s. Jonah Barrington, a dominant champion of the 1960s and 1970s, helped popularize the sport and became an incisive, blunt commentator in his post-playing years, part of a wave of ex-players bringing authentic expertise. Early TV coverage often used one static camera at the back of the court, so commentators described positions and reacted vocally to cue spectacular shots, in a formal BBC style that gradually relaxed.

The SquashTV era and digital revolution

In the 2000s, commentary entered the streaming age. The Professional Squash Association (PSA) launched SquashTV in 2009, broadcasting hundreds of matches a year worldwide; today it produces coverage for over 960 matches a year across the PSA World Tour. Commentary became more conversational and international, with a mix of accents, though English remained primary. There has also been an effort to include more female and diverse voices: former top players such as Vanessa Atkinson (World Champion) and Laura Massaro (former World No.1) are now regular SquashTV commentators. Atkinson has noted there were hardly any female voices when she started and now there is a whole group of them.

Technology's impact

HD broadcasts and slow-motion replays let commentators break down trick shots and racquet skills in detail. The PSA adopted remote commentary around 2020 to 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, letting commentators call matches from home or a studio anywhere, so one might sit in London and another in Cairo on the same feed. This enabled coverage of smaller tournaments that travel costs once ruled out, needing only a laptop, headset, and internet. From one voice on radio in 1951 to professional teams streaming in UltraHD with multiple angles and replays, the mission is unchanged: sharing the game's excitement with those off site.

Voices of the Game: Notable Squash Commentators and Their Styles

Squash has well-known voices, each with their own style.

Joey Barrington

Son of squash legend Jonah Barrington and lead commentator for the PSA World Tour, Joey is energetic and enthusiastic, his voice crescendoing at a great rally with trademark exclamations like "Oh my goodness gracious me!" A former pro, he offers technical insight in a relatable way, often relating what a player is feeling, and injects humor when bantering with co-commentators. Many fans feel a big match is not complete without his voice.

Paul "PJ" Johnson

A former World No.4 from England who often pairs with Joey on SquashTV, PJ brings a calm, analytical demeanor that complements Joey's high-octane style. He excels at breaking down strategy and positioning on the T (center of the court). His signature line, delivered with theatrical flair when a fifth game reaches 2-2, is "There is nothing between them, Joey." His humor is drier and more deadpan than Joey's, and their friendly dynamic makes broadcasts engaging.

Vanessa Atkinson

A former World Champion (2004) representing the Netherlands (though born in England), Atkinson offers an insightful, poised perspective as a former top player. She explains technique, wrist preparation, and footwork in an accessible way without losing the match narrative, and matches the intensity of big moments. As one of the pioneering women in the commentary box, she is also a role model and has noted the growth of female commentators.

Jonah Barrington

Joey's father Jonah, a six-time British Open champion, was known for incisive, passionate, and sometimes controversial commentary and analysis in earlier years. He called things as he saw them, with a booming voice matching his on-court persona. He did more coaching and writing than live commentary, but his candid, fiery insights added to the lore of big matches in the 1970s and 1980s.

Other voices

  • Lee Drew, an English coach and referee, joins SquashTV especially when a referee's perspective helps, explaining officiating decisions (he also serves as a video review official).
  • Simon Parke, a former World No.3 from England, brings cheeky humor, a Yorkshire accent, and tactical sharpness.
  • Local heroes and coaches: at events like the U.S. Open or British Open, an MC such as Michael Absalom or a national coach can add flavor.

Non-English commentary for major pro events is still uncommon, though the sport's growth may bring Arabic or other languages. (English-centric commentary has drawn some criticism for British bias, which efforts aim to broaden.) All these commentators share one trait: a genuine passion for squash that comes through in their voices.

The Technical Know-How: What It Takes to Commentate a Squash Match

Good commentary needs a strong technical understanding of the game plus broadcasting skills.

Deep understanding of squash rules and tactics

Commentators must know squash's nuanced rules, let and stroke decisions, turning (letting the ball pass and hitting it on the other side), and foot-faults on serve, and instantly explain why a referee grants a let or awards a stroke. They also read the game like a coach, recognizing patterns (keeping the ball straight to pin an opponent, or targeting the front to tire them) and forecasting tactics. A playing or coaching background is common among top commentators.

Knowledge of the players and context

Preparation is key: head-to-head histories, recent form, strengths and weaknesses, and storylines (a player returning from injury, or playing for a World No.1 ranking). This context adds drama, for example noting a player known for marathon five-setters as a match heads to a decider. Commentators also track fitness, coaching changes, and national pressures, weaving them in during play.

Broadcasting and audio skills

Commentary is public speaking: clear diction, good microphone technique, and timing matter. Commentators coordinate with producers through earpieces about replays and breaks, so they must listen while talking, pausing live description to talk over a slow-motion replay. With a co-commentator, smooth hand-offs are crucial, dead air is bad, but both talking at once is worse.

Adaptability to different media

Beyond live matches there are post-match interviews, highlight voiceovers, and social clips. A commentator shifts to a questioner role on court, or records a more scripted, condensed voiceover for highlights.

Stamina and focus

A single match can last from 20 minutes to over 100 minutes, and tournaments schedule multiple matches back-to-back in a day. This demands vocal stamina and mental focus, finding new angles during one-sided or deadlocked matches and never losing track of the score or a sudden brilliant shot.

Impartiality and respect

Commentators should be impartial, celebrating good play from both sides despite any favorites or home-country ties (SquashTV has faced perceptions of British-centric bias to counteract). They should respect the players: questioning a tactic is fair, but personal attacks are not. Fairness maintains credibility.

Tips for Aspiring Squash Commentators: Developing Your Voice

Becoming a commentator takes practice and dedication. Some tips:

  1. Immerse yourself in squash. Play when you can, study strategy, and watch many matches analytically so you recognize patterns and tactics quickly. Know the rules in detail and follow the pro tour, players, and styles.
  2. Practice out loud. Mute a match video or stream and commentate over it. Start with club matches or archival footage, record yourself, and listen back to catch filler words and over-long silences, like an athlete watching game tape.
  3. Find your style, but be yourself. Learn from role models but develop your own authentic voice, witty or analytical as fits you. Adapt the energy to the event, more exuberant for an exhibition, more formal for a championship final, and sound conversational, as if explaining the match to friends.
  4. Work on your voice. Practice speaking from the diaphragm for a strong, clear voice, enunciate, learn correct name pronunciations, cut filler words ("um," "you know"), and expand your descriptive vocabulary. Practice varying tone and pace, and look after your voice by staying hydrated.
  5. Start small and seek opportunities. Commentate local or amateur events, over a streaming link or the PA, and create your own content such as a squash podcast or YouTube channel. Be professional at every gig, however small.
  6. Listen and learn from others. Actively study how pros transition between topics, handle fast versus slow moments, and use stats and anecdotes. Get honest feedback on your recordings from a mentor, friend, or fellow player.
  7. Build your knowledge network. Talk to players and coaches for material, keep up with news, rankings, and results, attend pro events to see how production works, and watch for SquashTV guest-commentator contests or try-outs.
  8. Stay positive and enthusiastic. Project respect and enjoyment, since viewers feed off your vibe. Be patient with your progress, correct mistakes and move on, and treat every match as another rep.

Conclusion

The job comes down to two things: knowing the game well enough to explain a tactic the instant it happens, and saying it so a viewer leans in rather than tunes out. A commentator who can do both turns a rally most people would miss into one they will remember.