Why PAR-11 Isn't What You Think

By Brett Erasmus

While the U.S. has yet to adopt the metric system, it has already caught up to the rest of the world when it comes to squash scoring. Internationally, point-a-rally to 11 points (PAR-11) has been the primary system of the softball singles game for several years. After testing PAR-11 in certain skill levels last season, the MSRA and U.S. Squash are now using it for all levels this year. Not without controversy, however, as players have argued that PAR-11 scoring lessens the length and quality of games. But the reality is that for players who are closely matched, and/or for those playing at a high level, games will actually be longer, more athletic, and of better quality with the new system. Allow me to explain.

A common complaint is that without the hand-in/hand-out exchanges of point-per-serve (PPS), PAR-11 shortens games. However, world number one, Karim Darwish, noted that PAR-11 scoring actually

makes for more conservative play and longer rallies since nobody -- not even world champions -- can afford an error. PAR-11 punishes risk takers; every point played becomes more important to the outcome and can feel like sudden death.

Shot makers can still roll the dice by trying to put away loose balls to finish things off quickly, but this can lead to errors from forced shots from bad positions. Under the PAR system, game scores are likely to be closer between a shot-maker and a non-shotmaker. Under PPS, a shotmaker would have been protected and not have ceded points - just the serve. Under PAR-11, the player who rushes shots, hitting

some winners but also conceding easy points, will find himself at 10-10 all too quickly. This effectively switches the game to a PPS system since the player would now have to win by two points to finish the current game. Even getting to 9 a piece means you are effectively in win-by-two (or PPS) territory.

Another common gripe is that PAR protects lazy play. Not necessarily the case. As rallies become longer, PAR will lead to smarter, more strategic play, elevating the overall game quality and rewarding more athletic and fit players.

It shouldn't take long for New York players to get used to this "new" scoring system. Prior to 1994, the U.S. used PAR-15 scoring, so the concept will actually be familiar to many players.

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-Brett