Trade offs - Front forehand corner
There are different ways of doing things..here we look at trade offs you make when moving to the front of the court,
Common patterns: straight drive, volley drop
Here is a common pattern of play that you must master if you are not to miss out on attacking your opponent and winning more rallies.
Front forehand recovery
Here we look at your movement back to the T from the front corner after you have hit a shot for a length.
Your backhand swing
Steve Townsend takes you through your backhand swing technique.
The Serve in Racketball
Mark Fuller guides you through the differences between the service in Squash and Racketball.
Shot selection - When to cross-court drop
Whilst it is generally excepted that the straight shot is the better option there are times when a cross drop is required. Here is an example of one of those times!
Managing your expectations!
There will be times when you are in control of rallies and there will be times when you need to dig in. Here is an example of Nick Matthew waiting for his chance to get on the offensive!
Volley drop, volley lob - Eddie Charlton
Eddie Charlton looks at how the same back swing with a different follow through can send your opponent to two corners of the court
Common forehand swing issues
Here are three common problems with the forehand which will hinder you developing a good straight forehand drive.
When to play the cross-court volley nick
The cross-court volley nick is a pretty risky shot but one of the most satisfying ways to win a rally. So when would you decide to play it?
What's More Important than Never Giving Up?
Steve Townsend puts froward the theory that your attitude when you have your opponent at your knees, is even more important than when you are fighting for your life.
A simple volley drop practice
This is a simple drill to grove your touch and technique on your volley drops. When it is done quickly this drill is good for developing fast hands and reactions.
Using a short swing to work your opponent
Using a short swing threatens hitting a tight short shot. This video shows how this can make your opponent work very hard!
What a Rally!
Here is an awesome rally between Peter Nicol and Chris Ryder at a recent Totalsquash exhibition.
Bending your knees
Here is why bending your knees when lunging to the ball is so important!
Grip in the fingers
Here is how the subtle difference between holding the racket more in the fingers rather than the palm will affect your wrist movement and swing!
Nick Matthew's use of a shorter swing
Nick Matthew is able to pressure lesser opponents is by taking the ball very early in both attack and defense. Here we look at how his initial racket preparation allows him to do this.
Explosive Speed - Daryl Selby
National Champion Daryl Selby demonstrates an explosive speed exercise he incorporates in his training sessions and warm-up.
Early ball mentality
The volley is the earliest shot you have to play. Having the correct mind set will help you take the ball early more often and pressure your opponent!
The Racket Face - Open and Closed
Here we show Nick Matthew using two different techniques to hit length depending on the situation.
Official Conduct
An Updated version of the "How to get the best from your Ref" article featuring James Willstrop and John Massarella.
Explosive Speed from the T
Sarah Kippax takes you through the next part of her speed warm up which focuses on explosive speed from the T
Playing the ball
By asking for a let you are leaving the rally outcome in the hands of the Referee! Take charge of grey area rallies by playing the ball more often!
Straightening a Crosscourt
Here is a gem of technique that will help you straighten a ball hit cross-court onto your forehand!
Crosscourt Drop Drill
Here is a simple little drill for 2 players, or a player and a coach, mainly for a shot that is not often worked on, the cross court drop.
Top Tip - Developing Cut
Here's a top tip to help you get a good leading edge when you are playing your shots. This will help you put a bit of cut on the ball and help your control!
Crosscourt Height
You may be hitting a good angle on your cross-court from the front but are you getting the maximum benefit?
Desperate Boasts!
When you are stuck in the rear court and there is no option but to boast here are two variation to the standard boast to consider.
Out of Court with James Willstrop
Interesting interview with James Willstrop overlaid with some of his on court pre-match hitting routine.
Squash Legends
Ten minutes of top rallies from the recent Squash Legends final between Peter Nicol and Jonathan Power.
Movement across the court
Your movement across the court will depend on the width of the ball and how much time you have. Here are some footwork patterns is suit.
Applying Pressure with your Serve
When you serve, you are at rest, the ball is in your hand and you have time, so it is surely the easiest time to hit an accurate shot!
Footwork to a 3/4 Length Ball
Your movement to a 3/4 length ball needs to be quick and efficient. Here we look at the footwork required to hit off the 'backfoot'.
Backhand Topspin Drop - Tim Garner
Tim Garner demonstrates one of his favourite shots, the topspin drop. The opponent believes the ball is being hit long when in fact it dips short!
A Lunge with a Twist! - James Willstrop
James Willstrop shows you a different kind of lunge routine to use in your general warm-up to a training session or a match.
Tour Mates - Peter Nicol
An interview with former world no. 1 Peter Nicol about his 'mates' past and present on the PSA tour!
Dying Length - Peter Nicol
Peter Nicol talks about his favourite shot and give us a few pointers to playing it sucessfully.
Danny Lee's Short Game Solo
Here are a few solo practices from Squash Coach Danny Lee to grove your drops and volley drops from the centre of the court.
Peter Nicol's Tour of the Glass Court
Peter Nicol takes you on a tour of the glass court and highlights the major differences between it and a conventional plaster court.
Out of Court - Tim Garner
An interview with Tim Garner, ex pro and EVENTIS Director of Events about life outside the court
Pre Season Panic Sessions
The new squash season is upon you in a few weeks and you are not feeling confident about your game... but don't panic.... what can you do to get by?
Out of Court - Joe Lee
An interview with Joe Lee, world ranked 77, about life outside the court
Recovery Step
Using a recovery step will help your leading leg get you out of your lunge and back to the T more efficiently.
Variation Analysis - Backhand Front Corner
Here is a simple pen and paper analysis tool which highlights players shot variation, or generally lack of it, from the front corners.
Space And Weight Transfer
Keeping good distance from the ball will allow you to move into the ball and get your weight coming through the shot.
Keeping Away From Ball
One of the key fundamentals in squash is keeping away from the ball. Here are some reasons why you need to keep working on your spacing!
The Lob Line Game To Develop Lift and Float
This is a great fun game to develop your lobs.It helps you to get a feel of how to give the ball more flight time and to create that 'float'!
Backwards Movement Practice
In most instances when you return to the T from the front of the court the backward shuffle is preferable. This is a simple cone exercise that will help you improve this footwork.
Crosscourt Over Rotation
Eliminating any over rotation when you hit cross-court from the front corner is key to hitting a good consistent width and recovering effectively to the T after your shot.
360 Degree Lunge
This exercise great for you if you get a lot of tightness around the hip, aductor or glut areas.
Power Squat Jumps
Here is an exercise which will improve your explosive power and get you accelerating off the 'T'
Movement Rotation In The Front Court
A cause of confusion is when players have to rotate around each other moving in and out of the front court. Here are two clear cut positional extremes that may help you better understand the situation
Let Please - How Much Effort?
This is an extreme example of a common situation on the squash court – where you find your opponent directly between you and the ball. How much effort can you make?
Chip's Challenge - England Transition Squad
See how five English up and coming players fare as they attempt to beat each other' best score and Mark Chaloner's figure of eight volleys record!
Boast and Drive Discipline (Part 1)
How to make the most of your practice time on court by being disciplined in even the most basic of exercises, the humble boast and drive!
Extension on the Serve
A couple of quick things you can learn from Nick Matthew's serve.
Cross-court Volley Cut - Jenny Duncalf
Jenny Duncalf, world no.2, takes you through an attacking shot that she likes to play, instead of going for a cross-court volley nick.
Backhand Volley Drop - Tom Richards
This is Tom Richards' (WR 30) take on the backhand volley drop. Some top tips to attack the ball short for you to put into your game!
Chips Challenge - The Lee Family
See how PSA top 77 player Joe Lee gets on in his attempt to beat Mark Challoner's record. To add extra spice father Danny takes up the family challenge!
Volley Solo - Up And Down
This solo exercise incorporates volley control over the whole length of the court all the while moving your feet.
North, South, East, West Hop
Tom Richards shows you an prehab exercise you can do to reduce the risk of injuries by firing up your gluteal muscles before you play!
Movement Recovery From The Rear Court
After hitting from the rear court it is necessary to get ourselves facing the front wall as soon as possible, so again we are able to move in any direction as required.
Single Corner Ghosting
Ghosting is essentially squash movement without the ball. It is an excellent exercise for grooving your court movement as you don't have the pressure of hitting a ball to target.
Back Foot, Three Quarter Length Solo
This solo exercise will allow you to become more comfortable hitting the ball off the back foot from a 3/4 length ball.
Preparing for tournaments
A guide to help you be properly prepared for your upcoming events and beyond.
Over The Shoulder - Explosive Speed
The beauty of these exercises are their simplicity, you just need a ball and a wall! They work on developing your reaction time, explosiveness and speed over a short distance.
Rear Court Recovery
After playing a straight drive from the rear court it's easy to recover slowly towards the 'T' but not get there. Investing the energy to get further forward makes any volley that much
Hopping Mad!
Improve your individual leg strength and coordination with these ladder hopping exercises.
Why Drop Straight As Your Percentage?
There are three good reasons to use the straight drop as the percentage shot with the crosscourt as the variation!
'Butt To Ball' On Your Forehand Drop
Why set up for your forehand drop shot at the front of the court with your butt of your racket pointing towards the ball?
Old Balls Warm Up and Speed Drill
This squash specific movement exercise can be used in your warm-up or as a stand alone speed drill.
More Space And Time In The Back Corners
Letting the ball work for you after the back wall by waiting a split second longer will give you more time and space to play a better drive.
The 'Opening' Balance
Having created an opening to hit a dying length you have a difficult balance. Hitting long and hard enough to get the ball past your opponent but short and soft enough so it doesn't come back to
Drop Drive Exercise With Movement
Adding movement into your basic drive exercise will challenge both your movement and shot control. Here are four progressions on this theme for you to try!
Attacking And Defensive Length Of Drives
Liven up your basic 'drop drive' exercise with some attacking and defensive drive targets, to hit in sequence or according to the quality of the drop.
Forehand Returns From The Backhand Side
If you play an opponent who returns serve on his forehand from the backhand side then this is how you should adapt your serve to cause them all sorts of problems.
Return Of Serve Chess
As you play better opponents they may change their receive position from time to time. So your standard side wall serve is no longer effective. How can you change your serve to cause them problems?
Speed Around The Clock
This is an excellent exercise for developing short sharp bursts of speed about the court. It doesn't look tough but believe me, it hurts!
Transfer of Weight Into The Shot
Many sports talk about transfer of weight and it is important for us squash players too. This is one way to think about transferring your weight into your shot.
Court Short
The 'T' is the centre of the court width but not the court length. Usually players stand a racket length or so behind the Short Line when on the 'T' so the distance to the front is
Where To Take The Ball For Your Backhand Returns
To hit a really good backhand return of serve do you take the ball before the side wall or after wards? How does the width of your opponent's serve affect your decision making?
Cone Shuttles
This is a simple movement exercise that can be used as a warm up or a speed drill.
Grip Up, Grip Down
Some people hold the racket further up the handle and others prefer to grip further down. One gives you control and the other gives more power. Which is best for your game?
Keeping Your Wrist Quiet When Playing Drops
Keeping the wrist quiet will help you with your drop shots. A firmer wrist will allow you to push through the shot and give you more control and consistancy.
Back Wall Boasts - Making Your Mind Up!
When you have forced your opponent to play a back wall boast life you have lots of time to think, get into position and put the ball away! It is not as easy as it sounds!
Pairs Ladder Drill
Squash movement involves lots of side to side steps and changes of direction. Work with a partner on this random ladder exercise to help improve your lateral movement about the court in matches.
Serving To A Left Hander
As a right hander you should generally serve from the left hand service box when playing 'lefties'. This is why!
Ability And Effort To Reach The Ball
If there is interference but the player could not have reached the ball should he be entitled to a let? What if he could have got there but did not make much effort?
Right Hander Verses Left Hander Strategy
Here is a classic right and left hander rally. Tactically there will be lots of cross courts onto each others backhands so look for the weak shot to finish the rally!
Attacking Lobs
It doesn’t matter how good you are, players always find really high balls difficult to deal with, especially on the backhand. Throw up a few lobs and you will be surprised what comes your way!
Rear-court Kills
For most players this is one of the most difficult shots to hit. The flip side is that when played well, it is one of the most devastating too. Here are some important pointers!
Racket Leg Reach In The Front Forehand Corner
When under pressure and stretching into the front forehand corner it is often better to lead with your racket leg to give you the longest possible reach. So what shot choices do you have from here?
Margins Of Error When Playing A Drop
When you have maneuvered your opponent out of position behind you this will allow you a margin of error on your drop shot. This means you are less likely to make a mistake on the shot.
An Unofficial Use For The Service Line
Officially the service line is only in play for the serve. However you can use it during the rally as a guide to help you hit a better length out of the rear court.
Judging The Ball In The Back From The Bounce
The earlier you can read what the ball will do in the back corner the more time you have to get into the correct hitting position and play a quality shot.
Lateral Ladder Drills
Squash movement involves lots of side to side steps and changes of direction. Use these ladder exercises to help improve your lateral movement about the court in matches.
Did You Know?
Some interesting and bizarre facts about squash. As Michael Caine never said, "Not a lot of people know that!"
Good Rally Highlighting Two Wall Boast Width
When you get it right the 2 wall attacking boast can be devastating. It is risky though because if you don't get it right it opens the court for your opponent. This rally highlights it to good ef
Forehand Kill Variation
When you get a loose half court ball on the forehand a straight kill is often good option. Occassionally though, a cross-court kill might be used for variation, depending on your opponent's posit
Defensive Boast
Why not use a high defensive boast when you are in real trouble. It is unlikely to hit the tin and gives you plenty of time to get to the 'T'!
ABBREVIATED RULES ON SQUASH
This abbreviated version of the World Singles Squash Rules is to help players to understand the basics. This text is issued by the World Squash Federation.
Hitting A Tight Ball Off The Side Wall
When we are playing squash what we are trying to do is put the ball right on the side wall preferably in a corner. What happens when your opponent does this to you? How are we going to get this off?
Boast - Drive Session
A session based around the boast-drive drill, which will test and improve your touch from both front and back.
Front Foot Forward
By putting your front foot forward when hitting the ball it turns your chest to the side wall which is a key position when hitting a straight drive.
Lob Width
Learn where to aim your cross-court lobs and what factors do you need to consider when you direct your shot into the back corner.
Lob Serves
Getting your lob serves right will put you in command of most of the rallies. Here are a few tips to help you get height on them so they are dropping into the back corner.
Basic Ladder Agility Exercises
Here are some basic ladder exercises to help with your general agility, balance and coordination which should transfer to your movement around the court.
Back Wall Boasts
Hitting the ball off the back wall is usually a last resort but it can get you back in the rally. Here are some tactical and technical tips for you to try.
What Balls For You?
There are lots of different sorts of squash balls so which one should you use?
Boast, Drive, Drive/Volley
Here’s a tough drill working on lots of areas of your game, but specifically getting you to look to volley the drive from the front.
Chris Ryder's Tour Mates
An interview with World No. 35 Chris Ryder about his 'mates' on the PSA tour!
Adjust Your Contact Point For Your Straight Drives
As you have probably discovered there are a lot of things that can go wrong when you are trying to hit a straight drive. However here is one thing you can check for yourself!
Balls For The Bin!
A good racket, comfortable shoes and a warm squash court...why spoil your game playing with a dead, skiddy ball.!
Choke The Grip
Shortening your grip will help you to get the difficult tight balls out of the back corners!
Boast Lob Volley Routines
Here is a great exercise to work on your boasts, cross-court lobs and high volleys, together with your movement about the court. Extend the basic practice with some interesting progressions too!
Racket Handle NOT Ball!
If you get too close to the ball in the back corners to have any choice of shot then this tip is for you!
Using Cut On Your Drop Shots
In order to get really good control on our drop shots it is good to try and put some cut on the ball. This is how to do it.
Service Box Target Game
This is a fun target game for two players to develop their control and accuracy to hit the ball into a specific area of the court.
Hold On The Back Foot - Richard O'Connor
Richard shows you how to get that extra bit of power and deception by transferring your weight from back to front foot.
Daryl Selby - Tour Mates
An interview with World No. 26 Daryl Selby about his 'mates' on the PSA tour!
Did You Know? Clean Balls Please
Some interesting and bizarre facts about squash. As Michael Caine never said, "Not a lot of people know that!"
Ten Minute Solo Routine
Just ten minutes of regular solo practice will improve your ball control and confidence to hit the ball to targets in matches!
Backhand Volley Drop
A guide to one of the most useful attacking weapons in squash.
Strangle a Shot-Maker.
The third in the series of game plans for different opponent types. An article describing the best way to tackle playing a shot-maker.
Coping With Difficult Serves
When you are facing a difficult volley return of serve you need to respond defensively. Deal with the challenge by defending the ball, playing what might be considered a containing shot.
Return Of Serve - Quality and Concentration
The first shot you play in each rally is so important in determining who will be in charge of that rally. Your concentration should be high on these key shots, your serve or your return.
Being Ready For A Close Nick
When the ball hits near the nick two extremes occur depending on whether the ball hits the floor or the wall first. Here is how to cover both.
A Perfect Rally!
As Punch said to the audience "That's the way to do it!"
Chips Challenge - Jonathan Kemp
See how PSA top 30 player Jonathan Kemp gets on in his attempt to beat Mark Challoner's record
Chip's Challenge - Leaderboard
My name is Mark Chaloner and I managed 93 on the figure of eight volleys (in one minute). See if you can beat that!
Reading An Overhit Shot Off The Backwall
The ball is faster than all of us! If you can read the ball correctly and move into position early then the ball will very kindly travel to you!
Pyramid Bike session
A hard anaerobic inverse pryramid bike session. This will improve your ability to continue working hard when your legs are burning!
Split step
Split Steps help to give you an explosive first movement off the T.
Inside Spin
Glue your drop shots to the side wall.
Cross-court Training Session
This is a fun, competitive ¾ court style session for 2 – 5 players, suitable for intermediates lasting up to 90 minutes. It works on a variety of shots and skills.
Pressure Volley Session
A great aerobic session working on volleys, this session helps people get used to the feeling and intensity of pushing forward and cutting the ball off early.
Solo Angles
Let the ball bounce.
Give yourself time to start! Hit softer and lift ball higher.
Keep your feet moving.
Should You Change Your Play for PAR?
“I prefer traditional scoring, because when serving it gives me a degree of freedom, knowing that I won’t lose a point and I can therefore play more aggressively.”
Hand Feed for Back Corner Drives
If you want to practice getting the ball out of the back corner, then an excellent way of learning do this is to hand feed yourself.
Early Preparation and Good Variation
What is the common denominator for all of Jenny's shots from the front forehand corner? It's early preparation!
Using Volleys To Create Pressure
One way of putting pressure on your opponent is to hit the ball as early as possible, thus giving them less time to recover for their next shot.
Lets and Strokes: a simple giude
This area of the rules is really complicated, but let me show you two classic interference situations to help explain the difference between a let and a stroke.
Have faith
Sometimes a good shot does not reap instant rewards, but you must take the position it gives you and keep applying pressure to your opponent.
Cross-court Short Game Set Up
This is a progression of the cross court short game. In this variation, you are allowed the option to hit one shot back to yourself (a set up) for you to volley into your opponent's front corner.
Crosscourt Short game
This is a great fun conditioned game, that's brilliant for your squash.One player has the front forehand corner, and the other takes the front backhand corner.
Movement recovery from the front court
Watch how Nicol moves back to the T from the front of the court.
She resists the temptation to turn and run forwards, which would be quicker, but would leave her facing the wrong way!
Solo Practice - Side Walls
Great for racket head and ball control, this drill isn't as easy as it looks. Hit the ball from one side wall to the other, firstly with a bounce, and then on the volley.
How Long To Hit Your Drives
Whenever you hit a squash shot, you really need to think about what you are trying to do to your opponent, apnd when you hit a drive or a length to the back of the court it's no different.
Pairs Practice - Volley Returns
Confidence in your volleys will come from lots practice. This pairs exercise will help you develop the control of the ball you will need to return serve to the rear court.
Momentum Change
Having watched the Murray - Gasquet match at Wimbledon yesterday, it reminded me how all sporting contests, with squash no exception, can be massively affected by momentum swings.
Solo Practice - Door Control
This drill really develops your ball control. Try to hit the door with your shots as many times as you can consecutively.
Anticipating cross-court return of serves
There are common patterns of play in squash to be looking out for...One of which is the cross court return of serve from the forehand.
Chips Challenge - Natalie Grainger
Hi my name is Natalie Grainger and I am doing Chip's Challenge.
Try it and see how you match up against the Pros!
Chips Challenge - Dom Lloyd-Walter
Hi my name is Dom Lloyd-Walter and I am doing Chip's challenge.. Try it and see how you match up against the Pros!
Serve Variation - At the body
A great variation to your normal serve is to hit the ball into your opponent’s body. The aim is to catch them by surprise and give them no room to swing, which can lead to a loose return.
Chosing When To Go Short
Watch this rally between Natalie Grainger and Laura Lengthorn-Massaro, and note Natalie Grainger's shot selection.
Natalie has a chance to attack the front here....and here.....but waits until
Service Return Basics
Your first shot of each rally is the most important as it will likely decide who will be in control.
Which Part Of the 'T'
Your exact position on the T should vary from shot to shot. It will be dictated by your previous shot and also by the preferred playing style of your opponent.
Channel Length Game
This is very closed drill to help improve your straight drive and straight volley.
Boast and Drive Routine
The rear court player boasts both sides whilst the forecourt player drives straight. Swap roles after a set period of time or a certain number of shots.
Channel Games
Channel games challenge your ability to keep the ball straight and tight to the side wall.
Serve and Move
Once you feel you have good control of the serve then you can develop this to hit the serve as you move to the T position from the service box.
Shoe Game
This is played as per a standard length game but with an added target; all balls must still bounce beyond the short line to stay in the rally.
Timed Drives
Set a stopwatch to 60 seconds and see how many drives you can hit into the target area within that time.
Practicing
In most other sports matches are interspersed with training sessions, which are seen as an important preparation for these matches.
Solo Practice
Solo practice is an important part of improving your shots.
It allows you time to groove your strokes, try out new shots and explore different ways of hitting the ball.
Forehand Drop
The drop shot is the most direct way to put the ball tight into the front corners.
T Posture
You know by now, that we want to be on the T, but let’s look at that in more detail.
Backhand Flick Out of Trouble
When under pressure in the front backhand corner, a well played straight flick can instantly reverse who’s dominating the rally in one shot.
Move Your Opponent
You can make it hard for your opponent by putting him or her in one corner and then moving them to another.
Backhand Drop Shot
Once we have our opponent stuck behind us a drop shot is a great way to move our opponent the length of the court, and it may even turn out to be a winner.
Backhand Drive
A straight backhand drive is the most common way to get the ball into the back backhand corner.
3 Racket Speed Drill - Mark Chaloner
Speed drills require consistency of times, control of movement and lowering your rest times so that you are able to repeat the same exercise with the same quality with less recovery time.
Forehand Lob - Fiona Geaves
One of the tips I’d like to show you is you actual approach to the ball. This is one of the only times you want to go forward TO the ball.
Peter Nicol - Lessons Learned (Part 1)
It was by looking at him, by showing myself and also seeing what he had to offer, that I beat him. He retired soon after that.
