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I am going to talk to you about one of the trade-offs in squash and that is the grip!
Most coaches will talk about one grip and that is the way you hold it. However if you look at top players there is a degree of variation that you can put in and still be an effective player.
The traditional way of coaching is for the V between thumb and forefinger comes down the left line of the shaft. This would be exactly how Nick Matthew holds it. James Willstrop will have it a fraction further round, a fraction more closed. Darwish is similar however Gaultier is open. So there are different ways of playing.
Why do they vary? Well when you have a slightly more open racket face, that is really good for putting cut on the ball, chopping it to the front and controlling the length of shot. When I have a slightly more closed racket face then I have to create than openness with my wrist. So the players will still do the same thing with the racket face but it is a question of whether you use your wrist. For me that is a little bit more awkward.
The more closed racket face will help you get power from a short swing. From a short swing I don't want to be putting that cut on the ball. The closed grip flattens the shot off nicely and gives extra power. Open the grip up and if I try to flick with power I have to work with my wrist to flatten the face to get maximum power.
So the trade off you have going on on your forehand.. with an open grip you have extra control... with a slightly closed grip you have the ability to take a short swing and bring your opponent forward. It will be harder to control the drop shot but you will be able to play a better flick to the back of the court.
