Squash Tips
- Thread starter SuperMan
- Start date
play it down the line off your opponents serve until there's an opening, making sure you get plenty of power every time so it reaches the back of the court. It's a really knackering sport for the 40 minutes you play, i play in the leagues at the local leisure centre and it makes me sweat!
Vary your hand position. Unless your serving or playing a power shot you don't need your hand right at the end of the racket. Bringing it closer to the head will give you more control and feel. Also make sure your grip is correct (google is your friend).
As said above practice playing shots off the side walls, down the line, returning down the line shots and keeping the ball low.
Knowing where your opponent is helps shot selection (fairly obviously).
There are also certain mind games you can use like standing close to your opponent to put pressure on him. I've found this can work quite well, just be wary of swinging rackets.
Play to your opponents weaknesses - if they don't like playing overhead shots serve/play high shots.
Practise your serving accuracy as I've found a good serve is very helpful.
Can't wait to start playing again at uni. none of my friends play when I'm at home
As said above practice playing shots off the side walls, down the line, returning down the line shots and keeping the ball low.
Knowing where your opponent is helps shot selection (fairly obviously).
There are also certain mind games you can use like standing close to your opponent to put pressure on him. I've found this can work quite well, just be wary of swinging rackets.
Play to your opponents weaknesses - if they don't like playing overhead shots serve/play high shots.
Practise your serving accuracy as I've found a good serve is very helpful.
Can't wait to start playing again at uni. none of my friends play when I'm at home
Last edited:
Associate
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- 15 Nov 2002
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I wouldn't advise varying the position of your grip, I'm pretty sure none of the pro's do it so it really can't be a good idea. Saying that, as you get better you may find that holding the grip slightly higher up will make it easier to get the ball from low at the back of the court, but you've plenty more to worry about before that.
Consistency is the key to squash. If you can consistently hit the ball tight against the sidewall, for straight drives, and get good width on your crosscourts then you'll be very hard to beat. In terms of length, you need to aim to get the second bounce to land in the nick at the back of the court.
Rather than hitting the ball hard to get a good length, aim it higher up the front wall. It is much more important to get a good, accurate length than to hit it hard. Personally, when hitting from the back of the court I aim to hit the front wall just below the service line, but for beginners I would suggest hitting it higher up the wall.
Footwork is also very important in squash because you're in such a confined space. For the same reason, techninque is also very important. The swing is very easy once you've learnt it. You'll have a lot of trouble hitting from the back of the court if you don't have the right technique. If you're serious about learning to play then you should get some lessons.
Consistency is the key to squash. If you can consistently hit the ball tight against the sidewall, for straight drives, and get good width on your crosscourts then you'll be very hard to beat. In terms of length, you need to aim to get the second bounce to land in the nick at the back of the court.
Rather than hitting the ball hard to get a good length, aim it higher up the front wall. It is much more important to get a good, accurate length than to hit it hard. Personally, when hitting from the back of the court I aim to hit the front wall just below the service line, but for beginners I would suggest hitting it higher up the wall.
Footwork is also very important in squash because you're in such a confined space. For the same reason, techninque is also very important. The swing is very easy once you've learnt it. You'll have a lot of trouble hitting from the back of the court if you don't have the right technique. If you're serious about learning to play then you should get some lessons.
Some good advice here: http://www.squashplayer.co.uk/squash_tips.htm
By adjusting the grip I mean sliding your hand up and down the racket handle depending on the type of shot needed.
By adjusting the grip I mean sliding your hand up and down the racket handle depending on the type of shot needed.
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sh4rk said:
I realise that. It's much better whilst learning to just hold it in one place for all shots. In order to bolster my claims,I should point out that I have a coaching qualification and have provided coaching for beginners whilst at university. I'm certainly no expert, but reading the replies in this thread, I think that I have more experience than those who have replied so far.
Great thread 
I am trying to get back into squash after a busy couple of months.
I don't have any real advice because I am not that good but I find that when returning serve I usually win control by returning by smacking the ball away from the server to my right or left depending on position - although I think someone already mentioned that.
Another thing is don't eat anything before you play squash - it should be common sense but I always have something to eat after work and end up feeling dodgy whilst playing.
I used to play twice a week, I felt knackered only playing once a week, plus I am too lazy to do any other exercise.
I am trying to get back into squash after a busy couple of months.
I don't have any real advice because I am not that good but I find that when returning serve I usually win control by returning by smacking the ball away from the server to my right or left depending on position - although I think someone already mentioned that.
Another thing is don't eat anything before you play squash - it should be common sense but I always have something to eat after work and end up feeling dodgy whilst playing.
I used to play twice a week, I felt knackered only playing once a week, plus I am too lazy to do any other exercise.
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What is the `best` way to serve? I started playing this summer with a friend who played at uni. I tend to serve fast and just above the service line (usually bounce around the back of the court or bounce back a bit, whereas he serves much higher and tends to get the ball bouncing high up the back wall but over my head so its hard to play early. Are either of these the best way to serve? Or are both of us doing it wrong?
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The most important thing to do when serving is to get it as close to the side wall as possible, so that your opponent has a harder time returning it. I would suggest you aim to get it bounce as high up the side wall as possible, in line with where he/she is standing to return it. Also, don't wait around to see where the return goes, make sure you get to the "T" as quickly as possible after serving and watch your opponent. Being able to guess where their shots are going is very important, hence the need to disguise your own shots.
Squash is one of the best sports for working your body, IMO.
I used to play for the east of scotland, and was very much into the game, and the lifestyle assosiated with it - ie keeping fit, flexible and such.
I however havent played for yonks, and each time i do play i keep wanting to be better than i am in my current fitness ( eg not very)
In squash playing a up the wall drive is the most simple but deadly shot. You want to stick to the centre of the court, dictating where your opponent is having to go to reach the ball at all times, with each shot going towards the back of the court until your opponent is caught at the back awaiting a ball, and you can play it down the front.
Boasting etc is all very well but straightwall drives are where games are 'grinded out' with front court action being very 50:50 on the outcome.
I used to play for the east of scotland, and was very much into the game, and the lifestyle assosiated with it - ie keeping fit, flexible and such.
I however havent played for yonks, and each time i do play i keep wanting to be better than i am in my current fitness ( eg not very)
In squash playing a up the wall drive is the most simple but deadly shot. You want to stick to the centre of the court, dictating where your opponent is having to go to reach the ball at all times, with each shot going towards the back of the court until your opponent is caught at the back awaiting a ball, and you can play it down the front.
Boasting etc is all very well but straightwall drives are where games are 'grinded out' with front court action being very 50:50 on the outcome.