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Squash Tips
Razik's Squash Quick Tips 2
(Footwork)
Watch this video carefully. What does he do first on
EVERY movement?
The Healthiest Sport?
latest research says
squash...
Sports Psychology - How to Win
Enjoy playing your "average squash" well.
You might beat me today but youre never going to want to play me again!
Click
HERE
for some excellent match play advice.
Return of Serve
How often do you miss the volley? What
are you trying to do with the return? A classic error with the return of
serve is standing still and then trying to intercept a moving ball. Make
sure you are ready to move before the opponent serves. When they serve, pick
up the rhythm of the ball's movement and synchronize your own movement with
it. Then you and the ball will be in the same time dimension and you will
find it much easier to coordinate your volley. You are volleying everything
you possibly can, aren't you? Your standard return should be a high, slow
and straight from a good serve, played as you back away from the ball toward
the centre of the court. Just like the 'change-up' serve, don't use short
attacking returns too often, because even a slow opponent will get the
message if you remind them too often. Keep those short attacking returns in
reserve. You can try the high cross-court return relatively regularly. But
remember the advice about cross-courts.
Cross Court Shot
What percentage of your cross-court shots are targeted wide enough to stop
your opponent from volleying? Are you considering your opponent's position
when you hit the cross-court? Are they forward or back in the court? Where
are you? Are you trying to hit the ball toward the highest/widest point
parallel with your opponent? Are you using a pace and height that allows you
the opportunity to guarantee that you can be back in position before a
possible intercept from your opponent? These are essential elements in
cross-court design. You can use pace if the opponent is out of position.
Otherwise, slow the ball down to give yourself time to position for the next
phase of the rally and to force your opponent to take time before returning.
Drop Shot
Get your opponent behind you by driving good length shots.
Once he is behind the short line or if he looks off balance, play attacking
drop shots. The drop shot is played close to the tin with very little pace.
If you are in the middle of the court then you can aim for the wall, then
floor. As your touch improves you aim to hit the nick to make it even more
difficult.
BBC Beginner's guide to squash
Squash is a fast-moving game...
Rules, scoring, tactics, equipment, getting involved.
Top 10
tips
MySpace video
Bash &
Dash
If you want to improve your game,
there's nothing like having some lessons with a qualified coach. But to get
you started here are some basic tips, to help you in the early days.
Lessons I have learned from Peter Nicol,
World no. 1 for 5 years. Former world
number one squash player and Commonwealth gold medallist Peter Nicol shares
some of his thoughts on how he got to the top of his sport. Click
HERE
Top 10 tips for new squash players
from Coach Derek Thorpe
1. Use the corners of the court as much as possible and the side walls as
it's difficult for your opponent to get a good return back the closer it is
to the wall.
2. Never take your eye off the ball. This is for two reasons, one so you
make sure you return properly and two for your health. The ball will be
moving quickly and it can hurt!
3. Don't start the game too quickly. Normally courts are booked for 45
minutes and the last 15 minutes will feel like hours if you don't pace
yourself.
4. Do as little running around as possible by positioning yourself in the
centre of the court whenever you can. Make your opponent do all the chasing.
5. Vary your game by varying your shot selection. Use the lob and drop
shots; you don't always have to hit the ball as hard as you can.
6. In between shots, where possible, try and make your way back to the T.
This is the best possible position to be in preparation for your next shot.
7. Join a squash league; they are not as intimidating as they sound! If you
continue to play the same opponent your game can become stale, a league will
provide a variety of opponents to enhance your game.
8. Remember to warm up. As squash is demanding from the outset, testing both
your stamina and agility; it is important to make sure your body is
prepared. This also applies to the ball; trying to play with a cold ball is
almost impossible. Use a single spot yellow ball. At the end of a hard
session warm down. Use similar stretches and gentle jogging to gradually
reduce your racing heart-beat.
9. Wear eye protection. Getting hit anywhere is bad news, but in the eyes
could be particularly damaging.
10. Take a few lessons to get off to a safe start with good guidance.
MySpaceTV: Basic Technique
Watch this video on squash technique, with advice from
oz Down Under.
Bash and Dash - tip from Mike Way
Trying to hit the ball too hard, too often, is very
common in squash. At the entry level of the game the 100 mph shot down the
middle often wins a rally. Thus was born the bash and dash mentality
witnessed and cherished by your local pro. As they improve, most players
with brains learn that accuracy is more important than power. However, over
hitting, aiming too low on the front wall and sacrificing good length is
still the norm. By not forcing our drives try hitting at say 7585% of
maximum power we will hit better length, conserve energy and help to
prevent the 'rush factor'. Moving quickly and effectively, but without
rushing, can be learned by anybody but expert help from your local pro is
a must for this ailment.
BBC Beginner's guide to squash
Squash is a fast-moving game that requires skill, speed
and supreme fitness.
The ball can reach speeds of up to 170mph and players can burn off up to
1000 calories per hour of squash - higher than most other sports.
It began in the 19th century and was originally called squash racquets,
to distinguish it from the game of racquets.
Harrow School, just outside London, is credited as the game's birthplace
- when young pupils who couldn't compete with older boys for space on
the proper racquets courts invented their own version using a rubber
ball instead of a hard one.
England Squash Licenced
Coach and CRB checked.
email
DerekjThorpe@hotmail.com
tel. 01923-266722 or
mobile 07887-560601 |