Squash Tips

Coach Derek@squash-coach.co.uk
Mobile 07887 560601

Dunlop Squash Ball - Double dot for regular club players

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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 you’re 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 75–85% 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

Squash Tips

  1. 15 Rituals for Squash Fanatics
  2. Smooth Movement
  3. Battle for the 'T'
  4. BBC Beginner's guide to squash
I only play SQUASH for fun!