Squash Tips
Coach
Derek@squash-coach.co.uk
Mobile 07887 560601
Squash video
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Squash Tips
How to Beat a Super-Fit Player
I seem to have trouble beating players that rely on retrieving, and I don't
think it's because I am not fit enough, I just make too many mistakes trying
to win the rally. Any advice?
How to Deal with Lobs and Drops
When under pressure hit the ball high
and wait for the opportunity to attack.
Not Winning Your Matches?
You put in the work but still you're not winning...why?
How do I
play a left-hander?
Reverse your normal strategy. Watch the left side
How Do You Play Someone Who Blasts You Off Court?
Get used to the style but don't get dragged into their power squash
Concentration
Win the First 2 Games then only just scramble a Win 3-2 ?
Summer Training
It's Summer. How should you train now?
Tactical Advantage
What to do if your opponent is playing
winning shots
Learn a Tactical Game: Try
Doubles - One versus Two
It's
easy isn't it?
click
HERE
to find out
Weekly Fitness Training Schedule
With thanks to Adam from Batchwood.
Designed for all-round fitness not just squash.
Keep Fit Mid Season
Off-court exercise will give you that
lift
Take a Rest You Deserve It
But when? click
HERE
to find out
Where to Serve and Why
It could be that you do not have the power or variety in your serve that the
pros do, knowing where to serve and why can add a weapon to your game. Too
many players think of the serve as a way to start the point without
realizing the consequences or options that are involved.
...click
HERE
to read on
Junior Squash - Some Friendly Advice
From a parent to the Coach.
Watch on
YouTube
Managing Anxiety & Competition Stress
Some useful advice and how to deal with
stress. Challenge your fears. click
HERE
Had too much good food & fine
wines over Christmas
Get back into shape for New Year?
You will be joining countless others with New Year resolutions to get
fit, however, assuming that you were in reasonable shape going into the
festive period it shouldn't take too long to lose the Christmas pud! No
doubt you will be keen to get back on court, but try and also fit in a
couple of aerobic sessions on the bike/treadmill just to get the fitness
back up to speed. Ideally, look to work out at a level that levels you
unable to chat (but able to breathe!) for approximately 30 minutes. If you
are also able to find a squash friend willing to do some simple routines,
this will also help rather than launching yourself straight back into a full
on match! From Tim Garner's "Tim'll
Fixit"
The
Worlds Greatest Stretch - Dynamic Warm-up
Watch this "Spiderman" warm-up and stretch on
Youtube
Do squash players change their grip
like tennis players?
In general the answer is no. Tennis
players switch their grip in order to be able to maximise the top spin they
can put on the ball on both sides. However, very experienced squash players
do change their grip slightly to reach awkward shots. This is only used as a
last resort when the ball cannot be retrieved with a normal swing. Beginners
and less advanced players should stick firmly with the "chopper" style grip
for backhand and forehand at all times. Otherwise they may not play a
consistent stroke.
Tips for Team and Good Club Players
For me to be competitive with
these players I found I really had to be more consistent and patient.
Everyone gets to almost all balls...READ
ON
Game strategy against a stronger
opponent
My problem (at least with people who are just a little better, and not WAY
better)
is impatience...READ
ON
Concentration
Read this witty but important
piece by Veteran player from Luton.
How do I get fit and shed
unwanted pounds?
The secret is not
to try and do all your training in one day to shed those excess pounds! Work
out how many sessions you can do each week and then try and find a balance
between getting back on the court and some cardio work. Ideally, a couple of
sessions on the bike/treadmill (unless you are a hard soul and fancy the
outdoors) plus a couple of court sessions should put you back on track. ref.
Tim Garner
What is Training? and when should you train
Click
HERE
for some wise words from a great player Chris Walker
How do I cope with someone who 'blasts' me off the
court?
- I say play that person a few
times and other hard-hitting players until you get used to the pace. You
might also play tight lobs & drops, although you'll need to be fit. Tim
Garner says "One of the keys is to not get sucked into playing their power
game. If anything let them do all the hard work by giving them little pace
to work with, and try to keep the ball as straight as possible as swinging a
racket at a ball that is tight against the wall is both daunting and
potentially expensive!"
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
Squash Tips
