Squash -
A battle of wits, speed & stamina
1. Hit to a good
length
Stroke the ball to the front wall with sufficient
judgement to make it bounce at the back of the
court behind the service box. The ball should
never hit the back wall on the full or fail to
hit the back wall, ideally after one bounce and
die. Develop it, as a reflex action with
practice, by hitting hard below the front wall
service line, or soft above the service line. The
objective is to confine your opponent to the
backcourt, moving him out of the dominating
position at the T.
2. Aim for the back corners
As well as good length the standard shot should
be played to the back corner. One can see the
opponent's options are reduced when you play in
the back corner. Thirty feet away he can't attack
and his swing is restricted. While playing a
cross-court you should hit should hit wide so
that he reply with a volley.
3. Keep it close to the sidewall
As a routine, keep the ball straight, in the
corners, along the sidewall (easier said than
done). This will cause your opponent to move away
from the T and hinder him from attacking or
volleying. He will be on the defensive and there
may be a possibility of a weak return.
4. The importance of the 'T'
Moving to the T after playing your shot is most
crucial. This will allow you to move and pick up
your opponents shot, be it a drop to front court
or a shot to the back court. Generally take long
strides to the ball, so the body is in the
recommended position when playing the stroke, and
can also recover quickly for the next rally. The
player controlling the T will invariably control
the point. Even after playing a drop or front
wall boast you should move back to the T, to
await your opponents stroke. Practice correct
movements by on court shadow (ghosting) routines
and shot specific drills.
5. Watch the ball
 Some players find it hard
to watch the ball, especially when the ball is
hit behind the player, they just watch the front
wall. Players also tend to lift their head to see
their opponent's position, before playing their
own stroke. Make it a practice to watch the ball
unto impact on your and you opponent's racket.
This will give you the extra milliseconds, to
respond and can also avoid injuries of being
accidentally hit by your opponent, his racket or
ball.
6. Move your opponent around
It sounds simple, but most players tend to play
strokes mechanically without relation to their
opponent's position. Strike a balance between
trying to hit winners or just defending and
returning every ball. Try and spot your opponents
strengths and weaknesses by watching their
previous matches and also during knock up. Use
this info to frame your game plan. Move your
opponent to all four corners and especially if
they have a weakner side, which should be
exploited.
7. Eat smart
There is no perfect diet, as everyone has
different needs and requirements. The best diet
is one that provides adequate fuel and is
balanced with nutrients in the required amounts.
If you eat healthily, you will train harder, and
be in better physical and mental condition. Water
and proper hydration are very important.
Unreplaced fluid losses can impair performance.
Please drink water as required by your system
during training and matches. Eat well during
tournaments, preferably carbohydrates.
8. Think about your game
Squash is a mental as well as a physical sport.
Analyze your strengths and weaknesses and try and
improve upon them. Even if you do not have a
coach take the advice of a friend. Also learn
from the pros by studying their matches on TV or
video for tips and traps. Check out the squash
sites on the net.
9. Keep in shape
"You have to be fit to play squash, not play
squash to get fit". Balance your on and off
season training with a mixture of flexibility,
aerobic, anaerobic and strength training and
conditioning. Training must be combined with
appropriate diet and also provide adequate
recovery periods for your body to rebuild and
develop. Stick to your training schedule, avoid
short, hectic training and concentrate on longer
and systematic training to avoid injury and build
up your body's reserves. Everyone needs as
specific training program, dependant on your
genetics, physical shape and training history.
This will determine how much training you can do
now and your body's response to the training.
10. Have fun
In the end -it's just a game
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