Squash Tips

These are some useful tips to help advance your game. If you need assistance with your game, please contact our pro-shop for further coaching advice.

  1. Keep it straight. A mainly straight game gives a good basic pattern and is open to variation.
  2. Return the service straight. Make it an automatic response so your opponent is in the back and you’re winning the T
  3. Lob to create time. If you’re out of position and under pressure, create time to recover the T. Don’t be tempted to attack.
  4. Volley away from the opponent. Volley chances give your opponent little time so position yourself well to volley away from an opponent.
  5. Volley drop the loose cross-court. Always try to work your opponent by moving him through the diagonal.
  6. Straight drop the loose cross court ball. Before you play the drop, you must ask yourself: Do you have an easy ball and is your opponent out of position?
  7. Drop off the boast. Force a boast and counter with a straight drop.
  8. Try always to play into a “space”.
  9. Always try to be close to the centre of the court before your opponent hits the ball. 10. WATCH the ball!!
  10. After your hit – MOVE quickly!!!
  11. From the centre of the court with your opponent behind you, look to move the ball forward.
  12. When stuck in a corner – buy yourself “TIME” by using the space above the red line, i.e. play soft and high.
  13. A good concept is to keep your opponent on the move as much as possible – but not just from side to side!
  14. Try as often as possible to put the ball into the quarter of the court diagonally opposite where your opponent played their last stroke from.
  15. When your opponent is tiring use as many short shots a little more frequently.
  16. Volleying is a very important stroke and should be encouraged from the players very first attempts of playing a match.
  17. You can wrong foot an opponent by delaying your shot till the ball is much lower in its bounce.
  18. Remember to focus on what you want to have happen in THIS rally.
  19. Try to always be back on the “T” by the time your opponent is about to have their stroke.
  20. Never blame your opponent or the referee for your bad stroke or play.
  21. Hold the head of the racket up at all times.
  22. The wrist is cocked most of the time.
  23. The grip does not change for forehand or backhand.
  24. The follow-through should be pressed forward towards the target.
  25. Most squash shots are played side on to the front and back wall.
  26. The basic stroke is the length to force your opponent into the back corners.