Description of Tasks/Activities
The basic position is at the “T”, a place just in front of the service line and equidistant from the side walls. It is the easiest location from which to reach the four corners of the court since it is simpler to run forward than backward (back pedal).
The ready position allows the individual to react, respond, and recovery successfully. You should always be on your toes, knees bent, with your upper body slightly arched. Keep your shoulders square to the ball. From this position you should feel as if you want to fall forward, helping you get into the habit of attacking the ball.
Conditioning and Footwork
To be able to produce the strokes and withstand the fast and long rallies that are the outcome of well-played squash a player must be sufficiently conditioned.
The most important skill that a beginner should master is the correct grip. It is similar to the continental grip used in tennis in the following ways:
“V” formed by the thumb and forefinger is slightly to the left
of the top of the handle
handle lies diagonally across the fingers and palm allowing the
third finger and little finger to maintain a firm hold
the fingers are comfortably spread, particularly the forefinger
wrist action is achieved by holding the racquet nearer the end
a firm wrist is achieved by holding the racquet further from the
end
the continental grip allows the wrist to cock back in desired
direction, putting the face of the racquet at the correct angle throughout the
stroke
This grip is used to adjust the angle of the face of the racquet to create underspin on the ball.
the face of racquet must swing from high to low; chop or cutting
action
ball rotates backward toward the player making the shot as it
travels to the target
underspin will create a greater downward angle toward the floor
upon impacting the target
easier to control than shots without spin
results in a decrease in speed
Forehand & Backhand
Strokes made on the right side of a right-handed player are called forehand strokes. Those made on the left side are backhand strokes.
Phases of a skill
Preparatory phase
Wind-up phase
Force producing phase
Follow-through and recovery phase
Note that all stroke progression will be described with a right-handed player in mind; left-handed players should reverse the instructions.
The lob serve is the stroke that begins each play. Legally it can be played underhand or overhand, but the usual method is underhand on the forehand side. To serve from the right service box apply the following principles:
Preparatory phase:
take the racquet in the right hand and hold the ball in the
opposite hand
stand with right foot in the service box and with the left foot
step toward the middle of the court as far forward as possible in what is
called an open stance
right foot must be in contact with ground before ball is
contacted
look toward the front wall at the target spot you wish to hit
hand and racquet start together well in front of the body
Wind-up phases:
the ball is tossed up about one to three inches high, well in
front of the body
take the racquet down and back keeping the wrist firm
Force producing phase:
the arm swings forward to meet the ball directly ahead of the
body at about knee level
contact point is under the ball so that it will loft upwards
Follow-through and recovery phase:
the racquet, arm and shoulder all follow the ball, allowing a
long, high, deliberate action
The Forehand and Backhand Drives
A drive is a powerful stroke played after the ball has bounced, and it is used to “drive” the opponent to a back corner. It can be played as a wall shot or a crosscourt shot. If its length is perfect, it is an outright winner.
Preparatory phase:
begin with racquet in front of and close to the body with the
head of the racquet up and the left hand on the shaft
feet facing forward
Wind-up phases:
the backswing is taken with the upper part of the arm close to
the shaft
the racquet head is moving back at shoulder or face level to a
position about waist level behind the body
the wrist is being cocked and the shoulders are turning as the
head of the racquet leads back
right foot is pivoted and takes the weight as the body is
turning to the side
Force producing phase:
the upper part of the arm remains close to the body, and the
lower arm and racquet swing forward with great force to contact the ball at
the height of the tin
level off the height of the ball at the top of the tin
play the ball close to your body to mask it from your
opponent and yet not restrict a free swing
more wrist power is used on this stroke than on any other
the left foot steps diagonally forward, and the weight is
transferred to it with the forward swing of the racquet
Follow-through and recovery phase:
the shoulders rotate forward with the forward swing of the arm
the racquet is swung in the direction in which the ball is
intended
the follow-through should never come above shoulder height
the body remains in the semi-crouched position on the
follow-through to give control to the stroke
feet return to facing forward
Note that the backhand drive is played just as the forehand except that the wrist is firm and the shoulders turned slightly more to allow a free swing of the arm, otherwise the backswing is inhibited. Because the stroking is on the backhand side of the body closest to the front wall, the ball must be contacted sooner.
A crosscourt shot starts on one side and crosses over to the side of the court. A good crosscourt will have speed, correct angle, and good length. The point of aim on the front wall will be determined by how far forward or back your opponent is in the court.
Preparatory phase:
begin with racquet in front of and close to the body with the
head of the racquet up and the left hand on the shaft
left
foot is back creating an open stance
the
body faces the front wall slightly
Wind-up phases:
the backswing is taken with the upper part of the arm close to
the shaft
the racquet head is moving back at shoulder or face level to a
position about waist level behind the body
the wrist is being cocked and the shoulders are turning as the
head of the racquet leads back
right foot is pivoted and takes the weight as the body is
turning to the side
Force producing phase:
contact the ball sooner than the you would for a drive
the upper part of the arm remains close to the body, and the
lower arm and racquet swing forward with great force to contact the ball at
the height of the "tin"
level off the height of the ball at the top of the "tin"
play the ball close to your body to mask it from your
opponent and yet not restrict a free swing
more wrist power is used on this stroke than on any other
the left foot steps diagonally forward, and the weight is
transferred to it with the forward swing of the racquet
Follow-through and recovery phase:
the shoulders rotate forward with the forward swing of the arm
the racquet is swung in the direction in which the ball is
intended
the follow-through should never come above shoulder height
the body remains in the semi crouched position on the
follow-through to give control to the stroke
feet return to facing forward
Note that the backhand drive is played just as the forehand except that the wrist is firm and the shoulders turned slightly more to allow a free swing of the arm, otherwise the backswing is inhibited. Because the stroking are on the backhand is on the side of the body closest to the front wall, the ball must be contacted sooner.
The volley is a stroke played before the ball has bounced on the floor. At midcourt, it usually is played coming directly form the front wall. From a deeper position in the court, it often is played as it comes off the side wall, particularly as a return of service.
Preparatory phase:
stroke is shorter than the drive because the ball is not allowed
to bounce
there is less time to turn the body and swing
the shoulders are rotated back, particularly on the backhand
side
the step is diagonally forward as the stroke is made
Wind-up phases:
the racquet starts in front of the body and is taken back high
alongside the head
the backswing seldom comes farther back than the shoulders
Force producing phase:
the racquet comes forward, down and under the ball from a
position at the head and shoulder height
the face of the racquet is open, and underspin is imparted on the
ball
Follow-through and recovery phase:
the swing is made entirely to the side and front of the body
Description of Drills
Forehand and Backhand Drives
The ball should be aimed to make contact close to the side wall. The drive action should cause the first bounce to land around the back of the service box and the second bounce near the back wall. The goal is to have the ball slide into the side wall near the back of the service box. The ball should not be aimed close to the corner on the front wall, as it will hit the side wall too early.
Solo Drills:
Consecutive drives, aimed for a decreasing target area,
progressing from the whole back quarter to the width of the service box, then
a narrow channel along the side wall, or the service box.
Consecutive drives to land behind service box.
Drive alternately above and below the cut line.
Drive alternately short and long to move backwards and forwards.
Over-hit drives and play ball continuously off back wall.
Three good length drives, one short, continuously.
One hard low shot, one higher recovery shot, continuously.
Set number of good length shots, set up easy short shot, play
next shot to perfect length into marked area in back corner of the court.
Partner Drills:
A feeds from behind,
straight short ball for B
on “T” to hit to good length.
A feeds alternate
forehand and backhand boast from behind for B
on “T” to hit alternate forehand and backhand straight drives to a good
length.
Starting with a service or straight shot, both play good length
straight drives into a target area the width of half-court, service box, or
less, from short line to back wall. Move to “T” after each shot. Aim for up to
50 shot rally.
as above, but score to 15, winning point if play winner, force boast, or
opponent's shot goes out of court or misses target area. Stay in same half
court for whole game.
Starting with a service or straight shot, play rally down side
wall making partner move forward and back by playing both short and long
shots.
Circling (three or more)—players take turns to straight drive the ball to land in the service box, then move to T and join back of queue. Aim for longest rally or drop out after losing three lives.
X- Court Drives
Solo
Drills:
Set up easy shot; hit X-court for ball to
die in back corner.
Two straight shots then X-court drive for ball to
die in back corner.
One straight drive, one boast, and then
X-court for ball to die in back corner.
Overhit straight drive, play X-court for
ball to die in back corner.
Partner Drills:
A feeds from behind,
X-court short, for B on “T” to hit
alternate forehand and backhand drives to good length.
A feeds any length
X-court, for B to hit alternate
forehand and backhand drives.
Culminating Activity:
Circling (three or more)—players take turns to straight drive the ball to land in the service box, then move to T and join back of queue. Aim for longest rally or drop out after losing three lives.
Lob Service Drills
Lob serve should be hit high on the front wall, aiming to hit the side wall near the back of the court and drop to the floor near the back wall.
Solo Drills:
Ten lob serves to target area at back of court from each service
box.
Ten lob serves, aiming for target areas near the side wall,
half-court line and centre of “back quarter”.
Partner Drills:
Lob serve competing with partner for points. Serve into back
quarter for one point. Serve into back quarter behind back of service box for
two points. Serve into back quarter behind back of service box off side wall
for three points.
Lob-n-Catch—extending from partner drill, have third player in front of short line attempting to catch the ball. If ball is caught—no points for the server, if ball is stopped but not caught—one point for the server, and if catcher step behind short line—three points for the server. Rotate after each catcher reaches 10 points.
Forehand and Backhand Volley
Drills
Volleying for straight length, the ball should run
close to side wall and slide into the side wall near the back of the service
box. The first bounce should be around the back of the service box and
the second bounce near the back wall. If you volley for cross court length
the ball should die in opposite back corner.
Solo Drills:
Alternate drive and volley.
Volley rally, start close to the front wall, move two paces
further back after hitting six or more consecutive volleys at each distance.
Start near the front wall, gradually moving back while keeping
ball going to behind service box, then forward again.
Alternate forehand and backhand volleys.
Round the clock volleys - hit one forehand, one backhand, two
forehands, two backhands etc. up to twelve.
Two or more straight volleys, one X-court to length.
Stand close to front corner, volley alternately forehand and
backhand, hitting side wall, front wall, then front wall, side wall, close to
the corner
Partner Drills:
A feeds alternate low and high shots from behind, B on T plays
alternate straight drive and volley.
A feeds high straight ball from behind, B on T plays straight
volley. Continuous feeding.
A feeds high X-court from behind,
B on T plays straight r
volleys, therefore both play alternate forehand and backhand.
A feeds high straight ball from behind,
B plays X-court volley;
both players are hitting alternate forehand and backhand.
A plays straight ball to forehand,
B volleys straight,
A plays X-court to backhand,
B volleys X-court
backhand to A in back forehand corner.
A plays either straight or X-court feed, B
must play only
straight volleys.
A plays either straight or X-court feed,
B must play only
X-Court volleys.
Both players must play every ball on the volley; lose point if
ball bounces before reaching short line. Rallies will probably be short.
Windows (1-2-3)—in groups of 2 or3, students will try volley to a target on the wall. One player serves, one player volleys, one player calls out what window is to be used. Play a game to 5 points where the player who volleys receives one point for each correct window target that is hit.