Discussion
Volley as much as possible.
Put the ball where your opponent isn't
Playing long and short is more effective than side to side
Make sure your serve hits the side wall (after the front wall) just below the red line.
Get fit. An okish player who is very fit can be surprisingly effective!
And enjoy it.....stop playing when you don't.
Put the ball where your opponent isn't
Playing long and short is more effective than side to side
Make sure your serve hits the side wall (after the front wall) just below the red line.
Get fit. An okish player who is very fit can be surprisingly effective!
And enjoy it.....stop playing when you don't.
Shotgun Jon said:
Volley as much as possible.
Put the ball where your opponent isn't
Playing long and short is more effective than side to side
Make sure your serve hits the side wall (after the front wall) just below the red line.
Get fit. An okish player who is very fit can be surprisingly effective!
And enjoy it.....stop playing when you don't.
As Jon says, volley volley volley. Play routines where the back wall doesn't exist, I.e. You must volley. Get on court on your own and practice..Put the ball where your opponent isn't
Playing long and short is more effective than side to side
Make sure your serve hits the side wall (after the front wall) just below the red line.
Get fit. An okish player who is very fit can be surprisingly effective!
And enjoy it.....stop playing when you don't.
Try and get the serve to hit the side wall right where your opponent is standing. This prevents them volleying and takes any angle away from them.
When people start they sometimes get obsessed about power. Instead try and focus on getting the ball tight to the sidewall and to a good length. A good length is generally considered to be once bounce before dying in the back corner.
Fitness is a must, as you play better players the rallies will last longer. It's not uncommon for someone to put a 30 shot rally in purely to see where you are fitness wise.
Do squats and lunges to build up the legs and work on flexibility.
If all else fails look on YouTube and search for Nick Matthew, current world no.1 and best vollyer of the ball. Then search for Ramy Ashour regarded by many as a future legend.
Adamroyles said:
RealSquirrels said:
do you use a ball warmer
Does anyone actually use a ball warmer? I'd dread to think of the slating you'd get if you turned up with one http://www.jetbounce.co.uk/
I tend to use it most when playing in cold conditions, and use it sort of to avoid injury. IE avoids me leathering the ball to get it warm.
On reflection, the one I have is excellent and does the job perfectly though a little pointless. I would say if you NEED one, then you are playing with the wrong type of ball. It should take just a few minutes to warm any ball up properly.
The best return of serve is straight and to a good length. You don't need to murder it. Use the height of the front wall to get the ball deep. When you return you ideally want to be stood facing the side wall.
Give yourself plenty of room, don't get too close. Also volleying the return is the servers worst nightmare because you've took time away from him so get in the habit of volleying everything. A good serve will be tight to the side wall so you must watch it all the way. Basically if you can get the return straight and tight you'll take the options away from your opponent.
As for rackets it's all about the balance, there is only perhaps 15/20g between most rackets but it's where that weight is. If you've just started then you want as much help from the racket as possible. To get this help you would probably benefit from a tear drop head which gives a large sweet spot. String tension is also important. Lower string tensin give power and less control. The higher string tension gives the opposite.
Take a look at the head cyano 115 and the technifibre carbo flex range. I currently use a carboflex 130 but used the head racket before it broke. Pm me if you wanna chat more.
Give yourself plenty of room, don't get too close. Also volleying the return is the servers worst nightmare because you've took time away from him so get in the habit of volleying everything. A good serve will be tight to the side wall so you must watch it all the way. Basically if you can get the return straight and tight you'll take the options away from your opponent.
As for rackets it's all about the balance, there is only perhaps 15/20g between most rackets but it's where that weight is. If you've just started then you want as much help from the racket as possible. To get this help you would probably benefit from a tear drop head which gives a large sweet spot. String tension is also important. Lower string tensin give power and less control. The higher string tension gives the opposite.
Take a look at the head cyano 115 and the technifibre carbo flex range. I currently use a carboflex 130 but used the head racket before it broke. Pm me if you wanna chat more.
Good advice. If you watch the professionals play, the rallies are consistently characterised by deep, tight shots against the wall. It's for a good reason, it denies your opponent the opportunity to attack & gives you time to recover the T. When your opponent plays a loose ball, you have the opportunity to attack & take the point.
Learning to play tight good lengths is probably the single most useful skill in squash. Another good tip is don't be predictable. Vary your game. There is no easier opponent than one whose moves you can anticipate before they play them. And volley as much as you can.
Learning to play tight good lengths is probably the single most useful skill in squash. Another good tip is don't be predictable. Vary your game. There is no easier opponent than one whose moves you can anticipate before they play them. And volley as much as you can.
The best return of serve is one that rolls out of the nick. 
Assuming you can't do that every time (like me! Ha) or prefer to play percentage squash volleying straight is the next best option and then build from there. Like others have said, vary your game. Long and short for example. If your opponent is behind you play short, and vice versa. If they get the ball back don't be disheartened, it's another nail in their coffin and come the fifth game they won't be getting them back.
Don't make unforced errors.
Rackets for me are much of a muchness. I've played with ridiculously expensive ones and when desperate used some sports direct special. I've come to the conclusion a good mid range racket strung and gripped to suit you is far more important than an expensive racket.
Assuming you can't do that every time (like me! Ha) or prefer to play percentage squash volleying straight is the next best option and then build from there. Like others have said, vary your game. Long and short for example. If your opponent is behind you play short, and vice versa. If they get the ball back don't be disheartened, it's another nail in their coffin and come the fifth game they won't be getting them back.
Don't make unforced errors.
Rackets for me are much of a muchness. I've played with ridiculously expensive ones and when desperate used some sports direct special. I've come to the conclusion a good mid range racket strung and gripped to suit you is far more important than an expensive racket.
Is there any such thing as squash boots? I need ankle support and when I was playing tennis I used to play in mid boots, but I cannot find anything similar for squash. I guess the fact the I can't find any should be a clue but just wondering.
If not any ideas on suitable non marking boots in case anyone else has the same issue.
If not any ideas on suitable non marking boots in case anyone else has the same issue.
kazste said:
Is there any such thing as squash boots? I need ankle support and when I was playing tennis I used to play in mid boots, but I cannot find anything similar for squash. I guess the fact the I can't find any should be a clue but just wondering.
If not any ideas on suitable non marking boots in case anyone else has the same issue.
Never seen any around. If not any ideas on suitable non marking boots in case anyone else has the same issue.
FTW said:
Started playing 6 months ago so the tips so far are very handy!
Any tips for returning serves?
Also, rackets. I have one but find it fairly heavy when I'm in a rally is lighter the better. Such a noob!
Cheers
Sports direct for a cheap bat Dunlop less than £20! They are light and if your a noob your going to be smashing it against the wall or floor so can get a new one every year or two! Any tips for returning serves?
Also, rackets. I have one but find it fairly heavy when I'm in a rally is lighter the better. Such a noob!
Cheers
Oh and I've Benin playing once a week for 10 years plus not competition standard. Best sport for fitness you can ever do.
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