An Introduction To Squash Strategies

If you're only planning to play squash occasionally, there's little need to learn competitive strategies. But, if you'd like to become a better player and ultimately enter local competitions, you'll need to learn the tactics of experienced players. Below, we'll describe basic squash strategy, a few potent court strategies and some advanced tactics that professional squash players use to dominate their opponents.

Understanding Basic Strategies

Beginning players typically prefer to hit forehand. It feels natural to them. But, as you become a better player, you'll find that perfecting your backhand provides far more opportunities to control the ball during play. Another mistake that players make is to make a return while standing erect. If you watch veteran players, you'll notice that they often lunge into the ball while hitting it, even when it's not necessary. They do this to have more power and better control of their return. Practice lunging into the ball. The most important things to master as a beginner is to relax, control your grip and follow-through on your strokes.

Court Strategies

Squash is an intense workout that requires muscles throughout your body. Skilled players know that they can dominate a game by controlling the court. That means minimizing their own movement while maximizing their opponent's. It's not uncommon for players to lose matches simply because they're exhausted from running around the court (usually due to the machinations of the superior squash player).

First, always try to return the ball to a place not occupied by your opponent. This keeps him moving. Second, drive a few shots for a rally while keeping your opponent moving. Then, return deeper shots to keep your opponent behind you. This allows you to control the main part of the court. Third, if you're able to control your shots, try to alternate between deep shots and shallow, low shots. If you hear your opponent gasping for air, you're doing a good job. Deep shots, shallow shots and always placing the ball in areas unoccupied by your opponent; that's the way to dominate the court.

Advanced Strategy

There are dozens of tactics that professional players use to either buy themselves time and breathing space or to control and direct their opponents. First, if you're on the defensive and you need a few seconds to recover, try returning a soft high ball. While you're giving your opponent the opportunity to control the ball, the second or two you gain may be enough to prepare yourself for the assault. Second, if you can control the spin of your returns, try hitting the ball so that it strikes the back wall with spin. These shots are often hard to control and can be extremely difficult to return.

Most experienced squash players play cautiously. They don't assault their opponents with every shot. Instead, they watch their opponents and try to identify weaknesses while maintaining their own control of the court. However, once they identify a weakness, skilled players attack aggressively.

Unleashed On The Squash Court

The squash strategies described above will take time to master. They require control, alertness and constant practice. Start by learning how to control the ball. Then, concentrate on your court strategy (moving the other player around the court). Finally, start practicing some advanced tactics. Don't rush them. Practice them with the goal of gaining complete control. Slowly, you'll become a skillful squash player who's ready to compete.