addicted to squash and now need help to win!

Published: 25 May 2008 - 23:22 by davidwalker

Updated: 24 Sep 2008 - 17:31

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Hello everyone, another new member here. Firstly, would like to say how impressed I am by this forum - a real cornucopia of squash knowledge!

Been playing with a friend for around a year now and we've steadily got better and better; rallies are longer, many more different shots being used, and a tighter game overall.

However, whilst I really enjoy our games I rarely win! In fact it always seems that whilst the games are close, he wins in 3 or 4 sets. I enjoy playing the game for the game's sake, but it's natural to want to win and recently it's really been a source of irritation!

What annoys me is that I think that out of the two of us I have more 'feel' , and I definitely have a better technique when it comes to hitting the ball - I consistently hit to the corners far more than he does. I also have a nicer touch when it comes to lobs etc....However my opponent is both fit and unbelievably determined - he is stubborn and absolutely hates to lose! - and he will retrieve anthing. He also likes to play frenetic rallies and kill the ball with a quick swipe. When i hit to the corners he has an annoying habit of bending down and almost 'scooping' the ball out and onto the front wall. Whilst it is a weak shot I just can't seem to play a winning shot after that and he often lucks out and scoops it just above the tin for a lucky winner!!

Recently I've played a lot more lobs/ deep high length shots and it seems to be having a good effect - he is weak in the air, and slowing the rally down definitely suits me more than him.

Any other tips anyone can offer when playing an opponent who likes to finish rallies quickly?

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From daveamour - 29 May 2008 - 21:39

Glad its all helping.

Where are you out of interest?

Another good tip - always keep your raquet up - a bit like holding a sword in a sword fight even between shots. That way your always ready but also when you turn sideways for either your forehand or backhand then your raquet is already up rather than down which will lead more easily to a natural shot where your raquet starts up over your head height. A lot of people don't do this and play a shot more like tennis but this kind of raquet preperation is essential. It leads to raquet head speed which is where your power comes from and also makes digging shots out of corners easier. What I do as well when I am digging a tight one out of the corner is as my raquet is in the air ready to play the shot I release my grip and let the raquet fall through my hand a few inches just using gravity then you have a shorter grip which is great for digging out tight shots and can often leave you in a position to play a straight drive catching your opponent out if he thought the ball was so tight that sureley your only option was a boast.

Look at this picture to see what I mean by holding the raquet up:

From davidwalker - 29 May 2008 - 20:51 - Updated: 29 May 2008 - 21:22

Hey everyone - thanks for all your help and advice - I've been putting into practice all of your suggestions. Haven't beaten him yet, but last match was close and he was shattered by the end. Definitely putting more pressure on!

rippa - have been getting some solo practice in, and its already made a huge difference. Before matches I get to the court an hour early and go through my drives and hit a few drops and lobs - my technique is improving and I feel much more 'keyed in' when it comes to the warm up and the game itself.

hamburglar - have stepped up the volleying - seems to be working. just the threat of it seems to have helped - quite a few times he seemed to get caught between the back and front of court with flat feet. anything loose from the back i'm trying to cut off straight away.

dave - you were right - he is often off the T so i've just tried to keep the ball away from him like you said, rather than try to hit a winner. don't always win the rally but he is having to run a lot more because the exchanges are longer - simple squash seems to be working!!

cheers for all the help - here's hoping i beat him very soon!

From daveamour - 28 May 2008 - 15:36 - Updated: 28 May 2008 - 15:36

I would agree with rippa - check if your opponent is waiting at the back and if so play a drop shot or boast to the front. Basically when you play your shot your opponent should be on the T in an ideal world., If he is not then hit the ball to the corner furtherst away from him. So if he waits at the back left then hit it to the front right and vice versa.

The other and best piece of advice is to get a few lessons off a professional coach and you will soon see a big improvement in your game.

From hamburglar - 28 May 2008 - 04:16

how are your volleys? can you volley any shot to anywhere on the court, or do you let the ball bounce. the two handed scoop or any backwall shot is a weak shot and a great time for you to step in and play a boast or drop to make him run the diagonals. just run him till he drops, then you know you've won.

From rippa rit - 27 May 2008 - 07:49

David - a further thought.

It is a good idea to practice by yourself (solo practice) at least once a week, or even prior to your games, especially when trying to learn/refine new skills.

From davidwalker - 26 May 2008 - 22:15

Thanks for the advice - the library looks really helpful. I'm going to try to hit a few more drops and vary my game a little more, hopefully will make me a little less predictable!

Will let you know how I get on, cheers!

From rippa rit - 26 May 2008 - 07:38 - Updated: 26 May 2008 - 07:41

wow - welcome to squashgame. I got a sweat up reading your post!

You spoke about the forum but I am not sure if you have sourced the squashgame library (put your cursor over the tab at the top of the page) menu. Make a few notes of things that you can relate too and improve in your game. It does sound as though you are playing mainly into the back corners/back wall; if so your opponent may be camping waiting for the length shots, particularly if the "scooping" is happening giving me a good indication tthis is your opponent's weakness.

I would probably look at technique and court movement before getting too seriously into the basic tactics of the game. Also see the Relevant Content tag on the column on the left showing other articles.

Shovelling or scooping the ball has been discussed previously in the forum.

Enjoy your journey