Tips & Tricks

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Expert Tips for Squash

Whether you’re a beginner just picking up a racket or an intermediate player looking to elevate your game, these expert tips and tricks will help you improve your technique, play smarter, and get the most out of your squash experience. From conditioning strategies to shot selection, discover how to take your squash game to the next level.

Getting Better Faster

Master the Basics Before Advanced Shots

Many players rush to learn trick shots and difficult angles before perfecting fundamental strokes. Focus on developing a solid straight drive, crosscourt shot, and basic serve first. A strong foundation in these basics will make everything else easier and prevent bad habits from forming. Spend at least 2-3 months drilling these fundamentals before attempting boasts, drops, and reverse angles.

Practice Court Movement and Positioning

Improvement happens off the ball as much as it does on the ball. Dedicate practice time to footwork and court positioning rather than just hitting shots. Work on getting to the optimal position quickly, recovering to the center of the court, and moving efficiently in small steps rather than large strides. Good positioning makes every shot easier and gives you more time to react to your opponent’s shots.

Play Players Better Than You

Challenge yourself by regularly playing opponents who are one or two levels above your current ability. This forces you to improve your consistency, adaptability, and mental toughness. While you may lose these matches, the learning curve is significantly steeper than playing same-level competitors. Aim for a mix of playing at your level and slightly above it.

Record and Analyze Your Matches

Use your phone or a camera to record your matches and training sessions. Review the footage to identify patterns in your shots, footwork, and decision-making. You’ll often spot mistakes you don’t notice during play. Many clubs now have coaching services that include video analysis, which can provide invaluable feedback from an expert perspective.

Develop Consistent Serving Skills

Your serve is the only shot you fully control. Spend dedicated practice time perfecting a reliable serve with good placement and variation. A strong serve can win you points outright and put pressure on your opponent from the start of every rally. Practice until your serve is automatic so you can think about strategy rather than mechanics.

Time-Saving Shortcuts

Use Ghosting for Efficient Solo Training

Ghosting—moving through the court and executing shots without a ball—is one of the most efficient solo training methods. You can practice footwork, court positioning, and shot combinations in just 15-20 minutes. Ghosting helps you build muscle memory and cardiovascular fitness without needing a partner or court booking. Do three rounds of 5-minute ghosting sessions for maximum benefit.

Target Specific Weaknesses in Short Sessions

Rather than unfocused practice, identify one weakness and drill it intensively for 20-30 minutes. If your backhand cross-court is weak, spend an entire session hitting only backhand cross-courts. Focused practice produces faster improvements than general practice because your brain can concentrate on correcting one specific movement pattern.

Play Conditioned Matches for Quality Over Quantity

Instead of playing full-length matches, try conditioned games where only certain shots or areas score points. Playing to 5 points where only rail shots count teaches shot-specific strategy. These shorter, targeted matches improve specific areas faster than playing standard matches and take less time overall.

Warm Up Efficiently Before Play

Maximize your court time by warming up smartly. Start with 2-3 minutes of light hitting, then progress to more intense rallies rather than spending 10 minutes on basic warm-up shots. This gets you tournament-ready faster and leaves more time for actual practice or match play on the court.

Money-Saving Tips

Buy Rackets and Shoes Off-Season

Squash equipment goes on sale during off-season periods, typically in late summer and early winter. If you’re not in peak tournament season, wait for sales to purchase new rackets or shoes. You can save 30-50% on quality gear by being patient. Subscribe to equipment retailer newsletters to catch these sales early.

Join a Club for Better Court Rates

Paying for individual court bookings adds up quickly. Most squash clubs offer monthly or annual memberships that significantly reduce per-hour court costs. Additionally, memberships often include access to coaching resources, partner-matching services, and tournaments—additional value that justifies the upfront cost.

Buy Balls in Bulk

Squash balls wear out regularly, especially during competitive play. Purchase balls in bulk online rather than buying individual balls from clubs, which typically cost 2-3 times more. A dozen quality balls bought online costs less than buying six individual balls from a pro shop.

Share Coaching Sessions

Professional coaching is valuable but expensive. Arrange shared coaching sessions with a training partner, splitting the hourly rate. A coach can work with two players simultaneously on many drills, making the cost-per-person more reasonable while still providing personalized feedback.

Quality Improvement

Focus on Length and Width Control

The most effective squash strategy isn’t about hitting hard—it’s about hitting long and using the court’s width. Practice hitting balls deep to the back corner and utilizing the full width of the court. This forces your opponent to cover more distance and gives them less opportunity for attacking shots. Most intermediate players improve dramatically by mastering length and width before worrying about pace.

Develop a Three-Shot Strategy

Instead of trying to win every rally in one shot, think in terms of rally patterns. Your first shot establishes position, your second shot pressures your opponent, and your third shot finishes the point. This strategic approach is more reliable than searching for winners on every shot and results in higher-quality play and more consistent wins.

Work on Your Backhand Exclusively

Most players have a significantly weaker backhand than forehand. Dedicate one practice session per week to backhand-only drills. A strong backhand eliminates a major weakness in your game and forces opponents to play differently. Players with balanced backhands and forehands rank higher than those with lopsided strengths.

Practice Pressure Situations

Play practice games and points where losing has consequences—whether that’s a small bet, running sprints, or psychological pressure. Match play differs from casual practice because pressure affects decision-making and execution. Training in high-pressure scenarios improves your ability to perform when it matters most.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

  • Hitting balls into the net: Your racket preparation is likely too late or too low. Focus on getting your racket up early and hitting through the ball with a smooth follow-through. Practice hitting against the back wall to develop better feel and timing.
  • Poor court coverage: You’re probably taking too many steps to reach the ball. Work on quicker, smaller steps and anticipating where the ball will be. Position yourself in the center of the court between shots and move laterally first before moving forward or backward.
  • Inconsistent serves: Develop a pre-serve routine and stick to it exactly every time. Your serve should be muscle memory. Practice serves in sets of 10, aiming for consistent placement before worrying about speed or variation.
  • Tiring quickly: Your conditioning or pacing strategy needs improvement. Do regular cardio training outside squash and practice rallying at match intensity. Also, evaluate whether you’re running unnecessary distances due to poor positioning.
  • Missing shots you practiced: You’re likely not practicing match-realistic scenarios. Practice drills should simulate actual game pressure and movement patterns, not just hitting stationary or predictable balls.
  • Getting outplayed in corners: Work specifically on drop shots and boasts in corner situations. Also practice recognizing when to attack versus when to play safe. Don’t force winners from defensive positions.