Tactics– the game made simple
There have been many squash books written about how squash tactics. There is no magic formula however, there is a basic game plan that have seen many average players become very good players.
You are in control
Hitting a straight drive will keep the ball close to the side walls and in the back corners. A cross-court drive will eventually get to the back corners however, the ball does not keep close to the side walls and it runs straight past the middle of the court. Rather hit a few straight drives first, get your opponent moving off the T and then hit a cross-court when he is not expecting/ not ready for the cross-court.
Once you have played a few tight shots to the back of the court, moved your opponent and given him less time to play the ball, he is bound to make a mistake or play a weak shot. Only then should you look at hitting the ball to the front of the court. He will be behind you and will have to move quite quickly to get to the ball. A drop and boast are two great shots to move your opponent to the front of the court.
Try not to play your drop or boast too close to the tin. I do not want you to lose the point while trying to play an excellent drop or boast. The short shot can be one racquet head in height above the tin to be effective and you will not be at risk at all of the ball hitting the tin. The short shot will either be a winner or has put your opponent under a lot of pressure where he is just able reach the ball and play a weak shot back. When he returns a weak shot, move onto the ball quickly, hit a hard drive to the back of the court and close to the side walls.
If your opponent was able to reach your drop shot with ease then you must do the following: Ensure that your opponent is standing behind you when going for the short shot Your short shot must not be too high and must stay close to the side wall. Play the ball to the back first and only then to the front of the court. He must not be expecting the short shot. Ensure that your opponent is under pressure when going for the short shot. He must not be waiting on the T for you to play the ball.
Your opponent is in control– You are playing a match, your opponent is winning and has taken control of the situation. He is moving you around, taking the ball early and you do not know where he is going to hit the ball. What should you now be doing?
When you are in this situation you must go back to basics. In order to get back into the match you must start hitting a good length to the back of the court. A good length will start to give you more time and you will be able to recover to the center of the court. Hit the ball a little softer and a bit higher. When you are in the front of the court lob the ball to the back of the court. Keep your opponent behind you for while. If you are forced to boast the ball try and keep the ball close to the front corner. Allow yourself time to get your rhythm back.
While your opponent is behind you and in the back corners it will be very difficult for him to win the rally without taking an enormous amount of risk. Keep him there for a little while longer. Patience never killed anyone! Wait for that opportunity to strike.
Here are a few situations and the solutions1. My opponent is a good shot player and winning the match from the front of the court. I feel that I am consistently under pressure. What should I do?
In this situation you must keep your opponent in the back corners. It is very difficult to play a good short shot from the back of the court. Play a few more good drives and cross-courts than usual. Keep the ball away from your opponent. He will not be able to play a good short shot if the ball is tight and away from him. Only go short when your opponent is out of position.
2. My opponent is a hard hitter of the ball. I am not able to hit the ball as hard as him. I feel that I am consistently under pressure. What should I do?
In this situation you must slow the pace of the ball down a little. It is difficult to hit the ball very hard when it is coming towards you at a slow pace. In order for him to hit the ball hard he needs to have time and space. Keep moving your opponent which will give him less time to hit the ball and keep the ball close to the walls which will give him less space to swing at the ball.
3. My opponent can run all day. I am not as fit as my opponent and I am always losing on fitness. I feel that I am consistently under pressure. What should I do?
Keep the ball tight. Force your opponent to make a mistake. Wait for the weak return and then play a tight drop or drive. You may have to wait a little longer but you will eventually will the rally.
4. My opponent is getting to my drop shots and then winning the rally. What should I do?
Keep the ball tight. Try and hit a few more drives before going short. If your opponent is reading your drop shots it will be easy for him to get to and return them. Only go short when your opponent is out of position. Aim a little lower. The game is won from the back of the court.
5. My opponent seems to be volleying all of my drives and getting to my short shots. What should I do?
You have become too predictable. Change your game. Play a few more cross-courts, boast when he is not expecting and keep the ball tight.- A good place to start when playing squash is at the back of the court. Your opponent is restricted from playing good shots when he is at the back of the court. You must first hit the ball deep into the back corners and close to the side walls. When you do this you will be able to control the center of the court, take the ball early whenever possible and give yourself more time. Always move back to the T.
