Squash Magazine

The summer months lend themselves to having some fun on the court (not that squash isn’t fun, mind you). There’s more time to try various tricks and work on drills that keep you “squash fit” and socializing. This month, try a “tag-team” game with three players. While playing, concentrate on the four shots illustrated below. Most intercollegiate teams use this “drill” as a warm-up before dual match play begins.

(Larger view)

Overview
The “tag-team” three-player game is played just as it sounds. Two players participate during each point while the third stands in the back left or right corner. Although the “out-of-bounds” back corner clearly limits shot selection (i.e., no shots past the T on that side), playing this way will force you to concentrate on quality shots to the available spots. Also, limiting the “size” of the court will limit the fatigue factor as the player who loses the point trades places with the player waiting in the wings—thus the “tag-team.”

Execution
Begin by choosing which back corner will be out of bounds for the first game and determining who will sit out the first point.

Then, play points as usual with the loser of each point swapping with the player in the corner.

The shots allowed are rails (high or low), boasts, crosscourts (high or low), and dropshots (straight or crosscourt).

Any shot that is played toward the “out of bounds” corner is out of play.

Notes
Because the size of the playable court is limited in “tag-team” play, it is unlikely that any of the three players will get too tired. Therefore, use the opportunity to concentrate on good length and well-placed crosscourts and drops.

Focus on the back of the service box and as your target for rails, try to hit your shots so they bounce twice before reaching the third wall, and look for opportunities to volley since you already know you don’t have to cover all four corners. The key is to put pressure on your opponent.

Another game is “cutthroat” (two on one). In cutthroat, all three players play each point, rotate the serve between players regardless of who hits the winner, and score only when you are serving. Also, rotate positions on the court as you would playing volleyball (i.e., if the server loses the point, the right wall player becomes the server, the left waller moves to the right, and the server takes the left). Have fun.