Squash Magazine

The Drive: Three Variations on a Theme By Ed Chilton

I say “jump,” you say “how high?” I say “hit more drives (rails),” you say, “what kind?” As a coach it is important to be more specific in technique, strategy and footwork among other things. Drives in squash are usually balls hit down the wall into the back of the court. However, there are many variations to the drive, and just coaching someone to hit more drives is too general and in some ways can go against the basic strategy. I use three drives in coaching: platinum, gold and silver. Each one is of a different length and speed from different heights. Platinum This drive is hit with good pace and bounces twice before the short line. This shot is played from a ball that is well above the tin, allowing the striker to hit down on the ball. The racquet face should be slightly open to create underspin in order to help the ball “lay down.” With good pace and spin, the ball will stay low and short, making it difficult for the opponent to retrieve. The idea is to put pressure on the opponent by making him have to hurry. The Platinum is best played from around the “T” although it can be played from the back. The opponent should be coming from the other side of the court and from behind. Typical times to play the Platinum would be off of a high three-wall, high, short drive; a high short crosscourt that either breaks off the side wall too soon or comes to the “T”; or a ball that rebounds off the side and back walls. When playing this shot it is also better to play the ball so it nicks on the second bounce so the shot stays tight to the wall as opposed to playing to the nick directly; if you don’t catch the nick quite right, it will pop out to the center allowing the opponent a better opportunity to do something with it. The player will have fewer options if the ball is tight to the wall. Gold Hit this drive with good pace with the first bounce around the back of the service box and the second bounce into the back wall nick. Here again, the ball should be above the level of the tin when striking it. Spin should be applied to assure that the ball lies down rather than rebounds off the back wall. This also pressures the opponent by eliminating the luxury of time to retrieve the ball. Typical times to play the Gold would be similar to the Platinum; however, the opponent should be moving from the opposite side and from mid-court or frontcourt. Be careful when playing the Gold from the back, as your opponent may be able to cut it off just after the first bounce, putting pressure on you. Silver This drive is usually hit when playing a ball that is lower than the level of the tin or from a more defensive position as well as from the back. Draw the opponent into the back with deeper length without having the ball come off the back wall too much. The first bounce should be about halfway between the back of the service box and the back wall, and the second bounce no higher than the top of the white lines on a glass-back wall. Play the Silver when exchanging drives from the backcourt, difficult balls from the mid-court, or when retrieving balls from the frontcourt. Remember, when the ball is lower than the level of the tin, it is difficult to hit down on the ball; therefore, it is better to hit under the ball to get better length into the back. These three options are not just limited to straight drives but are also effective on crosscourts. Platinum and Gold crosscourts are great from the frontcourt when the opponent has cleared to the wall, therefore opening up the crosscourt. Remember: second bounce to the nick. In any of the situations listed above, drops and lobs are always an option, which we will discuss in a future article. Try using these varying length drives in your next match and see if you can apply more pressure on your opponent. Make him run and stretch to get every ball so he has little time for recovery. If using the Platinum, Gold and Silver drives properly, you may end up taking the precious metal home with you at the next tournament.