Squash Magazine

By Ed Chilton

Ed Chilton is the Assistant Racquets Director/Head Squash Professional at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, DE. Chilton has had several national champions as well as many nationally ranked juniors. He is a PSA and USPTA certified instructor as well as a Prince Advisory staff member. Chilton has been teaching for 15 years with 11 of those years at WCC and prior to that at Capitol Hill Squash and Fitness Club.

How many times have you run to the front wall to retrieve a drop or a boast and hit a counter drop that sits there like a cherry on top of a sundae? Or, on the contrary, you hit a lob that that’s 10 feet off the ground and your opponent hits a crushing volley for perfect length? Here are a few things to consider when hitting counter drops, lobs or “drobs.”

DROPS

First, what does dropshot imply? The late Jack Barnaby said, “A drop is a ball that you let drop on the front wall not make drop on the front wall.” It is better to let the ball drop, as it will land softer, shorter and hopefully tighter. “Making the ball drop” can bring it out too far because of speed or being too high when it hits the front wall.

So what is the easiest way to let the ball drop? A stiff wrist lacks the flex needed to properly feather a drop. Using a relaxed grip can give you more control when hitting a soft shot allowing the ball to drop on to the front wall. A great way to practice a soft grip is to use the “teacup grip.” Taking your pinky and ring finger off the grip prevents you from holding the racquet too tightly. Taking your fingers off the bottom of the racquet relaxes the grip, giving you softer hands when executing the shot. Remember the proverb: If you are carrying a bird in your hand, hold it not so tightly that you kill it, but not so loose that you lose it.

Another example of how a player might develop better control is to mimic the Bastille Day festivity of French waiters and waitresses competing in a race around the block with a cup of coffee on their trays. The best competitors run with a relatively firm wrist and a relaxed hand to avoid spilling the liquid. If they lock down on the wrist or have rigid fingers they lose control and lack good feel of the tray, causing the drink to spill. A similar practice technique for squash involves running with a paper cup of water. This activity will help to focus on a loose grip and controlled wrist needed for the perfect drop.

LOBS

Lobs are like dropshots in a sense that you want the ball to drop way in the back corners. It is important to have loft on your lobs so that they fall softly into the back, making it difficult for your opponent to return. To get good loft on the lobs it is essential to hit the ball on to the top third of the front wall. Remember the front wall is 15 ft high. Many lobs are hit at the cut line (6 ft). Although it may seem high enough many are cut off by the opponent or the lobs rebound out of the back giving the opponent more time to get the ball and set up for an easy shot. A good way to get good height on the front wall is to rotate the grip before hitting the ball so the strings face the ceiling of the court. When hitting a forehand lob, rotate the racquet clockwise. When hitting a backhand, rotate the racquet counter-clockwise. Opening the racquet will allow you to get much more height and loft on the ball. You should be slightly firmer on the grip as you must hit it higher and a little harder. Remember, getting it over your opponent’s head is most important.

DROBS

“Drob” is a word I made up, and I am sure others have too. Essentially, it is a lob dropshot. The idea is to hit the ball high on to the front wall but have it land very close to the front wall and tight to the side wall just like a dropshot. Sound crazy? In some ways it’s not. Use the drob when you can’t lob and your opponent is close, leaving you not much time or room to clear. In most cases this will happen if you know you have to clear to the side wall as opposed to clearing to the center, or if you approach along the side wall. The drob gives you time to get out of the way to avoid the let or stroke, and will also give you time to clear to better court position. If the ball stays tight to the wall, your opponent’s options are limited. The grip should be held with a soft hand. Also, open up the grip when hitting this shot as height is imperative.

Remember: on these three shots, grip and height are important. These shots can be considered defensive shots; however, a well hit defensive shot will become an offensive shot. If you can incorporate the drop, lob and drob into your game, you won’t be on the defensive for long and you will be able to turn the table on your opponent. Good luck!