Squash Magazine

By Chris Walker, PSA No. 10

Chris Walker

So many people ask me ‘Can you give me one major idea to work on that will help my game and my ability to play better squash?’ I would answer this question and many like it with the same suggestion: To me a key part of the game is your preparation and positioning relative to the ball. Three fundamental things to bear in mind when focusing on this are:

1. Turn your shoulders
2. Get your racquet back
3. Position yourself correctly relative to the ball to benefit from your good preparation.

To simplify the description of these ideas see the four photographs below.

First let us analyze the forehand side of the court.

Fig. 1: Racquet high, shoulders turned

Notice in the first picture (fig. 1) how the preparation of the racquet is high and that the shoulders are effectively turned to face the back wall (where the camera is mounted) ready to unleash a full, unrestricted swing. Also note that there is plenty of space between the ball and me so I will have a free and easy follow-through.

Fig. 2: Ball behind front foot

Having set up this optimum position to hit the ball, you must also ensure you are in the correct position relative to the ball. This is shown in the second illustration of the forehand (fig. 2). Notice that the ball is actually a tiny bit behind the front foot. You have to get forward of the ball as part of your preparation to hit it.

With your shoulders turned, space to swing, and a good position square of the ball, play a full unrestricted swing through theball, keeping shoulder movement down to a minimum. Try to let the follow-through unwind smoothly rather than trying to slow down the racquet speed with your own strength.

Try to ensure at all times that your racquet face is open. This means that the face of the racquet should be directing the ball upward. Illustration 2, which shows the position of the ball relative to my feet, also shows how open the racquet face should be (change your grip until you feel comfortable with this position).

Now let us analyze the backhand side of the court.

The same golden rules apply to the backhand. Have good racquet preparation and shoulder turn (again turn the shoulders to face the back wall), give yourself plenty of room to have a full, unrestricted swing, and then swing through the ball. Try to let your follow-through unwind smoothly rather than trying to slow down the racquet speed.

Fig. 3: Ball behind front foot

The third illustration (fig. 3) shows you how to set up the preparation with your shoulders turned and with plenty of space to swing. The fourth illustration (fig. 4) shows you the ball position on striking. Notice that the ball is slightly in front of the leading foot, but again notice how the racquet face is open. Again, change your grip until you feel comfortable in this position during the swing.

Fig. 4: Ball forward of front foot

That’s it. Sounds simple, I know, but I am sure you will need to do a little work before you perfect it! I am still working on it today.

Final Tip: After you have been practicing something, don’t go into a match and try to use the skill then. Just play to win and throw the textbook out the window. I assure you that the more you practice the more these skills will naturally become part of your game.