The Service

Under-rated shot No. 1

By Chris Walker, World No. 12

Chris Walker

In this month I want to cover probably the most under-rated shot in the book: the service. When you think about it, the service is the only 'free' shot you get in a match. Every time you hit a service you can get into perfect position, aim a perfect shot and see where you opponent is before you start!

The two basic rules are simple:

Serve with at least part of one foot in the service box and without any part of the rest of that foot touching the red lines of the box.
The serve should hit the front wall above the cut-line and then land in the back corner of the court opposite to the service box you are in (Hitting any line is a fault).

The key things to consider when you execute a serve are these (they form a sort of checklist for you, too):

Ensure you have that foot in the box legally.
Check to see where your opponent is situated on the opposite side of the court.
Decide on the speed, height and direction of the serve you wish to play.
Play your serve and then move toward the 'T' as the rally is now under way.

How do you get the best out of your serve? Look at the diagram below. The yellow squares on the side wall represent a target area for your serve. If your service is aimed high on the front wall so that it comes falling at medium pace toward those marks, then your opponent is not going to be able to do a lot of damage with the shot he chooses, unless he takes a risk.

There is also a lot to be said for varying the serve to keep your opponent on his toes. Use one serve as your 'bread and butter,' one you fall back on if everything else fails, but that you can vary in height, angle and speed to try to get a cheap point by catching your opponent unaware.

Jonathon Power is an excellent example of a pro who does just this. Players cannot settle at the start of the rally and Jonathon seems to hit quite a few nicks, or awkward bounces, on the back or side walls, which get his opponents on the back foot at the start of a rally. I would argue that it is not just luck either. Because he varies the serve, opponents find it harder to volley all the time, so he creates the chance to hit the nick.

Tip: Don't be afraid to practice those serves on your own, even aiming for the nick. Remember, the more you practice the luckier you get!

A note on receiving service:

When receiving service you would normally be standing somewhere near the blue cross on the diagram (on the opposite side to the server). This is recognized as the best place to position yourself to receive a serve; it gives you a small distance to cover whatever service is thrown at you, wherever it goes.

Your racquet should be prepared and ready by keeping it up above your waist and pointing towards the front wall, so you are in a position to swing a forehand or backhand return depending on the serve. You should always look to volley; only let the ball go past and bounce if it is likely to be to your advantage. Don't let yourself unnecessarily get sucked into the back corner on a return of serve.

Please continue to email me at chris@walker.net or Squash Magazine (editor@squashmagzine.com ) if you have more questions.