By Chris Walker
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Chris Walker |
If you watch or play enough squash perhaps you have encountered that player who you think is really fast around the court, athletic and light on their feet, but seems incapable of running in the right direction to retrieve his opponent’s shot! In contrast you may also know those cunning club players who are either overweight, over the hill or just not as physically gifted but seem to get almost every ball back. How is that?
There is more to it than meets the eye, but it’s no real secret. It’s all about reading the game, anticipation, timing, court movement and momentum. While it may take some time to pick up the concept described below and incorporate it into your game, with trial and error it is certainly effective.
To cover the court to the best of your ability you should try to always be moving, whether it’s after you have hit your shot or upon reaching the T. Also, keep in mind that the T is only there as a guide to help you locate the center of the court during the rallies. It’s not there to sprint to between shots. You don’t win the match if you get back to the T as quickly as possible after you have hit each shot! If you get there too quickly you end up having to wait, static on the T, losing all your momentum in the process.
What you have to perfect is the timing of your movement so you arrive at the T when your opponent is about to strike the ball. You can then continue your movement to the next shot, with any necessary change of direction, using your momentum.
If you get a chance to watch some high level squash, look for a subtle battle going on between the players. At any given opportunity they will be trying to get their opponent flat-footed (static) or ‘off-balance’ on the T by delaying the striking of the ball. In addition, if there is time they may try to ‘hold’ off the playing of a shot and then flick the wrist in order to hit the ball in an unexpected direction, introducing some deception in the hope of completely ‘wrong-footing’ their opponent and sending them the wrong way or leaving them flat-footed on their heels.
Here are some major pointers….
-If your opponent is about to volley the ball you’ve just hit you should try to get to the T quickly while continuing to watch your opponent and his position relative to the ball. Always try to be moving forward gradually as you arrive at the T because the hardest area for you to cover, if the ball is taken early by your opponent, is the front of the court.
-If you hit a good medium-pace drive to the back of the court and your opponent doesn’t volley the ball you should slow your approach to the T so you still arrive there as he hits his shot.
-If you arrive at the T a little early, rather than just stand there you might want to try to keep your momentum by going up on to your toes and keep transferring your weight from one foot to the other; this should help you feel ready to spring toward the next shot.
-If you hit a loose shot that gives your opponent a lot of time at the front of the court, he may try to ‘hold’ the ball (i.e. play it as late as possible to get you flat-footed or static on the T). You must try to keep your ability to move off the mark quickly. Bend your knees and keep your feet apart and stay on your toes, ready to transfer your weight in the necessary direction.
-As the match goes on you may pick up on some strong areas of your opponent’s game—a particular shot that gives you trouble, for example. You might therefore want to commit a little more to covering that shot by moving toward where it is normally hit (effectively covering his potential winning shot).
-If you play a really tight straight shot (close to the wall) whether a drop, volley drop or length, it is very hard for your opponent to hit a cross-court drive. Take the liberty of creeping up the court and a little towards the side wall where the ball is, effectively anticipating his reply. Then look for the volley!
Good luck and don’t panic!
You can find this article in the February 2004 edition of Squash Magazine. |
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