Power & Deception:
Smart Racquet Preparation Can Bring You Both!
By Anthony Ricketts
Photos by SquashPics.com
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As all squash players are certainly aware, both professional and recreational, the game of squash is extremely physically demanding. And I am sure for the majority of players this is why we love the sport. As frustrating as it is, we are under pressure in our rallies on the court—we are constantly reaching for the ball and feel off-balanced. To help you try to overcome this frustration, I want to share with you the importance of early racquet preparation when under pressure in the rally.
Having your racquet back early when moving onto the ball will serve many purposes and improve your game. For the most part it will bring some natural deception when striking the ball. If you can have your racquet in the same starting position every shot it will make it extremely difficult for your opponent to read where you are hitting the ball. (On the contrary, if you have a different starting point in your back swing for your drop shot than your length game, this will quickly become easy for your opponent to read.)
If you have been brought forward on the court and are under pressure, having your racquet back will help you generate more power when striking the ball. If you run to the ball with your racquet in front of you (which we are all guilty of doing at times) then you will not be able to generate enough momentum in your swing to hit the ball hard enough. This idea of moving forward to the ball whilst bringing your racquet back will also assist in your timing of the ball as you will naturally know when to begin your down-swing.
This necessity of early racquet preparation is demonstrated in the play-by-play photographs. In each set of photographs I have been brought forward by my opponent and am under pressure in the front forehand of the court. The photos demonstrate that through my early preparation I am able to play a mixture of shots. In the same position I have played a drive, a drop, a cross-court lob, a little tickle boast at the front of the court and a cross-court drop -- please scroll down to see corresponding photos. This range of shots would not have been as effective if my racquet was in front of me. I would have shown my opponent where I was hitting the ball, and I would not have been able to generate enough power to hit a full length drive.
Thinking about your racquet preparation whilst playing your games will definitely broaden your options of shots whilst under pressure on the court. Just thinking about it will introduce deception to your game, which will no doubt annoy the practice partner you’ve sparred with over the last 10 years. When used with the footwork mentioned in my last article your balance and timing will improve and I may just see you on the Professional Tour very soon.
Drive
Drop
Cross-Court Lob
Tickle Boast
Cross-Court Drop
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