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Question 8 -
LOOSE RETURN OF
SERVE |
I seem to give loose returns when the opponent
uses a low smash serve, what should I be doing?
Martin C |
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| Question 7 -
EARLY LET CALL |
| I have played a
loose drive or mid-court boast.....: do we play a let, or is it my point? |
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| Question 6 -
IS HARD
HITTING IMPORTANT |
| Is it important to
hit hard throughout the whole match? Is hitting hard and low a very
fundamental skill in squash? |
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Question 5 -
BEATEN WITH PACE |
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I have an opponent who just beats me with pace and in the end I just
don't get there? |
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Question 1 -
MY GAME IS STUCK |
| I seem stuck in
League 4 at my club and I really think I could play to a higher standard
but it is just not happening. What should I do? |
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| Question 1 -
I seem stuck in League 4 at my club and I really think I could play to a
higher standard but it is just not happening. What should I do? |
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Answer 1 -
Really you are saying I need an assessment of my play, my potential and of what
I am doing. You are also saying given this how do I improve my game.
You feel you can improve which is a good start. Start with a realistic self-assessment. Write down your strengths as a player, weakness and things you think you need to improve on to lift our standard. Seek other opinions, real criticism. Ideally this will be from an experienced coach who will analysis your game and set a direction for you. Remember it is not the coaching that will lift your standard it is what you do with it. Seek advise from senior or more experienced players.
There are a whole range of things you can do to improve using practice (solo, pairs, practice game), fitness training, coaching and matches. It is best however for this effort to be targeted on what your individual needs are as a player.
Here however are some guidelines. Play regularly (a club player wanting to improve needs to play a minimum of three times a week, a competitive player four or five times with other training). Play matches that will extend you. Prepare for your matches. Work out a game plan (learn from your previous experience), arrive early and warm-up so you are ready and focused when you go on court. Learn from your matches.
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| Question 2 -
I am reasonably fit but now I
am getting older I have terrible trouble in recovering from hard games. Is there
anything I can do?
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Answer 2 -
Warm-down after your matches. Keep moving. The stiffness is caused by
lactic acid, a by-product from the chemical reaction in all that energy
you have produced to play squash. Flush it out by maintaining the blood
flow with gentle exercise for 10 minutes walking or jogging. Perhaps
even consider a light recovery run later in the day.
Stretch after a match when the muscles are nice and hot and pliable. |
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| Question 3 - I have an opponent
who cuts me up on the volley. But for that I would be in the game. Do you have
any advice? |
Answer 3 -
The general rule if your opponent is playing winning shots or shots
that are troubling you is to look at where he is playing them from – and don’t
put the ball there.
Basically tighten up your game so there are no easy volley opportunities there.
Probably you should straighten up and hit lower and harder under his volley
reach area. (Unfortunately this may take some effort and there is also the
danger of hitting short.) Try to keep the ball out of the air – certainly until
you are in front. If you do stray there anticipate where the ball is going
before it has been struck. It sounds as if you may know this is but are not
moving early enough. There are other issues. Perhaps you are too readable and
should vary your game more; you can play more short balls if you have that
capability (although there are dangers in this); and you could try very high
shots that will go over his volley reach area. Remember to volley yourself – of
course! Perhaps you can get in first. |
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Question 4 -
I tend to
get involved with the referee and this spoils my concentration. Any tips?
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Answer 4 - Resolve not to get involVed before you go on court. Accept that you
will get some decisions you don't like. Prepare alternate strategies. If you do
get involved try to refocus. Having a simple game plan is useful. Refocus on the
next rally rather then brood on the past one. This is the positive approach. |
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Question 5 -
I have an opponent who just beats me with pace
and in the end I just don't get there? |
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Answer 5 - Slow the game down. Play tighter balls. Don't be rushed. Take time
when you serve. Try to anticipate your hard hitting opponent. Are there patterns
which will allow you to move early. |
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Question 6 -
Is it important to hit hard throughout the whole match? Is hitting hard
and low a very fundamental skill in squash? |
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Answer 6 - Hitting hard is
important in squash. It is a hard hitting aggressive game. However it is
a brilliant game in that it allows different styles and rewards
different abilities. Tactics can be seen as a balance of defence and
attack, hard and soft shots, positional play and pressure play.
Hard hitting can apply pressure to your opponent
(deprive him of time) but it can also deprive you or recovery time. (Time to
cover your shots.) Pick the right time to hit hard and apply pressure. Hit hard
been you have the opportunity (from the mid-court (you do not need recovery
time), when you have an opening (an easy ball) or when your opponent is out of
position (ie. You have a gap and play the ball to die - rather than rebound -
into this gap.)
Play slower recovery shots (lobs, straight lobs
and high crosscourts) when you need recovery time.
The problem with hard hitting it that it can lead to loose play, it gives less
recovery time, it can be tiring, your opponent may not mind it, it can lead to
more rebounding shots
Fundamentally you should adapt your tactics to
your strengths and your opponents weaknesses, develop a game plan and be able to
change tactics that are not working.
Yes hard low hitting is important and useful but
it is not the whole story. Use it if is works (remembering to develop your
skills in the long run so you don't just become a basher) but remember to pace
yourself through a match and each rally by balancing hard and soft shots. Pick
the times to hit hard and apply pressure. It you can do it a lot of the time
fine but it is not the whole story.
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Question 7 -
Thanks for
the ability to ask questions on Squash Player. I have 2 questions:
i. I [A] have played a loose drive or mid-court boast; my opponent [B] is on
the T; I can read his shot and it’s going to be a straight drop; he moves
forward to play the drop; before the ball hits the front wall I move in and
ask for a Let (because of direct interference); his shot (for which there
was no interference) hits the Tin. What is the call: do we play a Let, or is
it my point?
ii. Same scenario as above, except this time his drop shot (my opponent)
dead-nicks…do we play a Let, or is it his point?
Many jugs of beer have been consumed in attempting to answer these 2
questions. I await your response.
Mike H |
Answer 7
- Not every senario in squash is
perfectly covered in the ‘Rules of the Game’ but outside the rules we have
the ‘The Squash Player Principles’, ‘Common Law’ and ‘Common Sense’.
Answer.i.
Player A wins the rally.
Player A is trapped behind Player B who has dropped from the mid-court.
Player A asks for a let early but Player A’s hits the tin. Player B has
played a shot without interference or distraction and it has hit the tin.
It could be argued technically that the rally will end immediately the let
call has been made, i.e. while the ball was travelling, but the ability of
the referee to discern this is not practical and a sensible decision has to
be made. (There is some precident for this in rule the Appeals rule
(11.2.1.2 The Referee … shall award a stroke to the player, if the Marker’s
call interrupted that player’s winning return.)
Answer.ii.
Player B wins the rally.
Player B has hit a
winner. No let. |
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Question 8 -
I seem to give loose returns when the opponent
uses a low smash serve, what should I be doing?
Martin C |
Answer 8.
It depends on where the shots are loose. If
you are pulling the shot out into the middle when you are trying to hit
straight you are hitting the ball in front rather than to the side. Use your
feet, move to the side of ball.
Alternatively aim right across the court, hardish, at or above the service
line to get length and across enough to get width. Your target is to beat
your opponent’s potential volley and hit the side, floor and back to put
your opponent in the back and to take the T.
If the ball is kicking off the near side wall it has got behind you and you
need to move your feet to the side.
It may be useful to watch how other players handle this service. Consider
moving forward to volley.
A good practice that simulates this situation is where Player A (frontcourt)
crosscourts and Player B (backcourt) straight drives or volleys and then
boasts. This allows the practice to be continuous.
Also try having someone smash serves at you so you can get some practice at
this. See your coach! |
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