Introduction & History of Squash

Squash also known as Squash Racquets

may have originated in ancient Greece.
Version of squash was played in the
prisons of England during the late 18th
century.
Popular in English schools of the nobility
during the nineteenth century.
 Ease of Learning Squash
A booklet titled Basic Squash for
Beginners published by the Canadian
Squash Racquets Association states that
"squash is easy to learn".
Squash hand ball & tennis are probably
most difficult hand racquet sports to play.
More difficult to introduce than racquetball
and is not as popular as racquetball.
 Factors Contributing
to Squash Difficulty
Racquet length
Distance between and and racquet
face.
Racquet face size
Ball size
Court dimension restrictions
 Squash Racquet
Racquets (about 8 ounces) are in a variety
of shapes, and grips and tensions.
Cost is from 20 to 30 dollars and up.
Racquets come in different weights,
balances and materials.
Metal head racquets are not permitted
because of potential wall damage.
 Squash Racquet Handle

Racquet handles vary in circumference

and shape.
Handles are covered with leather
synthetic or towel grips.
Strings come in a variety of materials.
 Squash Ball
The size and properties of the squash ball
make it less lively than racquetball.
The ball can come in four different types of
varying speeds - black, green, blue, yellow
dot.
The yellow dot ball is the slowest speed.
Non marking squash balls should be
purchased.
 Squash Safety
Racquet length increases risk for trauma
Stress racquet control
Lets like hinders in racquetball and handball
are called to avoid injury.
Eye goggles & mouth guards recommended.
High follow-through on strokes avoids
potential for contact.
Racquet should not move over 180 degrees.
 Squash Serve
One foot must remain in service box during serve.
Service is from either box and alternates from box
to box. One serve rule in effect.
Serve must land in opposite back quarter on first
bounce.
Ball is tossed up and not bounced.
On serve ball cannot touch walls or floor prior to
hitting front wall
Ball must contact wall above cut line
Ball can hit any wall after front wall
 Squash Scoring
Game is 9 points. If an 8 - 8 tie, the first to 9
chooses to set the games at 2 points or "no-
set".
Points can only be made on serve.
Match is the best of three or five games.
Spin of the racquet determines serve.
Return may be volleyed and returned before
bounce (Shovel or carry is illegal).
All lines, other than the continuous boundary
line and tell-tale are ignored after a legal serve.
 Squash Let Shots
A let is an undecided stroke and is re-
served.
If the ball hits an opponent after hitting the
side wall and is going to the front it is a let.
However a ball hits your opponent on way
to front wall it is your point or serve.
Rally ends if ball touches either player.
Unnecessary physical contact is
discouraged.
Squash Service Faults
Foot fault
No/double strike
Ball 1st hits floor/side
Served below cut-line
Served on tell-tale
Hits server on return
Lands before short line
Lands in same half court
However if the ball is played the fault is ignored.
 Squash Strategy
Watch the ball!
Watch opponent!
On serve foot-foe-wall-ball-T
Footwork is used to cut down the angles.
Keep the ball low and close to the side walls (tight
shot)
This can be costly on racquets.
Play short at the front of the court.
Squash is not all a power game; vary speed and
place the shots.
Squash T Strategy
The "T" is a good spot to attempt to gain
control of the court. Dominate the T
Be in the ready position
Think of the court having a stripe in the
middle to take your shots from.
Hedge to the ball and good position.
Note server to see ball location.
Pace ball differently, with different force.
Try to delay shots.
Squash Grip
Similar to all racquet sports
Racquet face perpendicular to the floor.
"V" shake hands grip is popular.
The "V" position on the inside edge of grip
opens the racquet face slightly and aids in
control.
One difference between the squash and
badminton grip is there is about * 1/2 inch at
the butt of the handle.
Trigger finger spread give good control
Common Squash Strokes
Serve
Forehand
Backhand
Drive
Volley
Lob
Drop
Cross Court
Boast
Squash Serves
Lob serve
The lob serve is preferred because it requires little
energy.
backswing racquet with cocked wrist (Keep cocked)
hold ball ahead of body
Toss ball up ahead of left foot
aim for a target high on front wall
loft ball to back court
lob off centre near out-of-court-line
follow through high in serve direction
Hard Squash Serve
ball is served hard onto front wall just above the cut line to go directly at opponent
or to side wall nick (corner)
racquet is held high in ready position
toss ahead of body
step forward
contact ball at shoulder height
Squash Volley Stroke
hit ball before bounce to go deep into backcourt.
sideways stance to side wall
quick backswing
step forward with lead foot
contact ball at shoulder height
punch through ball
follow through
Squash Drive Shot

A drive shot is one that is hit straight to

the front wall near side wall to land in
back court.
Drive is the most common squash
stroke.
face sidewall with shoulders
high finish
Squash Forehand Drive
racquet head back over right shoulder
cocked wrist
bent elbow
step forward and face side wall as ball approaches
shift weight from back right to front left foot
drop elbow down and away from body as stroke is made
strike ball at left knee level
follow through in direction
maintain cocked wrist
Squash Strokes Actions
The swing of a squash stroke is more vertical
than horizontal (tennis) with the racquet staying
closer to the body.
A squash stroke unlike racquetball and
badminton does not require a good deal of
wrist action.
Wrist remains cocked like in tennis.
Squash is fundamentally a sideways game
since the stroke position is sideways stance.
Squash Backhand Drive

step toward side wall with weight

shifting front left to right foot.
swing racquet head in a flat arc
strike ball ahead of right knee
follow through so that racquet head
points to front wall
Squash Lob Shot

like lob serve

not a power shot
low racquet position
low body position
contact ball ahead of front foot
high follow through
Squash Drop Shot
attacking shot moves opponent forward
played short to front corners of court
lower follow through than drive
position feet so that the line drawn between
toes is in the direction of shot
watch ball
hit ball opposite front foot
hit through ball with a slower swing
guide ball to corner & follow through
Squash Boast Shot
Boast is a defensive shot from the back
corners when ball is too close to back
wall.
Play a boast by hitting ball upward into
side wall at a 45 degree angle.
angle boast from forecourt
offensive boast from mid court
defensive boast from back court