Squash is a fast, fun sport that tests your fitness, quick thinking, and strategy. If you’re new to squash or just starting to love the game, learning the right techniques early will help you improve faster and enjoy playing more.
1. How to hold your squash racket
The way you hold your racket affects all your shots. The most common grip is called the continental grip. Think of it like shaking hands with your racket. This grip works well for both forehand and backhand shots.
Helpful tip: Don’t hold the racket too tightly! A relaxed grip helps you move your wrist better and hit more accurate shots.
2. Basic shots: forehand and backhand
Learning to hit good forehand and backhand drives is super important in squash. You’ll use these shots most often when playing with your opponent.
- Forehand drive: Swing from low to high, keep your racket face slightly open, and watch the ball carefully.
- Backhand drive: Turn your shoulders, keep your racket head up, and use a smooth swing.
Try to hit the ball to the back corners of the court. This makes it harder for your opponent to hit good shots back at you.
3. The serve: starting each point right
Every point in squash starts with a serve. You can serve underhand or overhand. The ball must hit the front wall above the service line and land in the opposite back quarter of the court.
Beginner tip: Start with the underhand serve to build confidence. Try to make the ball bounce high and stay close to the side wall. This makes it tough for your opponent to hit back!
4. Moving around the squash court
In squash, how you move is very important. Your footwork should be quick and efficient. Always try to return to the “T” (the center of the court) after each shot. This gives you the best chance to reach your opponent’s next shot.
Work on:
- Taking short, quick steps
- Staying low for better balance
- Turning your body to face the ball
5. The drop shot: surprise your opponent
Once you know the basics, learn the drop shot. This is a soft shot that lands just above the tin (the bottom part of the front wall). It’s great for catching your opponent off guard when they’re at the back of the court.
To hit a good drop shot, keep your racket face open and gently flick your wrist to guide the ball low and short.
6. Volleying: Hit Before the Bounce
A volley is when you hit the ball before it bounces. This puts pressure on your opponent because it gives them less time to react. Volleys work best when you’re near the middle of the court.
When practicing volleys, focus on control rather than power. This helps you gain time and force your opponent into difficult positions.
7. Game Awareness and Strategy
New players often just focus on hitting the ball. But squash is also a thinking game. Try to:
- Watch where your opponent is standing
- Mix up your shots (high, low, deep, short)
- Stay calm when under pressure
Remember, the goal isn’t just to hit the ball—it’s to put it where your opponent isn’t.
Learning squash – focus on key techniques
Learning squash takes time, but by focusing on these key techniques—grip, basic shots, serve, movement, drop shots, volleys, and game awareness—you’ll build good skills from the start. Don’t worry about making mistakes at first. Every game is a chance to get better.
So pick up your racket, get on the court, and have fun playing squash!
