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