Return To Court series – Social distance pairs training

This means that players are allowed to get on court with a partner but have to adhere to government guidelines as to what can and cannot be done. On the whole, this means that no competitive matches are allowed to be played as players have to stay a prescribed distance away from one another. Within this limitation, there is still a lot of quality drills and competitive conditions games that can be played whilst adhering to the rules of 1-2 meters away from each other at all times. This blog will outline a number of drills and conditions games that can be played under the restrictions of social distance squash. Each and every country will have different rules for this activity so please do consult with your facility or government guidelines as to what is and what is not acceptable. Rules such as each player has their own ball, or you are not allowed to wipe your hand on the walls may need to be considered and followed within the below drills and condition games. 

The below drills and games will involve players in opposite areas of the court such as front and back, left and right and front left and back right for example. When swapping positions please stay an appropriate distance away from one another within the social distance rules of your country.

Similarly, in regard to both players coming back to the T after every shot, this should be taken into considering within social distance rules. In normal play and drills, this is highly encouraged but not so much when trying to respect social distancing rules. A suggestion would be to take a step towards the T after each shot but not to fully return to it. If both players are moving towards the T at the same time this would contravene the rules.

1. Drop and drive (DRILL)

One player stays at the front and hits straight drives, the other player stays at the back and hits straight drops. This should start as a cooperative drill and be done of both sides of the court. To add some competition, place a shoe target down for both players and score points when a target is hit.

2. Drop and drive 2 shots + ghost (DRILL)

An extension to the first drill, except both players now play two shots in a row. The back player starts with a drive to themselves and then plays a drop from their own drive. The front player plays a counter drop and then hits a drive off their own drop. Competition could be added with targets as the above drill. Ghosting can be added here also to bring in a physical and movement element; the back player would ghost to the opposite back corner after completing their drop whereas the front player would ghost to the opposite front corner after completing their drive.

3. Boast and drive (DRILL)

Both players will be now moving side to side to keep this drill going. The front player hits straight drives while the back player plays boasts. Competition could be added with targets for the drive and the boast.

4. Boast and drive 2 shots + ghost (DRILL)

An extension to the above drill, except both players now have to play two shots in a row. The back player starts with a drive to themselves and then plays a boast from their own drive. The front player plays a drop and then hits a drive off their own drop. Competition could be added with targets as the above drill. Ghosting can be added here also to bring in a physical and movement element; the back player would ghost to the opposite back corner after completing their drop whereas the front player would ghost to the opposite front corner after completing their drive.

5. Boast and cross-court (DRILL)

Players now position themselves in opposite diagonals, for example, one player covers the front left while the other player covers the back right. The back player starts with a boast and the front players hits a cross-court from the boast. Competition could be added with targets for the cross courts and the boast.

6. Boast and cross-court 2 shots + ghost (DRILL)

An extension to the above drill, except both players now have to play two shots in a row. The back player starts with a drive to themselves and then plays a boast off their own drive. The front player plays a drop and then hits a cross-court off their own drop. Competition could be added with targets as the above drill. Ghosting can be added here also to bring in a physical and movement element; the back player would ghost to the opposite back corner after completing their drop whereas the front player would ghost to the same front corner after completing their cross-court.

7. Side v Side (GAME)

Players pick a side of the court. The game always begins with a serve. The object is to get the ball across to the opponent’s half of the court. Any shot can be played to get the ball across. Keep score and swap sides when a player reaches 11 points.

8. Side v side with a setup option (GAME)

An extension to the above game, except both players now have the option to hit a shot back to themselves first before taking the ball across to the opponent’s side. Players can be very creative with this game to cause maximum disruption to their opponent. Keep score and swap sides when a player reaches 11 points.

9. Front v back (GAME)

Players pick either the front or the back of the court. The game always begins with a boast from the player at the back of the court. The player at the front needs to get the ball past the short line whereas the player at the back needs to get the ball to land in front of the short line. Keep score and swap positions when a player reaches 11 points.

10. Front v back with a setup option (GAME)

An extension to the above game, except both players now have the option to hit a shot back to themselves first before taking the ball into their opponent’s area. One thing to consider here from the player at the back is to be aware of the player in front and not to use a setup shot if they think they will hit their opponent. Keep score and swap positions when a player reaches 11 points.

Jesse Engelbrecht