We’re delighted to have David ‘DP’ Pearson back on the site, sharing with us his expert insights on wrist position for the squash player.
DP is one of the best-known coaches in the game, thanks in part to his extensive work with both Nick Matthew and Laura Massaro. Much of what DP talks about in this series, you can really see demonstrated when watching any of his proteges in action.
Proper use of the wrist is crucial for any player seeking to maximise control and consistency within their shot, and to give themselves the ability to adapt to different situations on court when the ball might be outside of their desired hitting zone.
Having a ‘cocked’ wrist was one of the traditional technique points highlighted by coaches for many years, but this has faded somewhat in recent times. DP offers us his considered views on this technical point in the playlist and explains his idea of a ‘firm’ wrist compared to a ‘cocked’ wrist. The wrist also comes into play heavily in regards to using hold and disguise at the front of the court, and DP covers this in depth along with how to use the wrist to play effective lobs.
We’ve put together a couple of sessions for you to try out alone or with a partner, to help you really zero in on the use of the wrist in your swing – check out the links below to access these, and start working on optimising your technique with the help of one of the finest coaches out there.
Put it into practice
Treat this simple solo practice as a purely technical session, focusing on the wrist position through a variety of standard shots and movements. Try and bring in some of DPs insights, even if it might not feel natural at first – persevere with the technical points raised, and see the benefits it has on your hitting.
Leading on from our standard wrist position focused solo session, this more advanced solo session incorporates some of the more technical aspects of DPs wrist position content, including holds, delays, and disguise.
Following on from the basic solo practice above, we also have a useful pairs based session outlined for you to practice those same wrist position technical points in the context of a slightly faster, more rally specific environment.
Related content
David Pearson on attacking length
If you enjoyed this series from DP, check out his excellent playlist on hitting an attacking length where he also discusses more in respect to his thoughts on wrist position.
Jethro Binns on dealing with awkward balls
Adaptability with the wrist is crucial to being able to deal with balls outside of your comfort zone – check out this great playlist from SquashSkills founder Jethro Binns looking at this area in more depth.
Let us know how you get on with the sessions, we’d love to hear your feedback!
Not watched the full playlist yet?
A poor wrist position can cause huge problems in the amateur game, particularly on the backhand side. This series will help you understand what you should be trying to achieve in all areas of the court.
Watch the playlist in full