Most of what holds a new squash player back comes down to a handful of basics: how you hold the racket, where you stand when you hit, and where you go afterwards.
These 12 squash tips for beginners come from the SquashSkills coaching team, from Jesse Engelbrecht on the grip to Shaun Moxham on the serve. Each one links to the video where the coach explains it in full, which you can watch with a SquashSkills subscription.
1. Get your grip right
You want a neutral grip that lets you hit both the forehand and the backhand without changing it. Jesse Engelbrecht’s first fix is a clear V between your thumb and forefinger, because a lot of beginners hold the racket like a fist. Rest the grip across your fingers, with the butt of the handle in the fleshy part of your hand rather than your palm.
On grip tension, Jesse says to hold the racket like a small bird: firm enough that it can’t fly away, gentle enough that you don’t crush it. Our guide to the squash grip covers the trigger finger and the rest of the detail.
2. Lift your racket up early
As soon as you know which side the ball is going, take your racket head back on the way to the ball, so that by the time you arrive you’re ready to hit. You’ll be amazed how much time you have, and how many more options it gives you.
3. Get side on to the ball
Jesse calls this one of the biggest faults he sees. When you hit, the ball should be between you and the side wall, with your shoulders facing the side wall on both the forehand and the backhand.
As Jesse puts it, “If your chest and shoulders are facing that front wall when you’re making contact, something’s not quite right.” Over-rotate and you’ll most likely drag the ball into the middle of the court.
4. Link your movement to your shot
Step and hit, so that your swing starts just as your foot plants in the lunge. Linking the swing to your movement gives you a balanced, stable position and lets your weight transfer through the shot.
Jesse wants you to lunge as often as you can rather than running through the ball. Leave enough space between your front foot and the ball to swing freely.
5. Warm up properly
Don’t let the first game slip by because you weren’t ready. Gary Nisbet‘s squash warm-up has three stages: a pulse raiser, dynamic mobility, then a short burst of squash-specific, high-intensity work.
It gets your muscles firing and your blood flowing, so you’re match ready from the first rally. There’s more on why it matters in the importance of warming up for squash.
6. Make sure your serve hits the side wall
Shaun Moxham’s first rule of the serve is that it hits the side wall before your opponent can volley it. A high serve that does that and drops into the back corner forces them deep and gives them nothing for free.
Serve from the front of the service box. You’re closer to the T there, and Shaun wants you on it straight after the serve rather than drifting backwards.
7. Play from in front of your opponent
If you can hit the ball into the back corners and take charge of the T, you’ll find the game much easier than if you’re always behind. Use height to get the ball into the back corners, then push forward to the T so you’re ready for the next shot.
Jesse’s tip for getting back there is to let your follow-through carry you. A lot of players hit, stop, then move, when it should be one connected movement.
8. Volley more
Volleying takes time away from your opponent and keeps you closer to the T. Jesse admits a lot of players avoid it because it feels scary. His fix is to be prepared and presented before the ball arrives. Otherwise, as he says, you’re just flapping at the ball and hoping for the best.
Learn to volley, and take the chance whenever you can.
9. Hit the open space
If you hit the ball where your opponent isn’t, you make them run. Lee Drew‘s guide to shot options comes down to being able to reach all four corners, using height as well as pace, so your opponent is always guessing.
Avoid hitting the ball back to them, but remember that a loose shot into the open court can leave you exposed. Laura Massaro goes further in hitting into open space.
10. Learn to hit a good straight drive
If you can hit the ball straight into the back corners from anywhere on court, you limit your opponent’s chances to volley and give yourself the chance to get in front. Renato Paiva‘s key point on the straight drive is where the ball sits against your body.
On the forehand, strike it in front of you, roughly in line with your belly button. On the backhand, look for the ball in line with your front shoulder.
11. Return serve from the right spot
Jethro Binns sees a lot of players stand too far into the service box channel. The ball comes off the wall, they’ve nowhere to go, and they end up poking at it and leaving it short.
Instead, stand in line with the service box, facing the front wall and watching your opponent. That gives you room to step back, then transfer your weight into the shot. For the mental side, read mindset for returning the serve.
12. Play with the right ball for your level
Squash balls bounce to different degrees. Only play with the pro ball once you can hit it hard enough to warm it up and make it bounce properly. Our guide to choosing the right squash ball explains which one to start with.
Where to start
Don’t try all 12 at once. Pick the tip that sounds most like your game, take it into your next session, and watch the video that goes with it.
If you want the technique side in more depth, Jesse’s Zero To Hero guide to squash technique takes the fundamentals one at a time.
Read next: Why Good Squash Technique Matters and Getting The Knack Of The Knock-Up.
Watch Back To Basics - With Jesse Engelbrecht
Nine short sessions, 23 minutes in all: the grip, preparation and presentation, the swing, getting side on, the lunge and spacing, the volley, the drop and getting back to the T. Made for newer players, and for anyone who wants a refresher on the basics.
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