Squash Basics: Stop Getting Murdered On The Court
Getting smoked on the squash court?
Your opponent dancing around like a caffeinated ballerina while you’re gasping for air in the corner?
Been there. Wore the sweat-soaked t-shirt.
But here’s the brutal truth about squash: It’s not the fittest who survives. It’s the smartest.
The 5 Laws of Not Sucking at Squash
Law 1: Own the T or Die
The ‘T’ is your throne. Your fortress. Your oxygen mask at 30,000 feet.
It’s that magical center point where the service boxes meet.
Why?
From the T, you can reach any shot in 2-3 steps. From the corner? You’re running marathons between points.
The Rule: After every shot, sprint back to the T like your life depends on it.
Because your squash life does.
Law 2: Make Your Shots Work Smarter, Not Harder
Stop trying to murder the ball. This isn’t tennis.
Your job isn’t to hit winners. It’s to move your opponent until they crack.
The Arsenal:
- Drives: Straight shots that hug the wall. Your bread and butter.
- Drops: Soft shots that die in the front corners. Your assassin’s blade.
- Lobs: High, arcing shots to the back. Your escape route.
Mix these like a DJ blends tracks. Keep your opponent guessing, gasping, giving up.
Law 3: Footwork is 90% of Squash (The Other 10% is Not Dying)
Bad footwork = wasted energy = early funeral.
The Basics:
- Small, quick steps to adjust position
- Split-step before your opponent hits (like a tiny jump to reset balance)
- Lead with the foot closest to where you’re going
- Never cross your feet unless you enjoy face-planting
Think boxer, not bodybuilder. Light, quick, always ready.
Law 4: Consistency Beats Glory Every Time
Want to know the fastest way to lose?
Try to hit winners on every shot.
Winners are for closers. And you’re not closing anything if you’re spraying balls into the tin.
The 80/20 Rule of Squash:
- 80% of your shots should be safe, deep, and annoying
- 20% can be attacking when your opponent is out of position
- 0% should be hero shots when you’re under pressure
Remember: Your opponent can’t win if they don’t hit the ball back.
Law 5: Anticipation > Reaction
Elite players aren’t psychic. They just watch better.
What to Watch:
- Your opponent’s racket preparation (telegraphs shot type)
- Their body position (shows direction)
- Their balance (reveals if they’re defensive or attacking)
- Their patterns (most players have 2-3 favorite shots)
Start predicting. Stop reacting.
The best players are playing chess while everyone else plays checkers.
The Squash Paradox: Less is More
Here’s what kills beginners faster than bad fitness:
Trying too hard.
Squash rewards efficiency, not effort. Control, not chaos.
The Minimalist’s Guide to Maximum Results:
- Shorter swings = better control
- Softer shots = harder returns
- Patient rallies = opponent errors
- Strategic movement = energy conservation
Your 7-Day Squash Transformation Protocol
Day 1-2: Master the T. Practice ghost movements (shadow squash). T to corner, back to T. Repeat until it’s automatic.
Day 3-4: Shot selection drills. Hit 50 straight drives, 50 cross-courts, 50 drops. No power. Pure placement.
Day 5-6: Footwork patterns. Set up cones. Practice approach patterns to all four corners. Small steps. Quick recovery.
Day 7: Game simulation. Play points focusing on one principle per game. Don’t keep score. Keep learning.
The Truth About Squash Mastery
Squash isn’t won with the racket. It’s won with the mind.
The player who thinks clearer under pressure wins. The player who moves smarter, not harder, wins. The player who makes fewer errors, not more winners, wins.
Stop trying to be a hero. Start being a strategist.
Because in squash, like in life, the tortoise beats the hare.
Every. Damn. Time.
Got squash questions that are keeping you up at night? Shoot them below—I’d love to see what’s cooking in that tactical mind of yours.
