Introduction & History of Squash n Squash also known as Squash Racquets may have originated in ancient Greece. n Version of squash was played in the prisons of England during the late 18th century. n Popular in English schools of the nobility during the nineteenth century.

Ease of Learning Squash n A booklet titled Basic Squash for Beginners published by the Canadian Squash Racquets Association states that "squash is easy to learn". n Squash hand ball & tennis are probably most difficult hand racquet sports to play. n More difficult to introduce than racquetball and is not as popular as racquetball.

Factors Contributing to Squash Difficulty n Racquet length n Distance between and and racquet face. n Racquet face size n Ball size n Court dimension restrictions

Squash Racquet n Racquets (about 8 ounces) are in a variety of shapes, and grips and tensions. n Cost is from 20 to 30 dollars and up. n Racquets come in different weights, balances and materials. n Metal head racquets are not permitted because of potential wall damage.

Squash Racquet Handle n Racquet handles vary in circumference and shape. n Handles are covered with leather synthetic or towel grips. n Strings come in a variety of materials.

Squash Ball n The size and properties of the squash ball make it less lively than racquetball. n The ball can come in four different types of varying speeds - black, green, blue, yellow dot. n The yellow dot ball is the slowest speed. n Non marking squash balls should be purchased.

Squash Safety n Racquet length increases risk for trauma n Stress racquet control n Lets like hinders in racquetball and handball are called to avoid injury. n Eye goggles & mouth guards recommended. n High follow-through on strokes avoids potential for contact. n Racquet should not move over 180 degrees.

Squash Serve n One foot must remain in service box during serve. n Service is from either box and alternates from box to box. One serve rule in effect. n Serve must land in opposite back quarter on first bounce. n Ball is tossed up and not bounced. n On serve ball cannot touch walls or floor prior to hitting front wall n Ball must contact wall above cut line n Ball can hit any wall after front wall

Squash Scoring n Game is 9 points. If an tie, the first to 9 chooses to set the games at 2 points or "no-set". n Points can only be made on serve. n Match is the best of three or five games. n Spin of the racquet determines serve. n Return may be volleyed and returned before bounce (Shovel or carry is illegal). n All lines, other than the continuous boundary line and tell-tale are ignored after a legal serve.

Squash Let Shots n A let is an undecided stroke and is re- served. n If the ball hits an opponent after hitting the side wall and is going to the front it is a let. n However a ball hits your opponent on way to front wall it is your point or serve. n Rally ends if ball touches either player. n Unnecessary physical contact is discouraged.

Squash Service Faults n Foot fault n No/double strike n Ball 1st hits floor/side n Served below cut-line n Served on tell-tale n Hits server on return n Lands before short line n Lands in same half court n However if the ball is played the fault is ignored.

Squash Strategy n Watch the ball! n Watch opponent! n On serve foot-foe-wall-ball-T n Footwork is used to cut down the angles. n Keep the ball low and close to the side walls (tight shot) n This can be costly on racquets. n Play short at the front of the court. n Squash is not all a power game; vary speed and place the shots.

Squash T Strategy n The "T" is a good spot to attempt to gain control of the court. Dominate the T n Be in the ready position n Think of the court having a stripe in the middle to take your shots from. n Hedge to the ball and good position. n Note server to see ball location. n Pace ball differently, with different force. n Try to delay shots.

Squash Grip n Similar to all racquet sports n Racquet face perpendicular to the floor. n "V" shake hands grip is popular. n The "V" position on the inside edge of grip opens the racquet face slightly and aids in control. n One difference between the squash and badminton grip is there is about * 1/2 inch at the butt of the handle. n Trigger finger spread give good control

Common Squash Strokes n Serve n Forehand n Backhand n Drive n Volley n Lob n Drop n Cross Court n Boast

Squash Serves n Lob serve n The lob serve is preferred because it requires little energy. n backswing racquet with cocked wrist (Keep cocked) n hold ball ahead of body n Toss ball up ahead of left foot n aim for a target high on front wall n loft ball to back court n lob off centre near out-of-court-line n follow through high in serve direction

Hard Squash Serve n ball is served hard onto front wall just above the cut line to go directly at opponent or to side wall nick (corner) n racquet is held high in ready position n toss ahead of body n step forward n contact ball at shoulder height n Squash Volley Stroke n hit ball before bounce to go deep into backcourt. n sideways stance to side wall n quick backswing n step forward with lead foot n contact ball at shoulder height n punch through ball n follow through

Squash Drive Shot n A drive shot is one that is hit straight to the front wall near side wall to land in back court. n Drive is the most common squash stroke. n face sidewall with shoulders n high finish

Squash Forehand Drive n racquet head back over right shoulder n cocked wrist n bent elbow n step forward and face side wall as ball approaches n shift weight from back right to front left foot n drop elbow down and away from body as stroke is made n strike ball at left knee level n follow through in direction n maintain cocked wrist

Squash Strokes Actions n The swing of a squash stroke is more vertical than horizontal (tennis) with the racquet staying closer to the body. n A squash stroke unlike racquetball and badminton does not require a good deal of wrist action. n Wrist remains cocked like in tennis. n Squash is fundamentally a sideways game since the stroke position is sideways stance.

Squash Backhand Drive n step toward side wall with weight shifting front left to right foot. n swing racquet head in a flat arc n strike ball ahead of right knee n follow through so that racquet head points to front wall

Squash Lob Shot n like lob serve n not a power shot n low racquet position n low body position n contact ball ahead of front foot n high follow through

Squash Drop Shot n attacking shot moves opponent forward n played short to front corners of court n lower follow through than drive n position feet so that the line drawn between toes is in the direction of shot n watch ball n hit ball opposite front foot n hit through ball with a slower swing n guide ball to corner & follow through

Squash Boast Shot n Boast is a defensive shot from the back corners when ball is too close to back wall. n Play a boast by hitting ball upward into side wall at a 45 degree angle. n angle boast from forecourt n offensive boast from mid court n defensive boast from back court