Developing technique and tactics

Intro

The technical and tactical requirements in squash change as the level of play increases.

In order for your players to be able to compete at this level and enjoy success, additional elements such as deception and disguise (deception and illegibility of the technique), T-position engagement, spin and tactics adapted to the opponent and game situation become increasingly important alongside the technical and tactical basics.

In this learning module, you will deepen your understanding of technique and tactics. The focus is on competitive squash and therefore on the FTEM phases F3 to T.

The picture shows two adult professionals in the game

Basics

Disguise

«Disguise» is an English term that translates as camouflage or concealment. In squash, «disguise» refers to the illegibility of the technique; in other words, not easily readable by the opponent.

For good players, it is important that their body position in relation to the ball and their style of racket preparation do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the planned shot. The opponent should know as late as possible where the ball is going to be hit.

Irrespective of the shot target, the shots look identical until immediately before the ball hits them. This means that good players accelerate and align their racquet as late as possible before the point of impact in order to give the ball the desired speed and direction of flight.

In addition, the racquet can be held in preparation for the shot or the swing can be delayed. This is already a mixture of «disguise» and deliberate deception of the opponent, i.e. «deception» .

The picture shows a player hitting a backhand

Deception

In contrast to «disguise», the term «deception» describes the deliberate deception of the opponent. This means that the planned strike is not disguised, but intentionally displayed as a different strike.

The picture shows a player hitting a backhand from the forearm

Spin

Although the squash ball does not take spin as well as a tennis ball, for example, playing with spin becomes increasingly important as performance levels rise. Among other things, the spin allows the drop shot to stay close to the side wall, the volley cross-kill to bounce back flatter or the counter-drop to stay flat.

The picture shows a player playing a stop ball

Occupying the T
Good players dominate the T. In the two learning modules Squash - Basic Tactics and Squash - Basics Techniques, the T-position is already addressed in the tactical model «T and 4 corners» as well as in «footwork» and «T-Position».

As the level of performance increases, the effective T-position shifts away from the geometric centre of the court to one side or the other.

Some reasons for moving to the side of the opponent are

  • to provoke a crosscourt
  • to cover straight balls better
  • to exude dominance
The picture shows two female players in the game, one on the T indented to the left

Possible reasons for moving away from the opponent's side include

  • to cover the crosscourt better
  • to cover the boast better
The picture shows two players in the game, one at the back left, the other to the right of the T

Adapt the tactics to the opponent, court and course of play

Good players quickly recognise their opponent's strengths and weaknesses. It therefore makes sense to organise the game in such a way that the opponent cannot use their strengths but is put under pressure in their weak areas.

In addition, certain game sequences or situations require the tactics to be adapted. For example, the game should be played faster if the opponent slows down. Or the rallies should be longer if the opponent seems tired.

The influence of the material on the game is often underestimated. The condition of the court, the condition of the ball and the temperature are important factors that should be taken into account when making tactical decisions. Sensitise the players to pay attention to this.

The picture shows two players in the game

Principles

«Disguise»-Training

With a good selection of approach and game forms, you enable the players to improve their stroke preparation. Your aim is to ensure that the stroke preparation phase, i.e. the body and shoulder position as well as the racquet preparation, always look the same for your players, regardless of which ball they then play.

Encourage the players to «float behind the ball» so that the «final» movement into the ball can be accaelerated «forward».

The picture shows two female players in the game

Practise this with the players in the back half of the court too. Disguise is obviously more important in the front half of the court, as the players can be observed and seen through more easily by their opponents here. Teach the players to make a variety of changes to the effective shot, including the swing, immediately before hitting the ball.

Thematise the following options:

  • change wrist angle
  • adjust forearm rotation
  • change speed (slow down, accelerate)
This drawing shows three different positions of the wrist and forearm during the forehand stroke

This allows the players to adjust the racquet movement shortly before the ball hits the ground and thus determine the direction of flight and speed of the ball.

The «hold»

A mixture or «disguise» and «deception» is the «hold», i.e. holding or delaying the strike. To enable the players to play the «hold», you teach them to delay the effective time of the shot. As an option, they can also change the direction of the ball flight at the last moment; for example, show longline, play cross. Train the «hold» as part of the disguise training.

The picture shows two players in the game

Classic deceptions - besides the «hold» - are:

  • Flick from the wrist and/or forearm as a cross (i.e. against the centre of the court) or as a trickle boast (i.e. against the side wall)
  • Displaying a different ball than is actually played. For example «the body goes to the right, but the racket then goes to the left».

More specialised deceptions are, for example, the following trick shots:

  • Swinging past the ball and hitting again; for example, hitting past with a quick swing to indicate long ball, but then hitting again to play a short ball
  • Playing between the legs or behind the back
  • Hit forehand instead of backhand or vice versa; e.g. «Mizuki»

Special shots can also be counted as deceptions:

  • Corkscrew Shot
  • Reverse Boast
  • Skid Boast (high boast to the back played with at a steep angle)
Film Deception

Spin-Training

You should only train your group to consciously play with spin once they have mastered the «basic technique».

Train the players to play the ball with the following spin variations:

  • Slice drop shot, so that the ball remains flat due to the backward rotation
  • Volley longline cut from the inside to the outside so that the ball stays closer to the side wall after hitting the front wall due to the sideways rotation
  • Counter drop played with top spin so that the ball can still be lifted in a controlled manner far in front of the body
The picture shows a player hitting a forehand counterdrop

Indent training

The players train to move slightly in from the geometric centre (T) to the side where they expect the ball from their opponent. Moving in to the side where the opponent is standing brings opportunities, but also dangers.

Opportunities:

  • the players can return the straight shot earlier
  • opponents are more likely to play a crosscourt and «open up» the court

Dangers:

  • the players could be hit by the ball
  • the players are passed by a good crosscourt

You can also teach a player to cover the crosscourt or the boast more consciously, i.e. to move to the other side. However, you should only do this if they are often passed by the crosscourt or surprised by the boast.

The picture shows two female players in the game

Variation-Training

Discuss various tactical behavioural options with your group during training. Pay attention to the technical requirements.

In particular, have them practise variation, i.e. consciously switching from one option to another. The following cards show some of the options that the players can use:

Photo of a top player with a junior player

Plan A - take the ball early

Photo of a top female player with a junior player

Offensive - exert pressure

Photo of a top player with a junior player

High pace - fast balls

Photo of a top female player with a junior player

Many deep shots

 Photo of two professional players

Lots of straight balls

Photo of two female professional players

Monotonous rhythm - play at a steady tempo

Photo of two female professional players

Play a lot to the back - more basic play

Photo of two professional players

Play a lot to the right

Photo of two professional players

Play little volleys

Analysing and coaching

Study future opponents with your group. This can be done «live» or using video footage. Of course, you must also analyse your opponent during the game. Recognise strengths, weaknesses and other special features! Based on this, you can prepare or adapt the game tactically.

Also analyse their own strengths and weaknesses with the players.

In every game, try to recognise which combinations of shots often lead to winning or losing the rally. Based on this, you can adapt the tactical game behaviour.

Remind the players to think about the court conditions before the game. Does the ball bounce well? Are the side walls rough? Is there anything else to consider?

Good Practice

You should consciously train «disguise» in the game and in a variety of forms of play. The «front against back game» and the special «Disguise-Training» are ideal.

Screenshot squashtraining.ch

You can train the spin in many forms of play. The «front only game» is ideal for the drop shot, while the «all up» game is great for the volley longline. If you want to work on the boast, «sides» or the «boast cross game» are well suited.

You can also concentrate on playing with spin during the «Straight Game».

Screenshot squashtraining.ch

Practise «deception» with your group and encourage their creativity and enjoyment of the game! In the game «Taxi», successful tricks and deceptions are rewarded.

Screenshot squashtraining.ch

To practise indentation on T in a variety of ways, «Huntsman», «Beat the arrow» and «Hornussen» are good ideas. Games on one side such as «Straight Game» or «length game» are also suitable.

Screenshot squashtraining.ch

Train your players to vary the game in many different ways. The «Guess What» game provides plenty of valuable entertainment during training.

Screenshot squashtraining.ch

You can use the «Game analysis» sheet to analyse matches. The «Opponent analysis» sheet is suitable for analysing your opponent.

The picture shows two female players in the game

Reflection

Formulate exemplary tactics adapted to the opponent or a special situation.

Discuss spin with other coaches!

  • How important do you think it is?
  • How do you want to incorporate this topic into training?

Which players do you know who are difficult to read (good disguise)?

Which players do you know who often deceive their opponents (good deception)?

Which players do you know who strongly adapt their T-position (good indentation)?

Quiz Quiz

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Transfer

Think about how you want to improve the technique and tactical behaviour of the players. What will you pay more attention to in future? What will you adapt in your training and what not? Record your thoughts in writing.

Go to Squashtraining.ch and discover training forms for your training. Register on squashtraining.ch and upload your own game form or exercise for a meaningful training session.

Quiz

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