Why I love squash...
What truly underpins my coaching philosophy is that I hope players will find a love for the game of squash that I found in my teenage years and still have now. Like the game itself, my appreciation of squash is multi-faceted: the intense gladiatorial nature; the high level of technical skill required; the tactical planning and problem solving that each opponent brings; the combination of movement and fitness; improvement through dedication and hard work. The list goes on.
One of the great things about squash is it really doesn't matter what standard you play at, you can work on these things at any level, making it an addictive and captivating sport. Likewise, with coaching, I'd much rather coach a beginner with an open mind than a top player who has a closed mindset.
One of the great things about squash is it really doesn't matter what standard you play at, you can work on these things at any level, making it an addictive and captivating sport. Likewise, with coaching, I'd much rather coach a beginner with an open mind than a top player who has a closed mindset.
Style of play I try to promote
The style of player I most admire is that of the highly skilled, efficient and cerebral player. Amr Shabana encapsulates this best, one of the greats of my PSA playing era who I was fortunate to spend some time with but sadly never got to play. I also think of the second half of Jansher Khan's career and the recently retired Raneem El Welily. Out of all the players on tour currently it is probably Karim Abdel Gawad who I most enjoy watching, along with James Willstrop.
In my coaching I aspire for my players to acquire some of the attributes that these players, in my opinion, share: a desire to outsmart and outskill before resorting to physical pressure; to try to read your opponent's thoughts before they even think it; to take control and never let them truly settle.
In my coaching I aspire for my players to acquire some of the attributes that these players, in my opinion, share: a desire to outsmart and outskill before resorting to physical pressure; to try to read your opponent's thoughts before they even think it; to take control and never let them truly settle.
Some examples of my coaching principles:
Do the fundamentals brilliantly
This means attention to detail. It is the difference between simply hitting another ball to the back opposed to fading a dying length catching the side wall at the exact point where it is hardest to reach early and maximising the difficulty of swing in the back corner. It is about practising your movement under every conceivable type of pressure so that it becomes second nature in a match. It is about mastering a skill.
This means attention to detail. It is the difference between simply hitting another ball to the back opposed to fading a dying length catching the side wall at the exact point where it is hardest to reach early and maximising the difficulty of swing in the back corner. It is about practising your movement under every conceivable type of pressure so that it becomes second nature in a match. It is about mastering a skill.
Think creatively for long term success
You should always be trying to cause your opponent problems but if it's one that they rarely deal with then all the better. So, don't be afraid to do things differently to others; the key is to identify what those things are and maximise them. Those unique abilities are going to be an asset in the long term. This might come in the form of unusual shots, sudden and deliberate changes of tactics or unconventional positional changes, among other things.
You should always be trying to cause your opponent problems but if it's one that they rarely deal with then all the better. So, don't be afraid to do things differently to others; the key is to identify what those things are and maximise them. Those unique abilities are going to be an asset in the long term. This might come in the form of unusual shots, sudden and deliberate changes of tactics or unconventional positional changes, among other things.
Movement is the backbone of your game
Movement practice (ghosting) isn't everybody's idea of fun! I tend to do it little and often with all standards of players as movement is such a fundamental aspect of the game. The video below is an alternative example to traditional ghosting.
Movement practice (ghosting) isn't everybody's idea of fun! I tend to do it little and often with all standards of players as movement is such a fundamental aspect of the game. The video below is an alternative example to traditional ghosting.
- Get different coloured cones and place them around the court in places you are likely to hit shots from.
- The coach or training partner then calls a colour and you have to move to the appropriate cone and play your shot.
- A progression would be to deliberately go to the opposite direction to the cone called.
- I like that fact that your mental agility is challenged here as well as your physical ability.
Hit a lot of squash balls!
There's yet to be a top player who hasn't done thousands of hours of solo practice to groove their technique.
The 3 main categories of solo I use are
Technical: A chance to break down the swing and develop a good feel for the shot in specific areas
Measurable: Hitting a designated target repeatedly. It helps to count the shots to keep focus and ideally time your efforts.
Creative: Looking at variations from the same swing, posture and movement.
There's yet to be a top player who hasn't done thousands of hours of solo practice to groove their technique.
The 3 main categories of solo I use are
Technical: A chance to break down the swing and develop a good feel for the shot in specific areas
Measurable: Hitting a designated target repeatedly. It helps to count the shots to keep focus and ideally time your efforts.
Creative: Looking at variations from the same swing, posture and movement.