[see also Column Four: Drills for groups of 3 or more]
Pro Tips: Improve your Squash with Cyrus Poncha
Column Number Three: Drills for coaches to use with pairs of players
June 18, 1999 Bombay ©1999 Cyrus Poncha and SquashTalk. All rights reserved.
Cyrus Poncha is Indian National Juniors Coach and a leading coach in the squash hotbed in Bombay, India. In addition to his highly regarding coaching activities, Cyrus and his brother Neville have
created an excellent coaching website, dispensing information and advice for the improvement of your
game. You can browse Cyrus's Squash Website at:http://www.cyrus.indianet.org
Dear Squash Player:
Here are some drills to help you improve your game this summer. I have found all of these drills to be at the same time simple but particularly useful in getting students to think about the objectives of their shots, to find the flaws in their games themselves, and to work on improving themselves.
1. DRILLING DRIVE
Purpose
Working on early racket preparation, correct technique and good footwork - keeping the ball tight along the
side walls.
Routine
Player A stands and returns to the T between each shot. Player B (or coach) stands behind the service box.
Player A, moving from the T, hits straight drives into the shaded target area (within 2 feet of the side wall)
behind the service box. In reply, player B hits/feeds a straight drop.
Duration
Player A and B switch quarter's i.e. Player A changes positions with Player B
This should be done 10 min for each quarter; i.e.,front and back, forehand and backhand, 10 minutes each.
(Total 40 minutes)
Difficulty
Average
2. ANTICIPATION
Purpose
Working on deception - the
player in front can delay his stroke to hit cross-court or a straight drive, while the player behind
must concentrate to anticipate the shot.
Routine
Player A hits cross-court or straight drive into the target area (behind the service box) moving from and
back to the T. Player B plays boasts moving from the back corners to the T after each stroke.
Duration
Player A and B switch halves i.e. Player A changes positions with Player B
This should be done 10 min on each half: front 10 minutes and then back 10 minutes (Total 20 minutes)
Difficulty
Average
3. RETURNS
Purpose
Return of services to be hit into the
corners.
Routine
Competing with a partner for points, Player A serves 25 times from the right service box to player B who stands
behind the left service box. Player B score a point if he service return, straight or cross-court are in the
target area (within 2 feet of the side wall, behind the service box).
Duration
25 serves x 2 each side
Difficulty
Average
4. DRIVE / BOAST / DROP
Purpose
Hitting the ball specifically and consistently, at the same time achiving correct movement patterns.
Routine
Moving from and back to the T, player A plays a straight drive; player B then, with the same
movement pattern plays a boast of which player A hit a straight drop. This routine is continued
in the same format: drive, boast, drop, drive, boast....
Duration
10 minutes
Difficulty
Advanced
5. BACK GAME
Purpose
To improve the ability and consistency in hitting drives behind the short line under different circumstances
for as long as possible.
Routine
Both players must hit the ball behind the short line in the target areas (1 1/2 feet away from the side walls)
using either a straight or cross-court, drive or lob. Players score as in a normal game. This routine
helps players to create and disguise their shots teaching them to use it tactically in a match.
Duration
10-15 minutes
Difficulty
Advanced.
6. 1/4 COURT
Purpose
Increases anticipation and stimulates deceptive moves.
Routine
Player A (or coach) stands in one of the back quarter courts and plays any where around the court. Player B
must chase and return the ball into the back quarter court (where player A stands) by hitting drives, lobs, etc.
Duration
5 minutes on each side x 2 (Total 20 min.)
Difficulty
Advanced.
And finally - Have fun!
Your friend, Cyrus
