Squash Service Types

Squash service types
Hammer serve
Description: Aim for the side-wall / floor nick at the end of the service
box.
Execution: Hit hard just above service line
Pros: Useful when opponent is standing back in the corner
Cons: Useful only from right service box
Lob serve
Description: Aim high in the middle of the court so the ball hits the
sidewall deep and high then hits the ground before hitting the back wall.
Execution: Use a low underhand swing
Pros: Very difficult to return as ball should cling high to the sidewall. Likely will
result in the opponent playing a loose cross-court.
Cons: Easy with a warmer ball, requires utmost precision and stroke with a
colder ball. If not hit accurately the serve can be left open and your opponent
can attack it easily.
Body serve
Description: Aim for the opponent's body
Execution: Hit hard just above service line like a hammer serve, but much
narrower angle
Pros: Useful as a variation or surprise serve. Very effective when you have
game/match ball and opponent is under pressure to play defensively.
Cons: Done too often and it becomes predicatable
Backhand serve
Description: Backhand hit serve from the right service box
Execution: Bend low and be close to the T. Idea is for ball to hit the sidewall at
the rear of the service box with a much narrower angle compared to a forehand
serve.
Pros: Useful when opponent likes to volley kill your forehand serves. This way
you constantly have an eye on what they are shaping up to do and you cover
the front left corner easier.
Cons: Requires skill to hit consistently hit into the sidewall with a narrow angle.
Forehand serve
Same as backhand serve except done with forehand from left service box. Can
be hit hard or soft. Idea is to be as close to the T so you can limit the angle your
serve comes into the sidewall. The tighter the angle, the better.
Corkscrew serve
Description: From left service box aim for ball to high high on the top left of the
frontwall then immeadietely hit the left sidewall to come diaganollay across the
court into the rear of the right service box area.
Execution: Hit hard and high from a low position, and stand as much to the right
as possible
Pros: Surprises opponent. If done properly the spin from the ball will make it
very difficult to retrieve if the opponent lets it hit the right sidewall.
Cons: Only useful with an extremely warm ball. Completely useless serve with a
cold ball.
Tennis style serve
Description: Useful for beginners who find it hard to generate power in their
serve
Execution: Throw the ball above right shoulder and hit it hard, aiming just above
the service line.
Pros: Ball comes at the opponent fast giving little time for them to react.
Cons: Easy to volley since serve is usually aimed away from the opponent's
sidewall.

1. Is it a fault if the BALL HITS THE TOP LINE surrounding the court on the serve?
In squash on the line is "out". So a service hitting the 'out' line is indeed a fault.
Category: 03. The Service
500 visitor(s) thought this was helpful. Do you?

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2. When serving I currently have one foot inside the service box and one foot in front of the service box
(with my foot not touching the service box line). Is this legal?
Your service is quite legal. You have to have a part of one foot on the ground within the service box
when serving. The other foot can be anywhere you like. This comes in rule 4 of the 2001 rules.

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3. If the server serves the ball and it is "not a good serve" does he get chance to take the serve again?
In World Singles Squash the server is only allowed ONE serve. If he serves a "not a good serve" he loses
the service.

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4. On the serve can the ball hit directly the back wall(or glass) before hitting the ground?
Yes - the ball on being served can hit the back wall or a sidewall before hitting the floor (ground). Of
course it has to hit the front wall first between the service and out lines.

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5. Can I serve like in tennis (racket behind the head, and smash the ball), or do I have to serve with a
swing of the racket on my side?
Yes you can serve like tennis or underarm with the racket at your side. The service rules are at Rule 4
in the 2001 rules. Please read the full rule on the web site.

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6. Can you serve from the same box every time?
No you cannot serve from the same box every time. If you are serving and win the rally, your next
service must be from the alternate box. If you were not serving and just won the service back, you
can always start serving from the same box - in fact most players do. See Rule 4.2

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7. Is it legal for me to return a service while the ball did not yet touch the floor or the wall?
Yes, you can volley a service before it has touched the floor or another wall. It must, of course, have
hit the front wall already!

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8. I'm left handed and I have heard that I can choose which side of the court I wish to serve from,
instead of having to serve always from the right. Is this true?
Yes, the server can choose which side of the court to start serving from when he becomes "hand-in".
He must alternate sides while serving during each "hand".

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9. Is a player allowed to take a running serve, provided they are in the box when they actually make
contact with the ball?
The rules do not specifically prevent a player taking a running serve. What is specified is that the
server must have part of one foot touching the floor within the service box at the time of serving. If
this is not the case then the service is a fault. There is no perceived advantage for a server to take a
running serve. It could well lead to an inaccurate service.

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10. Must the first serve of every game be made from the right service box?
No, the server can choose which service box to start each game, or each 'hand' from.

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11. Is there any rule about where the reciever must stand at the beginning of each serve? Must the
receiver stand behind the short line at the beginning of each serve and within his/her quarter court?
Is it allowable for the receiver to volley the ball prio
Dear Glenn No the rules do not say much about the receiver and do not specify where he should
stand. What matters is that the interference rule applies to the service as well, so that the receiver
must be out of the server's swing etc at the time of serving. This means that the receiver can
definitely not stand in front of the server. So, other than ensuring he is not interfering with the server
as specified in rule 12 for all shots, the rules allow the receiver to stand anywhere. Of course
practically speaking the receiver will stand where he can most effectively return the service. This is
generally just behind the service box in the opposite quarter to the server. Hope this clarifies this for
you. Regards Don

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12. I understand that a service has to land in the rear quarter without touching any lines. In a recent
game, I was receiving service and the ball clearly landed plumb on the line. I, as I was in mid stroke
ready to return ball, hit the ball back to the front
Dear Gavin You are correct that the service must land in the rear quarter without touching any lines.
If it does not, the service is NOT good and the rally stops. The receiver has no option of playing it.
The rally ends with the fault service. The fact that you returned the ball after the fault service is of
no consequence. The rally was no longer in action. So the correct ruling is that the rally is awarded to
you as a result of your opponent's fault service. Your opponent is referring to interference situations
where the striker has the option of asking for a let or of continuing the rally. That is quite a different
situation. With the service fault there is no option to play the ball. Regards Don

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13. Perhaps I'm too sensitive, but when playing and marking, I've become aware of many players who
persistently foot-fault by stepping to the "T" too quickly during an overhead hard-hit serve (so the
trailing foot is already in the air or dragged onto the line). Am I correct in thinking the receiver is
entitled to appeal for a "not called foot-fault", either at the time of the service, or even at the end of
the rally? Am I correct in thinking the marker (we don't have referee's in our matches) should award a
LET if unsure about whether a foot-fault actually occurred?
Certainly the receiver is entitled to appeal about any service including a foot-fault which in terms of
the rules ranks the same as any other fault and can make that appeal immediately or at the end of
the rally - see rule 11 "Appeals". A service needs a decision by the marker - if good he makes no call,
if a fault he calls it so. Once an appeal is made the ref takes over. In your case the marker acts as
marker and ref so now has to shift hats and act as the ref. As ref he can allow a let if uncertain.
Regards Don

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14. I was recently frustrated by a referees decision to award a stroke against me after my serve was
allowed to pass behind the body of my opponent thus "pinning" me in the service box. I was under the
impression that this turning/pass behind tactic could not result in a stroke to the server? It hardly
seems fair if it does, as the reciever also had room to hit the ball on the volley. It was his choice on
two occasions to allow it pass behind him thus putting me in danger of being struck. I thought a let or
no let were the obvious answers. Who is right? Thanks for any advise.
I presume you mean "stroke against the server"? In which case you are correct. The referee seems to
have misread the situation. The receiver, having turned, can stop and ask for a let if he thinks he may
hit you with his shot. This let should be allowed providing the server has keeps out of the way of a
reasonable shot. If the receiver opts to play the ball which then strikes the receiver, the stroke is
awarded to the server. If the server deliberately gets in the way of the receiver's shot after turning,
stroke to receiver. (If this continues to happen try changing the direction of your service so that
turning is not an option.) Regards Don

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15. When serving a server moves toward the 'T'. The serve comes off the side and back wall landing in the
serving box toward the middle line. The server is now in the way of the shot. Is this a let or stroke
situation?
If the receiver did not turn it is a stroke. The server must get out of the way. If the receiver turned
other options apply. If receiver turned and did not play the shot asking instead for a let, the let
should be allowed. If he played the ball which then hits the server a stroke is awarded to the server.
Regards Don

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16. 1)While serving can i hit the side wall first and then hit the front wall? 2)While serving can i hit the
first wall and before hitting the ground can it hit the side wall or the back wall?
1) No, the ball must hit the front wall first. 2)Yes, the ball can hit a side wall or the rear wall after it
has struck the front wall and before it hits the floor.

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17. Having only been playing squash for a year I am learning the rules gradually as i go. In a recent match
my opponent was serving such that the easiest way for me to make a return was to let it carem off
both the side and back wall, turn and make my shot. At times I would have to ask for a let, as he was
in the line of fire, but more times than not I had an easy shot down the opposite side wall for a win
that he could not get back to. He complained that by returning his serves in this fashion I was putting
him in danger, my thoughts were that if he was not serving in this manner to begin with I would not
have to play this shot. (i.e. he could hit a service that I could return in the normal fashion up the
same wall). Also at times if I feel he is going to serve short I will cheat toward the front of my service
box and play the ball short off the front wall before it hits the side wall. This also causes complaints
from my opponent. My question is are there rules (or more importantly, etiquette that stipulate how
a serve must be returned). Thanks for your time
There are no specifications how to return service. However the rules to refer to unnecessary turning
and to dangerous play. I suggets you look at rules 9 and 12 in particular and rule 17. Regards Don

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18. When did the rules change so that there was no second service
The rule came into effect on 1 May 1989.

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19. what rules govern the serve for a player with only one effective arm. Can the serve be made by
bouncing the ball on to the floor? Can the serve be made by bouncing the ball up from the racket?
Rhanks
For a player with one arm, the ball can be thrown up from the racket and must be hit before it
touches the floor. It cannot be bounced on the floor before service.

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20. Hi, Thanks for your help. I am having an argument with my mate about whether or not the ball is
allowed to hit the back wall on a serve before touching the floor. ie, on the full. please tell us if this
is legal as we have found rules on the net that seem to support both positive and negative. Or at least
do not rule it out all together. The rules on www.squash.org appear not to allow this, am I
interpreting them correctly? thanks again, cheers, Mick.
Hi Mick. When served, the ball may hit the back wall or side wall before touching the floor. Rule 4.4.4
states 'unless volleyed by the receiver, the first bounce of the ball on the floor is in the quarter
court.....' Note the words 'on the floor' which means it can hit the side wall or back wall or both.

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21. How many seconds are permitted between a rally and next service? When is it considered time-
wasting?
No time is specified by the rules. Play is expected to be 'continuous'. It is up to the referee to decide
when any delay is unwarranted or to long. Regards Don

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22. Thanks for a great site. As a total novice, I'm a bit unclear of the correct way to serve. Do you hit the
ball on volley or does it have to bounce before hitting it?
The ball must be hit on the volley. Either underarm or overarm. If it touches the floor, a wall, or the
player's cothing before being hit is it a fault. So it must not be bounced. Pleased you enjoy the site
and keep up the Squash. Regards Don

Secara garis besar jalannya permainannya squash adaiah : pemain melakukan
servis dengan melempar bola ke udara, lalu dipukul hingga menyentuh daerah di
atas garis servis di tembok depan, tanpa boleh mengenai lantai atau tubuh lawan.
Jika tidak dapat dikembalikan oleh lawan, maka ia mendapatkan angka. Servis
dapat diulang (let) antara lain jika pemain lawan tidak siap, bola rusak, atau posisi
lawan tidak memungkinkan untuk membalas tanpa melukai pemain lain.
Sistem peniiaian yang digunakan dalam pertandingan squash adalah best of five.
Pemain yang lebih dulu memenangkan 3 dari 5 seti permainan adalah
pemenangnya. pemainan berakhir saat salah seorang pemain mendapat 9 point.

Skor atau Pengiraan Mata
Perlawanan ditentukan dalam tiga (3) atau lima (5) permainan atau game terbaik. Setiap permainan atau game
dimainkan dalam sembilan (9) mata. Pemain yang mendahului sembilan mata adalah pemenang. Jika
kedudukan mata terikat 8 8, penerima servis akan membuat pilihan sama ada permainan akan diteruskan ke
sembilan atau sepuluh mata. Mana-mana pemain yang mendapat sembilan atau sepuluh mata terlebih dahulu,
dikira pemenang. Seperti badminton, pemain yang membuat servis sahaja yang mendapat mata sementara yang
menerima servis pula, hanya boleh merampas servis semula.
Kedudukan Servis yang Betul dengan garisan
Tidak Dipijak
Selepas memainkan bola, seseorang pemain mestilah berusaha untuk tidak menyekat pergerakan pemain
lawan. Dia mesti cuba untuk :
(i) memberikan kejelasan kedudukan bola
(ii) tidak menghalang pergerakan lawan terhadap bola
(iii) memberikan lawannya kebebasan atau ruang untuk memainkan bola

The court
The squash court is a playing surface surrounded by four walls. The court surface contains a front line
separating the front and back of the court and a half court line, separating the left and right hand sides
of the back portion of the court, creating three 'boxes' - the front half, the back left quarter and the
back right quarter. Both the back two boxes contain smaller service boxes. All of the floor-markings on
a squash court are only relevant during serves.
There are four walls to a squash court. The front wall, on which three parallel lines are marked, has
the largest playing surface, whilst the back wall, which typically contains the entrance to the court, has
the smallest. The out line runs along the top of the front wall, descending along the side walls to the
back wall. There are no other markings on the side or back walls. Shots struck above or on the out
line, on any wall, are out. The bottom line of the front wall marks the top of the 'tin', a half metre-high
metal area which if struck means that the ball is out. The middle line of the front wall is the service line
and is only relevant during serves.
[edit]Service
Just before the match, the players spin a racket (usually up or down of logo.) to decide who serves
first. This player starts the first rally by electing to serve from either the left or right service box. For a
legal serve, one of the server's feet must be touching the service box, not touching any part of the
service box lines, as the player strikes the ball. After being struck by the racket, the ball must strike
the front wall above the service line and below the out line and land in the opposite quarter court. The
receiving player can choose to volley a serve after it has hit the front wall. If the server wins the point,
the two players switch sides for the following point.
[edit]Play
After the serve, the players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall, above the tin and below
the out line. The ball may strike the side or back walls at any time, as long as it hits below the out line.
It must not hit the floor after hitting the racket and before hitting the front wall. A ball landing on either
the out line or the line along the top of the tin is considered to be out. After the ball hits the front wall, it
is allowed to bounce once on the floor (and any number of times against the side or back walls)
before a player must return it. Players may move anywhere around the court but accidental or
deliberate obstruction of the other player's movements is forbidden. Players typically return to the
center of the court after making a shot.
[edit]Side-out (or Hand-out) Scoring System
This scoring system is based on a serving system, in which one must gain the serve to obtain a
point. Having the serve is sometimes considered to be on offense. The opponent (who does not
have the serve) is considered to be on the defensive and must score to win the serve and then score
again to gain a point.
Points are awarded if, during the course of play:
The receiver fails to strike the ball before it has bounced twice
The receiver hits the ball out (either on or above the out line, or on the tin)
The receiver fails to hit the front wall with the ball before the ball has bounced
Stroke: where the receiver obstructs the server during the point (see Interference and
Obstruction)
Where the server does any of these things, or fails to hit the serve in, then the players change roles
and the receiver will serve the next point, but no points are awarded.
Games are played to 9 points (with the exception that the receiver may opt to call "set two" and play
to 10 when the score first reaches 8-8). Competition matches are usually played to "best-of-five" (i.e.,
the player to win the most out of 5 games). At one time this scoring system was preferred in Britain,
but also among countries with traditional British ties, e.g. Australia, Canada, Pakistan, South Africa,
India, but now at competitive levels, only PARS to 11 is used (see below).
[edit]Point a rally scoring system (PARS)
Alternatively, in the point-a-rally scoring system (PARS), points are scored by the person who wins
each rally, whether or not he or she served. The winner of the previous point will serve at the start of
the next point. Traditionally, PARS scoring was up to 9 points (or the receiver calls 9 or 10 when the
game reaches 8-8). However, in 2004, the PARS scoring was increased to 11 for the professional
game (if the game reaches 10-10, a player must win by two points).
[4]
PARS is now used on the men's
Professional Tour, and the tin height has been lowered by two inches for the men's professional
tournaments (these changes have been made in a hope to shorten the length of the rallies and
therefore the match). The women's Professional Tour uses the original tin height, but started using the
PARS to 11 scoring system as of July 2008. In the International game, club, doubles and recreational
matches are usually played using the traditional British scoring system, but the European Squash
Federation (ESF), World Squash Federation (WSF) and several national federations are now using
PARS to 11 on a trial or permanent basis. Scoring systems and rules can be adapted subtly to
accommodate shorter game time or multiple players. As of April 1, 2009, WSF has declared that
PARS to 11 will be the only official scoring system allowed for all levels of competitive squash.

Squash Court Markings and Dimensions

A few interesting facts about Squash courts:
Squash developed from a game that was played
with only a front and one side wall
At the start of the 20th century there was not a
standard size for a Squash court
The game of handball (not european handball)
is still played at some locations, especially in
schools in th UK and Australia on a court similar to a
big Squash court without any back wall

About the Squash Serve

The server, with at least one foot in the service box, starts play
by hitting the ball directly onto the front wall between the cut
line and the outline to rebound so that, if allowed, it bounces for
the first time in the opposite half of the court and behind the
short line.
See Squash Court Markings.
It may hit another wall after hitting the front wall, providing the
ball lands within the correct half court.
The receiver may hit the ball on the full. If the server wins the
rally they serve from the alternate service box.
If the receiver wins the rally they choose which box to start
serving from.

The Squash Serve

The Squash Serve is the only time in the game when a player has total control over the shot
The receiver must attempt to ensure that they do not allow the server to gain the initiative.
The Squash serve should be varied to prevent an opponent from "getting onto" the serve.
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Serve Basics Stance/Ball Toss Lob Serve/Targets Hard Serve/Targets Backhand Serve

Serve Basics
There are two basic serve types:
The hard or power serve
The lob serve
The use of wall targets is essential in developing a consistent serve. See below for details.
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Stance and Ball Toss

Feet Position and ball toss determine the direction of the swing
and hit.
The diagram shows the feet positioning from both the right and
left service boxes.
Ball toss height affects the ability to hit the ball high onto the
front wall.
More Pics...
Serve Right Box Feet position
Left box service position
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Lob Serve

Target point - 50 cm from the "outline" on the front wall.
Aim to hit the side wall high and behind the back of the
service box.
The serve should land within a metre of the back wall.
Read the advantages of a Lob Serve

More on Lob Serve
Squashgame Gold: Advanced Text and
Video Content
More on Lob Serve
The lob serve is a soft serve which falls or drops into the back
corner.
Adjust width to suit individual stance and technique.
Shoulders point to the target on the front wall.
Open racket face gives height on the front wall.
Ball toss to be higher than the shoulders so the racket face can get under the ball.
A good lob serve will hit the side wall behind the service boxes, before the receiver can intercept it.
Try a backhand serve from the forehand side box as a change - remember to adjust the target points.
Target Forehand side lob serve
Aim high (about .5 metre) on the front wall about centre of the front wall.
Target Backhand side lob serve
Aim two/thirds across the front wall.
How effective is my Serve?
Assess Your Serving
Good Bad
The lob serve Is going over my opponent's head The lob serve is too low
Is forcing a weak return My serve is being attacked
Is allowing me to get to the middle of the court My serve is preventing from moving out of the service box
Is soft and dying in the back of the court My serve is rebounding into the middle of the court
My hard/power serve is forcing an error The serve keeps going out of court
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Hard Serve or Power Serve

The power serve is good for a change of tactics.
This serve can becomes predictable when served
continually.
Adjust the target points to counteract the opponent's
strengths, eg depending on the position the opponent
stands to return the serve.

More on Hard Serve
Squashgame Gold: Advanced Text and
Video Content
More on Hard/Power Serve
Key Points:
Start the serve with a full backswing
The hard serve resembles the serve of a tennis player.
Strike the ball slightly above head height.
Toss the ball relatively high and hit through the ball with an open face racket. Aim a racket head above the cut
line.
Change your target points according to the strengths of your opponent.
Try to hit the side wall nick at the back of the service box.
Aim higher on the side wall for the strong volleyer
Hit it at or behind the opponent as a change (as a surprise).
The power serve should always hit the side wall except if aimed at or behind the opponent.
Move quickly to the T as your time is limited in comparison to the lob serve.
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Backhand Serve from Righthand Box

A backhand serve from the right hand service box can be very
effective.
It can be served as a Power Serve or Lob Serve.
The closer the target on the front wall is to the side wall, the lesser
the angle of the rebound, making the ball follow closer along the
side wall, making the return more difficult to attack.

More on Serve Basics
Squashgame Gold: Advanced Text and Video Content
More on Serve Basics
Serving is a closed skill - the server has complete control over the shot including ball toss, racket swing and
stance.
It is the only case where a consistent technique can be practised, then repeated in a match.
It gives the server the opportunity to put the opponent on the defensive.
The softer the ball is hit on the serve, the higher the target on the front wall should be.
More on Stance & Ball Toss
More on Stance & Ball Toss
It is important to be able to comfortably hit a lob and hard serve and get to the T quickly after serving.
A number of positions can satisfy these criteria.
Keeping to the front of the Service box helps get more height on the lob serve and gives the opponent less time
to position themselves to return a hard serve.
Move with the serve towards the T.
Try to develop a stance and service style which allows either a power serve or a lob serve from the same basic
action - this enables the server to disguise the serve.
Backhand Serve from Right Box
Especially effective for right handed players

A backhand serve is generally more effective from the forehand service box. Why?
As it decreases the angle of the rebound of the ball from the front wall, thus making the ball travel much closer
to the side wall.
Why is this significant?
Because the ball is closer to the side wall at around the service box and the person returning the serve has to
be ready to move into position earlier, and preferably take the serve before it strikes the side wall.

Squash Tactics and the Strokes

Each shot can provide a specific tactical advantage
Choose shots which exploit your opponent's weaknesses
Make sure your shot selection is part of your Squash game plan
.
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Drive Lob C/C Toss Lob Serve Drop Shot Boast Volley Volley Boast

Why Play a Drive - Deep
Gets opponent out off the "T" area into the corner (providing the ball is close to the wal l).
Allows the player to occupy the "T".
Makes it difficult for the opponent to take the initiative/attack.
Makes it easier to apply pressure on the opponent.
Makes the player going into the back corners run more.
View Drive Technique
Video Drive from the front court
Tight length drive from the front of the court
The main point in this front court drive is to keep the ball tight and deep. Provided the ball :
Is tight to the side wall it will prevent the opponent attacking, as well as limit the return options.
"Dies" in the back corner, it will also prevent the opponent attacking the return.
Video Resources
Forehand Drive - Deep tight length
Backhand Drive -Tight deep length
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Why Play a Lob
Gets you out of trouble when stuck in the corner.
Gives you time to recover.
Breaks up the pace.
Upsets people who like a fast game it makes them stop and wait; since it doesnt give any pace and therefore
requires your opponent to make a full stroke at the ball.
Slows the game down.
Helps you get a second wind.
View Lob Technique
Video clip Front Court Toss
The toss from the front court can becoming a passive but attacking shot if played high, tight, and soft.

Observing the points in this shot:
The player is forced into a tight situation in the front of the court.
The toss has enabled the player time to get back into position.
The toss is high (unable to be volleyed by opponent)
Ball lands softly into the back corner (difficult to return)
The player who hit the toss is now well back into position "ready" to take advantage of the weaker return.
Video Resources
The toss can get you out of trouble
The toss can take the pressure off
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Why Play a Cross Court Toss
A Cross court from the back of the court
Sends opponent to the back of the court.
Helps you get to the T.
Gives you time to recover to the centre.
Slows down the game.
Can frustrate your opponent.
Moves the opponent away from you to prevent crowding.
Be careful, the opponent does not intercept the ball, especially if the shot is play too often.
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Why Play a Lob Serve
To force the opponent to hit the ball on the volley.
Gives time for the Server to move to the centre court.
A lob serve that is soft, and touches the side wall, can force a weak return.
A lob serve can open up the court for a drop shot, reverse boast or tickle boast.
Gives a chance for the ball to cool off, especially in a hot climate.
A soft lob serve that is left to bounce can be a winner as it then forces the opponent to boast.
A lob serve can conserve energy.
A tight log serve can require more energy on the part of the opponent (a valuable asset in the 5th game).
No pace on a serve requires better technique to return as it requires a full swing at the ball.
It is a recommended serve and worth spending time practising the speed, height and angle. Lob Serve technique
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Why Play A Drop Shot
From the front with opponent behind
Be patient for the right ball.
Needs good balance.
If in doubt of the position of your opponent play length until they hit a loose ball and are held behind you.
Difficult to play off a tight ball.
Reply to a boast is a drop.
Reply to a drop is a toss.
Drop from the back of the court.
Catches those who do not watch the ball.
It is a surprise shot for those who back pedal from the front of the court.
Reverse boast can have same effect as drop on a loose ball.
View Drop Technique
Video of variety played from front corner
Variety of opportunities from the front corner

To keep an element of mistrust and disguise in your game it is essential to be able to play an array of shots from the
same position on court, with a limited amount of cues. Some points:
Prepare consistently for each shot
The earlier the ball is hit the more attack in the shot
The delay in striking the ball can bring about more deception
Having an open racket allows for drops, lobs and boasts to happen in a split second.
Kill from the front of the court
You will see in this video there are opportunities to play a number of shots from this position. The kill is ideal if the ball
has a reasonable bounce, as it gets the ball away very quickly, and if it strikes the nick will make a return very difficult,
as well as the opponent will be held behind.
If by any chance the opponent realises what shot is being played, it is easy to change the direction of the hit to the
opposite corner, or even a cross court.
Video Resources
Opportunities from the front corner
Keep your opponent guessing on the backhand
Backhand Kill to finish off a rally
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Why Play a Boast
Brings your opponent forward you can get to the T.
Helps to twist and turn and unbalance your opponent.
Helps you get to the centre court.
Makes opponent run up and down the court.
It angles off the side wall and is more difficult to judge.
Use boasts and tosses from the front and back court to twist and turn your opponent and break up a deep
driving game.
Reply to a boast from the back of the court a drop.
So always follow up the shot and be ready to run.
View Boast Technique
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Why Play a Volley
It speeds up the game.
You can hog the centre of the court.
Keeps you in front and forces your opponent back.
It is vital when trying to attack.
It is an aggressive, decisive shot.
It causes your opponent to feel rushed for time and not able to think as quickly panic.
More on Volley Technique
Video clip Volley Drop
Volley Drop off a cross court
Intercept the ball early
Keep the racket head controlled
Have the racket face slightly open
Cut the ball into the corner
Try to angle the ball along the wall
Volley Drop off a Power Serve
Watch the server closely
Be prepared to move quickly
Move into the shot as soon as possible
Keep the racket head controlled
Limit the amount of backswing
Use the speed of the ball to get the power
Aim for the ball to die into the corner
Volley Nick
This shot is best executed when the player in around the middle of the court, and has the opponent held behind. Even
if the opponent does return this shot it is most likely to be defensive.
Video Resources
Get the volley drop to die in the corner
Volley drop off power serve
Backhand Volley Nick
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Why Play a Volley Boast
Catches those who hang back.
Moves opponent to the opposite front corner quickly.
A tight volley boast can force a weak return.
Use as a surprise, to a length volley.

The Service and Return
The server must make a good service to begin the rally. The service is good if:
The server has at least part of one foot in contact with the floor within the service box. The foot
must not touch the service box line when the ball is struck.
The server strikes the ball correctly before it has fallen to the floor, touched a wall or any part of
the server's clothing.
The ball directly hits the front wall between the service and out lines.
The first bounce of the ball falls inside the opposing quarter court. The ball must not touch the
short line or half court line.
The ball is not served out - i.e. does not strike the front wall below the board or above the out of
court line.
To make a good return, the receiver must:
Hit the ball before it has bounced twice on the floor.
Strike the ball so that it hits the front wall above the board directly, or indirectly via the side walls
and/or the back wall. The ball must not touch the floor or any part of the racquet, body or clothing
of either player before it hits the front wall. If it hits the front wall first, the ball may hit any number
of walls before landing in the opponents quarter.
Make sure the ball is not out or down (ie. if the ball falls on/below the board or on the floor
Change of service may be referred to as the hand-out.
Interference
Obstructing your opponent is a major issue in the game of squash. A player has a tight to the
following:
Unobstructed direct access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow-through.
A fair view of the ball on its rebound from the front wall.
Freedom to hit the ball with a reasonable swing.
Freedom to play the ball directly to the front wall.
The rules therefore stipulate that, in order to avoid interference, a player must make every effort to:
Avoid obstructing direct access to the ball after completing a reasonable follow-through.
Allow a fair view of the ball on its rebound from the front wall.
Give the opponent freedom to hit the ball with a reasonable swing.
Allow the ball to be played directly to any part of the front wall.
The Let
The let is a concept peculiar to squash. A let is basically an undecided rally, following which the
server serves again from the same box. No points are awarded for the undecided rally.
Players must make every effort not to interfere with the opponent's shot and movement around the
court. If the opponent is denied the opportunity to play the ball, a let is called for. So when exactly
would a let be played?
If the striker hits the opponent with the ball before it reaches the front wall, and the ball would have
struck any other wall and the return would have been good.
If the striker attempts to play the ball and misses, he or she may make a further attempt. If this
attempt would have resulted in a good return but the ball hits the opponent, a let is played.
If the ball makes contact with an article lying on the floor.
If the striker refrains from hitting the ball because there is a reasonable chance of injuring the
opponent.
If the receiver is not ready and does not attempt to return the service.
If the ball breaks during play.
If the referee decides that an incident outside the court has caused a player to be distracted

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