Doubles squash is an exciting variation of the sport requiring great teamwork and communication between teammates. Learn the rules, scoring system and court dimensions so you can enjoy this fast-paced variation of squash!
Return a ball low and near the walls in order to minimize your opponent’s opportunities to attack. Also use angles to control rallies by using crosscourt shots and drops.
Serve and Return
Squash doubles offers players the thrill of the sport with friends and family members while honing different strategies that may not always be available when playing singles. While the world of squash doubles is vast and varied, all teams should strive for certain key components when practicing or competing in this exciting format.
A successful team works together to cover every part of the court. This requires hitting cross-court shots that force their opponents out of their zone and require them to make volleys from further back on court. Short drop shots should also be utilized so your opponent must run down shots, possibly leading them astray with simple lobs or drops.
When it comes to serving, the top teams use different spins on their serves in order to confuse their opponents and create surprises for themselves. Many top doubles players like to serve hard with plenty of sidespin on it directly against walls and floors – this allows them to serve unexpected angles that would otherwise go undetected by opponents.
Doubles requires teams to have an efficient return game in order to be competitive. Together they must be able to quickly run down any balls that come in behind their partner and attack any open corners on the opposite side. This can be challenging as it requires them to work well together while remaining synchronized during close quarters play.
Not only must teams be capable of running down all balls that enter, they must also know how to volley effectively when covering the front wall. When possible, a good team should volley the ball over their opponents into an open corner of the court – this makes it more difficult for their opponent to volley back their shot, and gives their own side a chance at scoring points.
Covering the Back Wall
Backwall coverage in doubles squash can be one of the more challenging areas, particularly with only two players per team. Given how long and narrow it is, covering every possible angle and shot that could potentially come from this area can be challenging.
Proficient backwall covering skills are crucial to playing successful doubles. To do this successfully requires being able to execute various types of shots that help stretch opponents out and create angles; regular practice sessions with your partner allow you to learn their movements and shot selection.
Returning serves from the back wall can be done effectively by striking them low and forcing your opponent to cover more ground before reaching it. Alternatively, hitting close to side walls or into nicks may do the trick.
Another key strategy is to mix up your shots so your opponent doesn’t anticipate what you are about to do. Try serving some boasts to the back wall followed by drop shots to the corners for maximum shock value and offensive potential. Doing this will keep them guessing while providing you with more opportunities to attack the game and take control.
Cover all areas in which your opponent might attempt to strike a shot, including back corners and the middle of the court. Many new doubles teams struggle with this and tend to hold back too far for fear of getting lobbed; but if you cover these areas effectively then your chances will improve significantly for winning your match.
Finally, being able to volley any balls your opponents hit off the back wall is absolutely key in doubles; this skill separates top doubles teams from all others. Mastering it takes practice and strength conditioning but is an essential aspect of winning any match.
Covering the Front Wall
As doubles players, it is vital to possess an arsenal of shots in their arsenal to be competitive in doubles matches. Top teams stand out by their consistency with returning the ball back to the front wall through dying drops or boasts that are difficult to return, and attacks down the centre court – though don’t forget to mix up your play and don’t be afraid to attack down the front wall from time to time!
When hitting a ball against the front wall, players have many ways to create angles and stretch an opponent. Boasts are an effective way to do this as they hit both side walls before hitting both front walls, then quickly move your opponent forward quickly. A three wall boast is another effective shot that often hits rear wall first before forward walls before reaching opposite sidewall. Although generally seen as defensive shots, three wall boasts can also be powerfully attacking shots when used strategically.
Another effective front wall attack technique is a volley, which involves playing low shots to make it more difficult for opponents to block you out and can even be combined with drops. Another variation on this theme is called the kill shot – which involves playing powerful shots low that force opponents down low on the front wall and can be especially effective at higher tempos.
Successful doubles players need the ability to quickly adjust to any situation as soon as it arises and adapt quickly to any new rules they encounter, particularly those in doubles where one mistake could prove costly. Furthermore, great teams work well together communicating and setting each other up for shots to keep pressure off opponents.
Squash rules permit players to appeal for a let when they are prevented from reaching the ball due to obstruction, yet it is always prudent and ethical for a player to ensure that had there not been such an obstruction, they would have reached it successfully.
Movement
Due to doubles’ unique rules, ball striking often switches between teams. As such, there is more movement on court; therefore, newcomers to doubles must equip themselves with proper shoes and goggles that will enable them to keep up with all the fast-moving action – for instance the Salming Kobra or HEAD Sprint Pro may come in handy to keep pace with what’s happening on court.
One key distinction between singles and doubles tennis lies in how players move to cover their opponent’s shots. Skilled players typically position themselves near the “T” area (indicated by an area in the shape of a letter T) when returning a shot, in order to quickly access any area of the court and retrieve their next shot quickly and efficiently.
If a player doesn’t make it back to the ‘T’ in time for their opponent’s next shot, they are vulnerable to being hit by their lob or short ball and forced into giving a let, which puts undue strain on both teams involved. Therefore a solid warm-up routine involving practice serves, speed volleys, stretching is vitally important to doubles success.
Rallies in squash may last up to 30 shots, placing an emphasis on aerobic and anaerobic fitness – this makes achieving peak fitness especially essential when competing in doubles where speedier players often have an edge.
Doubles players often cross over when serving, which can confuse the opposing team and leave them uncertain of where the ball should land. Varying your routine or using different formations may also be effective; for instance, “faking” a cross to make your opponent believe you are changing direction when in fact you don’t. This creates uncertainty in their minds which may cause them to mishit it altogether.