An effective length game is key in squash and can be an excellent way to keep opponents off of the front court by employing sound lengths. Another aspect of playing squash that makes this sport unique is being able to capitalize on opportunities with solid volleying techniques.
This simple pair routine will work on both of these abilities to increase both shot variety and physical endurance.
1. Back-to-Back Drill
Back-to-Back drills are an effective way to develop shooting and passing skills, creating an intense competition between teams that races to reach 31 points first. Set a time limit based on your players’ ages and levels – I typically run this drill for three minutes but this may vary according to personal preference.
Setup this shooting drill requires one player under the basket and one on each corner, along with one shooter assigned a shot from either elbow. When shooting from either elbow, shooters also take a wing shot before passing it to another passing player who then runs and joins their end of the line.
Once they receive an outlet pass, players attack a gap in the defense and shoot. After taking their shot, they pass off to their teammate on the corner who takes a three-point shot from there before passing back again for another rotation through all corners – while continuing to attack gaps and force defenders back.
As the drill progresses, the team that makes more shots will gain an advantage, creating an enjoyable yet competitive atmosphere as each player vies to beat out their counterpart’s score. This drill is especially great for younger players because they can practice both passing and shooting techniques at once!
Alongside running this drill, young players should focus on strength and conditioning exercises that will benefit their shooting. By performing lunges, squats and deadlifts players can build a stronger shooting core. Furthermore, it is beneficial for them to engage in footwork and agility drills which can improve lateral movement as well as the speed at which they change directions quickly.
Young players should practice long distance shots regularly. Although this shot can be challenging to execute successfully, working on it regularly is key for developing consistently long distance shooting ability. When practicing this shot it is important that players maintain proper form by keeping both feet flat on the ground while not jumping too high up the court.
2. Back-to-Back Drill with Volleys
Squash players looking to increase their success will find this drill helpful in building more diverse shots and training for rallies with tough energy demands, which should be one of their main focuses during conditioning training.
When practicing this drill, both you and your partner play back-to-back rallies, alternating hitting volley drops. This drill can help players hone key aspects of volleying: lively feet, quick reactions, and precision strikes. Combine this drill with our previous discussion about length cross drills (watch this clip from beyond nothing on YouTube for reference) for optimal results!
As is true of length crosses, it’s vital that players adopt a closed stance when performing this drill; otherwise their footing could become off balance and they won’t be able to hit an effective shot.
This drill also serves another important purpose; it teaches players to watch the ball as they’re striking it and make necessary adjustments based on its trajectory. This skill is crucial for all players, especially back-court ones who need to hone their game quickly.
Finally, it is essential that players alternate between forehand and backhand volleys to increase the diversity of shots they need in a match while training themselves to use both sides of their bodies when volleying.
This is an exhilarating drill to try, perfect for all levels of players. Not only can it improve hand-eye coordination and close the net more efficiently, it’s also great fun! Simply stand at the service line and have someone feed balls towards you from behind it; hit as close to non-volley zone as possible for maximum effect and your goal should be five point-winning shots within 30 seconds – fun indeed!
3. Back-to-Back Drill with Rail Shots
Shot variety is key to keeping opponents guessing and preventing them from developing an edge in your game. To this end, this back-to-back drill offers the ideal opportunity to practice moving between different shots (for instance boast and drop shot), as well as practicing their hitting action to develop muscle memory and consistency in hitting shots.
To run this drill, team up and arrange the court as though you were in a match, with one player on each side. Both players then hit a variety of long, short and back-to-back shots towards one another depending on their situation; for instance, an audacious boast should be immediately followed up by either short or back-to-back balls; long shots could be used to disrupt play by forcing your opponent off their preferred side of the court.
Taken from a popular police marksman shooting drill, this exercise offers an effective way to develop multiple skill sets at once, from moving and shooting, as well as dealing with malfunctions. Set up a steel target at 25 yards or further if your range and skill level allows, along with two paper targets placed a yard apart from each other. On your go signal engage both targets simultaneously before checking for malfunctions (you should hear a click when shooting at them) before making necessary adjustments afterwards.
After shooting, move onto a different round of drill. Instead of shooting circles starting on the left, switch it around so they shoot from right to left this time around. Once you master this course of fire, try out alternate circles or even just the top one if desired.
This drill is an effective way to develop the basics of your game by practicing different types of shots, which will develop your ability to read the game quickly and select the optimal solution in each situation. Plus it’s great fun!
4. Back-to-Back Drill with Crosses
Shot diversity is essential to developing effective shooting habits. To help players hone their ability to shoot from various spots on the court, try this drill that utilizes crosses as scoring opportunities. Players will begin by passing the ball between two teammates who stand directly in front of them before passing back and forth until one passes successfully between them and moves onto another position within a cone grid while the other returns back to its starting point.
Next, the player in front will move to another spot on the court and shoot from there. They may opt for any shot they like such as pull ups, one-dribble pull ups, or jump shots from blocks – the key here being getting into an ideal shooting position with their ball and coming to a full stop before taking their shot – this will ensure enough force behind it to beat defenders and make its way into goal.
As an extra challenge in this drill, have your players compete by counting how many shots they make within a certain amount of time – this will increase competition while improving accuracy during shooting practice.
Pass and Shoot Drills Its One-touch finishing is an integral component of soccer play, and should be practiced as such. To do so, have players create a small goal with several passes between teammates before trying for one-touch finishes into the net – this will develop their quick decision-making and precision while passing in the box.
Cross and Finishing Drills
In order to hone players’ crossing and finishing abilities, have them practice delivering accurate crosses into the box while teammates make well-timed runs towards goal. This will put them into prime positions to score with their shots while improving timing when attacking defenses. The more frequently this can be done while moving quickly around the box, the better their skills at finishing in tight situations with many defenders will become.