I've played squash for over 15 years now and think I've amassed a pretty good understanding of the game during that time.
I also have a level 2 coaching qualification from England Squash and have coached players of varying levels in the past.
I don't claim to know it all, but I believe I have enough knowledge about squash to help others improve their game (like I try to do with this newsletter)!
Of course, I have received a lot of coaching throughout my time playing the sport (especially when I was a junior), and, since I've met so many new people and players through squash, I've also received my share of advice and guidance from unqualified coaches over the years.
Whether someone's a coach or not, it's important to do your own research and due diligence to make sure the guidance you're receiving is going to help your game.
It can sometimes be hard to weed out genuinely helpful tips from ones that may be less reliable or trustworthy.
I've certainly heard my fair share of bad advice over the years, and, I know that sometimes things sound accurate on the surface, but, in practice they can actually be harmful to your game.
So, in this article, I've decided to go through some of the worst pieces of squash advice that I've been told throughout my time playing.
Let's dive in...
There's One Standard Technique That All Players Should Stick To
This is a piece of advice I’ve heard more than once, especially in the early years of playing squash...
“There’s one correct way to hit the ball.”
It sounds logical at first, but like everything, it's a little more complicated than that.
To be fair, I think this is perhaps a good approach when players are just starting, as there are certainly technical elements that are essential to every swing. It shouldn't be too large or excessive (as this can be dangerous), for example.
However, different players may have slightly different styles of backswing, follow-through, wrist, and even grip.
It's up to the coach (or the player) to figure out whether these stylistic elements are helping or hindering their game.
When I was a junior, coaches often taught a single, generic swing that everyone was expected to follow. However, I want to make sure it doesn't sound like I'm criticizing them; this is just how things were when I started playing.
As I progressed as a player (and as the sport evolved), I also quickly realised that this one-size-fits-all approach didn’t suit everyone.
I caught up with one of my first coaches about a year back, and he mentioned that, after taking some new updated/advanced coaching courses, coaches are now taught to help players embrace their style a bit more, which is great.
Coaching seems to have become much more flexible, blending foundational techniques with an openness to individual flair and style.
The best players in the world all hit the ball differently.
Just look at the Egyptian dominance on the PSA Tour...
The recently retired Ali Farag has an incredibly wristy swing, loose swing that is completely different from Mohamed ElShorbagy’s more compact style... and both are former World No.1s.
Mazen Hesham is one of the most extreme examples I can give, another incredibly skilled Egyptian who has one of the most unique-looking techniques out there.
The same goes for Nour El Sherbini, Nouran Gohar, and Hania El Hammamy on the women’s tour. Their techniques vary, yet they all sit at the very top of the rankings.
Just remember, this isn't to say that fundamentals aren’t important; they are.
A strong base makes improvisation possible.
But squash is played at such a fast pace that the 'perfect' textbook technique often isn’t practical in real-time rallies.
You need to be able to adapt, deceive, and improvise. These 'imperfections' can act as your strengths and advantages over other players.
The key thing I’ve learned is not to be afraid to develop and embrace your style.
If you’re new to the sport and have access to a coach, they can help you build a solid technique from the ground up, while also encouraging experimentation.
If you don't have access to a coach, as not everybody has that privilege, you can always try videoing yourself or asking friends and fellow players for their tips too, I'm sure they'll be happy to help!
If you’re more experienced, focus on developing variations in timing, swing length, and wrist use to add deception and creativity to your game.
Hit Everything With Power
This is one of the most common bits of bad advice I’ve heard over the years, and one that a lot of players fall for, especially early on in their squash journey.
The idea that hitting the ball harder automatically means you're playing better or more aggressively is, honestly, just not true.
Of course, power has its place.
If you can drive the ball deep and fast to the back corners, it can absolutely put pressure on your opponent, especially if you're taking the ball early too.
But if every shot is hit with full force, you become predictable and it's much harder to hit your shots with accuracy.
Squash isn’t about who hits the hardest; it’s about who controls the rally and also the T.
I’ve played plenty of matches where the opponent is cracking every shot at 100%, and, I will admit that it can be tricky for me to absorb that pace and control their shots, but, once I know that everything will be hit with that pace, I am prepared for it in advance.
I'm conscious of the fact that this is also just some players style, but, I just want to include it in this newsletter to let people know that it's not gospel.
If, for whatever reason, hitting the ball hard isn't your strong suit, don't worry. Focus on your other strengths instead.
A well-placed, well-timed, softer shot can be far more effective than a powerful one that bounces straight back to the middle.
The best players know how to vary their pace.
They mix in lobs, holds, drops, and slower drives to keep their opponent guessing and off-balance. This variation creates openings, and it’s when they choose to inject pace that it counts.
Also, if you’re always hitting the ball full-blast, it’s not only physically draining, but it also limits your options.
You miss out on opportunities to set up better attacking positions or to add deception to your game. Plus, constantly hitting flat-out increases the chance of errors, especially if you're already under pressure.
The smarter approach?
Learn to control the pace of play, not just generate it.
Use power as a tool rather than a default setting. A well-timed burst of pace can be deadly, but only if your opponent isn’t expecting it beforehand.
With that said, if you really don't have any power under your belt, I'd still highly recommend practicing it. It is still quite an essential tool to have in squash.
However, if you ever hear anyone tell you that if you whack every shot, you've got more chance of winning, you can tell them they're wrong (and why)!
Older People Shouldn't Play Squash
This is one I’ve always found frustrating, and, frankly, a bit sad.
The idea that squash is 'too intense' or 'too dangerous' for older players just doesn’t hold up.
I’ve seen players well into their 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s on court, having a blast, staying active, and giving younger opponents a seriously tough game.
I do find that this mindset is often held by none squash players who don't really have any experience in the game.
Yes, squash is demanding. But it’s also incredibly adaptable. You don’t have to dive around the court or play/move at a crazy pace.
You can tailor the intensity to suit your fitness level, mobility, and goals.
Whether you're playing full-length matches or just doing solo drills, squash can be as gentle or as challenging as you want it to be.
Even when things get a little more competitive, I often find that older players use their skill, wisdom, and experience in the sport to become masters in shot selection and accuracy.
If you're able to lift the ball, hit your targets, pin your opponent in the back corners, force a weak shot, then finish off the rally with a soft winner, you can do all of that without moving too much anyway!
One of the best things about squash is that it’s not all about speed and youth; it’s a game of strategy, timing, and positioning.
I’ve lost many matches to older players who just knew how to move me around, hold their shots, and stay calm under pressure. Experience goes a long way.
In fact, when I coach juniors, I often tell them to play in adult leagues or box leagues if they get the chance as they'll learn a heck of a lot about the game from playing older, wiser players.
It's often quite a big shock to the system when they come up against someone older and get completely outplayed.
From a health standpoint, squash is also an excellent choice for older adults.
It builds cardiovascular fitness, improves balance and coordination, and keeps your mind sharp. As long as you’re cleared by your GP and you build up gradually, there’s no reason why age should stop you getting on court.
Squash is for anyone who enjoys a challenge, wants to stay fit, and has a passion for the game.
By the way, I struggled to find a suitable image to go with this week's newsletter so I just went with the below shot of Nele Coll coaching her husband Paul, however, I imagine that the advice she's giving him is exceptionally good!
Photo credit: Steve Cubbins
Footwork Just Comes With Experience
This one’s easy to believe, and even easier to regret once you realise how much time you've lost not working on your movement.
I have been told this a couple of times by club-level players who think you can improve every part of your squash just by playing matches and nothing else; however, if you speak to any higher-level player, they'll tell you otherwise.
While it’s true that match experience can sharpen many aspects of your game, such as target hitting, fitness, and shot selection, relying solely on it to develop your footwork isn't the best idea.
Good footwork isn’t something that just magically becomes 'good' after a few years of playing, it takes conscious, focused effort.
You need to practice moving well, and yes, that unfortunately tends to involve ghosting.
It is repetitive, it's most players' least favourite part of training, and it rarely gets the same attention as hitting does.
The problem is, in actual matches, you’re thinking about so many things at once... your shot selection, your opponent’s positioning, your breathing, your tactics.
There’s just not enough headspace to analyze and refine your footwork in the heat of the moment. Bad habits can quite easily creep in, such as poor T positioning, inefficient footwork, lunging too heavily, and the list is endless.
And the more you do it wrong, the more it becomes embedded.
Dedicated, purposeful movement practice, whether it’s ghosting, simple movement drills, or even video analysis, is where real improvement happens.
That’s when you can break things down, focus on your balance, your rhythm, and your recovery. And once you’ve built a solid base, those improvements do start to show up more naturally in your matches.
So don’t wait for footwork to ‘come with time’. It rarely does, and you're likely to develop bad habits that are even harder to weed out in the future.
Make movement a part of your training, give it attention, and treat it as a skill to develop, not a side effect of playing.
How you move is just as important as how you hit the ball.
It's all well and good being able to hit good shots, but, as soon as your under any pressure, your poor movement will tire you out more and put you in bad positions, meaning that you're much more likely to lose points.
So yes, please don't neglect your movement!
The Boast Should Be A Last-Resort Shot
This is another thing that players who are newer to the sport are often told, and, to an extent it is true for beginner-level players who are just getting to grips with the basic construction of a rally.
But, as you progress your game, I think that a mindset shift is needed when it comes to boasting.
The boast is not a desperate shot that is only to be used when you're scrambling or stuck in the back corners.
A well-executed boast isn’t always a sign of panic or weakness.
It’s often a tactical tool for constructing a rally, and when used with intent, it can disrupt your opponent’s rhythm and positioning.
The boast offers options that straight shots simply don’t.
It can change the pace of the rally, take your opponent by surprise, or drag them diagonally across the court when they were expecting a straight ball.
Used early, it can catch even experienced players flat-footed or leaning the wrong way.
And in longer rallies, it can be a great way to force movement and create openings, especially if you follow it up with something like a volley to apply pressure.
Of course, that doesn’t mean every boast is a good boast. Loose, floaty, aimless boasts will get punished. Like everything, the boast must be played with intent and purpose.
You need to know whether you're going for a two wall boast (often a more attacking shot) or three wall boast (that is usually used to get some time or for recovery back to the T).
It’s all about how and when you use it.
From the front, a quick attacking trickle boast can be just as effective as a drop.
From the back, a boast can buy you time to recover or force a poor return.
Treating the boast as a last resort means you’ll never develop the feel or confidence to use it effectively, and opponents who do know how to mix in boasts will have a tactical advantage over you, too.
Instead, train it. Learn when it works and how to follow up. The boast isn’t a last-resort shot; it should be part of your arsenal.
Focus Only On Your Own Game
It’s a phrase you’ll hear a lot...
“Just focus on your own game.”
In some situations, it can be genuinely helpful, especially when your head’s all over the place and you need to get back to basics.
But taken too literally, this mindset can become a serious tactical blind spot. Squash isn’t just about how you play, it's about how you play against someone else.
If you’re losing points, games, or the momentum, there’s a good chance that your usual game plan just isn’t working, and doubling down on it without adapting is likely to make things worse.
One of the most underrated skills in squash is the ability to observe.
Not just watching the ball, but watching your opponent. What shots are they leaning on? Do they look uncomfortable moving into the front? Are they struggling to volley? Do they take a bit longer to recover from the back corners?
Every opponent is different, and spotting even small patterns can give you the opportunity to construct rallies differently and win points.
Of course, recognising these things in the heat of the moment is much easier said than done.
If you're on the backfoot in a match, chances are that you're tired, your heart’s racing, and your focus is split.
But the more you practice being observant, even just picking up one or two key tendencies, the more naturally it starts to happen.
Then you'll eventually get to the point where you’re not just reacting, you’re anticipating.
So yes, play your game and go back to the basics if you feel like you're not playing your best or your minds not in it, but, if you honestly think you're still in with a chance of winning, you have to start looking at your opponent too.
Don’t just ask yourself how you’re playing, ask why they’re winning the rallies, and what you can do to change that.
This article was taken from our On The 'T' Newsletter, if you're interested in receiving more content like this, please feel free to sign up using the subscribe section located at the bottom left of this page (or underneath the article if you're on mobile), thanks!
