In squash, momentum can hold a very significant influence over the outcome of rallies, games, and even matches.
It's not uncommon to witness remarkable comebacks where players, initially on the back foot, harness the power of momentum to turn the tide in their favor and secure a win.
Understanding how to capitalise on momentum and ride the wave can really help players get themselves back into a match.
In this article, I'll be exploring the role of momentum in squash, providing tips for tipping the scales in your favor, and sharing strategies for holding onto that momentum to make your comeback.
If you've been playing squash for a decent amount of time, you'll probably be aware of how much of a role momentum plays in the sport.
Assuming the difference in ability isn't too large, the underdog in a squash match still has a chance of winning, and I think this is partly down to momentum.
In a match, it's very common to see one player winning a bunch of points in a row, then their opponent proceeding to claw one point back from a large rally that breaks this momentum, and then that opponent will win another flurry of points to level the score again.
Or, on a game-by-game basis, it's pretty common for one player to go 1-0 or 2-0 up, only to lose 3-1 or 3-2. This is something that isn't seen as often in other sports, and it's one of the reasons why I love squash so much.
I've put a lot of thought into why momentum is such a big factor in squash, and, if I'm being honest, I don't think there's one specific answer.
There are most likely a few factors that come into it, one of which is of course fitness. We all know how physically tough squash is, and, if you've just put hard work into a bunch of points in a row to win them, it's likely to take its toll.
This may lead to fatigue which increases your risk of making a mistake, moving poorly, and poor shot selection. It may take a good few points for you to recuperate this lost energy, meanwhile, your opponent could be starting to claw their way back.
I actually saw very thing in action at a tournament last weekend. A friend of mine was playing someone ranked a fair bit higher than himself, however, this friend is very very good at fast-paced volleying and keeping the pressure insanely high, but, he can only do this for so long.
He actually went 9-1 up in the second game, then managed to lose it 13-11, it was crazy to watch.
The next factor is the mental aspect, and I think this is the most important to consider. If you play and win a massive rally, it can give you a huge injection of confidence and motivation, and you can use that to fuel the next few points.
However, it can also work the other way as often if you're in a rhythm and are consecutively winning points only for that rhythm to be suddenly disrupted, it can get into your head quite easily.
These negative thoughts can linger for a number of rallies, and, before you know it, your opponent has won a bunch of points in a row to take a comfortable lead.
You might make a silly mistake that knocks your confidence, or, your opponent might play a series of very accurate shots to win the rally. This will significantly boost their own confidence and allow them the chance to build and capitalise on their own momentum streak.
Many players don't really think about the influence of momentum during a match until it's too late. So, with that in mind, I think the first step and the key point of this newsletter is to encourage you to recognise and think about momentum in a game situation.
I think there are two ways that momentum can be capitalised on in a match, the first is to try to tip the momentum in your favour (especially if your opponent is ahead of you in the match), and the second is to sustain this momentum for as long as you can...
Photo credit: Steve Cubbins
Tipping Momentum in Your Favor: Strategies for a Turnaround
If you find your opponent pulling ahead in a match and you're struggling to claw back the multiple points needed to get level with them again, here are some tips for turning things around...
As mentioned earlier, mindset is going to be one of the most crucial elements of your comeback. If you're stuck thinking about your bad shot in the previous rally, or how far ahead your opponent is, your mindset is going to stay negative and defeatist.
Instead, make sure to stay focused and think about more positive things, even in those challenging situations. Try to focus on your game plan and the things you've done well in the points that you have already won.
Believe in your ability to stage a comeback and visualise yourself playing at your best. Remember, it just takes one point to shift that momentum in your favour, if you can focus on that thought, it'll be more likely to become a reality.
Now, onto the tactical side of things.
Shot selection is absolutely vital here. If you're on the back foot, it's easy to become frustrated and look for an easy point by cracking the ball as hard as you can or going for winners early on in the rally, try to avoid this at all costs.
Instead, try to control your breathing in-between rallies and then try to reset things once the rally starts again. Find your length, tighten things up, don't give any easy points away, and slowly start to put that pressure back on.
Keep doing this consistently until you begin to get your confidence back, and then, once you manage to win a point or two, you can start trying to look for opportunities to vary the pace, play deceptive shots, and force your opponent into defensive positions.
Volleying can also be a good approach here as it shows that you're proactive and ready to put the work in for every single point.
Now you can start thinking about what is working against your opponent, what are their weaknesses?
Are they struggling with the pace, is their movement slow, are they not great in the front corners?
Try to inject a sense of urgency into your game by increasing your intensity and attacking the ball as you begin to dominate the rallies. Take calculated risks and put your opponent under pressure, forcing them to make mistakes instead.
Before you know it, you may have just levelled things out again and reached the same number of points as your opponent.
However, this is usually when momentum starts to slow down. But, if you're making a conscious effort to consider momentum in your strategy, you can ride that wave and carry on taking points to pull ahead.
Riding the Wave: Sustaining Momentum
Now you've tilted the scales back in your favour, but you need to ride this wave as long as you can. There are a number of ways to increase your chances of doing so.
The number one rule here is to not show any sign of weakness or slowing down. Now that you have the momentum, it will hopefully be getting into your opponent's head and you can capitalise on this by showing them that you're fired up.
If your opponent was originally quite far ahead of you in this game, but you've managed to bring things back to a level playing field, chances are, they'll be starting to worry, this is the perfect time to up the intensity and show that you mean business.
Body language plays a huge factor here, make sure to stand upright, try not to look at the floor too much, and, after you win a point, get to that service box as quickly as you can to show you're ready and willing to jump straight into the next rally.
During the rallies, aim to keep that pace up and be proactive with your volleying when possible. If you can hit hard, accurate balls and keep your opponent pinned in the back of the court, then that's ideal.
Make sure you're only taking the ball into the front for a winner if you're fully confident in doing so. Just one mistake could trigger you to lose your momentum, so be very cautious when going short.
It doesn't have to be an outright winner, if your opponent retrieves your drop shot or kill it's not the end of the world, and it's certainly better than you conceding a point while you're on a hot momentum streak!
Also, don't be afraid to slow it down every now and again too, the fast-paced style is good, but it's even more effective when you mix it up and throw in the odd lob or three-wall boast to throw your opponent off.
It shows that you're fully in control of the pace of the game.
Another very important factor is to never ever stop trying. If your opponent plays a very good attacking shot, make sure to try your absolte best to get it, even if you don't think you will.
If they see you give up instead of going to retrieve their shot, they might start thinking you're tired, which could fire them up.
Of course, physical fitness plays a crucial role in sustaining momentum, however, this isn't something you can exactly fix during a match. If you can, try not to let your opponent see that you're struggling physically.
Make sure not to bend down or put your hands on your knees after a long rally, however tempting it may be. If they catch onto this, it could be game over as it might fuel their own comeback!
Instead, just calmly walk over to the service box and wipe your hand on the wall while getting your breath back. Take deep controlled breaths too.
If you find yourself regularly struggling physically when playing squash, perhaps this is something that you should be working on off the court, but I'll leave that up to you.
Final Thoughts
I think sustaining momentum is a lot harder to do than tilting the scales of momentum in your own direction. That's why squash matches are so back and forth.
You'll very rarely see a player absolutely demolish another player of the same standard, it just never happens. The key is to try and sustain that momentum for as long as you possibly can, even if it doesn't take you all the way to the finish line!
Actually, a very common occurrence in professional squash is, if two players have been having a very close match and one player goes 2-1 up, then the other player often absolutely dominates that fourth game to take it to a fifth.
Perhaps this is just the first player taking a break, or perhaps it's related to momentum, but, either way, it's interesting!
Anyway, some key takeaways and final tips:
Focus on the present moment and avoid dwelling on past mistakes or missed opportunities. By staying present and focused, you can make the most of each point and maintain a positive mindset.
Also, acknowledge and celebrate your successes, even if they are small. Each point won or game taken contributes to building and sustaining momentum.
By understanding the dynamics of momentum, embracing its shifts, and implementing effective strategies, you can tip the scales in your favor and ride the wave to success.
Stay mentally resilient, adjust your tactics, and sustain your intensity to maintain as much control as possible and maximise the potential of winning points, and hopefully, matches!
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!
