Now, I know that some squash players aren't big pickleball fans, however, I was watching pickleball the other day and was thinking about similarities or comparisons between the sports.
In pickleball, the first three shots are very important. After the serve, the following two shots have to be groundstrokes (played after the bounce), then volleys are allowed. So, a lot of strategy goes into that second and third shot in particular.
This got my thinking about how squash compares.
Although there is no specific rules for where the return of serve (or any shot after that) is allowed to go, it is definitely true that the opening shots of a rally often play a huge role in defining that rally and even who comes out on top.
I thought I'd focus this week's newsletter on the first four shots of rallies in squash, why they're important, common pitfalls, and practical ways to take charge using those early shots.
I will also mention that there is no scientific theory behind why I'm using the first four shots (as opposed to the comparison of the first three shots in pickleball, for example). I just think that the pace and groove of a squash rally is usually set after four shots are played.
When you think about a rally in squash, it’s easy to remember the highlight moments: that perfect drop shot, the punishing length, or the kill.
But often (albeit not always), those moments are only possible because of what happened in the first few exchanges.
The first four shots can often decide whether you’re dictating the rally or scrambling to survive.
They create the framework that every subsequent shot is built upon.
Again, I'll reiterate that this isn't always the case; however, the purpose of this newsletter is to help you maximize your chances of winning points, and, if you set yourself up well (and in the right way) in every single rally, you vastly increase your likelihood of winning points.
One of the main reasons why the first four shots matter so much is that they’re a battle for control of the T.
Whoever can force their opponent out of position early often dictates how the rest of the rally unfolds.
Once someone is on the T, if they can hit their targets somewhat consistently, it can be very difficult to get them back off the T. This is why it's so important to take control as early as possible.
If you hit a solid, accurate serve, follow it with a tight third shot, and get your opponent behind you, the rally is suddenly on your terms from the get go.
Conversely, a weak return or loose early ball can immediately hand control over, and at higher levels of play, once you’ve given up that advantage, it’s extremely difficult to wrestle it back.
There’s also a huge psychological component at play.
Those early shots send a message to your opponent.
A powerful, positive volley return deep down the line says that you mean business, whereas an passive bost or lob can indicate to your opponent that you're not up for the challenge.
Even if you don’t consciously mean to, your early choices shape how your opponent approaches the rally. If they feel you’re applying pressure straight away, they may tighten up, rush their preparation, or fall into defensive habits.
If they see you slacking, they're more inclined to apply even more pressure with confidence.
Momentum in squash often feels invisible, it’s not like tennis where there are obvious breaks of serve etc, but it’s still very real, and it often begins in those first few strikes.
Come out on top in the first four shots of enough rallies, and you’re not just winning points, you’re building a rhythm where you’re constantly on the attack and your opponent is constantly reacting.
That has a compound effect over a match, draining their energy and confidence while boosting yours.
Before I move onto the next section, remember, it’s important to understand that these early shots don’t have to be spectacular, they just have to be purposeful.
The players who understand the value of starting strong, not being lazy, and hitting their targets are able to position themselves aggressively on the T, controlling rallies before they’ve even really begun.
When you watch a rally from outside the court, it can look like the players are simply trading blows until one of them makes a mistake or hits a winner.
But there’s a much deeper battle going on in those early exchanges, and if you’re not aware of it, you might be losing it without even realising.
If you're one of those people, hopefully this newsletter will shift your mindset a little!
Take the first two shots of every rally, the serve and return.
On paper, they're pretty simple, one starts the rally, the other gets it back.
But in reality, both shots are about what comes next. A well-placed serve isn’t just about getting the ball in, it’s about forcing a weak return that you can volley, stepping up to take control of the T straight away immediately.
I'd say that rushing the serve is one of the most common flaws I see in club level players. Like any other shot, there's a target for the serve that you should be aiming for.
It needs enough width to reach the side wall right where your opponent would want to volley it, and enough power to reach the back corner.
You can use pace or height. In my opinion, height is better, but that's just me.
Likewise, a smart return isn’t just about avoiding a mistake, it’s about denying your opponent that opportunity.
Volleying the return early, forcing them to scramble from the service box, or simply pinning them deep can completely flip the rally before it’s even started.
The third and fourth shots are no different, they often decide who gets to stay on the T and who gets dragged into the corners.
If you’re dictating, you’re not just hitting shots, you’re making your opponent react to your plan.
If you’re the one reacting, you’re already on the back foot, usually without realising how quickly control has slipped away.
Being consciously aware of this hidden battle is what separates solid club players from those who are the level above.
Plenty of players feel like they’re 'in' rallies because they’re still running around retrieving balls, but the truth is, they’ve been on the defensive since the first few shots.
They’re chasing, not shaping, the rally. At the higher levels, that’s a losing formula.
Recognising that this fight for control is happening right from the start is crucial.
When you start seeing the opening shots as a strategic contest rather than just a warm-up to the rally, everything changes.
You begin to think about how you can put them under pressure before they get into a rhythm.
That’s the mindset that leads to dominating rallies rather than merely surviving them.
Photo credit: Steve Cubbins
It’s easy to think of the first few shots purely in tactical terms: hit the serve here, return there, get on the T.
But there’s also a huge mental side to each of these early shots, and understanding what they represent can change how you approach them.
The serve is the obvious starting point. It’s not just about starting the rally; it’s your first chance to set the tone.
I went into a bit of detail on the serve in the previous section; however, from a mental perspective, there are definitely a few factors at play.
As I mentioned, rushing the serve is a common problem in squash, and when you rush your serve, it's usually loose and looks half-hearted.
From a mental point of view, this sends a clear signal to your opponent that you're either nervous or that you're generally not thinking strategically.
Compare that with a firm, accurate serve. One where you take a few seconds to position your feet and mentally prepare for the rally ahead.
This tells your opponent that you're focused, ready, and engaged. Even at the club level, opponents feel that difference. A good serve forces them to respond with a good shot under more pressure.
This return of serve carries just as much weight.
Similar to the serve, you need to make sure not to rush this shot. The mental side of the return is pretty much the same as the serve.
If the serve is poor, it allows you to volley or strike with a bit of power to show that you mean business from the get-go.
Even if the serve is good and you need to lift it to defend, you need to make sure not to do so half-heartedly.
Players often underestimate how much the return sets the rally’s tone. If you can take it early and get some depth on your return, you can be proactive and get straight on the T.
The third shot is often your first “open rally” opportunity. This is where you have the chance to build confidence and structure; however, it can just as easily go the other way.
If you’ve served well and see a weak return, do you take it assertively, stepping forward to volley and locking down the T?
Or do you hesitate, hang back, and let the chance slip?
That decision sends a message, not just to your opponent, but to yourself as well.
Take charge early, and you reinforce your own mindset, showing that you're keen to dictate the rally.
Equally, if you back off, you subconsciously give them that belief.
The fourth shot tends to be the tipping point. By this stage, either one player has established themselves on the T, or the rally is still evenly balanced.
Mentally, this is where the “who’s on top?” question starts to get answered.
If you’re already in a strong position here and you choose the right shots, you have the potential to feel in control for the rest of the rally.
If you’re scrambling, you know you’re in for a fight, and so does your opponent.
When you break it down this way, those early shots become more than just getting into the rally.
They’re mini-psychological battles, each carrying messages of confidence, intent, and control.
Win enough of them, and you’re not just ahead on the scoreboard; you could be inside your opponent’s head before the rally has even properly unfolded.
If the first four shots are so important, it’s no surprise that mistakes here are often the difference between taking control and handing over the rally.
The trouble is, a lot of players don’t even realize they’re giving up cheap advantages early on.
I know I keep mentioning it, but I'm going to do so one more time ...
The first big one is lazy serving.
A serve that drifts mid-height to the back wall or doesn’t use the side wall is basically an invitation for your opponent to attack straight away. Even worse, serving without focus can make you feel passive before the rally’s even begun.
If you're playing someone particularly skilled or a crafty veteran, they also may see this as an opportunity to go for a winner straight away. If they're competent a crash nick, reverse boast, or straight drop is definitely on the cards.
I know I also touched on passive laziness in the return and third shot above, too.
There is another pitfall that's actually even tougher to overcome, and that's hesitancy.
This one’s huge.
Given the intensity and speed of squash, it's understandable that you may be nervous, and this can lead to hesitancy in your shots.
Hesitancy leads to poor accuracy and even errors. This is also why rushing can be so detrimental.
Before you serve or return, give yourself a few seconds to breathe and recoup from the previous point. This will help calm any nerves and allow you to try to reinforce some self-confidence in your mind.
Another major pitfall in those early few shots is hanging back.
This is just lazy positioning.
It's quite interesting to think about, because it's understandable that rallies may start slower and then speed up as they go on, since both players have just had a few seconds' rest.
This can give players the illusion that it's okay to hang back a little on the T.
But if your opponent catches onto this, they'll use it as an opportunity to take the ball early and go short, forcing you to scramble.
Whatever the reason for your poor positioning, by letting that ball come back to you instead of stepping forward and taking charge, you’ve handed the initiative away.
It’s a split-second decision that can flip the entire rally, and many players don't even realize that they're doing it.
T positioning is something that you (unfortunately) need to practice with ghosting.
Nobody likes ghosting, but trust me, if you work on your T positioning for a month or two, the differences will be paramount!
Finally, a subtle but damaging pitfall I wanted to touch on is the mental drift.
As I discussed early, those early shots require focus, but a lot of players aren’t mentally engaged until they’ve “warmed into” the rally.
By then, it’s often too late, they’ve already lost control.
If you’re telling yourself, “I’ll just get this one started and then settle in,” you’re essentially giving away the opening exchanges on purpose.
Avoiding these pitfalls isn’t about playing perfect shots, it’s about having purpose from the first strike.
If you can cut out lazy serves, aimless returns, hesitation, and lack of intent, you’ll stop gifting control to your opponent and start building rallies on your own terms.
Photo credit: Steve Cubbins
So how do you actually use those opening shots to seize control?
It’s not about hitting winners straight off the bat; it’s about making smart, purposeful decisions that stack the odds in your favour.
If you're capable of going for the odd crash nick off the serve, I'm not saying not to, but it's important to be aware of the risk-to-reward ratio.
There's a chance you'll hit the tin, and, if you don't hit it perfectly into the nick, it's going to bounce up or bounce out toward your opponent, and they've then got free rein to do anything they want from the third shot.
I'll be the first one to admit that the temptation to blast a cross-court nick off the return is strong, but early in a rally, the margins are thin.
Instead, I'd advise focusing on high-percentage shots that apply pressure without overcommitting, a tight length, a volley deep to the side wall, or a simple drive that forces them behind you.
Build pressure, then strike when the chance truly opens up. Depth and tightness are generally your best friends.
Next, you need to consider straight versus cross-court.
In those early exchanges, straight is often king.
A tight, accurate straight shot keeps your opponent behind you and gives you access to the T.
But that doesn’t mean ignore the cross-court entirely; a well-timed, purposeful cross-court can break patterns and stop your opponent camping on one side, especially if you take it on the volley.
If you think about it, your opponent is serving and their momentum is moving to the T in your direction; if you crack it back cross-court,they'll have to change direction again.
The key is using it deliberately, not as a bailout.
Lastly, be aware of your opponent’s tendencies right from the start.
If they struggle with pace, test them with a firm serve to their forehand. If you're returning, go for a low dying straight length.
If they hate turning, throw in an early boast or cross-court to see how they react.
The first four shots aren’t just about what you do, they’re an information-gathering mission that lets you tailor the rest of the rally.
If you know your opponent's style, strengths, and weaknesses, you can jump on their weaknesses straight from the get go.
Just remember, the first four shots might not win you every rally, but they set the stage for everything that follows.
Start each point with purpose, and you’ll find that you spend far more time dictating and far less time chasing.
It’s easy to drift through the opening exchanges, treating them as just a way to “get into the rally”, but those who treat them as opportunities to take the T, to apply pressure, and send a message, often control the match.
Next time you’re on court, challenge yourself to pay closer attention to those first few shots.
Are you hitting with intent, or just reacting?
Are you building pressure, or handing the initiative over?
Small shifts in these moments can have a massive impact over the course of a match.
Master the hidden battle at the start of each rally, and you’ll soon notice the results in your scoreline, and in how much more confident you feel stepping on court.
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!