Transitioning to Squash from Other Racquet Sports

It's pretty common knowledge that racquet sports all complement each other in a variety of different ways. Many players who excel at one tend to be pretty good at any other racquet sport they try.

However, there are obviously many differences that come into play when a racquet sports player transitions to another racquet sport.

Each sport has different balls, different courts, different racquets (or paddles), different clothing and footwear, and, of course, different rules.

Although squash is still considered somewhat more niche than the more mainstream racquet sports, I still know a ton of people who have made the switch from other racquet sports over to squash.

So, since this is a squash-focused blog, I thought this would be an interesting topic to cover.

In this article, I'll go through the key differences between four of the main racquet sports (tennis, pickleball, badminton, and table tennis) and squash, I'll also try to touch on what players will find easier and what they might struggle with a little more when they step on the squash court.

Tennis

I thought it would be best to start with the most obvious option, and that's tennis.

Often thought to be squash's rival (although I think most other racquet sports look at tennis as a bit of a rival), there are many similarities and even more differences between the two sports.

For a player moving from tennis to squash, there's certainly a lot that needs to be considered and taken into account.

For starters, the equipment and court are significantly different.

A tennis racquet is larger, heavier, and strung at a higher tension compared to a squash racquet, which is smaller, lighter, and designed for a more compact, agile, and fast style of play.

This means that tennis players often find themselves over-swinging or struggling to generate the same kind of power they are used to in tennis from that same, large sweeping swing style.

This is where the ball comes into play too. Since the tennis ball is larger, bounces higher, and travels faster than a squash ball, which is smaller and low-bouncing, your shots will require a different approach to timing and anticipation.

Then, there's also the added fact that squash balls act differently depending on their temperature. This is why we have to warm the ball up before we play.

In tennis, players are generally just warming their shots and bodies up, however, in squash, we're warming the ball up too (to make it nice and bouncy).

Court size is another major difference.

Tennis courts are significantly larger, which gives tennis players more space to cover but also more time to react to their opponent’s shots (of course, this isn't always the case, I'm speaking generally).

Squash courts are much smaller and enclosed, demanding quicker reflexes and more agile footwork. This difference in court dimensions requires tennis players to adjust to the faster pace of squash, where rallies are shorter, and every movement counts.

The enclosed walls also introduce a new dynamic, balls can be played off the walls.

This is the most defining difference between the two sports in my opinion. These new angles and spins that are applied to the ball when it hits multiple walls are often a completely foreign concept to tennis players.

This can be challenging at first, as it requires a different spatial awareness and understanding of angles, but, we racquet sports players tend to have great coordination so it shouldn't take too long to adapt!

Swing style is another area where tennis and squash differ.

Tennis strokes, especially groundstrokes, typically involve long, sweeping swings that generate power and spin. In squash, the swings are shorter and more controlled, with an emphasis on precision and placement over sheer power.

Tennis players might initially struggle with the compactness of squash strokes, finding it difficult to adapt their muscle memory to the tighter, quicker swings required in squash.

When it comes to spin, you can always tell when a tennis player is playing squash or when a squash player is playing tennis.

Whenever I play tennis with my squash friends, we tend to slice almost every shot (as this is what you do in squash to make the ball die quicker and stick to the side wall).

On the other hand, tennis players often try to put topspin on their shots which doesn't work particularly well in squash since it makes the ball bounce up and off the front wall, giving opponents more time on the ball.

This also ties into tactics, where tennis players are often used to constructing points from the baseline with topspin and heavy hitting. In contrast, squash rewards those who can control the ‘T’ (the central area of the court) and move their opponents around the court with precise lengths, clever use of angles, and a mix of pace.

So, I would say that from a tactical perspective, tennis players transitioning to squash may need to rethink their approach.

The tactical shift from staying back and rallying from the baseline to moving quickly and attacking opportunities from the ‘T’ can take some getting used to, but it becomes clearer the more you do it.

Finally, while the rules of both sports are unique, the scoring system in squash might also be an adjustment for tennis players.

Generally, squash matches are played as first to 11 points and best of 5 games, whereas in tennis (correct me if I'm wrong), 4 points win a game, 6 games win a set, and 2 or 3 sets win a match.

In summary, while tennis players bring valuable skills to squash such as their hand-eye coordination, lateral movements, and consistency, they will need to adapt to the faster pace, different equipment, and tactical nuances of the sport.

With time and practice, the transition can be both challenging and rewarding. But, what's life without a bit of a challenge?!

Pickleball

One of the new sports in town is pickleball. It's not exactly that new anymore, however, its growth figures have been (and continue to be) incredible, so maybe it's a sport that squash could learn a thing or two about!

Anyway, as expected, there are some major differences and some surprising similarities between squash and pickleball.

Starting with equipment, pickleball paddles are solid and lightweight, with a shorter handle and a smaller hitting surface compared to a squash racquet.

As a squash player who has tried pickleball myself, I would say that the way the paddle feels in comparison to a squash racquet took some real getting used to.

Based on my experience struggling to time my shots and take volleys when playing pickleball, this difference in equipment would cause pickleball players trying squash to initially struggle with the greater reach and slightly different balance of a squash racquet.

The pickleball itself is light, plastic, and perforated, designed for a game that emphasizes touch and control. In contrast, the squash ball is dense, and rubbery, and requires a much more aggressive swing to generate power and maintain a rally pace.

The court dimensions and surfaces present another significant shift.

Pickleball is played on a smaller, open court, similar in size to a badminton court but with a lower net. The game encourages a lot of quick, short movements, with an emphasis on positioning and reflexes at the net.

There's also the added factor that pickleball is predominantly played as a doubles sport (but singles still exists too, of course).

In squash, similar to the difference between tennis, the enclosed court creates a very different dynamic.

The walls are in play, meaning that angles and spatial awareness are crucial. Unlike the quick volleys and dinks in pickleball, squash rallies often require players to chase down balls that bounce unpredictably off the walls, requiring a different kind of agility and anticipation.

If you're starting in squash, you might find yourself having to jump out of the way of your own shots if they come back toward you. This is normal and you will get used to the angles after a little practice.

Swing mechanics between the two sports also differ considerably.

Pickleball swings tend to be compact, especially during volleys and dinks, with an emphasis on control and precision rather than power. In squash, while control is also crucial, players need to develop a more expansive swing to generate the speed and force necessary to drive the ball deep into the court.

This shift can be challenging for pickleball players who are accustomed to softer, more controlled shots. Additionally, the squash ball doesn’t bounce as high or as predictably as a pickleball.

Spin, in my opinion, is one of the most interesting things about pickleball. As I mentioned earlier, in squash you pretty much only hit with slice (or cut), however, in pickleball, players can use topspin, hit the ball flat, or add slice depending on the situation.

Tactically, the differences are also pretty notable. Pickleball players are used to quick, back-and-forth exchanges, often at the net, with an emphasis on positioning and quick reflexes.

Yes, squash is fast, but in a different way. In pickleball, you need to react to balls coming directly towards you at a fast pace, over and over again, whereas in squash, you need to react fast to where the balls going so you can move there and get to it before it bounces twice.

The strategic play in pickleball often revolves around controlling the net and waiting for an opponent to make an error.

In squash, while positioning remains important, the focus shifts to dominating the ‘T’, controlling the pace of the rally, and using the lengths and drives to the back corners to outmaneuver the opponent.

Despite the enclosed court in squash, players still do a lot of moving with the sport demanding more endurance and a keen ability to retrieve shots with heavy, explosive movements.

Squash rallies can be longer and more physical, requiring not just quick reflexes but also a high level of cardiovascular fitness. This can be an adjustment for pickleball players, who might be used to shorter, less physically taxing points with fewer changes in directions.

Finally, the scoring systems again differ with pickleball using three numbers to score. The first number is the current score of the serving team, the second is the score of the opposing team, and, the third is which server on a team currently has the serve (which will always be 1 or 2).

For example, a typical pickleball score might read 6-3-2.

I could go into more detail than this but I don't want to go off on too much of a tangent. What I would say is that for pickleball players moving to squash, the scoring is generally pretty easy to understand.

As I mentioned, squash is usually played as first to 11, best of 5 games. If players get to 10-10, a player needs to win by 2 clear points to win the game.

If your opponent is serving and you win that point then you can choose which side of the court you serve from (and the referee will say 'hand out' before they say the score). If you won the previous point, you have to serve from the opposite side.

And that's it really!

So, although pickleball seems to be the 'in' sport in comparison to squash, it would still be great to see pickleballers coming over and giving squash a go.

They'll certainly be able to bring a large amount of strengths with them. They'll be used to that fast pace, they'll have those quick reactions, and be good with slice, however, the more explosive, heavier movements may take their toll at first.

Badminton

Badminton is one of my favourite sports that isn't squash!

I used to play a lot when I was younger and I've always loved how hard you can crack the shuttlecock without it going out of court.

However, as you might expect, transitioning from badminton to squash will require a few adjustments, though players will find that some aspects of their game still transfer smoothly.

Starting with the court and movement, badminton is played on a rectangular-shaped court with quite a tall net dividing it.

The movement in badminton is characterized by quick, explosive sprints and jumps all over the court, primarily because the shuttlecock has such a high trajectory and can make rapid changes in direction.

In contrast, squash is played on that small, enclosed court where the walls are in play (as we've mentioned already). My first thought when comparing the two is that squash rallies require more endurance and last longer.

However, I then thought about all the crazy badminton rallies I see (especially at the professional level), so I didn't want to discount the fact that badminton rallies can be very long and arduous too.

While the movements in badminton are generally shorter, they still require a lot of explosivity to execute which is certainly a similarity with squash.

Overall, I think that the endurance required for squash is perhaps higher, but, I think this is an area that badminton players could certainly adapt too fast.

The changing tempo of squash might make things a little trickier for badminton players. Badminton is known for its rapid-fire rallies and the need to anticipate and react quickly to fast shots.

Squash rallies, while also fast-paced, can be longer and more drawn out, requiring a mix of patience, strategic shot placement, and the ability to switch between offence and defence fluidly.

This may be a new adjustment for badminton players, who may be more accustomed to a consistently fast pace. In squash, it's common for rallies to slow down at time allowing for players to take a breath and recover.

The equipment is perhaps the biggest difference between to two sports.

Badminton racquets are very lightweight, with long, flexible shafts designed to generate speed and control with the shuttlecock, which is feathered and very light.

In squash, the racquet is heavier and shorter, requiring more strength and a slightly different grip technique to handle the denser, rubber ball.

The squash ball, unlike the shuttlecock, does not slow down as it travels, requiring players to adjust fast and to a different timing and contact point.

This can be challenging for badminton players, who are used to hitting a fast-dropping shuttlecock high in the air, so the ball aspect of squash will take some getting used to.

However, very fast reactions are required to play badminton, especially when your opponent hits a slam/kill shot directly toward you, and this will translate very well to squash!

Swing mechanics in badminton are typically more wristy, with a focus on quick, overhead strokes that generate speed with minimal backswing. Players use flicks and wrist rotations to change the direction and speed of the shuttlecock, especially in net play and drives.

In squash, the swing is generally more sweeping and parallel, involving more of the arm and shoulder, especially when driving the ball deep into the corners.

While both sports require quick reflexes, squash demands more follow-through and a greater emphasis on power and control in the swing to keep the ball tight to the walls.

Tactically, I find badminton so interesting to watch.

It's very similar to squash in the way that the idea is to move your opponent all over the court, from corner to corner, forcing them to hit weak shots and allow you to go for winners.

From this perspective, I think any player with a badminton background looking to move into squash will have a good tactical brain on them.

The only slight difference might be that, in squash, players may need to adjust to a slightly slower buildup with steady drives over and over again while players wait patiently for an opening.

It's vital to maintain a strong court position over multiple shots in squash before you get the chance to attack.

So, overall, while badminton players transitioning to squash will certainly have valuable skills such as quick reflexes, strong hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking, they will need to adapt to the different equipment, slower ball, and more physically demanding nature of squash.

However, despite the seemingly large differences between the two sports, I actually think that badminton will translate very well to squash once the player gets used to the ball and walls!

Table Tennis

Another of my favourite sports is ping pong. During the pandemic, I was lucky enough to have a full-sized table tennis table in my garage and I spent hours playing with my girlfriend and friends (once restrictions started to be lifted).

Not to brag or anything, but, I think I got pretty good!

However, table tennis is one of those sports where, if you play a trained, experienced player, you've got no chance. You'll be lucky to even retrieve their serve.

I feel like in squash, if you go on court with a pro, or someone a lot better than yourself, you can still enjoy rallies here and there.

In ping pong, on the other hand, the pros are an absolute world above the recreational players, which makes professional table tennis unbelievably entertaining.

Moving from table tennis to squash is certainly a big jump, perhaps these are the two most different sports of the lot.

Going from a court to a table, from a paddle to a racquet, and from a very light plastic ball to a heavy rubber ball presents a unique set of challenges and adjustments, though some skills still transfer surprisingly well.

The equipment is the most major of the differences.

Table tennis paddles are small, with a short handle and a rubber surface designed for spin and speed. The ball is very light, and players rely heavily on wrist action and precise timing to control its trajectory and spin.

In squash, the racquet is much larger, and the ball, while still requiring control, reacts very differently due to its weight and the fact that it does not bounce as much as a table tennis ball.

This means table tennis players need to adjust to using more arm and shoulder in their strokes, as well as getting used to the different feel and timing required to hit a squash ball effectively.

Movement is another area where table tennis players will find a big difference.

In table tennis, the movement is minimal, often just a quick step to the side or a slight shuffle to position for a shot, as players are confined to the area immediately around the table (apart from in those mega rallies you see where one player is miles away from their table).

Squash, however, demands full-court coverage, with players constantly moving forward, backward, and side-to-side to reach the ball.

This increased physical demand may be a big adjustment for ping pong players. Endurance and efficient movement around the court, while maintaining balance with the swing, will take a bit of practice.

Swing mechanics also differ significantly.

In table tennis, swings are short and sharp, with an emphasis on wrist action to generate spin and speed. Squash requires a longer, more fluid swing, incorporating the entire arm and often the body, to drive the ball with power and control.

While table tennis players are used to making quick, precise movements with their wrists and forearms, they will need to adapt to the broader, more powerful strokes used in squash, which require a different kind of coordination and timing.

This is where spin comes into play, something that is key in table tennis. Topspin is probably the most common spin type used (especially when attacking), however, slice and cut are also used when defending.

However, in squash, a bit of slice is important and you need to have an open racquet face when you hit the ball, but, it's nowhere near as important as it is in table tennis.

Tactically, table tennis is a game of quick reactions, spin, and fast-paced exchanges, with players looking to outmaneuver their opponent through a combination of speed and placement.

Squash, while also strategic, is more about maintaining control of the court and the T, constructing points over longer rallies, and using the walls to create difficult angles.

The slower pace of the squash ball compared to the table tennis ball can be a significant adjustment, as table tennis players are used to very rapid points and may find themselves needing to develop more patience and the ability to slow things down a little.

I find that statement pretty crazy to say because, in my head, squash is still such a fast, explosive sport, however, the speed of table tennis is just another level (similar to badminton).

This kind of brings a mental difference into play as well, as table tennis players don't get any time to breathe or reset during a rally, they have to wait until between each point which can be very tricky to do.

In squash, if a rally gets too fast and intense, a player has the option to lift the ball high and reset the ball, giving themself a moment to mentally compose and take a second to breathe.

To sum up, while table tennis players will bring quick reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and strong spin control to the squash court, they will need to adapt to the different equipment, physical demands, and different tactical approach of squash.

These things will certainly come with time and practice, however, I think this one would be the hardest transition of the four that I've covered today.

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