Squash has been branded the world’s fittest sport. And it’s easy to learn.
How do you play squash?
1. Warm up the ball
The ball gets bouncier the more (and harder) you hit it.
Playing with a cold ball is no fun at all, so it’s best to warm it up before the game starts, either by rolling it vigorously underfoot or simply by hitting it repeatedly against the front or side walls.
2. Choose the right ball
If you’re a beginner, it’s probably best not to play with the double-yellow-dotted balls used by pros. Start with a single yellow, or better still a single red. That way, the ball will be bouncier and you will enjoy longer rallies.
3. Try to keep the ball away from the centre of the court
The fundamental principle of squash, even at a pro level, is to keep the ball as tight to the side walls as possible. This means driving it down the wall or making sure the ball travels wide past the opponent’s reach when hitting cross-court.
4. Don’t hit the ball back to yourself
If the ball comes back to you, and your opponent is there to play, that’s a stroke against you.
5. Solo practice for success
As a rebound racket game, squash is one of the few sports where solo practice actually pays off. In fact, solo practice is a vital part of all squash pros’ training, and is often seen as the best way to improve straight hitting.
6. Have fun
Squash has been branded the fittest game in the world. But it’s also arguably one of the funnest if you can keep a rally going. Follow the points above and you’ll soon be on your way to squash supremacy.
