Squash Tactics

Squash is a highly tactical game. The following is a list of the simplest tenets of squash tactics:

• Territorial advantage - Maintain your position in the centre and force your opponent to chase balls between the four corners of the court.

• Keep the ball as close to the walls as possible - This will limit your opponent's choice of swing and make it difficult for him or her to dig the ball out of the front or back corners.

• Use straight rather than cross-court drives - This will force your opponent to one side of the court and prevent them intercepting your shot and playing a winner.

• Use backhand shots if the ball is in the backhand (left) side of the court and forehand shots on the forehand (right) side - This stops the ball from ending up in the centre of the court, where your opponent can easily hit it.

• Don't rely on power alone to win a rally - Hitting the ball at 75% of maximum power can significantly improve accuracy, as well as conserving your energy and slowing the game down, so that you can control it more.