Squash Tips: Introduction to squash touch and how to develop it

In this video I show you 3 main solo practices that can help with developing touch. There's a bonus practice at the end.
This is really just an introduction and another video may follow in a few months if people like this one. Thanks for watching and please let me know if you try the practices and how they help.
Also, feel free to ask any questions about the exercises. I know the video is a little rushed but I just don't have the time or facilities (camera person!) to make them better at the moment.
By the way, sorry for the mishits. This was only the third time I have have hit the ball in 2 and a half years, so I am quite rusty.
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ABOUT MY VIDEOS:
I make videos that contain lots of squash tips to help you improve your game. There are plenty of squash drills, both solo and pairs/groups, as well as videos about technique and swing.
Squash consists of three aspect: Mental, Physical and Technical and I create videos that cover all three aspects.
From 2018, the videos contain a special frame that tells you what the video is about (left), which aspect it covers (right), and also "quick jump" links (top) but also in the video description.
I respond to each and every proper comment, so don't hesitate to ask questions or offer feedback.
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ABOUT ME:
Hi, I'm Phillip. I'm an ex-professional squash coach and was lucky enough to work with some incredible coaches, including Jonah Barrington and practice with some amazing players including Jahangir Khan and Ross Norman.
I was also one of the squad coaches for the England Junior boys for a few years.
Although I no longer coach squash professionally, I feel I still have knowledge and insight to offer.
That's why I started making videos and hope that viewers find them useful.
I hope my passion and enthusiasm for the game help inspire you to work smarter and harder, and hopefully achieve your objectives.
If you have ANY questions about me or my coaching videos, don't hesitate to contact me at [e-mail] or even visit my website: CoachPhillip.Net
CREDITS:
The music used in the outro is by Bazz Facey and is used with the kind permission of Marc Woolhead.
Email: [e-mail]

[@sunnysaini2332]

Thanks Coach for sharing this video. I have been struggling to play with soft hands. But after this exercise I am able to develop soft touch. Really appreciate your work and effort. It's an incredible self drill to learn drop shots. Looking forward to your upcoming videos.

[@BetterSquash]

Hi Sunny, you are most welcome. Glad to hear it's helping improving your touch.

[@damianadamiecofficial]

Thanks for all your lessons. They are free and so much knowledge I can take from you. Great idea, great job. Regards from Poland :)

[@BetterSquash]

You are most welcome. I am glad you like them. Good luck with your improvement.

[@fozmeistergeneral]

I'm really enjoying these videos. I've just started playing squash over the last two years and I'm approaching 40! I'm trying to make the transition to becoming a club player and these videos are really helping my understanding of the game. Really enjoying them, please keep them coming..

[@BetterSquash]

Hi David, glad to hear you like the videos and you have a target you are working towards. Don't forget to get really warm before you play.

[@dannyd9872]

Great videos Phil. I'm looking to take my game up to the next level. These tips will no doubt help.

[@BetterSquash]

Thanks Danny. let me know if you notice an improvement in your game.

[@obzzervant]

Can't wait to try these exercises!

[@BetterSquash]

I hope they help.

[@davidcastellanos11]

I started to play squash this year. This video is really useful, from now on I'll pick up the ball without my hands. Thanks for the tips!

[@BetterSquash]

You are most welcome. Learning to feel comfortable controlling the ball is an essential skill and I am sure it will help your game.

[@solaadeleke2806]

Quite educative. Bravo!

[@BetterSquash]

Thank you. Let me know if it helps your game.

[@spjdec1]

very useful tips, especially for me who did not get any formal squash coaching. thank you!

[@BetterSquash]

You are most welcome. Are there no coaches near where you live or play? It's NEVER too late to get coaching.

[@louis4222]

Great solo practice to improve control!

[@BetterSquash]

Glad to hear you like it.

[@kb_100]

Great video, hope to try these out soon. I definitely need more potent weapons in the front of court

[@BetterSquash]

Thanks, glad you liked it. Let me know if they help.

[@moonsson]

Great lesson!

[@BetterSquash]

Thank you, glad you liked it. Did it help?

[@grahamcurran8744]

Thanks for your insight Phill, love your videos. Could you do a video on hints and tips that help training for accuracy. Forehand and backhand side. Thanks

[@BetterSquash]

Yep, that's on the list. For the time being, try this blog post I wrote: coachphillip.wordpress.com/2016/01/24/use-physical-targets/

[@darraghmcconville]

Phil - these videos are great. I would like to see some covering the technique and mechanics of the forehand and especially backhand strokes - specifically drives. You seem to have a particularly clean and crisp connection with the ball. It would be good to understand how we can replicate this. Thanks. More videos please!

[@BetterSquash]

Darragh, I have just posted a new video about 5 swings to improve your game without the ball and that might help introduce the topic. I do plan to cover good technique in future videos but I only have time to make one per week and have a long list of topics I want to cover, so all I can say is "Stay Tuned!".

[@alphavrworld7364]

Wow, that’s what I want to learn. Pickup the ball without hand. Thank you Coach.

[@BetterSquash]

Strangely enough, it's one of the skills in a future video.

[@Ro-12-21]

Hi coach! Great video. Would love a video on how to read your opponent and anticipate shots and court position.

[@BetterSquash]

Hi Ryan, just to let you know I have removed your duplicate comments. Yes, that's a video I want to make. Took me a while to find it, but here is an article I wrote for SquashSite.co.uk: www.carteblanchesquash.com/2014/04/23/switching-from-narrow-to-broad-focus/ That will be the framework of the new video. Hope that helps.

[@jamiebrown6007]

This is a great video. I regularly use the 3-wall technique demonstrated here to practice 'touch'. I go back/forth from forehand to backhand. Very helpful!

[@BetterSquash]

Glad to hear it. Do you vary the distance you stand from the front wall?

[@jamiebrown6007]

When I'm alone, I usually hit the drop shot from the service line. If I'm with my coach, his boasts will often drop much closer to the front wall, and I'll return a drop shot there. I'm curious as to your recommendation for practicing drops from further back in the court, including off the back wall - like James Willstrop does so well. Any routines you have in mind for practicing the short game from further back? Thanks.

[@BetterSquash]

Sorry for the delay in replying. I generally recommend leaving drop shots from the back as a final exercise. Partly because it can be hard to get a really good rhythm going and partly as a "bookend" - a way of always finishing a straining session. You could easily combine 25 side to side shots with 10 drops shots off the back wall, Do that two times on each side.

[@adamklaasen7675]

As usual great and helpful video. Could you do a video on fitness in the future please?

[@BetterSquash]

Glad you liked it. I do plan to make some videos on fitness, but I don't consider myself a fitness expert. The things I want to make videos on regarding fitness are the little things that can make a difference rather than basic fitness elements. Is there anything in particular you want me to explain?

[@moonsson]

I’ll practice it thanks 😀

[@casperhui5976]

Hi Coach, great video! I love that every part of these drills contribute to developing the intended skill, even down to picking up the ball! I would appreciate it a lot if you could do a video on hitting shots that bounce off the back wall. I've read your comment about focusing on weight transfer, but it seems that it's less straightforward in the back corners, as you do not have a lot of space. What should we do to maximize the weight transfer when there isn't enough space, and are there any effective drills to help us learn those skills? Thanks!

[@BetterSquash]

Well, to be honest, there's very little weight transfer in the back corners, at least when it comes to making contact. The focus there is getting out of the corner as soon as possible. The biggest aspect about hitting the ball off the backwall is the swing. It's on my list of videos to make, so stay tuned.

[@rightmarker1]

Hi Coach - love the videos.I'm in my mid 60s now and coming back to squash after 10 or so years away with family, travel work etc priorities.I am not fit but do 45-50 minutes cardio 3 times/week. I love this game but have terrible lazy bad habits and lousy technique on court. Could you suggest a strategy for me to get to a standard where I could get back into a lower level league without embarrassing myself!😆Best redsJohnny

[@BetterSquash]

Hi Johnny, Sorry for the delay in replying. Solo practice sounds ideal for you. It will allow you to work on your fitness without the stress of playing and also allow you to improve your technique. I would recommend playing a variety of people but STAY WITHIN YOUR LIMITS. It's easy to push too hard in a match and at our age (more or less) the spirit is willing but the flesh is less enthusiastic. Aim for smart squash not fit squash. Good luck!

[@abdullahsarwar8342]

Hi Coach- great informative videos, I was hoping if any way of direction is given for a beginer to follow your videos as all videos look interesting but if seems a little difficult for which step should be taken first for ease or periodic improvement

[@BetterSquash]

Hello, sorry for the delay in replying. I fully understand what you are asking for, but when I started the channel I decided to focus on club players and improvers. I do have a playlist called "SQUASH FOR BEGINNERS", but I admit that I have neglected it. The channel is a hobby for me, so I need to make the videos that interest me the most, otherwise it feels "work". I promise to make more videos for the beginner series soon.

[@hanybanoub5010]

Thanks coach Phillip for this new tip and drill. I hope when I try it I will execute it like your video. I am a bit slow on the court for various factors (age, weight and arthritis in my left knee) and try to compensate this with better control and harder shots, but I am not there yet. I was told that squash is not a knee friendly sport (which I intend to ignore and play twice a week regularly when possible). Any words of wisdom..?

[@BetterSquash]

Warm up thoroughly and don't start hitting a ball until you are sweating. Do a small jump on the T, just before your opponent hits the ball. That way you should be ready to move when you know where you need to go. Cross train - that means doing different exercises. Avoid doing too much ghosting or playing squash. Learn to really watch your opponent when they hit the ball. Become better at reading their actions.

[@MrAlancumbria]

Thanks Phil I'll try that. I find that I tend to get a bit tense which makes it harder to play. Sounds like more practise required.

[@BetterSquash]

You are most welcome. Spend a few minutes on it each time you play.

[@jackw6617]

Great video! Have been playing squash for about a year now against mainly other beginners. Recently I have started to play at a local club and been amazed at how much power they can generate. I know it's not all about hitting the ball hard but do you have any advise on technique to help me consistently get the ball to the back of the court on forehand as well as backhand? Thanks

[@BetterSquash]

Hi Jack, I love questions like these because they are so common but I also hate questions like these because I haven't seen you play! In general, try to make sure that you are transferring your weight into the ball at the moment of impact. That means taking your last step as you hit the ball. DO NOT GET TOO CLOSE. Next, if you have to hit a little higher on the front wall. That should help but if you are not generating enough power to begin with then it might not make much difference. I highly recommend spending 20 minutes once a week on court on your own to practice your shots. If need be, try to find a friend to share the court time with. I even recommend this instead of playing as long as you play at least twice between each solo practice session. Lastly, try to find a coach to check your technique. That is often the reason people can't generate enough power, especially on the backhand. I do play to make videos about these things but I can only make a video about once a week or every two weeks.

[@jackw6617]

CoachPhillipNet Thanks for the speedy and informative reply! I think I play like a baby elephant - lots of effort but lumber around the court! I'm going for a hit today so will put the advice into some solo drills. Thanks again

[@uwepietsch3877]

it would be great to get a link or comment for the let/stroke rules. I had a look in the web for let-links, but they are not always 100% clear. Pls. explain when the front wall is not possible to reach and the player get a stroke. Thx. in advance.

[@BetterSquash]

Uwe, this is the constant problem: one of interpretation. Richard millman has taken the time to comment on some of the rules and you may find this link useful: millmansquash.com/2013/05/18/the-rules-of-singles-squash-may-17th-2013-with-accompanying-advice-interpretation-and-suggestions-by-richard-millman/

[@ManishSharma-vg9wv]

You are awesome

[@BetterSquash]

Thank you.

[@MrAlancumbria]

I notice that on the touch shot you open the face of the racket and cut down on the ball. As a beginner, is that how you suggest I practise?

[@BetterSquash]

Try coming at the ball with a more horizontal swing or at least not as steep as mine. once you begin to feel more comfortable, increase the angle a bit. Just remember that you can only come down on the ball if the point of contact is above the height of the tin.

[@ellisweng1]

Hi why is it important to not hit the ball at the top of the bounce? Why is it important to arc? Is that what you should be doing during a game or is this just a teaching tool? What can I learn from arcing the ball and how can I apply it during a game?

[@BetterSquash]

Ellis, your questions have reminded me that my videos are amateurish and rushed, and for that I apologize. In fact, I feel your questions are so relevant that I will create a "Response" video for them, so that more viewers can benefit. I hope to make that tomorrow and post it this week.

[@ellisweng1]

CoachPhillipNet that's awesome! This video is perfect for explaining the "what" and "how" without being too long. Personally it's easier for me to learn with the"why" first.

[@BetterSquash]

I have released the video addressing your questions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5O2eqaemd-Agdk I hope it helps.

[@ellisweng1]

CoachPhillipNet thanks!

[@technicalboyshreyans]

Your videos are great but I finf it too tough please make some videos for beginners

[@BetterSquash]

I hope to make some videos for new players in early 2019.

[@stockton350]

You should get a lapel mic.

[@BetterSquash]

You should find the newer videos have much better sound.

[@hectordelorenzi785]

spanish please!!!

[@BetterSquash]

Los seinto, pero mi Espaniol es muy mal. Certainly not good enough to make a public video.