SQUASH BASICS | Footwork series: Split step (part 1)

[@kbhatia76]

Very simple and understable videos. Can you make a video on the different ways to grip/ hold the racket. I have issue with keeping my wrist coked and tend to be a wristy player.

[@richkingcoaching]

We do have a video on the grip basics but in one of our upcoming drop videos there will be a lot of explanation on this topic you speak about ;)

[@bernardleeis]

This is the best video I’ve seen on the topic by far

[@richkingcoaching]

Glad you found it useful and hope you continue to enjoy the game and this aids your development 💪🏼

[@markchandler7089]

I teach badminton to kids and older adults. These videos translate very well! Thanks for posting.

[@richkingcoaching]

Thank you Mark glad it has helped and interesting there can be a good cross over with the split step between sports :)

[@farrukhjafri4319]

Excellent advice!

[@richkingcoaching]

Thanks and glad it’s helped!

[@antondementiev2188]

Great drills! I am a little bit confused though because your split step goes in the direction of the ball. Many people teach that you actually have to split step right BEFORE your opponent hits the ball. If that's the case, split stepping in a certain direction looks counter-intuitive unless you already know exactly where the ball is going before or while you split step. Should you always time your hopping motion so that your body is up in the air WHILE you try to understand the direction of the ball? That sounds like the mother of all squash skills but also incredibly difficult. One of the biggest issues I've had in my game is initiating movement to front corners. I was taught that you should avoid "guessing" at all costs so I do this little sideways hop and don't commit to moving in a particular direction until... well, until it's too late and the ball has bounced twice. I have issues in the back as well but not being able to move to the front at all drives me insane sometimes. I almost feel like I have better results without split stepping and just guessing which is a giveaway to how bad and poorly-timed my spit step really is.

[@richkingcoaching]

Hi Firstly, thanks for your comment and yes let me pick apart your confusion and give you some clarity here :) So your first movement or split step is a learned response from the body in reaction to a situation and in the case of Squash the balls direction and end outcome. By watching the balls path at all times (#1 thing in Squash) you will pick up clues from your opponent and develop better perception and therefore quicker reactions to the ball. The split step is to give a bit of momentum in the direction you want to head for sure but as stated in my videos it is also to help with creating a lower center of gravity on the way to the ball and better balance which in turn helps you control your speed on approach to the shot. You should never jump up in the air for a split step it’s about dropping then moving. If you are in the air you are not grounded and unable to move quickly in the multiple directions needed in Squash. Please be aware the split step is taught very differently in many sports so it is not a universal split step. I also don’t believe it is always taught correctly in Squash or even with the right logic and can sometimes make things more complicated. This is my free advice for you front corner movement without seeing you move ;) 1. Are you watching the ball 2. T position - Make sure that you are starting on your toes. I see people initially start in this position but as they start to move they sit back In their heels hindering their split step 3. Make sure your organization of your feet are always facing the front wall on the T 4. Repeat and practice the movements I have demonstrated or that you want to replicate in a game a lot so that it becomes a learned movement pattern and response then add the ball and randomness and see if it still succeeds 👍🏼 Any other advice or want to visit us let me know ;) Good luck 💪🏼

[@ahmedhafez6876]

I used to have exactly the same confusion as squash tutorial videos ​ do not agree on the same definition of how a split step is initiated and so many videos refer to the so called "floating/hang up position" as the ball is struck and here comes the confuaion.....Anyway, i believe it is better analysed as starting on the toes (or feet balls) as the ball is struck and then a "push off" action by the opposite foot....the drop action naturally comes (without any conscious effort) while splitting the feet apart as landing is reached @richkingcoaching

[@shananarocks]

Some say French players have wider stance as avoid having to open up the stance at beginning of the split. Is it true?

[@richkingcoaching]

I think there is different variations of coaching points and there was a particular model or style used by some French players in the past but I cannot say if it is a particular philosophy of French Squash as I am not certain in this time especially as there is a variety of movement styles from some of the top French players. What I can say is you should aim for a beginning T position to be between wide and narrow stance, something around shoulder-hip width distance. The wider your feet maybe the more stable you are but it can also cause you to be more rooted and stuck therefore restricting your ability to be quick in the first movement. Other issues apply if your to narrow as you will be less stable and may find it harder to change direction efficiently. Thanks and good luck

[@meIvin_bs]

inhales* BOI😂🫱 sir! you have WON the internet today!😂 SHEEESH!!😂 much love! OVER AND OUT!!😎😂

[@simondonaldson4762]

Great video, the very few if not the only one i could follow very easily and very good self explanatory. Sadly though iam now starting have back pain which i now need to customise my foot movement. Otherwise i enjoyed the video. Iam enjoying your videos very much

[@richkingcoaching]

Thank you Simon and glad you enjoy the videos :) what type of pain do you start to experience in your back? Is it a particular movement which aggravates it then?

[@simondonaldson4762]

Worn out L4 L5 which is now starting to pinch on a nerve. It's on my lower right side which iam finding now my backhand is starting to annoy it. When acelate and decelate now as well. So what iam starting to do is to take my weight on my legs alot more and to move around like a crab. Not to straighten up all the time. Keep my centre of body weight on my knees. Now before covid started, my squash partner and I had started to learn to teach ourself to be a crab on the CRT. Reason being we had a hard time doing the split. Now it a while to get used to the idea of being a crab so to speak then one day it all clicked. Our CRT movement was quick and less energy, so we found. I also think I need to hit opposite leg, especially on my backhand which I don't always do.

[@simondonaldson4762]

And I need to start to play more length in my game, which is my natural style of playing. Hence, trying to avoid drop shots from the opponent

[@dangianfagna]

Great videos, thanks!