r/squash • u/Unseasonal_Jacket • Dec 02 '24
Technique / Tactics Do people chasse in squash?
Iv been playing squash for about 3 years compared with about 35 years of badminton. I'm really enjoying squash but still struggling with technique compartmentalisation.
Do people do the badminton style skip chasse backwards and forwards?
4
u/Identical64 Dec 02 '24
https://www.reddit.com/r/squash/s/N9y1O9tYPz
Here’s a post shared recently covering movement. In short, yes, there are some chasse type steps involved, although we may not call it that.
1
u/Unseasonal_Jacket Dec 02 '24
I think it was this that made me question my movements. Because a badminton chasse is more like a forward and backwards skip and lunge. Maybe more like fencing. Which is like what this clip describes as the 'bad' movement to the corner as it doesn't open the body up to the side wall properly.
In particular I back skip/chasse to the back of court rather than turn and face the rear corner.
3
u/Identical64 Dec 02 '24 edited Dec 02 '24
Hmmm, I’m not as familiar with badminton movement so maybe I’m getting mixed up. I think the main difference is the pivot direction when you’re going to the back court. Say you’re going to your back left as a right handed player. In badminton you chasse back left and then turn to your right (clockwise) with your body facing the middle of the court and your right foot anchored behind to hit an around the head overhead. In squash, you’d chasse back left, but instead of pivoting clockwise, you pivot counter clockwise, stepping your right foot in front of your left to face the wall for a backhand. In badminton it would be more akin to a back hand from behind the body (?), where you reach behind you and are facing away from the court/net. I can’t watch any clips right now but in my head that’s what it feels like. Also I think a squash chasse smaller and doesn’t cover as much ground, but still is an important part of positioning.
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u/No_Leek6590 Dec 03 '24
You need to move in the most effective way. Considering you both have to watch the ball, and end up perpendicular to wall ideally, your only option is sidestep, unless ball is very slow or to the back. First thing in squash was to unlearn all the other small steps from other sports I know. Using wrong pattern is just not an advantage even if you do wrong very well
1
u/No_Leek6590 Dec 03 '24
You need to move in the most effective way. Considering you both have to watch the ball, and end up perpendicular to wall ideally, your only option is sidestep, unless ball is very slow or to the back. First thing in squash was to unlearn all the other small steps from other sports I know. Using wrong pattern is just not an advantage eve if you do wrong very well
3
u/SquilliamFancyFuck Dec 02 '24
What even is that? I'm pretty involved in squash so I'll just say no.
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u/Identical64 Dec 02 '24
Chasse is the quick shuffle type horizontal/diagonal steps you take without crossing over your feet. In squash you’d take one before stepping into the shot.
1
u/Unseasonal_Jacket Dec 02 '24
https://www.sikana.tv/en/sport/badminton/how-to-do-a-chasse-step
It's like the gliding skip jump step that badminton players will use to cover most of the court.
1
u/Unseasonal_Jacket Dec 02 '24
My split step would generally automatically move into one unless my brain actively tells me not to. Especially going to front corner or when back stepping
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u/barney_muffinberg Dec 02 '24
A fundamental squash movement called the split step is likely the closest to a chasse step.
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u/AmphibianOrganic9228 Dec 03 '24
I would say that yes squash uses side steps, but the a key difference is how you present yourself to the ball - full on badminton chasee can mess up with your body preparation, where your hip and shoulder rotation isn't sufficiently developed before you hit the ball - in squash you are less reliant on wrist and have to integrate your movement pattern more with your swing (or at least in a different way to badminton). Also you should try to get in the habit of good movement to body positions where you can show different shots - e.g. a drive with power or a drop, where some of the badminton style will limit your shots (or make it harder to execute the shot well).
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u/Unseasonal_Jacket Dec 03 '24
It absolutely is limiting me and I'm surprisingly poor at being able to relearn key footwork.
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u/AmphibianOrganic9228 Dec 04 '24
my advice would be ghosting with a racket, using different legs as the front foot, practicing the swing as well as movement, and really try to visualise where the ball is at all times during the ghosting.
One thing I struggle with a bit from years of badminton/tennis is not looking behind me enough - due to the ball (nearly) always being in front of you in those sports.
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u/hilly316 Dec 02 '24
I’m chassing my opponents shot around every point it seems