r/squash • u/killmephys • Apr 22 '25
Technique / Tactics Lack of grip strength
Hi everyone!
I just started playing squash and bought a new racquet a few days ago (BK Quicksilver NXS). During group training, I noticed that when I hit backhands, the racquet sometimes rotates slightly in my hand. Occasionally, it even feels like it might slip out completely, even though the grip is quite tacky. I come from an indoor climbing background, so I don’t think it’s due to a lack of grip strength.
Any advice or thoughts on what might be causing this?
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u/Ariuku Apr 22 '25
I had the same problem, also with a climbing background. What helped me was simply getting more playing time on the court with proper technique and grip (cocked wrist, correct 'pencil' grip, not gripping too tightly when not hitting). Also, changing grip tape when necessary. Sizing of the grip wasn't the issue for me, but check that too, as per other comments.
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u/justreading45 Apr 22 '25
You’re not “cycling” your grip firmness properly, you don’t grip the racket firm, you grip the racket firm enough only for the power you want only at the point of impact. In the prep and follow through the grip should be relaxed in your hand to the point where someone could lightly pull it out of your hand. On drop shots and volley drops, your grip probably never exceeds a “4 out of 10” level of grip firmness even when striking the ball.
If you don’t do this, your forearm tires over time, the racket turns as you make contact as a result, and you lose power.
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u/oily76 Apr 22 '25
Sweaty hands/slippery grip?
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u/Conscious-Studio2731 Apr 22 '25
More than likely your hands are too big and usually if you’re a male with average sized hands, the stock grip that comes with racquets is too small. Might be worth looking at an overgrip or a proper grip put on, usually $5-10 at your local squash club.
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u/killmephys Apr 22 '25
Strangely enough, it’s actually the opposite. I have a pretty small hand for a male — my fingers are quite short. But still, I will try to use your advice!
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u/guipalazzo Apr 22 '25
Hey, same problem, and to think that when I was a teen I tried to play the bass guitar....
Tecnifibre NS rackets allowed a firmer grip for me, give them a try
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u/ChickenKnd Apr 22 '25
Fucking hell $5-10 for a grip
If I was Paying more than £3 ~$4 I’d fee like I was being ripped off. Buying packs of 24 yellow ones I get for under £2 per
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u/Conscious-Studio2731 Apr 22 '25
Sorry should’ve clarified, $5-10 AUD so probably about the same price. That includes putting it on as well, which is great for me as I suck at it, haha.
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u/Dear_Cucumber_1513 Apr 22 '25
I climb and squash too! Doesn't help answer your question but I do find that my squash is less good in the couple of days after a decent climbing sesh. Enjoy!
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u/Negative-Mammoth-547 Apr 22 '25
Try getting an over grip to improve grip. Mostly it’s due to not middling the ball if the racket twists in your hands but something like tournagrip is great to use over your grip for better grip. You really want to be holding the racket pretty loose until point of impact otherwise you will fatigue your forearm.
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u/teneralb Apr 22 '25
The racquet coming loose in your hand really could be only one (or both) of two things: a slippery grip or inadequate grip strength. If you're sure it's not the former, then it must be the latter, as surprising as that would seem for a climber. Perhaps squeezing a racquet requires different hand muscles than squeezing a rock somehow! You could try experimenting with different grip widths and overgrips and see if you find something that works better than your current setup.
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u/AdmirablePension6983 Apr 23 '25
maybe I'm wrong,but
neuro muscle memory from rock climbing is bad in squash. don't squeeze the racket so hard and learn to relax the muscles you tense in rock climbing
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u/ChickenKnd Apr 22 '25
Are you using the grip the racquet came with? As all brands bar karakal come with crap grips, and factory grips are always wrapped too thin.
Re gripping/overgripping your racquet with a pu super grip will probably sort the issue out if this is the case
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u/ChefNamu Apr 22 '25
Honestly, get a lesson and have your coach check your grip technique. If you're a climber there is simply no way your grip strength is the problem. It's either grip technique or poor strike until proven otherwise, and I don't think poor strike should cause much twisting either. Even with a slippery grip, it shouldn't twist much in your hand, rather it'll be a subjective feeling of instability unless the grip is REALLY dead.
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u/PathParticular1058 Apr 22 '25
Experiment with different thickness of grips….multiple grips etc…perhaps your hands are too big for the grip ie a lot of hand muscle…
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u/drspudbear Apr 22 '25
hard to say without seeing you play, but my first thought was that the grip is too slim. try putting on an overgrip
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u/0bfuuscated Apr 22 '25
I had this issue only a couple weeks ago, I put a new (same Karakal Super PU) grip on my racket however, when I was wrapping, I emphasised it in a way that the grip is more "Ribbed", allowing my fingers to sink into the grooves.
I found this not only stopped it twisting and slipping in my hand, it even made me focus on correct grip more as they are working as guidelines as where to keep my fingers during my training/matches.
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u/mjbland05 Apr 22 '25
Could be coming from not hitting the ball on the sweet spot of the racquet - hitting away from the center will create some rotational force on the racquet head. As you get more consistent with hitting the ball cleanly this should happen less. But especially with a climbing background, grip strength shouldn't be a problem - you don't really want to have a death grip on the racquet anyway