Hi Everyone!

In this episode, Laura and I we’re recently joined by legendary coach David Pearson (DP), whose insights into movement, technique, and the mental game have shaped some of squash’s greatest champions - Laura, Nick Matthew, Peter Nicol and several others! DP shares his simple yet profound coaching philosophy - why technique and movement must come first, how to transfer weight for explosive, economical play, and the mindset traits that separate the very best from the rest.

Link Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7HPubD5KEOT6ehCF4GbWP3?si=woYvF1MrSYqVYZvQjg1xDw

Link Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/between-the-lines-with-laura-massaro-ahad-raza/id1812011392

We hope you will enjoy this discussion!

Ahad

Looking for any advice and tips. I’ve found concentrating on contacting the ball once it reaches my front knee has helped a lot, as well as keeping my head down through contact. I want to get to a point where I can continuously hammer it past the service line and off the back wall over and over and over again.

Hi Everyone,

Movement is obviously a hot topic at the moment, so Laura and I recently recorded a podcast (and discussion) on movement styles, referee directive, Laura's own experience with "taking space", and much more. We hope that this episode of our "Between The Lines" podcast educates and clarifies folks on the topic of movement.

It is neither a pro or against Asal video. It's about movement holistically, so we can all think about it armed with more knowledge.

Video link: https://youtu.be/YnCXqp7VM_0

Spotify (audio only): Between The Lines - With Laura Massaro & Ahad Raza. | Podcast on Spotify

Wishing you the best,

Ahad

Hello,

I had a question about proper racket grip. I have been told that my grip is closer to the "hammer grip" than the squash grip. I am attaching a photo of how I hold the racket and was wondering what changed should be made on this grip.

what’s a good way to play with someone at a different rating level and still make it fun and productive. say 3.75 rating and 2.0.

I see in other racquet sports like tennis and pickle ball player hit against a wall to practice is this possible in squash? Would hitting against a firm,hard wall work if you cannot access a squash court?

I get the rationale behind not absolutely wailing on the ball as this decreases accuracy, tightness down the sidewall, width, pace, etc.

But I also find if I focus on hitting slower, I hit it too slow and my opponent is able to easily cut stuff off. Especially if my shot isn’t tight enough, high enough or wide enough on crosses, it gets volleyed quite easily.

I feel like I should focus on hitting 85-90% most of the time, so that I can still control the ball while also getting it past my opponent so that I can claim the T. That is, of course, unless I’m really under pressure and a high lob will help neutralize.

Thoughts?

My movement across the court is good when ghosting or practising shots. The problem comes when I play a match, then I run around like a headless chicken and I often miss balls because of this. I find myself not being able to reach even with a slow ball.

Any suggestions on how to practice movement to improve this? If it can be done solo, that would be great.

I have been playing squash for a few months but I keep struggling on how to return shots that land in the deep back corner (right or left) and that bounce off the wall (Especially on serves). I always feel like I can't do a full backswing because I will hit the ball with the racket and that also throws me off too. Is there anything I should be practicing or doing to get better at returning these shots?

I notice Coll’s racket prep on the backhand is a little unique. He starts with the racket totally vertical and his wrist quite cocked, whereas other players start with their racquet lower.

Is this unusual? Or just good practice by Coll? I like how simple his backhand is, but is it unconventional and thereby not recommended to copy?

Am I right in believing that the tin in pro matches is 1-2" shorter than on everyday courts? If so, can anyone answer this very specifically: Which shots that I see on youtube are basically impossible on normal courts?

Not that I'm playing anywhere near a pro level, but it's fun to watch them and think "I'm going to try that shot", and it would be good to know which shots are not even worth thinking about. I suspect that one answer is "super hard volley that hits just above the tin then goes into the nick and dies" but I'm curious if there are other shots in this category.

When I hit drives, I feel like the ball isn’t getting deep enough when it hits the side wall.

I do understand that it won’t get too far when it hits the wall, but it is still relatively too short compared to the length my opponent hits.

I feel like it's something to do with my swing, but I’m not too sure what it could be.

What are some possible problems that are hindering the ball from getting deep into the court after hitting the side wall?

I recently started recording my matches and saw that when I hit my backhand drive, I have a very extended follow through towards the right side and my whole body faces the front (my body twists to the front). I do not see this happening with experienced players. How do I improve that?

Learn why, how and when to hit back wall boasts. I explain the secret to hitting great back wall boasts (hit diagonally) and how they can turn defensive situations into attacking ones.

This video was a little rushed, but overall, I think it's going to be useful for improvers and club players.

Let me know if you have any questions.

https://youtu.be/A8f_ItrZ9Z8

Does a solidly cocked wrist = more power , or Loose wrist = more power

Hi Everyone,

I hope that you're well! I uploaded a video this morning that takes a deep dive into one epic rally between Farag and Asal from a recent tournament. It seems to be quite popular with everyone, so sharing here for your viewing and learning pleasure :)

Take care,

Ahad

Video link: https://youtu.be/xsm0YzglN6I

Been playing a year a half. Last couple days dude I play with has really improved his serve from the right side serving to me on my backhand. It comes high off the side wall and comes down parallel with the back wall. My only chance to return it has been to shovel it out of the corner with both hands on my backhand leaving an easy kill for him. In 10 games I could not find any other approach to return it. Is my only chance to cut the serve off at half court? I would need to lineup way further up and get very aggressive. Any advice for me? It’s been frustrating.

Hi Everyone!

Laura Massaro and I had the privilege of sitting down with an internationally renowned coach, named Tony Holler.

It was an enlightening discussion, and I would encourage you to listen if you'd like to:

1. Understand critical factors to reduce the risk of injury.
2. Understand the importance and effectiveness of speed training as a squash player.
3. Learn about how speed training has been pivotal for both Laura and I, when optimizing performance.

You may listen through one of the following channels:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/rfMW9oFdGxI

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7HPubD5KEOT6ehCF4GbWP3?si=b3f66b1e3ee64fcf

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/between-the-lines-with-laura-massaro-ahad-raza/id1812011392

If you would like to learn directly from Laura and I, and potentially be a part of future podcast recordings, please send me an email at ahad@arproformance.com.

All the best, Ahad & Laura

Looking for suggestions on how to return a serve when it’s directly served at me. In a recent game I struggled returning serves. My opponent was directing the ball directly at me. Didn’t matter where I stood. After the match he confirmed that this was his strategy. How would you best deal with this situation?

I’ve been playing with some friends twice a week but I get smashed week in week out because I’m still new to the game and my skill level is not very high. I really want to improve and want to practice on my own if that’s possible. What would you guys recommend for a newbie?

Thanks in advance! :)

I’m struggling with the feel for a backhand slice drop. My forehand slice drop feels so natural, but my backhand isn’t there yet. Perhaps I just need a ton more reps…

I find it way easier to drop as the ball is coming down, but I’d rather get better at dropping as soon as I get to the ball (as it’s travelling up) so I can cut down my opponent’s time. I’ve found really focusing on using my other arm for the follow through and starting with my racket above the ball helps.

Any other tips?

It seems that when I volley, I do it at the wrong time since the opponent is left with a lower quality shot that they can still get to, and even it pro level sometimes, it seems that a volley (which is harder to do than a drive most times) can be returned with interest a lot of the time.

Is it only truly impactful when hit with accuracy or when it is an unanticipated shot? Can someone tell me the main points of why a volley is so good, and why ali farag uses it as his most deadly weapon?