Let's Talk Squash - SUSPENDED

Paul_SW_London · Prolific Contributor Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 82

Hi all

I have quite a few clients who come to me with help on their back hands.
More times than often their backhand stance is very "stiff" for want of better words.

Apart from telling them to relax and swing naturally, can anyone else suggest anything that would help.

I normally get them to stand on the spot and swing from forehand to backhand to see how it looks and feels natural. Then I feed them a few shots to try and replicate the natural feel.

Anyway, I hope my post makes sense.

Greetings
Paul
_________________
England Squash Level 3 Coach.
UKRSA Club Stringer.
Based in and around SW London.

seshadri · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject:

I'm no coach, but I found these helpful:
1. Take the ball in front of the leading foot [usually the right foot for right-handed players], and lean into the shot. This allows more power to be transferred to the ball, as well as helps you to be balanced
2. Use as much of the shoulder as is practical to generate power, as the forearm extensor muscles are nowhere as powerful as the flexors [which are used for forehand shots]; have a complete follow-through [a la Palmer]
3. Use a shorter grip if the racquet feels much slower on the backhand side. This will also bring more of the wrist into play, and can hep in flicking the ball to change its direction at the last moment
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Before I speak, I have something important to say- Groucho Marx

adrian.murphy · Contributor Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 10

I've not seen much in the way of biomechanical analysis of a squash backhand, but that would be interesting.

The article in the link http://www.davidlnelson.md/anatomy12.htm suggests at least three key factors in wrist/forearm movement .Supination / pronation - which I've heard mentioned occasionally in a racquet context but I believe is quite a powerful component of the backhand swing. I've seen many a picture of a top pro (eg. J Power) taken from the front, in the front left, with the palm effectively pointing upwards just before the downswing (already suppined and ready to pronate).

The second factor Extension / flexion I also believe has a big factor. From my own experience, I believe I prepare with the wrist in an extended position and then perform a very quick flexion followed by extension again.

I've no view on radial / ulnar deviation

Does anyone out there have the data available.

bendi36 · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:36 pm Post subject:

I should do a biomechanical analysis of it. If i do I'll post up the results. But yer make sure their not pulling down on the racquet, but rather doing an arc and following through. Getting them to swing back and forth forehand and backhand constantly is good.
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If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite

fionnmacual · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:30 am Post subject:

On the backhand, I always notice my coaching students aim too low on the front wall. The first aim is to get them targeting about a 1/2 to 1 metre below the top line, almost lobbing the ball back to the back. Once they get rhythm, accuracy and consistency on this (underhand AND volley), I get them to progress to more pace/power.

Most people are weaker initially on their backhand so proportionately more time needs to be spent on it.

drop.shot · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

Quoting
Apart from telling them to relax and swing naturally, can anyone else suggest anything that would help.

I do not wanna sound like a joy-killer but this advise sounds more than ridiculous. "Swing Naturally" may fit to the wind torn trees, but it does not fit any squash strike.

Being less explicit, I'd recommend you to visit THE BEST squash learning related website http://squashgame.info/ and go to the proper chapter. Explaining proper technique of hitting backhand is like dancing about the architecture. http://www.squashgame.info/library/8/10 talks about the basic swing i.e.
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>>drops hot<<
the nastiest shot

Paul_SW_London · Prolific Contributor Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 82

Fair enough. I should have clarified.

When they swing on their forehand, they tell me it feels more natural. I get them to stand on the spot and swing from forehand to backhand, thus trying for a natural swing. It does help with some pupils.

Paul
_________________
England Squash Level 3 Coach.
UKRSA Club Stringer.
Based in and around SW London.

drop.shot · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:19 am Post subject:

Thanks that you did not read my post as offense.

If your students claim that it feels more natural with forehand, try to mirror this movement but please check carefully every detail. Basic technique implements all the facets of players' performance. I know it happens you may not have any technique, but still be effective, but this is really rare in squash. I'd compare squash with golf in that sense. Everybody loves to swing the bat but only few do it good.

I have another question for you (knowing you 3rd level of coaching).
Racket preparation - up or down? What do you recommend nowadays to your students? "Racket up" attitude embed in one's mind may affect forehand drive. The ball is hit nanoseconds too late and does hit the side wall far too often... What is your POV here?
_________________
>>drops hot<<
the nastiest shot

Paul_SW_London · Prolific Contributor Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 82

bendi36 · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:18 pm Post subject:

My coach last year who won australian coach of the yr last yr always always always said racket up. wrist cocked and locked etc. Besides teaching the lob, drop game it was the thing he stressed most. The only time I break my wrist is if I'm stretching as far as possible or if I'm doing a trick shot.
_________________
If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite

drop.shot

[/quote] I'm also of the opinion that whatever works for someone should stay. [/quote]

I did answer yesterday and it seems my post went into a black hole Wink

Back to the topic. When I started my squash adventure, I was told to come back to the T (literally), and to keep the racket up (vertical shaft). For a long time I played this way and I did struggle with dropshots and my forehand drive hit from the front of the court. As I described above, Head racket was always 50-70 cm too far and too late on the ball. Now I am trying to learn new tricks and to keep the racket ready for the shot which does not mean "racket up" Rolling Eyes

Looking at the pro players from the PSA circuit I found out this racket "down" being pretty obvious solution. Of course, I understand this is different level of technique and speed, though...

P.S. Sorry for he changing of main topic
_________________
>>drops hot<<
the nastiest shot

off the wall · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 2:03 pm Post subject:

One trick that often helps people get rhythm on the BH is to get them to put their left hand under their right when preparing. (Assuming right handed). I also vote for the racket up to ceiling position.

It often helps them "swing naturally".

VolleyDrop · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject:

Paul, are you familiar with "Power Squash" with Mike Way? He advocates, "Racquet Back," or even better, "Elbow Back," and only racquet up if you have enough time. Back first, then up if there's time. If you have access to this video (vol. 1 or 2?), check it out. Another point he makes is to point the racquet toward the target on the front wall in the follow through.

I have found this to help.

Also, on this tape Graham Ryding demonstrates with Jonathon Power, and Ryding's exaggerated scissor motion with left hand under right elbow/arm pit may also help.

VolleyDrop · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject:

Found it:

Power Squash Volume 1 - the Backhand section