The Serve

Squash service types
Hammer serve
Description: Aim for the side-wall / floor nick at the end of the service box.

Execution: Hit hard just above service line

Pros: Useful when opponent is standing back in the corner

Cons: Useful only from right service box


Lob serve
Description: Aim high in the middle of the court so the ball hits the sidewall deep and high then hits the ground before hitting the back wall.

Execution: Use a low underhand swing

Pros: Very difficult to return as ball should cling high to the sidewall. Likely will result in the opponent playing a loose cross-court.

Cons: Easy with a warmer ball, requires utmost precision and stroke with a colder ball. If not hit accurately the serve can be left open and your opponent can attack it easily.


Body serve
Description: Aim for the opponent's body

Execution: Hit hard just above service line like a hammer serve, but much narrower angle

Pros: Useful as a variation or surprise serve. Very effective when you have game/match ball and opponent is under pressure to play defensively.

Cons: Done too often and it becomes predicatable

Backhand serve

Description: Backhand hit serve from the right service box

Execution: Bend low and be close to the T. Idea is for ball to hit the sidewall at the rear of the service box with a much narrower angle compared to a forehand serve.

Pros: Useful when opponent likes to volley kill your forehand serves. This way you constantly have an eye on what they are shaping up to do and you cover the front left corner easier.

Cons: Requires skill to hit consistently hit into the sidewall with a narrow angle.

Forehand serve

Same as backhand serve except done with forehand from left service box. Can be hit hard or soft. Idea is to be as close to the T so you can limit the angle your serve comes into the sidewall. The tighter the angle, the better.
Corkscrew serve

Description: From left service box aim for ball to high high on the top left of the frontwall then immeadietely hit the left sidewall to come diaganollay across the court into the rear of the right service box area.

Execution: Hit hard and high from a low position, and stand as much to the right as possible

Pros: Surprises opponent. If done properly the spin from the ball will make it very difficult to retrieve if the opponent lets it hit the right sidewall.

Cons: Only useful with an extremely warm ball. Completely useless serve with a cold ball.
Tennis style serve

Description: Useful for beginners who find it hard to generate power in their serve

Execution: Throw the ball above right shoulder and hit it hard, aiming just above the service line.

Pros: Ball comes at the opponent fast giving little time for them to react.

Cons: Easy to volley since serve is usually aimed away from the opponent's sidewall.
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The squash grip

The proper squash grip is very counter-intuitive. Instinct would tell you to grip the racquet with a clenched fist. The racquet has no control in the fore-aft and side-side motion with that type of grip. The proper squash grip has two subtle features that allow you to have full control over the head of the racquet. It is extremely important to master this grip early on otherwise you will be stroking the ball incorrectly and find it very difficult to play the touch shots that pros play with ease. Furthermore your game will suffer for several months as you try and fix your grip after developing bad habits.

So I have included a video to help you master the correct grip. Please take note of the test to make sure you have the right grip. When you push on the racquet head in fore-aft you should feel the racquet motion resisted by the extended index finger. Similarly when you push on the head in side-side direction you should feel bottom palm of your hand resisting the motion. Make sure you can form the "V" exactly as pictured. One side of the V should be almost parralell with the racquet. If your V does not look like that then it is not correct.

Adapting to the new squash grip

You may find it difficult to hold the racquet tight with the new grip. Here are some suggestions to make it easier to grip the racquet tightly:
# Add over-grip(s) to increase size
# Hold as tightly as possible
# Focus on hitting the sweet spot in the racquet. Off-center shots really loosen your grip as they add excessive twisting forces to the racquet.
# Re-string racquet at a lower tension. Most factory strung racquets are strung very tightly. This makes the sweet spot very small.
On Unorthodox Grips

Although most good players have this kind of grip, I have seen several unorthodox grips at the top level as well. There used to be a pro who had a two-handed grip. So the importance on grip may be overrated.

Although unconventional grips can be successful in certain cases, there's no need to handicap yourself. If you're just starting out this is a perfect time to learn the proper grip and stroke... it's much more difficult to switch back once you've developed bad habits.

Do what you can to get someone knowledgable to show you the proper grip and strokes. If you can't find anyone, you can try the websites, as well as books on the subject.

Although it might be frustrating at first, try to focus on obtaining these fundamental skills. It's much easier to focus on your grip/swing during drills, so if you can find someone to do basic drills with you (maybe before or after each time you play a match) you can put yourself on the right path from the get-go.
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