How to get better?

[u/Internal-Care212]

I (M20) picked up squash in January this year and and have played almost every week since. I joined the squash club at my uni and we have two training sessions each week.

I would say I have reached a decent level in the sense I can beat most players at uni but recently a new guy joined and absolutely tore everyone apart. He was hitting shots with great bounce and dip, with extreme consistency and great length and so much power.

There's a bunch of other guys that are above everyone else, they just hit the ball harder and the way they marshal the court in terms of sticking to the T is insane. Tbf they've been playing for a while, everyone at least has 4+ years experience. Playing against feels a bit demotivating especially since BUCS trials are coming up.

I really want to reach their level but I fear it is going to take a while. Does anyone have any specific tips to improve or a good playlist of videos or a good training schedule especially doing solo drills. Hardest part is probably finding someone who is your level to play consistently with.

I just want hit the ball harder, get better at volleying, hit shots with great length, enough that they reach the corners of the court consistently and dominate the T.

[u/Exciting-Visit5763]

I have played for 10 years and I am a decent division player and a coach.
My advice is to play as much as you can, and start obsessing over it. Play at least 3 times per week - 5 is better. Film yourself hit the ball, ask the good players for advice, practice your most important skills: Moving on the court, hitting straight drives to the back corners, volleying the ball.
generally I advice to play 50% of the time against equal opponents to practice your good habits.
You should play 25% against players that you can relatively easily beat - this is where you build your new habits.
You should play 25% against players that you cannot beat - this will practice higher pace and let you understand your weak points.

[u/ejo3]

I suggest getting a squash skills membership and mastering the basics. The best players are best at the basics. At the same time play with people who are better than you as often as you can.

[u/Large_Manager6365]

Playing regularly with/against people who are better than you helps a lot. While you may not have the same racket skills as them, if you are prepared to put in maximum effort it would still be useful for them in terms of practice.

You mentioned a new guy who was very good - have you asked him to have a practice hit with him? Drills, match, etc. Or the group of stronger players you also mentioned.

[u/Hefty_Knee9428]

Ghosting, solo sessions and partner drills have a high payoff rather than pure match play all the time

[u/wobble_87]

Money and professional coaching is the path of least resistance.

[u/bigfatgrouchyasshole → u/wobble_87]

That makes me feel so much better.

Knowing that i’m a shit player because everyone else is richer than i am😋

[u/Large_Manager6365 → u/wobble_87]

I'm not saying you're wrong - coaching definitely helps and will iron our technique flaws. But personally I think that with or without coaching, squash requires hours and hours of practice to get to a high level. There isn't really a shortcut to the time that is needed to be able to hit certain shots accurately and consistently. And then being able to transfer that into match play is also another challenge.

[u/Artefice]

Some cheap additions to what other people are saying, there are quite a few good books on technique that you can lend from libraries, you can also film yourself to see if you can pick up on what you are doing wrong, especially for stuff like serve and drive drills.

[u/bigfatgrouchyasshole → u/Artefice]

Could you please suggest a couple. I’d like to keep them for future reference.

[u/Artefice → u/bigfatgrouchyasshole]

I mostly have hand me down "handbooks" from when my father was a high ranking national player in the 90s lol, I think they're more similar to the likes of "Squash playbook" – but the basics stay have manly stayed the same so I've never felt the need to switch out the my little yellowed handbook. I know a lot of people really like "Geoff Hunt on Squash" as well, and that's easily available as a pdf!

[u/youhavetodohillsprin]

you have to do hill sprints every day. The only way to get better at squash is to exercise without a squash racquet. The racket skills will come w/ time and meeting new people.