You will have to fight and play hard for this position.  Always head for the “T” immediately after hitting the ball, but taking care not to interfere with your opponent’s stroke.

All of your shots should be hit with a purpose, which is to keep your opponent off balance, away from the “T,” and of course, eventually to defeat him.  Change of pace, therefore, is of utmost importance.  Break up your opponent’s rhythm, never allow him to get grooved, frequently do the unexpected, so that he loses confidence in his anticipation and, subsequently, goes on the defensive.

At all times be offensive.  The game of Squash Tennis has known many so-called “great getters,” but they invariably have succumbed to “purposeful power” and the aggressively angled shots of players with the burning desire to win, “the killer instinct” that spurs the great players to go all out for every point.

Play each point like an individual match.  Don’t let up or intentionally “throw” a game.  Squash Tennis, as with all racquet games, is a sport of momentum.  Many a tide has changed, many a match won when seemingly it has been hopelessly lost.  Go after every point as though you were down Match Point and had to win it.  “Coasting” shatters your concentration, and lost concentration can well mean a lost match.  Play to win as quickly as you can.

Finally, assume your opponent will retrieve even your best shots.  Don’t underestimate his ability or overestimate your shot-making prowess.  Remember the speed of the ball actually gives your opponent more time to get to it.  Always be ready for anything until the ball is actually ruled dead and the rally has ended.

FUNDAMENTAL STROKES

The Squash Tennis stroke is more closely allied to the Squash Racquets swing than to the Tennis swing.

Ground Strokes:  The wrist and grip should be kept loose at all times.  The grip will automatically be tightened at the moment of contact with the ball.

The forehand and backhand ground strokes should be hit with a short, snap of the wrist—­as though you were cracking a whip.  There is no time and no reason to employ a long, high follow-through.

The head of the racquet at the moment of impact with the ball should be slightly “open” and you should feel the gut “biting” the side of the ball.  This slight side-spin cut, with the racquet head tilting back and hit like a short, chip shot, will tend to keep the ball low and inexorably “grabbing” for the floor.  The spin will produce many “nicks,” which are shots that hit a side wall and floor practically simultaneously and die. (See fig. 3 [Racquet open when contacting ball.] for position of racquet at the moment of contact with ball.)

The follow-through is low and abbreviated.  The racquet head should go straight out or up the court rather than be wrapped around your body.  The best way to “groove your strokes” and to keep the ball low is to consciously aim your racquet head on your follow-through at the very, top of the “telltale.”