As in all racquet sports, the racquet should do the work.  The ball willingly goes where the racquet head directs it.  Do not flail or attempt to push your shots.  Hit them crisply with the snap of your cocked wrist, and at all times attempt to regiment your swing.

Ideally your body should be out of the way, which means whenever possible on your ground strokes you should turn sideways.  Your weight should shift toward the direction in which you are hitting at the moment of impact, and you should have your feet planted firmly.  Because of the high velocity of the ball, however, you frequently will not have the time to turn sideways and will be required to stroke in awkward and off-balance positions.  Your aim, however, is always to be in the correct position of play before the ball gets there, thus allowing time for adjustment and proper stroking.  Move to your position with short, quick steps rather than long, tiring strides.  Consciously maintain your weight on your toes, with the knees slightly bent.  This will help you to move in any direction necessary as quickly as possible.

In following the ball around the corners, do not stand still and pivot.  Go after it, again with a series of short steps with your racquet head up and cocked, and your body in proper position so that you are ready to make a quick and meaningful stroke.

Volleying or cutting off the ball before it hits the floor is similar to the tennis stroke.  It calls for lightning-like reflexes and the ability to move the racquet head practically in any given direction in a fraction of a second.

The volley is a short “jab,” with the racquet head traveling forward no more than, say, 24 inches.  Once again, your aim should be in the direction of where you want the ball to go, and low.

The main purpose of the volley is to keep your opponent constantly on the run, moving him about, and preferably up and back, by cutting off the flight of the ball.  Most players can run all day sideways, but will eventually tire if you make them run up and back.  Like body punches in boxing, forcing your opponent up to the front wall with deftly placed volleys will eventually take its toll.

Miscellaneous:  Generally all Squash Tennis strokes should be hit as low as possible—­within a few inches of the front “telltale.”  This will take time and practice, but pays high dividends.  A low ball invites the aforementioned nicks and keeps your opponent hurrying and scurrying.  The chances are better that, when hit with the proper amount of pace, a low ball will die before it gets to the back wall.

When a ball is hugging the side wall, don’t attempt to “pick” it off.  It is far easier, and your percentage of success is far greater, to “scrape” the ball off with a very loose wrist.  Your other alternative is to hit the ball right into the wall and hope it will angle off and travel to the front wall (see fig. 4 [To retrieve wall hugger, hit ball right into wall.]).