Turning:  A word on “turning” or “coming around” is in order.  Unlike Squash Racquets where turning is quite rarely necessary, in Squash Tennis it is both required and desirable to come around as frequently as possible.  The Squash Tennis ball is so lively and the angles so wide that trying to back up usually results in the ball chasing you and at best, a defensive, awkward shot will be all you can hit.  Turning, however, and moving constantly after or toward the ball will “open up the court” as well as place you in a solid, firm position to stroke the ball freely and comfortably. (See figures 21 [Don’t back up and take ball on backhand.] and 22 [Usually best to turn and take ball on forehand.] showing a player backing up versus a player who is properly turning.)

Learning to “come around” is another one of those frustrations you will not find easy to master at first.  The ball, being so fast, will seem to run away from you.  Just remember two things:  1) hustle after the ball with short, speedy steps, keeping in mind that the angle is much greater than in Squash Racquets (see figs. 23 [Usual Squash Racquets angle and final bounce position.] & 24 [Note wider, longer angle of Squash Tennis ball’s final bounce position.]) and 2) your racquet must be back and cocked, ready to swing through when the ball arrives at the proper hitting position, which is preferably out in front of you.

Finally, another aspect of the game of Squash Tennis that a beginner or a converted Squash Racquets player will find “unnatural” is the necessity of immediately moving forward when you see or sense your opponent going for a sharply hit up-and-down shot, either cross court or “rail,” that does not hit any of the side walls.  The Squash Racquets black ball is so much “deader” that the player usually has to go back first and then forward somewhat in order to be in the proper position to hit the ball as it rebounds off the back wall.

The tremendous speed of the Squash Tennis ball, however, does not require that you go toward the back wall first.  To the contrary, you must charge forward instantly (even when your opponent’s shot is heading toward the back wall) or else you will never be able to catch up to it as it comes rebounding off the back wall.  Many a shot off the back wall is played from a position closer to the front wall than to the back.

HISTORY OF SQUASH TENNIS

Squash Tennis is one of the few racquet and ball indoor sports that can be termed honestly and strictly “American” in origin, whereas Squash Racquets has its roots in England going as far back as the 1850s.  The game spread to America in the 1880s and the first real organized Squash Racquets play was in 1882 at St. Paul’s Prep School, in Concord, New Hampshire.

Eventually some of the boys there experimented with a Lawn Tennis ball and liked the fast rallies and liveliness of the action.  Consequently an exciting offspring was born, Squash Tennis.