Deception in Squash

...a compilation of thoughts by various coaching professionals

In my opinion, what is more important [than the technique of deception] is ... to establish a set of patterns in order to provide context to the deception, develop a hold...and force a committment from your opponent to one pattern and then change it. One needs to convince the opponent that one's intention is one particular shot, bait him with that shot by holding it , and if he takes the bait use a contrasting shot.

Basically, squash is binary. It's either this or that.

I've played a number of great champions who have used this technique to great advantage. ÊAnd each of them were unique in their approach to the game. However, they all subscribed to the same sequence of a pattern and then when the Êopportune time came, then the pattern was broken.

If I was to make a generalization of what separates the good players from the great ones - the great ones always seems to sense when patterns needed to be broken, have the intellect to know how to use it, and the guts to be able to do it...

Not to get overanalytical, but one has to assess the gestalt of the moment when a decision has to be made when one strikes the ball. One has to remember that squash is match play. And that even though the percentages are not as good when one is in the back court, it is up to the player and the observant coach to chart the tendencies of his opponent. If the opponent is on his heels anticipating a drive , then a boast from the backcourt is the correct choice.

What one needs to drill are combinations of shots that can be used exploiting the tendencies of one's opponent. In EVERY situation there are two choices. One has to be prepared to use either of the two, when the situation dictates....even from the backcourt.

The first things that come to my mind are...the importance of extremely early racquet preparation in some cases, and different body positioning and footwork. I would stress that deception is not changing ones mind at the last second, which could lead to a snatchy shot and possible error, but deliberately and knowingly trying to look like you are playing one shot when all along you plan to play another. Know what you can do from different places on the court.

Don't forget that when you get on the ball early, you have that much more time to 'hold your shot' and do all the movements and fakes.

I am reminded of the out of shape guy with great touch- anything that touches his racquet is put away. Does he have this nack out of necessity? Could it be that the lazier [smarter?] players are the more deceptive- the more deception the less the amount of work. Is it like heavyweight boxing, where styles make the fight- deception being just part of someone's style.

There are two very key things related to deception which in my mind come way before anything else. The first and most important is to be on the ball early - learn to read the game, become explosive in your movements. The only way you can be deceptive is to have time and options. The next important factor is develop a wide variety of shots from all parts of the court. So assuming you are on the ball early and have time, now you have options and hopefully you are able to execute these options. ie. when you have time in the front can you hit the straight drop nick, can you hold with the same preparation and strike it quickly to the back, straight or x-ct. Can you hit the low x-ct slider or straight kill if ball is higher. There is no use even worrying about fakes unless you can hit a wide range of shots from the same position and are able to vary them continually during the match. The idea is to not become predictable and keep your opponent guessing. So study the better players, there is very little faking or body twisting etc that works to any great degree. The best players will be on the ball earlier and have a greater variety of choices from all positions on the court.

My final comment for today would be emphasize the ability to hit a variety of shots with the exact same swing or preparation. Guys like Brett Martin and Jonathon are truly exceptional when it comes to still having a number of options with very little backswing (full arm extension and only cocked wrist) This indeed takes some strength but more importantly it is timing - getting the racquet head through the ball. You can practice this by feeding your player easy drops into the front corner, he/she either drops or drives from a good body extended position and short backswing. The coach has to be quite proficient to be able to volley drop the drives or pick up the drop.

Especially with young players, encourage solo practice, experimentation and having fun with the ball. From this will come creativity and deception.

So less with the tricks and more with time and options for deception.

[Should one strive for a short swing for better deception?] I believe that you should have a stroke that enables you to hit as many shots as possible given the situation. In the mid and back court with time you should have a reasonable size stroke that enables you to drive the ball with pace and direction but at the same time you can drop, kill, boast etc. In the front court it is difficult to execute a good drop with too big a back swing, so you might shorten it up here so you can still drive but be accurate on your drop. Ideally a good player will be able to play a wide variety of shots with different length of backswings and indeed vary these in different situations by choice or if dictated by situation.