Danny's Main Coaching Points: Sept-Dec 2007
SUMMARY
- space from the ball,
- low centre of gravity,
- relaxed straight hitting,
- weight transfer from back foot to front foot; (land the foot as you hit)
- follow through to the corners
- bounce back off the ball towards the T (rebound off it)
- space between racket and body
- relaxed grip ( loose) lots of players still too tense in grip and body.
- extend the wrist (less cocked wrist) this starts the players off with more reach
- reach for the ball
- hit it well away from the body (out there not in here!)
GRIP:
- Hold the racket correctly: soft, v of index finger and thumb on inside line, stiff wrist extended (no dropping or cocked high) .
RACKET PREPARATION:
- racket must be in ready position before and after shots
- have racket already in position as you move to hit the ball
- Saturday night Fever!!! Arm goes out and up whilst ‘Backside’ goes opposite way! This is your first movement from the T.
SWING PATH:
- must come down on the ball between 11 and 1pm on imaginary clock face
- open face racket chopping into ball
- throw at the ball
- do not swing under the ball in a letter ‘C’ ark
- for greater power increase racket head speed
- present the leading edge of the racket to the ball
- ensure you have space between body and hitting arm, raise or extend shoulder to help this
- follow through to the corners as you throw the racket, away from yourself
ROTATION:
- turn shoulders around and twist into the shot
- this gives Weight transfer onto front foot
BALL HIT:
- hit ball on the rise or on top of the bounce
- do not let the ball drop. This will cause unwanted ‘C’ swing
- hit the ball just in front of you so you can play on the front foot no matter
which leg you step on
DROP BODY WEIGHT:
- bend from the hips taking backside away backwards
- this will lower the spine angle and allow player to drop weight
SPACING:
- take space from the ball
- you should be reaching for the ball as you throw your racket out to hit it.
-
RELAX:
- must be relaxed when you hit the ball, loose and free.
- Reduce tension in grip, arms, back and legs
Practice Drills:
Solo –
1. Hitting down the wall for length
2. Tap volleys – how many on trot? Open face chopping volleys form 3 feet, 5 feet, 10 feet etc
3. Alternate B/hand and F/hand volleys as above
4. Alternate Front corners – front wall, side wall then opposite side consecutive…..
5. side wall volleys – keep volleys going across your body, side wall to side wall etc
6. As above but with bounce allowed.
7. Boast Boast- consecutive high boasts from one side to other
Pairs – Drop Drive – see http://uksquashonline.com.
Game – everything about cut line on front wall.
Hit lots of balls with the above being attempted. This can be done by solo practicing on your own or by having a coach feed any basic self anchored feed. Every one of these points is important… bending low, from the hips with backside going backwards is the key that helps all the others.”
"RACKET READY POSITION" between points.
The position is waist height, hips to the front wall, twisted neck to where the ball is, then move the racket as you set off. The racket should be the first thing that takes you to the ball. Be AWARE of the racket position between shots. It must never drop below waist height. Never down like you are walking a dog!
- space from the ball,
- low centre of gravity,
- relaxed straight hitting,
- weight transfer from back foot to front foot; (land the foot as you hit)
- follow through to the corners
- bounce back off the ball towards the T (rebound off it)
- space between racket and body
- relaxed grip ( loose) lots of players still too tense in grip and body.
- extend the wrist (less cocked wrist) this starts the players off with more reach
- reach for the ball
- hit it well away from the body (out there not in here!)
GRIP:
- Hold the racket correctly: soft, v of index finger and thumb on inside line, stiff wrist extended (no dropping or cocked high) .
RACKET PREPARATION:
- racket must be in ready position before and after shots
- have racket already in position as you move to hit the ball
- Saturday night Fever!!! Arm goes out and up whilst ‘Backside’ goes opposite way! This is your first movement from the T.
SWING PATH:
- must come down on the ball between 11 and 1pm on imaginary clock face
- open face racket chopping into ball
- throw at the ball
- do not swing under the ball in a letter ‘C’ ark
- for greater power increase racket head speed
- present the leading edge of the racket to the ball
- ensure you have space between body and hitting arm, raise or extend shoulder to help this
- follow through to the corners as you throw the racket, away from yourself
ROTATION:
- turn shoulders around and twist into the shot
- this gives Weight transfer onto front foot
BALL HIT:
- hit ball on the rise or on top of the bounce
- do not let the ball drop. This will cause unwanted ‘C’ swing
- hit the ball just in front of you so you can play on the front foot no matter
which leg you step on
DROP BODY WEIGHT:
- bend from the hips taking backside away backwards
- this will lower the spine angle and allow player to drop weight
SPACING:
- take space from the ball
- you should be reaching for the ball as you throw your racket out to hit it.
-
RELAX:
- must be relaxed when you hit the ball, loose and free.
- Reduce tension in grip, arms, back and legs
Practice Drills:
Solo –
1. Hitting down the wall for length
2. Tap volleys – how many on trot? Open face chopping volleys form 3 feet, 5 feet, 10 feet etc
3. Alternate B/hand and F/hand volleys as above
4. Alternate Front corners – front wall, side wall then opposite side consecutive…..
5. side wall volleys – keep volleys going across your body, side wall to side wall etc
6. As above but with bounce allowed.
7. Boast Boast- consecutive high boasts from one side to other
Pairs – Drop Drive – see http://uksquashonline.com.
Game – everything about cut line on front wall.
Hit lots of balls with the above being attempted. This can be done by solo practicing on your own or by having a coach feed any basic self anchored feed. Every one of these points is important… bending low, from the hips with backside going backwards is the key that helps all the others.”
"RACKET READY POSITION" between points.
The position is waist height, hips to the front wall, twisted neck to where the ball is, then move the racket as you set off. The racket should be the first thing that takes you to the ball. Be AWARE of the racket position between shots. It must never drop below waist height. Never down like you are walking a dog!
