18 shots — from the basic drive to the nick and the reverse boast. For each: what it is, when to play it, and its 3D trajectory — open it on the coach board and rotate the court.
A hard shot along your own side wall: the ball bounces into the back corner and clings to the wall.
When: The foundation of squash. Pushes the opponent back and frees the T. The tighter to the wall, the harder to return.
3D trajectory →A drive played diagonally into the back corner on the other side of the court.
When: When the opponent is on your side. Risky if it passes through the T — the opponent will volley it.
3D trajectory →A crosscourt that hits the side wall around the back of the service box, so the ball goes past the opponent.
When: To keep the ball away from the T so the opponent can’t volley it.
3D trajectory →A soft shot just above the tin — the ball dies in the front corner.
When: When the opponent is at the back. Risky: a little lower and it’s the tin.
3D trajectory →A drop into the opposite front corner.
When: When the opponent is on your side of the court or at the back.
3D trajectory →A hard low shot: the ball bounces twice before reaching half court.
When: On a high ball in the middle of the court — to finish the rally.
3D trajectory →A crosscourt shot into the nick — where the side wall meets the floor. A good nick doesn’t bounce, it rolls.
When: Attacking a loose ball in mid-court. The most spectacular and the riskiest shot.
3D trajectory →A shot into your own side wall, then the front wall — the ball goes to the opposite front corner.
When: Defensive — from the back corner when the ball is tight. Attacking — from mid-court when the opponent is at the back.
3D trajectory →Side wall → front wall → opposite side wall: the ball travels across the court and drops by the far wall.
When: A surprise from mid-court. Not recommended from the back corner — it leaves you far from the T.
3D trajectory →A boast played across the body into the far side wall; the ball comes back into your own front corner.
When: A surprise from the front of the court. Rare at the top level: high risk of hitting the opponent.
3D trajectory →A soft short boast from the front of the court, often disguised as a drop or a drive.
When: When the opponent expects a straight drop and has already moved towards your wall.
3D trajectory →A drive played before the ball touches the floor.
When: To intercept the ball at the T and take time away from the opponent.
3D trajectory →A soft volley into the front corner.
When: When the opponent is still at the back after their shot.
3D trajectory →A soft high shot just under the out line — the ball arcs into the back corner.
When: From the front corner under pressure: buys time to get back to the T.
3D trajectory →A high lob diagonally over the opponent into the far back corner.
When: The best defensive answer to a drop: the opponent is at the front, the ball goes behind them.
3D trajectory →The ball is hit into the back wall and flies high to the front wall.
When: A last resort when the ball has passed you in the back corner. Not advised for beginners.
3D trajectory →A high serve: the ball arcs into the receiver’s back corner and is hard to attack.
When: The standard serve. The closer to the side wall in the corner, the better.
3D trajectory →A fast low serve straight at the opponent or into the corner.
When: As a surprise to catch the receiver off guard. Easy to fault below the service line.
3D trajectory →Try it yourself
In “Squash online” you choose the shot by where you aim: drop, drive, crosscourt, lob, boast.
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