Especially on the backhand

Timing is very important in squash. Along with weight transfer, which timing is inter-linked to, the timing with which you play your shot is fundamental to the success of your shot. If your timing is good, it will allow you to transfer your weight through the ball effectively and grant you control and power. If you don’t master timing, you will find yourself struggling to achieve consistent accuracy and power in your shots.

Hitting the ball in front of you

In general, for most shots that you will play, it is important that you hit the ball when it is out in front of you. If you allow the ball to get behind you, possibly even just level with your belly button, you may find your swing and shot aren’t what you were expecting. Once the ball starts to get behind you, you will find your power and control are gradually diminished. You will be less able to get parts of your body behind the ball and you therefore transfer less weight to your shot when you swing.

To get the maximum out of the shot, you want the ball to be in front of you so that you can get all of your body weight through the ball, even if you are just hitting a drop shot, as this body weight also aids your stability.

Timing is key on the backhand 

On the backhand, timing is often an issue. On the forehand side, you have a bit more margin for error as the forehand swing is naturally later due to your rear arm being in motion, which gives you a bit more time to prepare. It’s also such a natural motion, so you can get away with it being a bit scruffy. The backhand mechanics need to be a bit more precise and they need to occur earlier given that it is the arm at the front and one of the outermost points of the body during a backhand swing. Do your best therefore to strike the ball when it is just in front of you on the backhand side. This may require a good deal of movement or footwork in order to get the ball in front of you but doing so will produce a far greater shot.

One symptom of hitting the ball late is the shot hitting the side wall first. If your backhands are hitting the side wall first, it is quite probable you are hitting the ball when it is level with your belly button or even slightly behind you. This can also be in part due to a lack of space as well, so check you have sufficient space (about an arm’s length in general) between you and the ball. If your shot is very flimsy and is something of a flick, then it is also highly likely the ball is behind your body when you are playing the shot.

Improvising when the ball gets behind you

If the ball has got behind you or you’re unable to get around it, do not panic. The best course of action is to try and lead with your back leg (left leg on the backhand side and right leg on the forehand side). By putting this leg out towards the ball, you are able to get some weight behind the ball again and achieve a reasonable degree of control and power.