Avoiding the Middle
Avoiding the Middle Ever wondered why that ball comes back out into the middle of the court when you’re trying to get it tight down the wall? You’re getting your shoulders around facing the side wall as you’ve been told, but it still doesn’t seem to work much of the time and often it ends up in a let, or worse a stroke!!!! There are a few different reasons, but there is one in particular that I see often, in players of all ages and a range of ability levels. Rather than trying to get out of the way of the ball too quick, it is important to stay still when you hit the ball. If you try to get back to the “T” just before striking the ball, or as you strike the ball, you will in effect be connecting with the ball as you move back to the “T”. This then results in pulling the ball back towards the centre of the court – the exact thing you want to avoid!! Stay stationary as you hit the ball and you should find that you get it tighter to the wall, and then there is not the need to clear the ball in the same way. You have plenty of time to get back to the “T” and be ready for your opponent’s reply. (It goes without saying that your shoulders are facing the side wall and your racket is up early.) This applies to both the forehand and the backhand. Of course there are times when you struggle to get to the ball, and just connecting is an achievement in itself, but that’s another situation… Happy squashing Kay