In this video I show you a Mega Set solo squash practice routine that uses a Core routine which is alternated by 5 other solo practices. This is Solo Practice Routine 01.
POSTER
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CONTENTS:
00:00 - Start
03:05 - Set 1: Side to Side then Backhand Straight Volley
04:14 - Set 2: Side to Side then Forehand Straight Volley
05:12 - Set 3: Side to Side then Backhand Short Kills
06:06 - Set 4: Side to Side then Forehand Short Kills
07:31 - Set 5: Side to Side then Backhand Drives
08:42 - Set 6: Side to Side then Forehand Drives
10:02 - Set 7: Side to Side then Backhand Corner Drives
10:56 - Set 8: Side to Side then Forehand Corner Drives
11:48 - Set 9: Side to Side then Side to Side boasts
FULL DETAILS:
This creates not only a great physically demanding workout, but also allows you to improve your game too. Split into 9 sets, 4 both forehand and backhand and one that combines them both, this routine can last between 20 to 60 minutes.
I recommend starting with 30 shots for the Core element and around 20 for the others.
As always, please don't hesitate to ask questions or highlight areas you would like more information on, but please bear in mind I can't give you a personalised fitness training programme.
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MANTRA
Do something every single day to improve your squash!
ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Phillip. I'm an ex-professional squash coach and was lucky enough to work with some incredible coaches, including Jonah Barrington and practice with some amazing players including Jahangir Khan and Ross Norman. Learn more about me on my website.
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CREDITS:
The music used in the intro and outro is by Bazz Facey and is used with the kind permission of Marc Woolhead.
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This is THE BEST video on solo practice. I am not only getting better at squash games but also in my mental health. I am using to fight depression ( from work ). I think the big reason is that coachphilips is also showing is weak side or vulnerabilities so bravely. Coach thanks for your honest content
Sorry for the delay in replying and sorry to hear you are suffering from depression. I feel that hitting the ball alone is as much a meditation exercise as it is a physical one. Keep working hard and I hope you feel better soon.
Hi, thanks. I dont expect you to reply to all the comments, but boy do you reply to every one of them, appreciate it. I did face symptoms of depression ( work stress, breakdown) but I did not actually break. Part of the reason was my commitment to squash training !
Perfect! Exactly what I was looking for :)
GREAT! Let me know if you found it easy or hard.
Thank you Coach Phillip, your videos are always intuitive - clear and precise.
Hi Anthony, I am glad you like my videos.
Ok. It's official. I'm inspired to start solo practice. Just stumbled across your videos and I'm so glad I did. Excellent content, thanks so much.
Fantastic news Moses. Please check out my video on getting the most out of your practice sessions. Keep me posted on your progress.
Awesome set. Great tips. I'll do this tomorrow. Looking forward! Thanks a lot for taking the time.
Glad to hear you are going to try it out. Let me know if you enjoy it.
THANKS FOR THE ADVICE COACH,I'VE BEEN PLAYING FOR TWENTY YEARS AND I'M TRYING TO HELP A FRIEND WHO IS SO KEEN TO LEARN SO I'M SHOWING HIM WHAT I'VE WATCHED OF YOU. THANK YOU
Thank you for sharing m,y videos. I hope you and your friend are improving.
Thanks to coach Philip, these solo practicing clips really help on not only just technics but also physical improving. I'm amateur looking for progression and I'm glad to see that there are also tactics video clips. Again, thanks for your hard work and sharing for free.
I'm so glad to hear that the videos are helping. Keep p the hard and smart work and I am sure you will see a big improvement in your game.
Great video! I think I'm at the level now where I need to start having solo practice sessions in order to improve my game! Thanks for the very informative video! Subbed!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and subbed. ANY level of player, from a complete beginner, would benefit from solo practice and its never too late to start. There are a few other solo practice routines on my channel and I hope to post a LOT more this year. Let me know if you have any questions.
Love the video .. best video and solo practice 💯
Great, thanks.
very good liked this video. I'm going down for a solo practice this evening and I'll be trying the hole routine. the little box at the beginning edited in showing previous sessions was very good. top marks there Phill well done.
Thanks. It's always better to show a warm up than simply say "Do it!".
Thank you, fantastic videos and explanations!
Glad you like them!
great routine coach..thanks for the video
You are most welcome. Let me know if it helps.
Tried it today, despite I watched the video for the first time some half a year ago. Feeling great about myself! Thanks Coach!!
You are most welcome. Try to do this regularly.
Great video. Thanks again.
Glad you like it.
Thank you for this!
You are most welcome.
Great tips for my kids.. Thanks for the video. We will work on it👍💪
Glad to hear you like the video.
Superb video coach! I am considering a return to playing after a long lay off. These drills will definitely make a difference! Thanks
I'm very happy to hear you like them. Please, please, please don't go 100% the first few times you play and heat up properly even before solo practice. Remember, don't hit the ball until you are sweating!
Brilliant thanks!
You are most welcome.
Thanks coach! good video. I'm a only a handful of months into squash buy I'm starting to work on these drills.
You are most welcome, but this particular routine is not for beginners. Don't think that if you do it now, it will help you improve faster. It may slow down your progression as you may focus on the result (hitting the nick, for example) rather than the process (the technique).
@@BetterSquash Alright I'll go back to the basics for now.
Great routines and advice here, Coach Phillip! I recall you mentioned that you did the side-to-side routine here in the front of the court for filming purposes? I've taken to doing this routine along the short line -- this provides a visual aid and I can see immediately when I am not hitting the ball straight. Keep up the excellent work with your videos (please!)
Glad you like them. I think I mention doing it between the short line and the back of the service box. using the line is excellent practice but almost impossible to do more than 5 without missing, whereas the idea above allows you to set a goal and reach it. Either way, I am happy you are doing the exercise and benefiting from it.
It is indeed difficult to maintain the line, but it does impose discipline and provide feedback -- I do often have to adjust my stance and correct the direction
Awesome video
Thank you.
Nice video, I have to try it ;). It is finally time to learn something, not just "to play".
Yes, it's time to take your squash to the next level! Playing is fun, but training is what makes the difference.
Had been searching a lot on what should I start as solo practice. And then I saw this video. Thanks a lot. Btw, this is my first comment on youtube videos. :)
I'm so glad I could help and even more happy it was one of my videos that inspired you to comment. Thank you.
I am new to squash and really want to learn the fine points of playing. Your videos are VERY informative
Hi, Welcome to the squash community. I am glad you like my videos. This particular video is not aimed at beginners. I have recently started a new series called Squash for Beginners that may be more helpful for you. let me know if you have any squash questions.
Great video, again, Coach Phillip!
Let me know if you try it.
I am planning to try it tomorrow in fact! Will let you know how it works out for me. We have a new pennant season about to start here this week (Sydney, Aus.) so I'm keen to add a few things to my preparation for that..!
Tried this today Phillip and I went through most of the routine. The first thing to say is - it's more difficult than you make it look for some of routines! Especially the kill shots and the corner drives. But I was able to make some progress and take it from a starting point of barely being able to hit more than one or two shots without a mistake, up to being able to hit a series of 6 or 7 or something like that. So I can really see how these routines will be valuable to keep improving like that. I will repeat them again soon. Thanks again.
Glad to hear you feel it was of benefit and of course, the more you do it, the faster you improve and the better you get.
Thanks again Phillip. I've run through this routine a couple more times now and will keep going with it. One little question - with the kill shots (after you've hit it to side wall, front wall, side wall), are you always focusing or aiming to hit the nick on these ? Or are some of them you're more working to get the ball to come back to yourself ? Because I suppose if you get really good at hitting nicks, you're going to be picking the ball up off the floor quite a bit on this one! Not that I'm anywhere near that good! But just wondering what is you aim on this exercise. Thanks again Phillip!
Great video and some great ideas for a solo practice routine. I'll have to try these and been thinking to video the ones that I'm weak at like getting the ball out from the back corners with a straight drive both forehand and backhand and for the ball to finish behind the service box. What camera do you use is it a GoPro?
Thanks, I'm glad you like it. I hope to make a video about taking the ball off the backwall soon. I WISH I had a GoPro. I use a 5-year old Kodak: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004MMF7QE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Hoping to buy something better soon, but good video cameras are expensive.
Just did my first session on my own for a while, I have hardly played squash at all for the last 2 years and have been happy playing friendly matches, the thing I noticed is that my arm and wrist are much more tired at the end because I have been hitting solid for 40 minutes, you don't get that in a match, also its much more difficult than it looks and takes a while to get a rhythm going. Also on the backhand drives I have been trying to make my free arm more useful, I never used to open my arm out when hitting the backhand shot, it just used to wave around in a sort of balance fashion, more like you do for the forehand shot. I can see these routines being very useful, many thanks for the video
You are most welcome. Yes, a solid 40 minute session works your arm and shoulders much more than a match. You are essentially hitting twice as many shots. It can also help with your concentration.
Thanks coach
You are most welcome. I hope it has helped your game.
Just done all of this today. Great solo practise. I did find the volleys hard though. Harder then they look 👌👍
Great job! Well done. Do this once a month as part of your solo drill routine.
I'd already planned a solo session tomorrow morning .. now I have something new to try out :)Thanks again for great ideas
Very glad to hear you had a solo session planned. Hope this helps. I would be happy to know how many of each you did and approximately how long it took you.
didn't do much counting as I timed instead - about an hour all in, roughly 2mins per drill, 1 min per 'core'. Found the continuous volleys very demanding on both sides and the backhand drives into the backhand corner incredibly difficult! (but not so with forehand, strangely). Good skills coverage - I'll definitely do again.
Yeah, using a timer is another option but I like the idea of the player counting as that adds to the concentration. I'm not against a timer, it's just that it's too easy to "tune out" and just hit. That said, it's much easier to control how long things take with timers. I'll try to add a new workout routine once a month.
Just discovered your videos and they have been a great help to me. You may be interested I was coached by Graham Stevenson (inspired me as a youngster) and I helped with some of his coaching sessions. I have not played competitively for 15 years and trying to get back into things...just before my 50th birthday and dodgy hips!!. Thanks so much for your input.there is lots of good stuff here....I have may second club game tonight (internal leagues.at this stage)...I will be chanting some of your match preparation themes before I play. Thanks again ....some thoughtful and outstandingly useful advice. Providing I can stay injury free I will keep coming back to this..
I learnt so much working with Graham - he's a wonderful coach and mentor. Good luck getting back into squash. I took thirteen years off and also have dodgy hips - so we are in the same boat. It's too late now, but I wished I had take a year getting fit and hitting the ball before I went on court with somebody. The fighting spirit takes over as soon as you walk on the court and it's too easy to get injured that way. Good luck with your revival!
I've done this routine a few times now and it's really excellent. I'd actually stopped doing solo practice as I felt I wasn't getting any real benefit from it anymore, sure bashing the ball around is fun, but I never felt accomplished after a session. I now actively look forward to my solo practice. The side to side exercise is probably my favourite, I love the non-stop repetition, you really get lost in it. it's also excellent for solidifying my technique (Which I've changed recently to rely on forearm rotation, as opposed to wrist action). I have been wimping out on the volley sections though Phillip, I've been thinking about putting them in at the end, and perhaps just working towards the service line for the time being. I really want to improve on this aspect of game, as I find in matches my volleys are actually pretty good, I'm just not particularly confident in them. Anyway, thanks for your efforts Phillip, they're very much appreciated.
So glad I have inspired you to start solo practice again - it's such a good way of improving. Feel free to adapt the sessions as you see fit and I agree with you about the side-to-side exercise. I love it and could do 1,000 everyday if I had the opportunity.
I play racquetball. Learning squash. EXCELLENT VIDEO. thank you.
Raquetball is great too but I have always felt squash was even better.
Sam Kelley once you learn to move around the squash court and the philosophy behind the game (patience and concentration, precision, fitness) you won't see racquetball the same again
Dear Phillip, Very very usefull exercises ! Between other advantages (coordination, reflexes, strenght, warming-up, confidence, movement automatism, etc...), they are very suitable when we wait about our friends to begin a game... This is a(nother) great video, for which we can be confident to improve our squash skills in following your judicious advises ! Please, let me say that I really enjoy ALL your videos, they help me a lot to improve my game ! Thank you SO MUCH for your involvement and commitment to share your knowledge with us, we all appreciate !! The only thing I could say you to improve in your videos is that sometimes there are too much echo, and I have difficulty to understand your sentences... But this is not a big problem, it is mainly my own problem as anyway I always have hard time to understand quick done English sentences (my native language being French) So, still thanks a lot, and I am looking forward to learn other advices from you ! Have a great fall time ! Tanguay Desgagne (from Quebec, Canada)
Hi Tanguay, Thank you for your kind words about my videos. I fully understand your point about the sound. Besides the intro and outro, my new videos will have voiceover sound quality.
Thank you for making this! May I suggest recording to intro and outro OFF the court? The court has a lot of echo, which makes you hard to understand.
Yes, the sound is pretty bad, sorry.
starts at 3:04. great video. thank you
You're welcome
Soon as I get paid I'm buying a squash racket and going to my local leisure centre. Great video!
That's one of the greatest things anybody has ever said about my videos. I hope you love playing squash as much as I do. Remember, that this video was not meant for beginners though and you will need to start with some simply hitting exercises. I do plan to make videos for beginners and improvers but like everybody, it's hard to find the time. Please let me know if you enjoyed your first experience on a squash court. Oh! and Good Luck!
Thanks, I'll need it! You're welcome, keep up the good work! :)
look like quite a nice gym/place to train, that
Yes and no. It can be very nosy at times as the hall is used for zumba etc. Also the floor on the court is a kind of plastic, meaning it can get very slippy when there is a lot of sweat. Lastly, the floor is not sprung, so it's quite hard on the joints.
Hi Coach Philip, I've started playing squash after a long break (over a year) and find my fitness level is not up to standard. Having been out of shape, and on a laptop all day, squash has been making my shoulders and neck hurt. Have you done/can you do a video on some fitness/stamina building routines for squash.
Hi Ayesha, It's a matter of perspective but one year is not a long break. I took 13 years off and I have no doubt people have returned after longer. That said, I bet the day after first time you went on court it was like torture! Fitness in not my main area of interest in regard to squash, so I have lots of other videos planned before those. At first I was a little concerned when you said squash was making your neck and shoulder hurt, I upon reflection, I suppose it's simply the muscles aching. Do you prepare properly before you play? That might make a big difference. Even simple exercise like looking side to side (not too fast) and some stretching once you are hot, but before you play. I'm sorry I can't give you a brief list of exercise to try but to be honest, I suspect it's just a case of playing regularly, although not too hard, for a few weeks. If you really do want to try something, buy yourself some basic resistance bands and check YT for some simple exercises. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Please let me know how you get on.
More brilliant stuff from the coach. Help please: With straight drives my backhand is more consistent but the one where you stand near the T and play FH (or BH) into the corner and back to the T, I can do the FH consistently (indefinitely) but with the BH the line the ball takes gradually drifts closer to the side wall until the exercise disintegrates completely - just can't keep it going for more than about 5 shots! Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? Is it something to do with spin I wonder ... I know that I achieve a (better) more open racquet face with my BH.
Assuming you are right handed, you are probably just hitting the ball a fraction late. have you tried with a red dot ball and aiming higher, simply trying to get ten shots without any mistakes. In fact, how hard are you hitting the ball. In my demonstration, I am hitting it quite hard because I am confident, but you could try hitting at 50% your max. Can you do the bounce version of butterfly, also called figure of eights? Both exercise require accurate timing to get the ball to hit the frontwall at exactly the right angle.
Hi Philip, have seen many videos of yours. Nice. Wondering why you are so keen on the side to side drills? I can’t get my head around these drills because 99.9% of the time we need to deal with the front wall?
Hello, I'm happy to hear you enjoy my videos, thank you for saying so. Let me start by saying that not everything we practice has an obvious connection to actual matchplay. A good example of that is Figure of Eights. At no point in a real game would we be required to hit the ball in that exact format, and if you think about almost ANY solo drill could be described as enforcing the bad habit of "hitting and watching". However, these drills often emphasis certain aspects that require focus. Back to Figure of Eights and it's about adaptability and manoeuvrability. So what does the Side-to-Side drill focus on? Well, at its core it focuses on timing. Get the timing wrong by a fraction of a second and the ball comes back at you or away from you, depending on whether you were early or late in relation to the racket head. It's such a powerful demonstration that I have found it to be more effective that any other solo drill. When hitting a straight drive from the back, it's possible to keep hitting the ball with slightly off timing, you have enough time to adjust for the next shot. Less so with the side-to-side. In addition, it has other benefits, such as more hits in less time, adaptation beyond every other drill, the option of 2 players performing the drill at the same time (although that *is* true of many other solo drills), and finally a few variations that advanced players benefit from. All in all, I feel it's like "One Drill To Rule Them All". BTW, I plan to create an updated Side-to-Side video this Spring. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Published six years ago but still helpful (for a beginner like myself)
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this video, but please be aware that some of these drills are not suitable for beginners.
Thanks coach, you got a Chinese student here!
别客气。 南瓜在中国受欢迎吗？ You are welcome. Is squash popular in China?
Not really coach, I’m loving it although on beginner level.
Fantastic.
Excellent and very very well done and very useful. Just if it is possible to work on reducing the echo and maybe work in a court that is in a better shape. These details could take your videos to a much higher level. Thanks ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I am glad you like it. Since this video was made, I have made improvements to the sound. You should notice a huge difference in my newest videos.
At 8:40 with the lengths sometimes you really turn your shoulders and sometimes not. I do have the same 'problem', especially with quicker balls, that I forget to turn my shoulders. I that something to work on, or as long as I return good lengths without turning the shoulder always, it is still good? Because it feels like I loose a lot of accurcacy by turning my shoulder, but win a lot of power on the shot.
So sorry for the late reply. It seems I replied to ones before and after yours, but must have missed this comment. Turning your shoulders means you use the stronger muscles to start the swing, but it might not always be needed or possible. I would say as long as you are getting your upper arm quite far back, that should be fine. There are definitely more important things to work on.
Even if your shoulders aren't set properly you'll be fine as long as your not too close to the ball, you hit the ball in front of you and your follow through is in the direction that you want to ball to head.
Hi Phillip, Is it just me or is by far the most difficult drill the BH & FH corner drives? Relatively hi velocity, tight angle, low room for error. I'm doing this routine once a week at the moment, all the other drills are 'doable' work in progress type things, but the corner drive I struggle to string three together consistently. Any tips on this or is it just patient application? Separate question: You know have four solo routines on YT, I was thinking maybe to do one, once a week for a month, then change to the next one and go in a cycle, 1-4 over four months, returning to the beginning again for a new 4 month cycle. Does this sound advisable, or should I spend longer on each drill sequence before moving on? Many thanks for your videos and any thoughts you have on this....!
Hi Toby, what's interesting is that if you take two players of the same standard and ask them to do a variety of drills, they will find different ones easier and harder. So, don't think you are lacking in any way because you find this drill tough. In many ways it has the smallest margin of error because it is compounded by hitting the front and side wall close together. My advice is to focus on your timing and point of contact above all else. Hit the ball slower than you would like until you can do 10, then increase every other shot - not just a sudden increase in all the shots. With regard to you solo practice plan, that sounds fine. Once a week for a month is enough time to feel the benefits without getting boring. If you can fit another solo session in per week, it's your choice then whether you want to do the same one of try a different one. Planning these sorts of things is more of an individual art rather than science, at least for amateurs. As a general rule: Long enough to benefit from it, but not too long that it becomes boring.
@@BetterSquash thanks so much,very helpful, I’ll try what you suggest with the corner drills ☀️✌️
happen to be heading to the court solo as my partner can't make it today. thanks!
So, did you try it?
Tried parts of it. An issue that I have is that I can't seem to hit the ball hard enough to get those nice drives that you do. I see the A-level guys do those nice drives down the wall that bounce off the back wall so that they can pound it back. Are you always using the double-yellow dot balls or do you use the bouncier ones? Thanks!
Yes, I always use double-yellow. TWo things I suggest: 1 Start with some hard side to sides to get the ball really hot and 2. start by hitting above the cutline to make sure you get the depth on the drive. If you can't get the ball that high it might be your grip or swing not allowing you to have an open racket face at the moment of impact.
Thanks, Coach! Yes, I have been advised to angle the racquet head at more of a 45 degree angle to make sure that the ball gets proper elevation. A squash friend is doing this with a lot of effectiveness. Lots to learn! Thanks again for kindly replying to my questions. Will persevere....
Keeping the racket face open i.e. that is the top of the racket leaning back, is very important. I would not specific the exact about of angle because it depends on where the swing comes from but having the "open" idea is very important.
👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you.
Hi Phillip. I just started playing squash. I mainly use it as a great cardio workout. It is a really great exercise. However now I feel like I should get serious about playing it and I want to be able to control my shots as you so brilliantly do in this video. At present all I do is see how far I can rally against myself. Would you be able to give me a few pointers on form if I were to send you a short clip somehow?
Hi Mayuresh, you are right, controlling the ball is key. There are a few other videos on my channel that show you some practices to improve control and your swing. Unfortunately, I no longer off the personalised coaching service. Is there a coach near you, who you could talk to?
@@BetterSquash Thanks for the reply. I will check out your other videos. I'll have to look into coaching also. Though I'm living the cash strapped student life right now lol. Hopefully later on when I have more financial resources at my disposal. Thanks again for making these videos though. They do help a lot. :)
Yeah, it's tough being a student. Keep working hard and you WILL improve.
Awesome as usual, but what should be the duration of one set? For example, how many side-to-sides should I do? Up to my skill level to exert some self-pressure?
That really depends on you. I know that most viewers want me to give them targets but I have always found that there is no simple answer. Essentially, do a certain amount, say 20, and if over the course of the training session you find them too hard, drop down to 15. What I am trying to say is that finding the right level yourself for each exercise is much better for you than aiming for an unrealistic target. Just a reminder, the number itself is not the self-pressure. Self-pressure comes from other things - if you make a mistake you go back to zero. Of course, the number you are aiming for is a small part of that, but for this type of routine, just finishing the whole thing is hard work enough.
I was just scratching my head for how to practise short kill on my own. I think set 4 (6:06) is going to help. Will find out about it.
Yep, that's one of a few you can do. In fact, your comment has inspired me to make one of the next few routines about short shots.
@@BetterSquash Your fans must be longing for your new video (including me). The exercise definitely helps (I tried just now), for I often find it hard to attack effectively when standing near the front wall.
I have released a new solo practice routine video: kzhead.info/sun/Y7OGiceOooqChKM/bejne.html
@@BetterSquash Sure, will check it out tonight
Do you have a link for the warm up and cooldown video? I want to know the routine you take before entering the court to start playing.
Hi, no I haven't made a video about that yet. I promise to make one very soon. Essentially, start with general movements until your heart rate is about 60% your maximum (take about 5 minutes) I like to use the spinning bike because my back and hips are in a very bad condition, then start to do specific squash movements, racket swings and stretches (another 5 mins or so). When you have finished that you should definitley be sweating and ready to hit the ball. All the time, you should be thinking about what you plan to do on court - whether that's practice or a match.
@@BetterSquash Thank you for the tips. The club I’m at has those assault bikes next to the courts i will be using it more now that you mentioned it. I do various stretches from what my fellow squash friends have recommended me to do. I am a beginner and i am enjoying your videos right now. I learn allot from the stuff you have in your channel thank you.
@@BetterSquash I’ll be anticipating that video too! I definitely need a precise warmup for squash since I don’t have the most knowledge
once your legs are warm, skipping is a great way to take your warm up to the next level .. 2 x 1minute with a 30 sec break .. really gets the fast fibres twitching. I think skipping is too intense to START a warm up ... might get a calf injury!
As a novice to intermediate player, these drills are pretty challenging to learn I must admit. I tried them for the first time yesterday and struggled! Any tips for getting started with them (besides the side to side)?
Hi Colin, I am a little ashamed to admit that the title of the video is a little "Clickbaity". With so much content fighting for attention, I need to ensure my videos have the best chance of being watched. These particular drills are not designed for novices, so I am not surprised you have found them tough. I always planned to create a whole new set of drills for beginners and improvers (novices) for my "Squash For Beginners" series, but my hip operations broke the flow. I promise to create something this year.
@@BetterSquash thanks for the response, and appreciate clarifying the intended audience for these drills. I'll still keep trying them! Eventually I'll get them down! Looking forward to your additional drills sometime this year.
I got a game cancelled on me last minute. Now I have no excuse not to head down and practice. Thanks for the video
You are welcome. Just remember, solo practice is not something you only do because games get cancelled. You do it because it's a fantastic way to improve your squash!
hi Phil are those 1.30 or 1.20 305 and which do u like
I have no idea what rackets they are. They were a gift from a close friend and I play with whatever is available. Whilst I accept that a suitable racket makes a big difference, I also believe that club players spend too much time worrying about rackets and should instead focus other aspects of their improvement.
Hey Phillip, try to speak out the court. Great video.
I have purchased new equipment and will ensure all new videos have much better sound.
I'm a complete beginner, but attempted this set of exercises today since I didn't have a partner. I don't think my hitting is up to scratch. Is this routine something I should just try to work up to or would you recommend something different to build basic skills?
Hi Chris, I would definitely recommend working on more basic skills first, especially if you are a complete beginner. I haven't made any videos for beginners and to be honest I don't know of any videos I can recommend but essentially, just try to do simply shots along the wall, trying to make them bounce in the service box. If that's too hard, then go closer to the front wall. If they are too easy, then try make the ball bounce behind the service box and with 10 or so floor boards away from the wall. I would also recommend trying to get coaching. If you can get your basic technique fixed now it will be MUCH easier later on.
CoachPhillipNet Thanks for the very swift reply! And thanks for the advice, I'll try some more basic exercises first. I just wanted to add that I think these videos are great. Really well explained. Hopefully I can improve to a level where they're more appropriate for me!
I've just come back to squash after 20 years in badminton... lordy me, it's taking ALL my concentration just to not break my wrist on the shots!
Welcome back. 20 years is a long time. Keep working hard on the firm wrist.
@@BetterSquash I'm finding that a sweatband on my arm reminds me not to flex my wrist, but it's going to take some serious solo drilling before I can stop having to actively think about it!
Actually, I'll be including this point in my grip video. I've always felt a long sweatband to be useful from that aspect.
Hey Coach, are you going to do more videos? I know your health wasn't too good for a while, have you made a recovery?
Yes, I will be releasing more videos soon. I am feeling better, thank you, but I'll never play serious squash again.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Glad you like it.
pity they couldn't find a "nicer" course, but nonetheless very useful. and i enjoy doing them. yeah, it is good for the mental health.
What do you mean by "pity they couldn't find a "nicer" course"? Arh, okay, I suppose you meant "court". I only had 2 to choose from and this one was the better of the 2. I now only have 1 to use. Just to let you know, there is no "they", it's just one person - me - making the videos. That's why the videos sometimes lack production value and variety.
Will you able to handle Nick Matthew or elshotbagy, who do you believe to be more tough to beat?
No, of course not, but I'd love the opportunity to hit with either of them. If I were to play them in a serious tournament I don't think it would make any difference who I played, although I might feel I had more chances to win points against El Shorbagy because sometimes he seems to lose his concentration.
Can you handle elshorbagy in a game?
The question is, can Elshorbagy handle my game? Seriously though, I would be lucky to get a few points in a serious match.
CoachPhillipNet Does this mean that you he will make you run or leave you with less options on court?
(OFFTOPIC: I know you're trying to be very accurate for the shooting, but maybe try to keep your neck and back a bit more neutral, you were hunching a bit)
Actually, I am a huncher in real life. I have a terrible habit of leaning my neck forward, so thanks for the reminder.
I just cannot do the forehand hit which hits the back wall and then hit again :-(
Try using a red dot ball and aim higher on the front wall. Once you get better at that, hit a little harder and try with a single yellow dot. Ideally, have some coaching to make sure your forehand swing is correct.
@@BetterSquash Thanks a million. i was using two dotted yellow ball. Thanks once again.
You are most welcome. Let me know if you ever have any other questions or doubts.
@@BetterSquash Hello sir. tried wit the single dot today(single yellow) manage to do 5 forehands rebound :-) thanks so much. for the advise. also doing side to side. but scared to touch figure of 8. i think it will take another year to reach to that level :-(
That's great news - well done. Using the correct ball makes all the difference. For figure of eights, try on the bounce first: kzhead.info/sun/Za6jfJSDanSEjY0/bejne.html
Enjoying the demonstrations and over dubbing, I’m finding the live commentary rather condescending though.
Sorry to hear you feel the commentary is condescending, certainly wasn't my intention.
Triple A
Thanks.
Click where
Here is the link to the poster: bit.ly/33M4AKh
Why so many side-to-sides? I understand their benefit but every other set seems like a lot. Is it just a fitness thing and to keep the ball warm? Why not just hit it down the wall a few times and then cross court.
It's both physical AND mental. Physically, the side-to-sides allow you to hit a LOT more shots in the same amount of time as straight drives to the back. They also allow you to keep the ball hot, not warm, and if you hit above 85% your max power turn it into a strengthening exercise too. Couple that with the fact that the side-to-side exaggerate any mis-timing and you have a great physical routine. Squash is often about mental strength and focus and the side-to-side builds concentration and patience. I build the idea of alternating between a side-to-side routine and something else, repeated many times into most of my solo drills.
@@BetterSquash I'll have to give it a try.q
echo creates problems in aufio
Yes, you are right, it does.
+CoachPhillipNet it's not a big deal at all though
I can't hear anything
Yeah, the sound is pretty bad, sorry about that.
Sorry brother too much echo. Voice over would be better
Ok next sections are much better nice video
You are absolutely correct. My newer videos have much better sound.
Glad to hear the next sections are better.
What were you thinking guys when you recorded the video with echo?! -.-
Well, there were no "guys". Just me and my shitty equipment. I only realised how bad the sound was once I had got home. The future videos will all have much improved sound and visual quality. I bought new equipment.
Sorry gentlemen. Squash is a supplemental sport to my addiction with racquetball. No need to put down racquetball. I appreciate the video and it is a great game, but squash will always remain in its place solely on saturdays mornings while I spend the other 6 days of the week training to be the best racquetball player I can be.
Sam, I don't remember putting racketball down. If I did, I apologise.
Omg 20 minutes film. Please create much shorter movies.
Would you go for a 2 minute squash lesson? I doubt. I plan to make detailed videos for those who are committed to improving their squash. Short, concise instructional videos are great but often miss out important information in favour of pleasing more people. I prefer to create longer videos. In future, I may create short ones but not at the moment.
Tomasz Grochocki sorry buddy I don't agree with you. Phill makes the best coaching/hints and tips videos on KZhead. his hints and tips have helped me so much. if he makes an hour long video I'm watching it
No way, this video is perfect, including the duration. So helpful.
Terrible sound
You are absolutely correct and I apologise. My latest videos have much better sound.