Do you know the feeling?
They run their lungs out on the court, rushing from one corner to the other and are completely exhausted after two sets.
Her opponent, on the other hand, looks relaxed, is almost always in the middle and seems to distribute the ball loosely.
If this scenario sounds familiar, the problem is usually not your fitness, but your positioning.
There is a golden rule in squash that decides whether you win or lose: Whoever masters the „T“ masters the match.
In the Sportcenter Wittenau We watch exciting matches every day on our Squash courts in Berlin.
It is always noticeable: The players who play strategically win more often than those who just hit hard.
In this article, we explain how to conquer the center of the court and get your opponent going.
What is the „T“ actually?
The „T“ is the point on the floor where the center line (which divides the court into left and right) and the front service line meet. It literally forms a large red T.
But the „T“ is more than just a marker. It is the most strategically important place on the entire pitch. From here, you are ideally just a big step and a lunge away from each of the four corners.
- If you are standing on the T, control the game.
- If you are not standing on the T, you only react to your opponent.
Step 1: The beat-and-run rhythm
The most common mistake we see recreational players make is „watching“. A player hits the ball and then stops to admire how good his shot was. This is fatal.
Squash requires a constant rhythm: Strike - Back to T - Look.
As soon as you hit the ball, your first thought should be: „I have to get back to the center.“ Make it a habit to return to the position on the T immediately after every shot. Only then will you be ready for your opponent's next reply shot, regardless of whether it is short (drop) or long (longline).
Step 2: Length is the key
„But how do I get to the T when my opponent is standing there?“ you may ask yourself. The answer lies in the length of your strokes.
To conquer the T, you must force your opponent to leave it. The most effective means of doing this is the Longline stroke (a straight ball along the side wall) deep into the far corner of the court.
- If you force the ball against the back wall, must Your opponent leaves the T to retrieve the ball.
- The moment he runs to the back, the T becomes free. This is your moment: occupy the center!
A common beginner's mistake is to play short stop balls (boast or drop) too often when you are still behind. This opens up the court for your opponent. Play long balls patiently until you have the chance to get in front.
Step 3: Take the ball on the volley
Once you have conquered the T, you don't want to give it up again. A powerful tool for this is the volley - the shot straight from the air before the ball touches the ground.
Many players instinctively let the ball fly past them first so that it bounces off the back wall. This is safe, but it costs time and forces you to leave the T and run backwards. Instead, try to volley balls that come into your reach immediately.
- You save time: The opponent has less time to get back to the T.
- You save energy: You don't have to run to the back corners.
- You retain the position: They remain in the center and continue to dominate.
The mental game: keep calm
Dominating the T is also a mental thing. When you are in the middle, you often feel rushed because the ball is coming towards you quickly. Breathe calmly. Trust your reflexes. On our high-quality sprung floors at Sportcenter Wittenau, you have the optimum grip to turn quickly and explode in all directions. Use this home advantage!
Practice makes perfect: „Ghosting“
You don't have to play a match to improve your running routes. Professionals swear by „ghosting“. This involves simulating rallies without the ball on an empty court.
- Start at the T.
- Simulate moving into one of the four corners (as if you were hitting a ball).
- Return to the T immediately and quickly.
- Repeat this for all corners.
This exercise automates your running routes. The next time you are in a match, your legs will automatically carry you back to the center without you having to think about it.
Conclusion: Play smarter, not harder
Squash is a physically demanding sport, but the best players are often the ones who move most efficiently. By making the T your „living room“ on the court, you force your opponent to do more running.
Try it out the next time you visit us. Concentrate less on the hardness of your shots and more on where you are when your opponent hits the ball.
And if you've worked up a sweat after a tactically clever match? Then reward yourself with a visit to our Sauna. Because regeneration is just as much a part of the strategy as the volley stop.
Book your court online now. See you at the T!
See also:
- Squash etiquette: the do's and don'ts on the court
- Understanding squash balls: What the colored dots mean
- The right shoes: Squash
- The basic rules of squash - simply explained for your start
- Squash Doubles: Double the fun on the court?
- Tennis, badminton or squash: which sport suits you best?
- Squash rackets: rent or buy?