Play to force your opponent to make an unforced error

If you’re an avid squash player, you know that one of the best ways to improve is to play with multiple players on the court at once. 4 or 5 players is manageable, 6 or more there is too much time lost waiting to get into the rotation.

I’ll talk about this multi-player strategy in a future post.

Today’s concept is about forcing your opponent to make an unforced error. To gauge your progress, only count a point if your opponent has made an unforced error. If you hit a ‘winner’ you keep the serve but don’t get a point. You’ll soon see that forcing your opponent to make an unforced error has a lot LESS RISK associated with it as a strategy.

When you can go for the kill shot, KILL IT and start the next rally. That’s what you would do in a real game.

If you play with multiple players on the court, the person WHO MAKES the unforced error gets a point and the FIRST one to 15 LOSES.

See how you go with this unique twist. I have been doing this with my partners and we have ALL improved. The shot maker still makes the KILLS when the ball is loose, but otherwise forces a few more shots to be played in the rally until a loose ball pops up.

The retriever gets to all the balls but instead of tinning, pushes the opponent to the back of the court and ‘gets back in the rally’ until he gets a loose ball or his opponent cracks and makes a mistake.

The technician focuses on technique and stamina, making sure he only KILLS the ‘perfect shot’ reducing hitting the tin and playing a high percentage game – like the pros… Wear the guy down and then go for the kill. Of course you have to be FIT to do that… This forces the rallies to be a LOT longer, 10, 20 or 30 shots are not uncommon!

This reinforces DISCIPLINE and your focus is ON NOT LOSING THE POINT rather than trying to WIN THE POINT.

All champions know this DISCIPLINE is the key to having the Mindset Of A Champion.

Have fun with this and let me know what YOU LEARN from it!

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