It’s the most fundamental shot in the game - basic straight drive - but don’t be fooled, its versatility, precision and tactical advantages make it an essential shot to master.
The straight drive is the backbone of most rallies, enabling players to set the pace and structure of the game. Mastery of the straight drive allows for consistent and controlled gameplay, which is critical at all levels of squash.
A well-executed straight drive forces your opponent to the back of the court, often into a defensive position, while hitting an accurate and ‘tight’ ball hugs the sidewall, minimising your opponent’s ability to volley or play attacking shots.
Played well it also forces your opponent into a predictable return, often a straight drive or a boast, which you can anticipate and counter effectively, opening up opportunities for attacking shots.
So what do you need to be aware of.
1.Racket Preparation
You want to be getting your racket position ready early - as the ball is arriving. Look to get the racket nice and high, above the head as it allows you to comedown into the swing with maximum momentum which really helps generate power through the shot.
2.Stance
When hitting a drive, it’s important to have a strong, solid stance - keeping feet parallel to the wall and just slightly more than shoulder width apart. A wide stance ensures you stay stable and controlled through the shot, but also allows you to really engage your core and generate further power from that area to bring into the shot.
3.Weight Transfer
I that strong stance, you want to be able to rotate through the torso, engaging the core muscles to generate further power. Transferring your weight correctly and in time with the shot is key with this. You want to pass your weight from your back foot through the shot so that your bodyweight is on your front foot at the end of the shot, keeping your knees bent throughout the shot to help
4.Point of Impact
When in the motion of weight transfer, you are then looking to strike the ball directly in line with the front foot. This allows you to use all my weight and momentum from the swing and stance in the shot, but still allows you to maintain a lot of control on the contact and placement of the ball.
5.Follow Through
A good strong followthrough, straight through the ball towards the front wall helps with control on the shot. You’re aiming to play through the ball towards your target, fully extending the arm to complete the shot.
Watch this great tip from SquashSkills below to get a sense of how to perfect the straight drive
