ers with the
burning desire to win, "the killer instinct" that spurs the great players
to go all out for every point.

Play each point like an individual match. Don't let up or intentionally
"throw" a game. Squash Tennis, as with all racquet games, is a sport of
momentum. Many a tide has changed, many a match won when seemingly it
has been hopelessly lost. Go after every point as though you were down
Match Point and had to win it. "Coasting" shatters your concentration,
and lost concentration can well mean a lost match. Play to win as
quickly as you can.

Finally, assume your opponent will retrieve even your best shots. Don't
underestimate his ability or overestimate your shot-making prowess.
Remember the speed of the ball actually gives your opponent more time to
get to it. Always be ready for anything until the ball is actually ruled
dead and the rally has ended.

FUNDAMENTAL STROKES

The Squash Tennis stroke is more closely allied to the Squash Racquets
swing than to the Tennis swing.

Ground Strokes: The wrist and grip should be kept loose at all times.
The grip will automatically be tightened at the moment of contact with
the ball.

The forehand and backhand ground strokes should be hit with a short, snap
of the wrist--as though you were cracking a whip. There is no time and
no reason to employ a long, high follow-through.

The head of the racquet at the moment of impact with the ball should be
slightly "open" and you should feel the gut "biting" the side of the
ball. This slight side-spin cut, with the racquet head tilting back and
hit like a short, chip shot, will tend to keep the ball low and
inexorably "grabbing" for the floor. The spin will produce many "nicks,"
which are shots that hit a side wall and floor practically simultaneously
and die. (See fig. 3 [Racquet open when contacting ball.] for position
of racquet at the moment of contact with ball.)

The follow-through is low and abbreviated. The racquet head should go
straight out or up the court rather than be wrapped around your body.
The best way to "groove your strokes" and to keep the ball low is to
consciously aim your racquet head on your follow-through at the very, top
of the "telltale."

As in all racquet sports, the racquet should do the work. The ball
willingly goes where the racquet head directs it. Do not flail or
attempt to push your shots. Hit them crisply with the snap of your
cocked wrist, and at all times