Coaches Corner - August 2026

Thanks Paul Kershaw!

From 30 August to 6 September, Western Australia is hosting the World Masters Squash Championships, bringing some of the world’s best Masters players to our courts.

As a coach, I'm enjoying watching the quality of squash, but am equally interested in hearing how players had prepared. Their approaches varied according to age, physical condition, playing style and goals. Some prioritised fitness; others focused on court work, match play or recovery.

Those conversations reinforced the importance of individual preparation rather than applying the same programme to every player.

Experience is an advantage

Masters squash is about more than speed and fitness. Years of competition develops an understanding of court positioning, shot selection and an opponent’s tendencies. Reading body position and racquet preparation allows experienced players to anticipate rather than simply react.

You may not move as quickly as you did at 25, but you can become better at predicting where the ball is going. That awareness saves energy and creates opportunities that speed alone cannot.

Strength, movement and the volley

Strength remains important, particularly in the legs, hips and core. Squash demands repeated lunges, changes of direction, acceleration and deceleration. Exercises such as squats, split squats, Romanian deadlifts, step-ups, rows and core work can help maintain stability and movement quality.

On court, efficient movement matters just as much. Dynamic mobility work and progressive ghosting should focus on: first step → controlled lunge → balanced position → recovery to the T.

The volley is another valuable weapon. Taking the ball early denies an opponent time, helps maintain control of the T and reduces the amount of court to cover. A useful progression is: straight volley → cross-court volley → volley drop → deception.

The emphasis should be on early preparation, balance and control rather than power.

Deception and the basics

Experienced players can use deception to make opponents move before the ball is struck. A hold and drop, disguised cross-court or delayed volley can be particularly effective when combined with good court position.

Watch an opponent’s shoulder and body position, racket preparation, swing direction and preferred patterns. These cues improve anticipation and reduce reliance on reaction speed.

The fundamentals remain essential. A good serve applies immediate pressure, while a reliable return prevents an opponent from taking control. A simple serve → return → third shot drill is an effective way to practise the opening phase of a rally.

Drills that transfer to matches

Useful drills should have a clear purpose.

Drive and volley: One player drives straight while the other volleys, progressing to a volley drop.

Boast and drive: A boast is retrieved and followed by a straight drive, developing front-court movement and recovery.

Volley pressure: Players volley continuously around the service boxes, focusing on preparation and control.

Conditioned games: Players might be required to volley whenever possible, play straight drives only or earn an extra point for controlling the T.

These exercises combine technical, tactical and physical demands in a competitive setting. The key question is simple: does the drill improve something you need in a match?

Recovery is part of preparation

Recovery becomes increasingly important as players get older. Hard sessions should be balanced with lighter activity, mobility work and rest. Sleep, hydration and nutrition also influence how well a player can train and compete.

The aim is to arrive at each session ready to perform, rather than carrying fatigue from the previous one. Consistent preparation over a season is more valuable than occasional bursts of excessive training.

Lessons from the World Masters

One of the most valuable aspects of the championships has been hearing players describe their preparation. Some prioritised fitness; others focused on technical work, match play or recovery. Some reduced their workload before competing, while others maintained regular court sessions.

This highlighted the diversity of Masters squash, which covers a wide range of ages, abilities and playing styles. An attacking player may have different needs from someone whose game is based on patience and consistency. Likewise, a player in their forties may have different physical priorities from someone in their sixties or seventies.

Preparation must therefore reflect the individual. The coach’s role is to recognise those differences, manage workload and help each player develop their strengths.

The World Masters Championships demonstrates what is possible when experience, skill and preparation come together. Masters players do not need to be the fastest or strongest on court. Through anticipation, positioning, early ball-taking and sound decisions, they can make every movement count.

Read the game. Move well. Recover properly. Take the ball early. Make good decisions — and keep enjoying your squash.