Coach’s Corner: Developing a Junior’s Style in Squash

Every junior starts the same way — learning to hit the ball in, get it back, and survive rallies.
But somewhere along the journey, something far more important should begin to happen:

They start to become themselves on court.

Developing a junior player isn’t about creating perfect replicas of professional players. It’s about helping each child discover a style that suits their body, personality, instincts, and ambitions — while still building sound fundamentals underneath.

And that balance is where great coaching lives.

Foundations First, Freedom Second

Style only works when it has structure.

Before individuality can flourish, juniors need a solid base in:

• Movement patterns
• Balance and posture
• Swing mechanics
• Shot selection awareness
• Court positioning

Without these, style becomes chaos.
With them, style becomes expression.

The goal isn’t robotic technique — it’s repeatable, adaptable technique that allows creativity to grow safely.

Why Style Matters

When juniors feel allowed to play in their own way:

• Confidence increases
• Decision-making improves
• Enjoyment rises
• Pressure decreases
• Long-term retention improves

Players who feel forced into a style that doesn’t suit them often lose belief — even when they’re technically capable.

A tall, powerful hitter will never move like a compact retriever.
A quick counter-attacker will never play like a pure attritional grinder.

Both can succeed — if we let them.

Coaching the Player, Not the Template

One of the most common coaching traps is unconscious cloning.

We demonstrate what we liked.
We coach what worked for us.
We reward what looks familiar.

But juniors don’t need to become versions of their coach — they need to become better versions of themselves.

Great coaches ask:

• What does this player naturally do well?
• What patterns appear under pressure?
• Where do they instinctively want to play from?
• What shots do they trust most?
• What movements feel natural to them?

Style starts with observation, not instruction.

Personality Shapes Playing Style

A junior’s personality often predicts their future game.

None are better or worse.
They simply require different development paths.

Teaching Choice, Not Just Technique

Instead of telling juniors what shot to play, help them understand why.

Ask questions like:

• What did you see there?
• What other option did you have?
• Which one felt right?
• What would you try next time?

This builds tactical intelligence and ownership — two foundations of personal style.

Let Mistakes Build Identity

Mistakes are not the enemy of style.
They are the birthplace of it.

A junior who never experiments never discovers:

• Which shots they truly trust
• Which positions they enjoy
• Which risks they can manage

Controlled freedom in training creates confident decision-makers in matches.

Long-Term View: Style Evolves

A junior’s style at 10 will not be their style at 18.

Bodies change.
Speed changes.
Strength changes.
Confidence changes.

Our job isn’t to lock a player into a style — it’s to help them grow through styles while keeping their core identity intact.

The Coach’s Role

Your role is not to design the player.
Your role is to guide the player as they design themselves.

You provide:

• Structure
• Safety
• Feedback
• Perspective
• Belief

They provide:

• Instinct
• Curiosity
• Courage
• Expression

When those meet, style is born.

Final Thought

The best junior players aren’t the ones who look perfect.

They’re the ones who look comfortable being themselves under pressure.

And when that happens, squash stops being something they play —
and starts being something they own.

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