What Squash Drills Can I Do Alone?
Solo squash training is one of the most efficient and accessible ways to develop your skills, sharpen your technique, and build confidence on court. Whether you're a beginner trying to master basic control or an advanced player refining accuracy under pressure, solo sessions allow you to focus intensely on your mechanics without external distractions.
At the professional level, many players dedicate multiple weekly sessions exclusively to solo hitting because of the technical and mental gains it provides. At the club level, it’s one of the simplest, cheapest, and most effective methods to accelerate improvement.
Below you’ll find a complete, structured guide to the best squash drills you can perform alone — from foundational ball control to advanced movement patterns and pressure-based routines.
1. Straight Drives (The Foundation of All Solo Work)
If you perform no other solo drill, perform this one.
Straight drives are the backbone of consistent squash. Practising them alone allows you to refine:
- Contact point
- Swing path
- Follow-through
- Balance
- Ball height management
- Rhythm and timing
How to Perform the Drill
- Stand slightly behind the service box, close to the side wall.
- Hit the ball straight along the wall, aiming to keep it tight.
- Allow the ball to return and repeat.
- Focus on smooth, controlled swings rather than power.
Technical Focus Points
- Keep the racket face neutral through contact.
- Strike the ball early — ideally in front of your lead foot.
- Maintain consistent spacing from the side wall.
- Prioritise height control; too high or too low breaks rhythm.
Targets to Aim For
- Beginners: 10 consecutive clean drives
- Intermediate: 25–50 consecutive
- Advanced: 100+ consecutive with controlled height
2. Volleys and Volley Drives
Solo volley drills improve your ability to take time away from your opponent — one of the biggest advantages at any level of play.
How to Perform the Drill
- Stand near the ‘T’, facing the front wall.
- Hit controlled volleys back to yourself.
- Mix between straight volleys and volley drives along the side wall.
Technical Objectives
- Short, compact swing
- Soft hands
- Early racket preparation
Variations
- High-low volley sequence: volley high, then volley low on the next shot.
- Volley into drive: hit two volleys, then let the ball drop and hit a straight drive to reset.
3. Figure-Eight Drills (Side-to-Side Control)
This is a classic drill used worldwide to develop rhythm, footwork, spacing, and racket control.
How to Perform the Drill
- Hit a forehand from the right side toward the left side wall.
- As the ball rebounds, hit a backhand toward the right side wall.
- Continue alternating in a figure-eight pattern.
Key Benefits
- Teaches natural movement between corners
- Improves racket preparation
- Forces consistent adjustments in spacing
- Builds aerobic endurance
Common Errors
- Over-hitting (focus on control)
- Standing too upright (stay athletic)
- Racket preparation too late
4. Short-Line and Mid-Court Drops
Solo sessions are the perfect place to refine soft hands and touch.
Drop Shot Drill
- Stand mid-court.
- Hit repeated drop shots to yourself near the front wall.
- Focus on angle, height, and softening the impact.
Technical Goals
- Lowered grip on the handle
- Open racket face
- Smooth acceleration and deceleration
Add Difficulty
- Alternate forehand and backhand drops
- Follow each drop with a ghost-movement recovery to the T
5. Ghosting Patterns (Movement Without the Ball)
Ghosting is a fitness, footwork, and psychological discipline drill used by elite players.
How to Perform the Drill
- Start at the T.
- Move explosively into a corner.
- Simulate the swing.
- Return to the T with efficient footwork.
- Repeat in structured patterns.
Movement Patterns to Practise
- Six-point star: front left, front right, mid left, mid right, deep left, deep right
- Front-court focus: alternating lunge positions
- Back-corner retrievals: using open stance and cross-over recovery steps
Key Coaching Cues
- Stay low
- Use your non-racket arm for balance
- Lead with your hips when lunging
- Maintain fast but controlled recovery
6. Straight-to-Boast Routine
This drill introduces controlled variety while maintaining structure.
How to Perform
- Hit a straight drive along the side wall.
- On the next shot, aim a soft boast into the opposite front corner.
- Move across and repeat the sequence.
Purpose
- Develops angle recognition
- Improves adaptation between defensive and attacking shapes
- Trains court coverage in predictable patterns
7. High-Intensity Solo Condition Games
To simulate match pressure, introduce time-based challenges.
Examples
a) 60-Second Tightness Challenge
Hit as many tight straight drives as possible within 60 seconds.
b) Volley-Only Challenge
Volleys only for 45–60 seconds without letting the ball bounce.
c) Target Hitting
Place tape or markers on the wall and hit specific height or width zones.
Why These Work
They simulate adrenaline, force focus, and create a measurable progression you can track over weeks.
8. The Structured 20-Minute Solo Session
If you want a repeatable template:
Minute 0–3: Warm-up drives
Minute 3–6: Straight drives (tight focus)
Minute 6–9: Volleys and volley drives
Minute 9–12: Figure-eight drill
Minute 12–15: Drops and touch work
Minute 15–18: Straight-to-boast pattern
Minute 18–20: High-intensity challenge of your choice
Consistent short sessions like this build enormous technical improvement over time.
The Final Word
And here’s the fun part — solo squash is your personal laboratory. It’s where new shots are born, where old habits get rewritten, and where you become the player nobody sees coming. Step onto an empty court and suddenly it’s just you, your racket, and a wall that never gets tired.
Every bounce is feedback.
Every swing is progress.
Every minute alone is sharpening the version of you who’ll walk into your next match ready to play like you’ve levelled up.
So grab your racket, claim a court, and start building the kind of game that makes people ask:
“Where on earth did that come from?”
Explore more performance development and mindset support:
🔗 General Blog — https://oliversquash.co.uk/blog/
🔗 Mental Tips — https://oliversquash.co.uk/category/mental-tips/
🔗 Playing Tips — https://oliversquash.co.uk/category/playing-tips/