What Are We Really Teaching Your Kids at Squash Tigers?

There's a lot more to becoming a good squash player than hitting a good squash ball.

Spend a little time watching a junior squash tournament and you'll see something interesting.

Some players hit the ball beautifully but struggle to make good decisions. Others are incredibly athletic but lose their composure when things get tight. And occasionally you'll see a player who doesn't appear to have the best technique or the most speed, but somehow keeps winning.

Why?

Because squash is a complicated game. And becoming a good squash player requires developing a lot of different skills at the same time.

At Squash Tigers, we've always believed that good coaching needs to address the whole player, not just their backhand.

That's why we developed our Five SMART Trainables.

1. Strategy: Learning to Think

Squash is a decision-making sport.

Where should I hit the ball? What is my opponent trying to do? Should I attack or be patient?

Young players make hundreds of these decisions during a match.

We want our Tigers to understand why they're playing a particular shot, not simply hit it because a coach told them to.

Good decision-making is something we can teach, practice and improve.

2. Mental Skills: Learning to Compete

Everyone looks confident when they're winning 10-2.

What happens at 9-9 in the fifth game is rather more interesting!

Can you manage your nerves? Recover after a bad decision? Stay focused when you're tired or frustrated?

These are skills, not personality traits.

We work on emotional control, concentration, confidence and the ability to reset between rallies.

And importantly, we don't wait until tournament day to practice them.

3. Athleticism: Learning to Move

Speed matters in squash. So do balance, coordination, agility and strength.

But there's another consideration, particularly with growing juniors.

We want players to develop athletic skills that will serve them for years, not simply get through their next tournament.

That means good movement patterns, sensible physical development and plenty of attention to injury prevention.

A fast player is useful. A fast player who moves efficiently and stays healthy is much better!

4. Real World Skills: Learning to Grow Up

This one sometimes surprises parents.

We consider communication, organization, respect, leadership and personal responsibility to be part of our coaching responsibility.

Can a player organize their equipment? Speak respectfully to an opponent? Manage disappointment? Take responsibility for their preparation?

These things matter.

And while we're certainly in the business of developing good squash players, we'd like to think we're helping develop pretty good young people too.

5. Technical Literacy: Learning the Game

Of course, technique still matters enormously.

Good drives, drops, boasts and lobs. Efficient footwork. Racket preparation. Balance and recovery.

We spend a great deal of time teaching these fundamentals.

But the objective isn't simply to produce a beautiful swing in a practice drill.

It's to develop technique that works when a player is tired, under pressure, out of position or facing a difficult opponent.

That's when technique really counts.

Putting It All Together

Here's the important bit.

These five areas don't operate independently.

A player needs the athleticism to reach the ball, the technique to execute the shot, the tactical understanding to choose it and the mental skills to do all of that under pressure.

And hopefully the personal responsibility to turn up on time with their shoes tied!

That's what we're trying to develop every day at Squash Tigers.

Not simply better hitters. Better players, better competitors and better young people.

So next time you're watching your child train, remember that some of the most valuable learning might not be immediately obvious.

Sometimes the biggest improvement isn't a better backhand.

It's a better decision.

See you on court!

The Squash Tigers Coaching Team

Interested in how we train?

Whether your child is completely new to squash or already competing regularly, we'd be happy to introduce them to our approach.

We offer a FREE Evaluation for beginners or a FREE Trial for experienced players.

Email contact@squashtigers.com or speak with one of our coaches to get started.