© Brian Baggott

Unfortunately most newcomers to squash find it easier to hit the ball with the wrong grip, so many beginners adopt a grip which will prevent them from ever striking the ball really well.

To grip the racket correctly (if you are right-handed) take the racket in the left hand and hold it half way up the shaft in front of you so that the racket head is absolutely vertical. Then "shake hands" with the handle. It is important that the fingers are spread out along the handle and that the forefinger is above the thumb. The V formed between forefinger and the thumb should now be to the left of the handle.

This is the way to hold the racket for all strokes. If the racket is held in any other way it will be impossible to develop a good swing.

If each stroke is started with the racket held high, the correct grip and the wrist cocked, then a good swing will inevitably result and with this greater accuracy and power.