Are you struggling to reach those tight corner shots? Finding yourself a step behind your opponent’s drop shots? Your footwork might be the missing piece in your squash puzzle. Strong court movement isn’t just a skill—it’s the foundation that elevates your entire game. These court movement drills could be key to helping you improve your Squash footwork. 

Why Footwork Makes or Breaks Your Squash Game

Before diving into specific drills, here’s why footwork matters so much. Exceptional court movement allows you to:

  • Reach difficult shots with less effort
  • Position yourself optimally for your next shot
  • Conserve energy throughout longer matches
  • Reduce injury risk through proper technique
  • Create more time to decide on your shot selection

The difference between amateur and professional players often comes down to footwork. Even with perfect technique, you can’t execute shots effectively if you can’t reach the ball in good position.

3 Game-Changing Court Movement Drills

1. The Four-Corner Sprint

This drill targets explosiveness and directional change.

How to perform it:

  1. Start at the T position
  2. Sprint to each corner of the court in sequence
  3. Return to the T after each corner
  4. Complete 5 sets of full rotations with 30-second rest periods

This drill trains your body to recognize court dimensions instinctively while building the fast-twitch muscle fibers needed for explosive movements. Practice this 2-3 times per week for noticeable improvements in your reach and recovery.

2. Shadow Movement Patterns

This focuses on positioning and movement efficiency without the distraction of hitting balls.

How to perform it:

  1. Have a coach or partner call out shot types and locations
  2. Move as if responding to the called shots, focusing on proper footwork
  3. Freeze after each movement to check your body positioning
  4. Practice common sequences like drop-lob-boast combinations

The beauty of shadow movement is that it lets you isolate and perfect your footwork mechanics without worrying about taking a shot. This drill develops muscle memory for efficient court coverage patterns.

3. The T-Recovery Challenge

This is an advanced drill that emphasizes the most critical aspect of squash movement—returning to the T position after each shot.

How to perform it:

  1. Place five balls around the court perimeter
  2. Start at the T position
  3. Move to collect each ball, returning to the T between each
  4. Time yourself and aim to beat your previous record

This trains your most important movement habit—returning to center court. Players who master T-recovery gain a significant competitive advantage by controlling the court’s heart.

Take Your Footwork to the Next Level

While these drills are excellent starting points, nothing replaces personalized coaching and structured training. Our International Squash Academy coaches can help you take your game to the next level at one of our 2025 summer camp locations. 

Ready to leave your opponents a step behind? Improve your court movement this summer with the expert coaching team at ISA – Sign up today!