Expert: Hunt - 7/5/2001

Question
Hello,
I regulary play with a partner who insists on standing with his back tight to the left corner while I am serving from the right.  He sees his backhand as weak.  He hopes that I will play a "proper" serve and the ball will come off the side wall and out enough for him to get a forehand shot.  I've been telling him that he must call a let rather than attempt a forehand shot as I go to the "T" after serving.  His position effectively means I can't searve from the right!  I now attempt to play the ball directly at him, but is there a better way out of this problem?

Regards

Sean Balfe

Answer
When you hit the ball at him, you are playing the right service.  Your opponent is entitled to hit the shot of his choice, from either forehand or backhand.  You are required to clear for his shot to the entire front wall.  If you do not clear and he hits you with the ball directly going to the front wall, it is a "stroke" to him (he wins the rally).  If he aims at right side wall and the ball would have been a "good return", ie it would have reached the front wall but for hitting you on the way to the side wall, it is a "let" and you play the point over.  As a solution, try hitting the ball hard, and aim for a spot just behind his body on the side wall.  He shouldn't be able to swing at it and if hit hard enough will not be able to receover fast enough to hit it with his forehand.  Besides, if he hits you after the ball passes round him, you win the rally.
However you are not allowed to stand in front of him on purpose on such a turn, else you would lose the rally (unsportsmanlike conduct).  Another solution is to lob the ball very high and soft so it grazes the side wall near his shoulder and dies in the back.  Right now it appears that your service is not accurate enough.  Practice it on your own and surprise him wit TWO types of good serves.  Last, the Rules of Squash are specific about intereference.  Study them daily and you will become a better player.  Plus your opponent can never cheat on you by quoting a rule that does not exist.  You didnt know an important and basic rule about the front wall, so read here:
http://www.us-squash.org/squash/rules/squashrules2001.html
pay attention to Rule 12.2.4 and Appendix 4.1.

-Hunt Richardson