“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”

Confucius

Martin Shippey coaches at various locations in central London – St Paul’s / City / Barbican, Hackney / Shoreditch Park, Victoria, Bayswater.

Registered England Squash Level 3 Coach (Level 1 is a junior coaching qualification, Level 2 is club level, Level 3 is county level instruction) and accordingly holds the required CRB, Child Protection, First Aid and Insurance documentation.

Martin is an experienced club and team player and coach, having played in the Cambridgeshire and Middlesex county leagues as well as Masters national and international competitions, and has been coaching since March 2010.

Adult single or group sessions can be arranged.

From beginner to club and county league level, students are taught:

• Correct grip
• Racket preparation and swing path
• Correct swing technique
• Direction control, power and height control
• The components of achieving power
• Serve and return
• Movement to the ball
• Movement off the ball and recovery to the ‘T’
• Taking the ball off the back wall
• How and when to play the various shots – drop, boast, lob, volley etc.
• Fitness, strength and movement training
• Practice drills
• Game play and tactics

Players are also taught in detail the various shots (straight and cross-court drops, volleys, lobs, defensive and attacking boasts), and the correct time to play them, the serve and return of serve and the rules of squash, including ‘Let’ and ‘Stroke’ situations.

Players are given an initial written summary covering the teaching points, technique and suggested drills and routines to practice.

“Will I benefit from squash coaching?”

Unquestionably. Up to a point, you will get better just by playing, spending time on court playing other people, learning how the ball bounces off the walls and the various ways of winning points.

However, your rallies will generally be short, two or three, sometimes five or six shots. Very stop-and-start, and only really covering the front of the court. If you have bad or inefficient habits, you will almost certainly be reinforcing them every time you play.

If your aim is to achieve a good workout, you need to be covering the whole length and width of the court multiple times in a rally, and that really only happens when two reasonably skilled players are playing.

This involves being able to reach the ball, select a suitable shot and hit it while properly prepared and balanced, to a place of your choosing, rather than a random swipe, and then recover to the central part of the court, ready to play the next shot, should your opponent have reached it and played it.

In a few sessions a coach will teach you how to strike the ball accurately and powerfully, and return to the central position ready to play your next shot. You will learn the various shots and when to play them, and how to anticipate where your opponent is going to place the next ball.

As your skills improve, the quality of your games will increase, you will play better opponents and will need to play longer rallies which will challenge your fitness, reflexes, speed and endurance more. Your enjoyment of the game will increase along with your fitness. (Warning; you could become addicted!)

Squash coaching offers numerous benefits to squash players, regardless of their skill level. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an advanced player striving to improve your game, working with a squash coach can have a significant positive impact on your overall performance and enjoyment of the sport. Here are some key benefits of squash coaching:

1. Skill Development: A squash coach can provide personalised instruction tailored to your current skill level and specific areas for improvement. Whether it’s refining your grip, perfecting your swing, or enhancing your footwork and court movement, a coach can help you develop fundamental skills that contribute to better match performance.
2. Technique Refinement: Coaches are trained to analyse your technique closely and provide constructive feedback. They can identify flaws or inefficiencies in your strokes and movement, helping you make necessary adjustments to play more efficiently and effectively.
3. Strategic Insight: Squash coaching goes beyond just physical skills. A coach can teach you about court positioning, shot selection, game strategy, and tactics. Learning to read your opponent, adapt to different playing styles, and make smart decisions during a match can give you a competitive edge.
4. Physical Conditioning: Squash is a demanding sport that requires endurance, agility, and strength. A coach can design a personalised fitness and conditioning regimen to improve your overall physical capabilities, including speed, stamina, and explosiveness.
5. Mental Toughness: Squash coaching can include mental training to help you stay focused, maintain composure under pressure, and build confidence. Developing mental resilience can enhance your ability to perform consistently well and manage stress during matches.
6. Goal Setting: A coach can work with you to set realistic and achievable goals. Whether your aim is to improve your ranking, win a tournament, or simply enjoy the sport more, setting clear goals and working towards them with the guidance of a coach can be motivating and rewarding.
7. Structured Learning: Coaching provides a structured learning environment. A coach can design a progressive training plan, breaking down your improvement into manageable steps. This approach ensures that you build a strong foundation and continue to advance your skills over time.
8. Feedback and Analysis: Regular coaching sessions involve real-time feedback and video analysis if required. Watching yourself play and receiving expert guidance can help you identify areas for improvement that might not be obvious during the heat of a match.
9. Injury Prevention: Coaches can help you avoid common injuries by teaching proper warm-up routines, stretching techniques, and advising on injury prevention strategies. This ensures that you stay healthy and can continue enjoying the sport without setbacks.
10. Motivation and Accountability: Working with a coach provides a source of motivation and accountability. Knowing that you have scheduled coaching sessions can keep you committed to your training and improvement.
11. Customized Training Plans: Coaches can adapt their training methods to your individual needs, taking into consideration your strengths, weaknesses, and playing style. This personalized approach maximizes your progress and potential.

Overall, squash coaching offers a holistic approach to skill development, strategic understanding, mental resilience, and physical fitness. It can significantly enhance your enjoyment of the sport and help you achieve your squash-related goals.

Coaching Fees

(updated 7 December 2022)

Coaching hours: 11am – 5pm

One to one sessions:
40 or 45 minute sessions – £35 per session plus court fee
Court fees vary according to centre and time, will be advised at the time of booking.
Group sessions: £12 per extra person up to 4 (plus court fee).

Juniors (up to 16yrs): £25 per solo session, £10 per player for group sessions.

Use the Contact Form for enquiries, or email me direct here.