When you think about it, the service is the only ‘free’ shot you get in a match. Every time you hit a service you can get in to perfect position, aim a perfect shot AND see where you opponent is before you start!!

The 2 basic rules are simple:
1. you serve with at least part of one foot in the service box and without any part of the rest of that foot touching the red lines of the box.
2. the serve should hit the front wall above the cut-line AND then land in the opposite back corner of the court to the service box you are in. (Remember hitting any line is a fault).

The key things to consider when you execute a serve are these (they form a sort of check list for you too):
1. ensure you have that foot in the box legally.
2. check to see where your opponent is situated on the opposite side of the court.
3. decide on the speed, height and direction of the serve you wish to play.
4. play your serve and then move toward to ‘T’ as the rally is now under way.

So how do we get the best out of our serve?
Look at the diagram below.  The yellow squares on the side-wall represent a good target area for you to be aiming for when you serve. If you can ensure your service is aimed quite high on the front wall so that it comes falling at medium pace toward those marks then your opponent is not going to be able to do a lot of damage with any shot he chooses unless he takes a risk.

There is also a lot to be said for developing the service to give yourself some different options – varying the serve to keep your opponent on his toes! Use one type of serve as your ‘bread and butter’ service, one you fall back on if everything else fails, but you can vary height, angle and speed to try to get a cheap point by catching your opponent unaware. Jonathan Power is an excellent example of one of the top players who really varies the pace and angle of his service. Players cannot settle at the start of the rally and Jonathan seems to hit quite a few nicks, or awkward bounces, on the back or side walls which get his opponents on the back foot at the start of a rally.

I would argue that it is not just luck either. Because he varies the serve, opponents find it harder to volley all the time, so he creates the chance to hit the nick. And don’t be afraid to go on a court on your own and practice those serves yourself even aiming for the nick. Remember, the more you practice the luckier you get!

A note on receiving service
When receiving service you would normally be standing somewhere near the blue cross I have marked on the court on the opposite side to the server. This is recognized as the best place to be positioned to receive a serve because it gives you a small distance to cover whatever service is thrown at you where ever it goes.

Your racket should be prepared by holding it up above horizontal and you should always be looking to volley, only letting the ball go past and bouncing if it is likely to be to your advantage to do so. Don’t let yourself unnecessarily get sucked in to the back corner on a return of serve.


Chris Walker is a former PSA top 5 player and captained the English squash team who won the World Team Championships in 1997. Walker played on the men’s pro tour for nearly 20 years, coaches the USA National Team and is a member of European Squash Academy's world class coaching staff. 

The EuroSummerTour 2008 will take place from June 23rd until July 14th and will take the players to Utrecht, Groningen, Amsterdam, Cologne and Aix en Provence.  Availability is limited; click on the graphic below for more information.

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