Both power and speed frequently take centre stage in contemporary squash, and in most matches are dominated by relentless pressure, hard drives, and explosive volleys.
However, the soft game subtly determines who controls the rally at the highest levels and in the most productive club matches. Intelligent lobs and well-timed drops are tools for exerting psychological pressure, controlling tempo, and manipulating spatial positioning, in addition to serving as finishing shots and defensive lifelines.
Mastering the soft game is about intention, not touch alone. When used correctly, a Squash player can apply both power and speed with their drops and lobs, force opponents out of rhythm, expose movement weaknesses, and allow you to dictate the pace of play.
The Drop Shot: Precision, Not Panic
A good drop is rarely about winning the point outright. Its true value lies in what it forces the opponent to do next.
When to Play the Drop
After length pressure: Once your opponent is deep and stretched, the drop exploits forward movement.
From a stable position, playing while balanced and central is vastly more effective.
As a pattern, not a surprise: Repeated drops condition expectation and open up space elsewhere.
Avoid playing drops:
- When off-balance
- From behind the service box
- As a bailout under pressure
A poor drop hands control straight back to your opponent.
Technical Keys
Minimal swing; disguise is critical
Soft hands, relaxed grip
Aim for the side wall nick corridor, not the tin
Focus on height control—too flat invites counter-drops
Think of the drop as a question, not a statement. You are asking your opponent to move fast, low, and accurately while fatigued.
The Lob: The Most Underused Weapon
The lob is often misunderstood as purely a defensive play. In reality, the attacking lob is one of the most effective tempo-shifting shots in squash.
What the Lob Really Does
- Slows the rally dramatically
- Forces backward movement and head tilt
- Disrupts volley dominance
- Resets positional pressure
Against players who thrive on pace, a high, accurate lob is deeply uncomfortable.
Attacking vs Defensive Lobs
- Defensive lob: High, deep, buys recovery time when under pressure
- Attacking lob: Played from a strong position to push the opponent deep and deny volleys
The attacking lob is particularly effective after a short exchange, when your opponent is expecting a pacey approach.
Technical Keys
- Open racket face with controlled acceleration
- Height first, depth second
- Aim to land behind the service box
- Avoid floating lobs—height without depth is an invitation
A good lob should feel suffocating, not charitable.
Combining Drops and Lobs: The Real Art
Individually, drops and lobs are useful. Together, they are oppressive.
This is where tempo control becomes a strategic advantage.
Effective Sequences
- Drop → Lob: Opponent scrambles forward, then must retreat immediately
- Length → Drop → Hold → Lob: Forces hesitation and over-commitment
- Repeated soft shots: Draws opponent into over-pressing and errors
By alternating vertical pressure (front/back) rather than horizontal pace, you stretch both lungs and legs.
Elite players are not rushing to win points—they are engineering fatigue.
Psychological Impact of the Soft Game
The soft game attacks the mind as much as the body.
Opponents begin to:
- Second-guess positioning
- Hesitate on the T
- Over-anticipate drops
- Force counter-drops or risky volleys
Nothing frustrates a power-based player more than being denied rhythm.
The quiet confidence required to play softly under pressure is also contagious. When you show you’re comfortable slowing the game down, your opponent often isn’t.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Overusing the drop
Predictability kills effectiveness.
2. Playing softly from weak positions
Soft shots amplify positional errors.
3. Confusing touch with lack of intent
Soft does not mean passive.
4. Ignoring recovery
The shot matters less than what you do after it.
Training the Soft Game
To improve:
- Practise drops and lobs under fatigue
- Use conditioned games (e.g. point only counts after a drop or lob)
- Focus on accuracy over flair
- Film sessions to assess height and depth consistency
Touch improves with repetition, but decision-making improves with constraint.
Why Tempo Matters in Squash
Squash is a game of constant acceleration and deceleration. The player who controls tempo controls energy expenditure—both their own and their opponent’s. Fast, linear rallies favour athletic, explosive players. Varied pace favours thinkers.
By introducing softness into a rally, you:
- Break your opponent’s movement patterns
- Force abrupt changes in speed and direction
- Create hesitation and poor positioning
- Buy time to recover to the T
Drops and lobs are the primary ways to achieve this.
Final Thoughts
The art of the soft game is not about being delicate—it’s about being deliberate. Drops and lobs allow you to control tempo, conserve energy, and impose discomfort on your opponent without hitting harder or moving faster.
In a sport obsessed with speed, softness is often the sharpest weapon.
Learn to slow the game down, and you’ll find you’re the one dictating how—and when—it speeds back up.