Squash has always been one of the most physically demanding racket sports — new ways of training, involving a fusion of wearable technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and virtual reality (VR), are going to change the way athletes train, recover, and improve.
As a result, fans can expect to experience explosive rallies, constant lunging, and lightning-fast reflexes that define the game. But while the court dimensions have remained unchanged for over a century, the tools players use to prepare are evolving rapidly.
Once limited to elite players, these innovations trickle down to clubs and grassroots programmes worldwide.
Wearables: Making the Invisible Visible
Like all sports, including Squash’s racquet cousins Tennis and Badminton – plus Padel, where margins are razor-thin, data from the body can provide a competitive edge.
Some of the key Applications that are going to be helpful for Squash players are:
- Heart Rate & Recovery Monitoring: Devices like Polar H10 or Garmin Forerunner allow players to measure recovery rates between rallies and identify fatigue patterns.
- Movement Tracking: Smart sensors worn on the wrist, shoes, or even integrated into clothing, record acceleration, change of direction, and distance covered. Squash players cover surprising distances in short bursts, and wearables help coaches track intensity.
- Racket Sensors: Adapted from tennis, tools such as Zepp Play or Babolat Play can analyse swing speed, sweet spot accuracy, and shot consistency.
Some Squash governing bodies have permitted their national coaches to test GPS and motion trackers to log training load. This helps prevent overuse injuries—a key concern in a sport with high demands on knees, hips, and ankles.
AI Coaching: Data-Driven Insights at Scale
AI is becoming the assistant coach every player wishes they had—one that never sleeps and analyses every detail.
Following a Squash match, a Squash coach can utilise data to discuss with a Squash player some key applications to review a game:
- Automated Video Analysis: Apps such as SwingVision (pioneered in tennis but increasingly trialled in squash) can tag rallies, unforced errors, and even estimate ball speed and shot placement.
- Personalised Feedback: AI systems generate targeted drills based on performance data. If you tend to mis-hit volleys under pressure, the software can design exercises to fix exactly that.
- Tactical Analysis: By feeding match videos into AI platforms, players can discover shot preferences, weak zones, and tendencies—both in themselves and their opponents.
One of the best examples would be Squash High Performance Centre, where AI-assisted review software is being trialled to help reduce video editing time.
Instead of manually tagging every clip, AI flags rallies where tactical decisions broke down—allowing coaches to focus directly on improvement strategies.
Virtual & Augmented Reality: Training Without Walls
Court access has always been a bottleneck in squash development. VR and AR tools are bridging that gap, providing virtual spaces where players can practise decision-making, anticipation, and reflexes.
The key applications include:
- VR Court Simulations: Training platforms let players “step onto” a virtual squash court to practise positioning, anticipation, and shot choice without needing a physical space.
- AR Reaction Training: Systems like Blazepod or FitLight use flashing pods and light cues to train reflexes, footwork, and hand-eye coordination in ways that mimic real match pressure.
- Scenario-Based Visualisation: VR software can recreate high-pressure match scenarios (e.g., defending the match ball) to help players build mental resilience.
In countries where tech is pivotal to performance, VR training has been introduced to teach tactical positioning. Before young players even step onto a real court, they practise spacing, footwork, and decision-making in a safe and controlled virtual setting.
Why Squash Tech Matters
While professional players are early adopters, technology is increasingly accessible for club players and juniors.
Amateur Players can use affordable trackers like Whoop or Apple Watch to monitor recovery and optimise training frequency; furthermore, Juniors in Academies benefit from AI video breakdowns, receiving instant feedback without needing a coach to watch every rally.
Potentially, Schools and community centres can use VR training to introduce Squash in areas with scarce courts, democratising access to the sport.
The Future of Smart Squash
With Squash’s upcoming Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, the push for innovation will only accelerate. National federations and local clubs will seek cutting-edge methods to train, scout, and develop players.
Looking ahead, the integration of technology is likely to deepen:
- Smart courts with built-in cameras and AI tracking, similar to tennis’s Hawk-Eye systems.
- Biomechanics wearables that detect injury risks before they happen.
- Gamified training platforms make practice fun for younger players while still collecting useful data.
In short, Squash is entering a new era where human skill and digital insight go hand in hand.
To sum up, from wearable trackers that measure the unseen, to AI coaches that never miss a detail, to VR simulations that train the mind as much as the body, these tools are here to stay.
The glass-walled court hasn’t changed in decades, but the way players prepare for it is evolving faster than ever. Whether you’re an aspiring junior, a weekend club player, or a world champion, embracing these technologies could be the key to unlocking your next level.