With Doubles squash is fast-paced, tactical, and incredibly rewarding – but success on the court requires more than just individual talent. Strong teamwork, smart positioning, and seamless communication are key.
Whether you’re preparing for league play or simply want to elevate your performance with a regular partner, targeted drills can make all the difference.
Here are some top drills designed specifically for doubles squash teams to improve coordination, decision-making, and consistency.
Cross-Court Target Practice
Purpose: Improve depth and accuracy in cross-court drives, a staple of effective doubles play.
How to do it:
- Place a target (like a cone or towel) deep in the opposite back corner.
- Each player hits cross-court drives aiming for the target area.
- Focus on hitting above the service line with width and pace to prevent poaching by the opposing team.
- Variation: Practice hitting the ball just above the side wall nick to make it die quickly – a useful tactic under pressure.
Front-Court Control and Cut-Offs
Purpose: Sharpen front-court decision-making and volleying reflexes.
How to do it:
- One player feeds from the back, and the front player practises volleying aggressive shots or dropping short.
- Switch roles every few minutes.
- Emphasise cutting off balls early and keeping them tight to the side wall.
This drill trains the front player to take initiative and control the pace while the back player learns to anticipate and recover.
Rotating Triangle Drill
Purpose: Enhance movement, positioning, and communication between partners.
How to do it:
- Create an imaginary triangle on the court: back left, back right, and centre front.
- Players rotate continuously through these points, hitting controlled shots and calling out their movements.
- The focus is on smooth transitions, avoiding collisions, and maintaining awareness of your partner’s position.
This is particularly useful for building rhythm and mutual trust.
Two-on-One Pressure Drill
Purpose: Teach shot selection and patience under pressure.
How to do it:
- Two players (the “team”) play against one player (the “defender”).
- The defender can only hit into one half of the court, forcing precise shot placement and anticipation.
- Rotate so all players experience the pressure role.
This drill helps doubles partners practise controlling rallies and working together to move the defender out of position.
Boast and Drive Rally
Purpose: Improve angle awareness and response to front-court boasts.
How to do it:
- One player hits a backhand from the back.
- Their partner follows up with a straight or cross-court drive from the front.
- Alternate roles after several rallies.
Volley Battle at the T
Purpose: Improve reflexes and dominance around the T area.
How to do it:
- Both players stand near the T, rallying volleys to each other at a controlled pace.
- Focus on soft hands, quick reactions, and keeping the ball tight along the side walls.
- You can add competitive scoring or introduce a “no let” rule to raise intensity.
Benefit: This drill enhances anticipation and sharpens your ability to stay in control during fast exchanges at the centre of the court – a critical area in doubles.
Corner-to-Corner Drives
Purpose: Build power and depth from both sides of the court.
How to do it:
- One player hits from the back left corner, the other from the back right.
- Hit cross-court drives to each other, keeping the ball above the service line and close to the side walls.
- Emphasise racket preparation and footwork.
- Variation: Add a target zone (e.g., the back quarter of each corner) to focus on depth.
This drill reinforces consistency and court awareness when under pressure or when looking to reset the rally.
Communication Challenge Drill
Purpose: Develop verbal communication and court coverage instincts.
How to do it:
- Play a conditioned game where players must call “mine” or “yours” before hitting any shot.
- Penalise hesitation or silence to encourage constant communication.
- Start slowly, then build up to match the pace.
Benefit: Strong communication prevents confusion and builds a sense of shared responsibility during hectic rallies.
Straight Drive and Volley Drill
Purpose: Develop a classic combination used to apply pressure and control pace.
How to do it:
- Player A hits a straight drive from the back.
- Player B volleys it short or hits a counter straight drive from the mid or front court.
- Keep rallies continuous with smooth transitions between front and back positions.
This drill mimics typical doubles patterns, where quick volleys and tight-length shots can dictate the outcome of a rally.
Conditioned Doubles Game
Purpose: Integrate tactical elements into gameplay.
How to do it:
- Play a short doubles game with one tactical constraint (e.g., no lobs, only volleys allowed, must boast once per rally).
- Rotate constraints every 5–7 minutes to focus on different skills.
Benefit: This turns match play into a targeted learning experience, helping you focus on weaker areas while still under game pressure.
Boasts are especially effective in doubles when used sparingly – this drill helps both players learn how to handle and respond to them smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Doubles squash is as much about synergy as it is about shot-making – the best pairs don’t just hit well; they think and move in sync.
By incorporating these drills into your regular training, you’ll not only sharpen your technique but also strengthen the all-important chemistry with your partner.
Training for doubles squash is about more than just hitting balls – it’s about understanding your partner, reading the court together, and mastering the subtle dynamics of team play. These drills offer a balanced mix of technical refinement, tactical awareness, and partnership development.
When added to a regular practice schedule, they can transform your doubles performance from reactive to proactive, helping you and your partner dominate rallies and play with purpose.
To sum up, the best doubles players aren’t just great individuals – they’re great collaborators and are constantly adapting and learning. So communicate, review, and refine your play – one rally at a time.