First off, think about the patterns of shots you have been using throughout the first four games. When your opponent hits the ball to one place on the squash court, you probably get to the ball and typically hit it pretty much the same way each time. Your opponent is just the same. He or she hits in certain patterns. After four games, you should be able to discern your opponent's hitting patterns and almost anticipate where he/she will hit the ball before it goes there. To win, you must vary the pattern.
Vary the pattern on your serve, because that's the easiest way to score a quick point. It's also wise to vary the pattern on your serve because you control that shot entirely; its pace, its direction, its timing. You begin the service toss when and where you want, so you are in control. After four long games, your usual serving pattern will be deeply etched in your opponent's conscious or subconscious mind, and it will be hard for your opponent to suddently receive an entirely different serve.
So, prepare to serve just as you normally do, and do not give any indication that your serve will be entirely different from all the other serves you have hit so far in the match. Then, hit one of these three change-up serves to win a quick point:
- a very hard serve that hits low on the side wall, just beyond the service line (ideally, this would hit the junction of the floor and side wall, and roll out, unplayable)
- a very hard serve aimed behind the receiver, so that he/she must deal with hitting a stroke on the 'wrong', unexpected side
- a soft, very high lob serve that grazes the high side wall and drops into the back corner of the service box