A great serve in squash is like a well-scripted opening scene—it sets the tone, steals time from your opponent, and gives you first claim to the T-position. For beginners, mastering a few simple, high-percentage serves (and knowing when to use them) can turn stressful first rallies into controlled, winnable points. This guide breaks down the rules, footwork, core serve types, placement targets, and easy drills so your serve becomes a reliable weapon—not just a formality.
First, know the serve rules (so you don’t give away free points)
- Foot placement: At least one foot fully inside the service box (not touching the lines) when you strike the ball.
- Front wall target: Your serve must hit the front wall above the service line.
- Landing zone: After the front wall, the ball must land in the opposite back quarter (it may touch side/back walls after the front wall and still be good).
- Alternating boxes: Win a point, switch boxes for the next serve.
- Faults to avoid: Side wall before front wall, ball below the service line (down), ball out above the out line, or landing in the wrong quarter.
If you’re clean on these, you’ll keep pressure on the receiver from rally one.
Serve setup: stance, grip, and contact
- Grip: Neutral “handshake” grip; keep pressure relaxed (4–6/10), tighten briefly at contact.
- Stance: Shoulders roughly parallel to the side wall; back foot near the rear corner of the service box, front foot pointing slightly toward the front wall target.
- Ball toss: Think “drop” rather than a high toss—waist-to-chest height so contact is repeatable.
- Contact point: Slightly in front of your front hip; extend the arm and finish high for height/shape.
- Hold the pose: A still head and balanced finish improve consistency—and disguise.
The four beginner-friendly serves (with when to use each)
1) The High Lob Serve (bread-and-butter)
What it is: A high, arcing ball that hits the front wall just above the service line and floats deep into the back corner of the opposite side—ideally hugging the side wall after the bounce.
Why it works: It buys you time to recover to the T, forces the receiver to hit under pressure near the glass, and limits their attacking volley.
How to hit it:
- Aim just above the service line on the front wall.
- Open the racket face slightly; think “lift,” not “drive.”
- Visualize a landing point two racquet lengths from the back wall and one racquet width from the side wall.
Common mistake to avoid: Too low (sits up to volley) or too central (easy return). Miss high and wide, not low and middle.
2) The Body Serve (jammer)
What it is: A faster, shoulder-to-hip-height serve that heads toward the receiver’s body on their backhand side (for most players) before bouncing deep.
Why it works: It crowds their swing, forcing a weak, short return you can pounce on.
How to hit it:
- Aim at the front wall target that projects a line through the receiver’s torso.
- Keep the trajectory flatter than a lob but not reckless—think controlled pace.
- Recover to the T quickly; body serves often come back fast.
Use it when: Your opponent is stepping early to volley your lobs or standing too close to the side wall.
3) The Width Serve (side-wall kiss)
What it is: A medium/high serve that clips the side wall shortly after the front-wall hit, then drops steeply into the back quarter.
Why it works: The early side-wall contact changes angle and kills pace, making timing awkward.
How to hit it:
- From the right box, aim left-of-center on the front wall (mirror from the left box).
- Visualize a V-shaped path: front wall → near side wall → deep corner.
- Keep height generous; width without height is a sitter.
Use it when: Opponents like to take the ball early; the side-wall kiss steals their comfort.
4) The Flat Drive Serve (surprise change-up)
What it is: A lower, quicker serve that hits above the service line but travels flatter and lands near the back boundary quickly.
Why it works: As a surprise—not a staple. It rushes the receiver and invites a short, defensive reply.
How to hit it:
- Contact slightly earlier and drive through the ball.
- Aim just above the service line; keep it tight to the side wall.
- Use sparingly; a miss hits the tin or sits up to be punished.
Use it when: You’ve established height with lobs and your opponent is backing off, expecting another one.
Box-by-box tactics: which side favors which serve?
- From the right box (to left back quarter):
Most right-handers receive backhand here. Favor high lob and width to pin them; sprinkle in body serves to the hip/racket-hand. - From the left box (to right back quarter):
You’re often serving to their forehand. Use higher, deeper lobs (less jam potential) and the side-wall width to move them late.
General rule: Target the receiver’s weaker wing (usually backhand) more often, but keep mixing height/angle/pace to avoid patterns.
Serve placement: think targets, not just types
Picture each back quarter as a 3×3 grid (front-to-back, wall-to-center):
- Back-wall nick zone (deep & wide): Primary lob target.
- Shoulder/hip corridor: Body serve lane to jam the swing.
- Side-wall kiss lane: Early side-wall contact to distort timing.
- Deep central strip: Risky—avoid unless it’s a planned flat drive surprise.
Coaching cue: “Miss wide, miss high.” If you’re going to miss, sail it close to the out line rather than drop it short and central.
The serve + first step: claim the T
Serving is only half the opener; your recovery is the other half.
- Serve → two fast recovery steps → split step at the T.
- Racket up, eyes on opponent.
- If your serve is strong (late/awkward return), look to volley the first reply and keep the opponent behind you.
Bad habit to kill: Watching your serve instead of moving. Hit, move, then read.
Reading the receiver (and adapting mid-match)
- If they volley early: more height and width; lift the contact point on the front wall.
- If they stand off the back wall: flatten the trajectory or body-serve into their stance.
- If they chip short crosscourt: follow your serve into the T and be ready to intercept with a volley straight drive or drop.
- If they boast frequently, expect it from cramped positions—recover slightly forward after serving to pounce.
Serve patterns should evolve; note what drew the worst return and repeat with variation (same height, different lane; same lane, different pace).
Five simple serve drills (10–12 minutes each)
- Lob Ladder
Aim for front-wall height bands: just above service line → halfway to out line → ¾ height. 10 makes per band from each box. - Deep-Corner Bingo
Place two cones: one a racquet width from the side wall, one two racquet lengths from the back wall. Score a point for each serve that lands between them and dies near the glass. - Body-Line Accuracy
Have a partner stand at the typical receiving spot. Chalk a chest-high target on the front wall. Hit through the torso line without over-hitting; 20 reps/box. - Width Kiss Builder
Mark a rectangle on the side wall about 1.5–2 m behind the short line. Serve so that the ball touches that rectangle after the front wall. 15 clean kisses/side. - Serve + First Volley
Serve, recover to the T, partner returns anywhere; your only goal is to volley the first return and play length (straight rail). 3 sets × 3 minutes, switch roles.
Final Rally
In squash, you don’t need a dozen fancy serves—you need two or three you trust and the discipline to recover to the T after you hit them. Master a high lob that dies deep, a body serve that jams the backhand, and a width serve that kisses the side wall. Layer in smart placement, crisp footwork, and a first-volley mindset, and you’ll start every rally on your terms.
Serve with purpose, recover with intent, and let your opponent be the one reacting. That’s the art of the serve—and the fastest way for beginners to feel in control from the very first shot.
