Mastering Squash Doubles for Beginners and Intermediates

Playing squash doubles requires a strategic mindset distinct from singles. With four players sharing one court, the game is faster paced, rallies last longer, and there is a greater risk of collisions or interference. Success in doubles depends on effective teamwork.

This article breaks down key strategies in team communication, court positioning, and shot selection to help beginner and intermediate players in both friendly club matches and competitive play. It also explains how doubles tactics differ from singles, drawing on advice from experienced coaches and squash associations.

A quick note on formats, because they change the court you play on. Most of the tactical advice here comes from North American hardball doubles, which is played on a purpose-built court. The World Squash Federation also promotes an international "softball" doubles game played on a wider court. The bigger the court, the more cross-court width and movement matter, so adjust the specifics below to whichever court you are on.

Here is how the main court types compare:

Recreational softball doubles is often played on the standard singles court too, which makes it cramped for four players.

Team Communication and Coordination

Open and constant communication with your partner is the foundation of good doubles play. Before a match, discuss each other's strengths, weaknesses, and preferred shots to form a simple game plan. For example, decide how you will handle balls down the middle and whether you will use specific calls like "yours" or "mine" for clarity.

A short pre-match conversation can prevent the classic mishap of a ball racing between two confused partners at a critical moment. Throughout the match, keep talking: call for shots, let your partner know when you have it, and encourage each other. Coaches note that as players reach intermediate level, they tend to communicate during and between rallies much more frequently, coordinating their movements and tactics in real time.

Trust and an understanding of roles are also crucial. Unlike singles, you do not have to (and should not) try to hit every ball. Sometimes the smarter play is to let your partner take it, which can be challenging for players transitioning from singles. Squash coach Suzie Pierrepont observes that many singles players instinctively want to play every ball, but learning to let certain shots go so your partner can hit them is essential.

Holding your position and trusting your teammate to retrieve a deep shot preserves your team's shape on court. It takes practice and trust to develop this habit, but it pays off by keeping you both in good positions. Agree on default decisions. For instance, if one partner is caught out of position, the other might default to a high lob to give both players time to recover their formation.

Establishing who will be the primary aggressor (the shot-maker) and who will play a steadier setup role is another form of communication. Usually only one player should take on the high-risk attacking shots, while the other focuses on consistency and support, otherwise both players may go for low-percentage winners and rack up errors. Being honest about these roles, even deciding mid-match if necessary, helps the team play more cohesively.

Cultivate a positive team dynamic. Good communication is not just about strategy, it is also about attitude. Choose a partner you respect and can talk to easily. A well-known rule from veteran coach Peter Briggs is that the most important decision in doubles is to pick a good partner and practice with them regularly.

A good partner may not always be the most skilled player available, but rather someone whose style complements yours and who you can communicate with under pressure. During play, use encouraging words and avoid angry outbursts or blaming your partner for mistakes. Even a normally tight-knit pair can fall apart through poor on-court communication, so maintaining mutual trust and calm is vital. In recreational play, keeping communication friendly and constructive makes the game more fun for everyone, and in competitive matches, clear communication can be the edge that wins crucial points when nerves run high.

Key communication tips:

• Use clear calls. Early and loud calls of "Mine!" or "Yours!" help avoid confusion on balls between you. Develop simple words or signals for common situations, such as a hand signal for who will cover a lob.
• Plan and review. Talk with your partner before the match and between games about tactics: serve placement, opponent weaknesses, and any adjustments. A quick huddle can keep you on the same page for the next phase of play.
• Encourage and stay positive. Doubles is a team sport, so support your partner. Celebrate good shots and brush off errors. Positive communication builds trust, whereas negativity undermines it.
• Define roles when needed. If one of you is feeling more "in the zone" as an attacker, let them be the shot-maker while the other plays a more defensive, setup role. This understanding can evolve match by match, so talk about it.
• Trust your partner. Do not chase every ball. If your partner is in a better position to retrieve a shot, especially a deep lob or a ball off the back wall, let them take it so you can hold the T or cover the front. Trust that they will make the get, and be ready to support the next shot.

Court Positioning and Movement as a Team

Proper positioning in squash doubles is all about covering the court as a unit. In singles you try to occupy the center (the T) after each shot, but in doubles two players must share defensive territory. Typically, each team assigns a left-wall player and a right-wall player, and you primarily cover shots on your side of the court.

This side-by-side positioning is the most common doubles strategy. If you are the left-wall player, you take balls on the left half (both front and back), while your partner handles the right half. Sticking to your side provides clarity and court coverage, especially for beginners. If one of you is significantly stronger or faster, consider having them play the left or backhand side, as more balls (including most serves) tend to funnel there in doubles. That said, you are not glued to one spot. Good teams rotate and adjust constantly, with one partner going for the ball while the other positions to cover the rest of the court.

A key difference from singles is that your ideal home base (your T position) is not at the absolute center of the court. Instead, each doubles player's base is a step or two toward their side's wall, roughly where the service box meets the short line. From this position, you can pivot to cover both front and back shots on your side. Think of it as your personal mini-T, and always return to this area when it is not your turn to hit, so you are ready for the next ball. When your partner is hitting from the back on their side, you should be near your own T position, watching for a loose ball that you might need to intercept.

Clear out of your partner's way after you hit your shot. In doubles, that often means moving toward the middle of the court, toward the safer open space, once you have played the ball. This clearance gives your partner a clear line to the ball and positions you to cover anything coming through the center. Novice doubles players who hover near the side wall after hitting can accidentally block their partner or get hit, so remember to clear toward an open space.

If your partner is about to play the ball, position yourself where you can see the ball and all players, often slightly behind and toward the center relative to your partner. Good positioning minimizes the chances of collisions and lets, and ensures that at least one of you can reach any shot the opponents throw at you.

Doubles tactics can alternate between a side-by-side formation and a momentary front-and-back formation depending on the situation. Side-by-side (each covering left or right) is your default structure, but when one partner is drawn forward to the front court, the other should automatically shade behind. For example, if your teammate steps up to volley or hit a drop shot, you must cover behind them in case the opponents counter with a deep shot. Conversely, if you find yourself stuck deep in a back corner retrieving a ball, your partner should hold a higher position near the T, or even slightly in front of it, to cover anything short.

This dynamic is fluid, with teams constantly handing off coverage as the ball moves. Covering the front court requires both partners' effort. A single player cannot guard both front corners alone, and any well-placed drop shot will die before one person can chase it from the back. So when you see your opponents prepare to play a drop or soft shot, both you and your partner should move up together: one of you will retrieve the drop, but the other should also be forward enough to reach a possible follow-up drop on the opposite side. This habit of moving as a tandem, up together and back together, is a hallmark of strong doubles teams.

For beginner teams, it is wise to avoid excessive switching of sides during rallies until you have practiced together. If each player reliably covers their half, you will prevent mix-ups. As you progress to intermediate play, you will learn when to switch roles or sides in a scramble. For instance, if a ball is out of reach for the right-wall player, the left-wall player might cross over to take it, but then the team should rotate positions, effectively swapping sides until the pressure is relieved.

High-level doubles pairs do this seamlessly. As coach Preston Quick notes, by the B level players naturally cover for their partner when in trouble and even change sides if necessary. For developing players, the takeaway is to always have the court covered. If your partner is pulled wide or out of position, fill the gap and communicate the switch. Be aware that leaving your own side comes with risk, because you expose the area you vacated. If you do have to chase a ball on your partner's side, try to hit a deep defensive shot, like a lob or high drive, that buys time for both of you to recover back to your respective sides. This minimizes the window during which the court is open.

Positioning principles in a nutshell:

• Hold your side's T. Play mostly from your designated half, left or right. Stay near the short line on that side when you are not hitting, rather than the absolute center. This staggered stance lets each partner cover their territory without crowding each other.
• Rotate and cover. Move as a unit. If one partner goes forward, the other shifts slightly back. If one goes wide, the other slides toward center. Always be ready to fill in for your partner and then reset back to your formation once the immediate threat is over.
• Clear the ball. After hitting a shot, get out of your partner's way. Typically, clear toward the middle of the court (if your partner is behind you) or to an open spot where you will not obstruct anyone. This also sets you up to cover the next shot.
• Both up for drops. Do not ball-watch at the back if your partner is scrambling forward. Assume any short ball will require a team effort to retrieve. It is far easier for two players to cover the front than for one player alone to do it.
• Safety and awareness. Always know where your partner is. Good positioning is not just tactical, it is safe. Avoid swinging if there is a risk of hitting your teammate, and use communication ("Go!" or "Leave!") to prevent dangerous situations. More lets happen in doubles because of traffic, so smart positioning and constant awareness of the other three players on court are critical.

Smart Shot Selection for Doubles

Choosing the right shot in doubles can be very different from singles. In singles squash, players often hit straight drives down the wall to contain their opponent and only go cross-court or short when it is safe. In doubles, straight shots are less dominant and overly defensive play can backfire, because with two opponents any weak straight drive is likely to be intercepted and punished.

Cross-court shots are far more valuable in doubles. Opening up the court with well-placed cross-courts is described as the biggest difference in doubles strategy versus singles. Hitting cross-court forces both opponents to move and can create confusion about who should take the ball. A straight drive in doubles, even if hit well, will often be volleyed aggressively by the opposing player waiting on that side.

As Suzie Pierrepont puts it, what works in singles (a tight rail from the back to regain the T) does not work in doubles because the court is just too big. Even a good length along the wall will probably be cut off and put in short by alert opponents. The smarter play when you are under pressure in a back corner is usually a high, arcing cross-court to the far side, or even a three-wall boast that lofts the ball deep. Shots that would be considered desperate in singles can be very effective in doubles, because these high or wide shots move your opponents around and give you and your partner time to re-establish position.

Patience and consistency are vital in shot selection. With four players on court, there is twice the coverage of a singles match, so outright winners are harder to hit, especially at the beginner and intermediate level. Do not go for low-percentage nicks or ultra-fine drops too early in the rally, unless your opponents are completely out of position.

Instead, use a sequence of shots to create an opening. One simple strategy is to always hit deep before you shoot short. In practice, work the ball to the back of the court until you draw your opponents out of their comfort zone, then attack the front when a real opportunity arises. If both opponents are stuck behind, a soft drop or volley drop can be a winner, but if one opponent is already lurking forward, a drop shot is likely to be run down easily. High-level coaches emphasize minimizing unforced errors in doubles: keeping the ball in play and not handing free points through tins or careless mistakes is half the battle. Make the other team earn their points.

To consistently put pressure on the opposing team, aggressive volleying is a must. The old adage in doubles is to volley every ball you can touch. Cutting the ball off in mid-air takes time away from your opponents and prevents you and your partner from getting dragged deep into the back corners. Whenever possible, step forward and intercept the ball with an open racket face, aiming to keep your volleys off the tin while still forcing the opponents to scramble.

Even defensive volleys, blocking the ball high back to the ceiling or deep into the court, are useful because they deny the other side an easy attacking shot. By volleying, you also hold your advantageous position on the T-line and do not allow the ball to take you away from your position up front. If you let the ball pass you, you risk getting stuck behind your partner or giving the opponents an open space to exploit. Developing good volley skills is one of the quickest ways for a doubles team to move from a recreational standard to a competitive one.

When looking to win rallies, use the geometry of the doubles court to your advantage. There are four corners but only two opponents, so the objective is often to split the team on the diagonal and hit to one of the open quadrants. For example, if the opposing team is lined up side-by-side, a fast cross-court to the deep opposite corner will force them both to shift and possibly leave the front court exposed. If one opponent is up and one back, you have two choices: hit deep to the back corner the up-player just vacated, or hit a soft shot to the front corner the back-player cannot cover in time. By constantly probing the uncovered spaces, you keep your opponents off balance.

One highly effective attacking shot in doubles is the reverse corner, hitting the ball diagonally into the front corner on the opposite side from where you struck it. Coaches call this the number-one attacking shot in doubles, because when executed well the ball caroms to the far front corner and the opposition usually has to play the ball back cross-court to your partner, setting up your team to attack again on the volley. An opponent cannot easily return a reverse corner straight down the line without risking a stroke (hitting an opponent), so it often forces a predictable return.

Intermediate players should practice the reverse corner and three-wall boasts, as these can turn defense into offense in doubles. Be wary of hitting conventional straight drops or straight kills from wide positions. If an opponent is nearby, that shot might hit them or result in a stroke against you. It is usually safer to send the ball to the open side or high above an opponent.

Another potent and under-used tactic is the down-the-middle shot. Unlike tennis, where "down the middle solves the riddle" is common, squash players do not hit into the middle as often. But a well-timed shot straight through the center of the court can create controlled chaos, as doubles veteran Gary Waite puts it. The sudden confusion over whose ball it is can win you a quick point or force a weak return.

If you aim a drive or hard volley into the middle at about shoulder height, the opponents might hesitate just long enough for the ball to sneak past. You and your partner should have a plan for your own middle. Generally, the player with the easier forehand angle takes balls through the center, typically the left-wall player if both are right-handed. Use the middle attack sparingly but deliberately, for instance right after a series of wide shots when the other team's spacing might be distorted. Even at lower levels, an occasional lob or drive between your two opponents can yield a surprising winner or at least force them into a mix-up.

Selective targeting of opponents is another strategic element, especially in competitive play. It is often wise to test which opponent has the weaker side or is less comfortable, then feed them a steady diet of shots. This could mean hitting most of your serves and attacking shots toward the player who is struggling, effectively isolating them.

In recreational games, you might not want to pick on your friend, but in tournaments it is a proven tactic: center your attack on the weaker player and be relentless. For example, if one opponent is visibly less agile at the front, use more drops and volley attacks on that side. If one has a weaker backhand, keep putting balls into that corner. Doubles gives you two targets, so use it to your advantage by exploiting whichever opponent is likely to yield a weaker return.

Shot selection guidelines:

• Work the length first. Establish deep shots before attacking short. Use high deep drives or lobs to push opponents back. Once they are behind the service line, a well-timed drop or sharp volley can do maximum damage.
• Volley aggressively. Step forward and intercept whenever possible. Even if you just block the ball back, you maintain the initiative. Do not willingly retreat to the back wall under pressure. Meet the ball early and keep the attackers at bay.
• Attack with width and angle. Favour cross-courts, boasts, and reverses to move the ball away from your opponents. Aim cross-court shots to bounce off the side wall at awkward heights, around shoulder or knee level, to make opponents scramble. Vary the angles and height to keep them guessing.
• Use the lob and high defensive shots. When in trouble or when you need to buy time for your team, lift the ball high. A lob that arcs to the back corner can reset the rally, allowing you and your partner to reposition. High shots are also less likely to leave you stuck in a double-bounce situation.
• Minimize risk unless it is worth it. Avoid low-percentage attempts like razor-thin drops or low kills through traffic, especially if your partner is not expecting it. It is better to prolong the rally and wait for a clear opening than to tin the ball or hit an opponent. Keeping the ball in play forces the other team to work and often leads to their error.
• Exploit the middle and miscommunication. Throw in an occasional down-the-middle drive or a fast body-cross at an opponent to create confusion. Do not overdo it, but remember that unpredictability is on your side if you have agreed with your partner about who covers the middle.
• Target weaknesses. If one opponent has visibly weaker skills, direct more shots at them. In competitive play, this is standard procedure. Pressure the less steady player until they crack, while staying ready if the stronger opponent poaches a shot.

Bringing It Together

Squash doubles blends strategy, skill, and teamwork. By focusing on clear communication, sound positioning, and intelligent shot selection, beginner and intermediate players can greatly improve their doubles performance. Doubles is fundamentally different from singles, because you must always account for a partner and two opponents.

Talk to your teammate, trust each other's abilities, and cover the court together as a unit. As you apply these strategies, your recreational games become more enjoyable and safer, and your competitive matches become more winnable. Good doubles play comes down to two players operating with a single, shared plan. Practice these concepts and learn from experienced doubles coaches and partners, and your doubles pair will start to function as a real team.