Tactical use of the T area in squash by players of differing standard

Abstract

The importance of dominating the T in squash is recognized by coaches and players but there has been little formal investigation of this aspect of tactical play. Consequently, the aim of this research was to analyse player occupancy of a T area, to establish whether there are differences between winners and losers of games at different playing standards. An automated player-tracking system, with operator supervision and intervention, captured players' movements during matches at the World Team Championships (n = 11), the Slovenian National Championships (n = 11), and a local tournament (n = 15). Frequency of occupying the T area at the moment opponents played their shot best discriminated playing standard. Winners spent a greater proportion of total playing time in the T area than losers (P < 0.001), except during closely contested games. The results suggest that time in the T area indicates dominance of rallies. Future studies need to consider both between-group (playing standard) and within-game (individual player standard) differences, as both were shown to influence the time players spent in the T area.