The Clock and The Natural Hitting Areas

The Clock

 The player’s position relevant to the ball’s hitting (contact) area is achieved by: The Clock a diagrammatical perspective that the player uses to assist when identifying the natural hitting area: This perspective encompasses the ball’s approximate time position (circumference) which is the direction of the Step Hit the player has to take: The player’s radius distance (the hand of the clock) of the Step Hit which is needed to contact the ball.

Furthermore, the Natural Hitting Area (regardless of quality) for the straight drop is relevant to the player’s position on the court regardless of the height of the ball when being hit.

However, no matter where and how the player positions 12 o’clock directly faces the front wall. 

Example when the player straight slice drops

The Clock 

The Clock is a diagrammatical perspective that the player uses to assist when identifying the natural contact point for The Forehand Open Plane Straight Slice Drop.  

This perspective encompasses the ball’s approximate 4 o’clock time position (circumference) which is the general direction of The Step Hit the player has to take and also the player’s radius distance (the hand of the clock) of the Step Hit which is needed to contact the ball.

Remember, the Natural Hitting Area (regardless of quality) for the straight drop is relevant to the player’s position on the court regardless of the height of the ball when being hit.

The Clock a diagrammatical perspective that the player uses to assist when identifying the natural hitting area for The Forehand Open Plane Straight Slice Drop.

The Clock Direction 

Example: When the player moves forward to play a slice drop.

The player’s required direction relevant to the general hitting zone is achieved by: The Clock Direction a diagrammatical perspective that the player uses to assist when identifying the direction required to move to a General Hitting Zone: The perspective encompasses the player’s initial positioning within The T Area and a General Hitting Zone a time position (on the circumference) which is dependant on the opponent’s shot: The direction the player has to take (the hand of the clock) which is the distance (radius) to the General Hitting Zone.

The Clock Direction is always relevant to the player’s position from within The T Area.

Example when the player straight slice drops

The Clock Direction a diagrammatical perspective that the player uses to assist when identifying the direction required to move to a General Hitting Zone for The Forehand Open Plane Straight Slice Drop.  

The  Clock Direction - Exception

When the ball is positioned in the D5 Zone the player should not use The Clock Direction and take a direct path to the ball. Otherwise, the player will present front on which may encourage the player to use the forehand instead of the backhand and vice versa. Furthermore, this may result in the player being blind to the opponent. 

Instead the player should take a path to assist to get organised early into the classic side on position. This will encourage the player to use the forehand when hitting straight and similarly the backhand when hitting straight. This will allow the player to use The Clock to find the natural hitting (contact) area when playing straight. Furthermore, it is, unlikely, that the payer will be blind to the opponent.  

The Natural Hitting Areas

The Natural Hitting Areas are presented diagrammatically by The Clock.

The Three Natural Hitting Areas where the player can straight hit, cross-court hit and side wall boast.

The player is positioned away from the side wall.

The Backhand and Forehand

Forehand Clock Positions

Boast - The Clock position for the boast is approximately between 5 o’clock and 4 o’clock.

Straight Hit - The Clock position for the straight drive is approximately between 4 o’clock and 3 o’clock. 

The Cross Court Hit - The Clock position for the cross court drive is approximately between 3 o’clock and 2.45 o’clock. 

Backhand Clock Positions

Boast - The Clock position for the boast is approximately between  o’clock and  o’clock.

Straight Hit - The Clock position for the straight drive is approximately between o’clock and o’clock. 

The Cross Court Hit - The Clock position for the cross court drive is approximately between o’clock and  o’clock. 

Remember the Natural Hitting Area (regardless of quality) for the boast, the straight hit and the cross court hit is relevant to the player’s position on the court providing the player squares the racquet face on contact and regardless of the height of the ball when being hit. Furthermore, the straight hit when not cross courting can hit the front wall at an angle. Also, the cross court can hit the forehand side wall.

Copyright South Australia Squash Academy Michael Nash All Rights Reserved