Now it’s time to introduce the ‘DROP BOUNCE FEED‘. This is one of the most crucial skills to teach students so that they can all feed each other, hit squash balls, and have fun. There are too many students in a Physical Education or gym class for the teacher to feed them all. The drop bounce feed is the most effective and safe approach to get started.
PLAY THIS VIDEO TO LEARN THE DROP BOUNCE FEED FOR PARTNER AND GROUP WORK
Follow the steps outlined below to teach the most successful drop bounce-feed:
- Students should spread out across the gym, set their racquet on the floor, and place the target beneath the strings (see image to right).
- Students must drop the squash ball into the middle of the strings, aiming for the target, and catch it as it bounces up.
- Ask students to complete this work at the same time.
- When the teacher shouts out ‘FIRE,’ students hold their arms out in front at shoulder height and drop/aim the ball, and then catch their own shot off the bounce. Repeat until all students can drop and catch their own ball.
- If the ball does not bounce high enough, add some speed/force to the drop feed.
NEXT STEP:
PARTNER DRILLS FOR FOREHAND:
- Player A does a drop bounce feed, and player B catches the ball with ONE hand (their racquet hand), making sure to catch it with a sideways motion similar to a swing or skimming a stone. At each turn, switch.
- Gather all balls and targets at the conclusion of this section.
- Once students are comfortable with this feeding technique, they can feed each other and use the racquet to hit the ball off the feed against the wall or net.
- Place a small circle target in the center of the strings to aim for the drop bounce feed. This is optional but highly encouraged because it adds fun and improves focus.
