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Great video. I feel like everyone knows what the perfect lob looks like, but not much time is spent beyond that thinking about how an imperfect lob can still be effective. The ones that come well off the back wall but end up tight on the side wall are definitely not what we're taught to hit, but really effective because a drive in response is much riskier at more normal skill levels.

That's not just a normal drop either. Very fast racket head, very little follow through, the ball isn't floated in and stays relatively short.

Hesham will probably never be number 1, won"t win as many titles as Elshorbagy or Farag, but he is my favorite player to watch !

My coach emphasizes this a lot

Often students ask how my kill shots are so sharp. I tell them its because i change my grip for almost every shot i make. Unless its identical shots consecutively. Ive been doing that since i was a badminton player before squash. And when im lazy and dont alter my grip, it often ends in mediocre quality. It does however add another layer to ur fatigue if u contantly have to think ans chabge ur grip. I guess i dont train enough is why.

Excellent topic. I always adjust my grip slightly. It really makes a big difference in putting the ball in deep corners.

Coming from badminton this makes a lot of sense, I always found it weird that the squash world was so fixated on one way to hold the racket. I guess it makes sense for consistency and stopping bad habits in beginner players, but once you have a solid foundation to your game changing up the grip is really useful for flicks, deception etc

what are some points of static fluidity in backhand and forhand drive forms?

Really interesting. Would like to see more of this with us 5.0-5.5 rates players

Wow what a nice to the point video. Ahad I am having another problem. Can you help me? I am having a sharp pain on lunge and also on climbing stairs and its more on mesial side of my left knee. Is it a ruptured ligament? Do I see an orthopaedic? Please guide.

Perfect timing Ahad, I am working on this right now! 👍😎

I must mention that subramanium often quickly measures whether it’s worth her while running for a short ball which can look like she’s given up or is tired. Compare with hamamy who runs for everything even if it looks impossible to reach, perhaps a waste of energy but means sometimes she reaches it and surprises herself. Ahad, what is your mental mindset? Do you make yourself run for everything or do you quickly calculate if it’s worth the effort?

What I really like about this video is how you can see the almost zen-like flow of a top 10 player between their movement and striking of the ball vs an otherwise “really good” player. The timing between moving and playing through a crisp shot, with virtually no effort, and getting so much power is a subtlety that’s difficult to understand for someone who has never played the game. It’s just as graceful watching a player like Diego as it is watching world class ballet. There’s a reason we call it the beautiful game!

Loved the illustration of themes at play in a high level match !

Unbelievable. You did very well.

Thanks, especially useful tactic for masters, but i have 2 questions, one is where we should aim to hit on the Front wall for good height when hitting from the back court? And second is it safe to use cross lob from the back court on the bh side? As this is more vulnerable to opponent's volley....

Hey ahad. I had emailed you previously. But i dont know if you recieved it. As i didnt recieve a reply

Some amazing offense and defense by these guys. 4:28 is probably my favorite shot to watch and the least favorite to play, haha.

Repeating what everyone said, this is an excellent analysis. Especially the point you made where Diego looks briefly at Ali. I have this huge problem of not knowing where my opponent is and this might help.

Great analysis Ahad.

Amazing analysis. Loved it and very revealing. Just one request: we never saw the entire rally, uninterrupted, even once. Maybe the start could have had that. Just my two cents. Congratulations on a great channel!!

Incredible analysis, Elias just might be the most beautiful and graceful player I have ever seen. Eleinen is a close second.

Awesome video, Diego is my favorite player- the holds, the effortless movement, the accuracy... it really is just next level. Thanks for sharing this and commentating! Really cool to see Diego dissect and break down a strong player like yourself!

Wow thats so cool you got to play with him, also very insightfull explaining the game. Thanks!

You got to play with Diego?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is insane!!!! So happy for you!

Just got this in my feed. Two key factors affecting shot selection: 2 inch difference in height of tin, and height of the pros. JK 5'6.5” (1.69 m). Farag 6.0' (1.83 m). Farag is 5.5 ins. taller!

Several years ago I watched a 19 year old Elias hold and stretch an insanely fit local college qualifier in the local pro tournament. I have never seen someone so fit get ripped apart chasing after someone’s shots. You could tell Elias was toying with him with every shot, while floating effortlessly himself.

It's amazing how effortless he looks in putting so much weight and pace in his shots, transfering his entire body weight into the shot. I think you did pretty well, that long rally was nice. Thanks for sharing

I had the good fortune of being at a training camp with Wilstrop and the French General. I am only a club level player, but honestly, how insanely quick Gautier is and how deceptively he plays blows my mind. 3 Days with them, the first day was a warm up, I was so sore I could barely walk day two, Greg helped me stretch and I played Rabbit with him and Wilstop on court for 7 minutes, I don't think I've ever been more tired. It was amazing and I enjoyed it.

What an amazing opportunity! Was a blast to watch, thanks for posting! I think if we can all strive to have a little bit of Diego's game in us - squash IQ is just amazing, movement is so smooth. Knows really where to hit each ball with purpose to work his opponent, not just blindingly hitting a ball anywhere for the sake of keeping the rally alive

Thank you for this! It is amazing to see how many levels are possible in this amazing game of ours ❤

Ok, so, next time u need to move him off the T, you must volley more and be deceptive. Try to squeeze him, happy to give you some more tips!! Great video👍

Nice Content! Your comment s shows us really your experience with that partner! It’s really another world and none of us have any kind of chance against those guys! Diego ist sympathic

That was so educational to watch, you are very lucky to get that opportunity with Diego. We usually watch him play other world players and it’s hard to appreciate how good and nuanced his skill is until you match him with a mortal.

Man, I miss this game. You're right about the different levels and when you come up against one you feel different kind of pains. Was always fun being on the other side and helping work others around until they crawl off the court.

How is it that an amateur video probably shot on a phone 8 years ago is better quality than Squash TV now?? Anyway, entertaining video as always thanks 👌

Well done, Ahad. Thank you for posting and providing commentary.

Great video!

Thank you for sharing! Love your channel! Most tantalizing line: "I just couldn't see Gaultier's kill shot". What do you think made it so deceptive?

Best squash content on TH-cam. Really love it!

Wow, just wow. Fantastic video, Ahad. Having seen you play, I know what it takes to seems like Diego is feeding you.

I haaaaaate being so far below another players level of ability/skill 😅 I just feel so embarrassed the whole time hahaha. Kudos to you Ahad for having the courage to even step on court with such an expert!

To answer the title of your video, I'd say he's pretty f**king good! 😅😅😅

Great video, what an experience that must of been. Could hear the genuine joy in your voice talking about it as well, awesome stuff.

This brings back a lot of memories for me. I am now 78 years old, when I was in my late twenties Ahmed Safwat from Egypt, who was once number 2 in the world, came to Saskatoon as part of a squash tour across Canada along with Dave Morgan an English player who refereed. I was one of three local players that he played with. The games where played up to 15 points, he could only win points on his serve and we could win points on any winning rally. The local television was there to interview us after the matches. Definitely one of my great memories of my squash playing days. Safwat eventually became an important coach in the early years of Egyptian squash.

So good, that's a bucket list experience.

Thanks for the video Ahad. I've been playing for over 40 years, and what amazes me most are the endless number of levels in this game as you pointed out. As a good B player I've been on court with good 5.5 players, 6.0 players, where I could rally and get the some points. Many years ago I was lucky enough to get a game with Jahinger; he was at my club in Toronto training a highly ranked Canadian junior. That was another 20 level sup. His length and control was so incredible I literally couldn't return one shot from the back corner! After 8 minutes I was never so tired in my life. This is such an amazing game with incredible athletes!

Remember when you were at u of t and refused to train with the team because you were too good to train with inferior players. Bit ironic.

Fun video, you're a great player!