Probabilistic Analysis of Various Squash Shots and Skill Study of Different Levels of Squash Players and Teams

TL;DR

This paper presents a probabilistic model to analyze squash match strategies, comparing skill levels based on shot types and court positions, providing insights for coaching and sports analytics.

Contribution

It introduces a probabilistic framework for analyzing squash shots and skill levels, offering a new method for skill comparison and strategic analysis.

Findings

Professional players use a wider variety of shots and favor backcourt play.

Intermediate players focus more on mid-court shots and make more errors.

The model quantifies strategic differences and aids skill assessment.

Abstract

We introduce a compact probabilistic model for two-player and two-team (four-player) squash matches, along with a practical skill-comparison rule derived from point-scoring probabilities. Using recorded shot types and court locations, we analyze how shot distributions differ between professional-level and intermediate-level players. Our analysis shows that professional players use a wider variety of shots and favor backcourt play to maintain control, while intermediate players concentrate more on mid-court shots, generate more errors, and exercise less positional control. These results quantify strategic differences in squash, offer a simple method to compare player and team skill, and provide actionable insights for sports analytics and coaching.