“Indoor tennis”, “game you can play on your own” or “simple ball bouncing off a wall” – there are many misconceptions about squash. Most of them are completely untrue. However, the ignorance is associated with a relatively short presence of this discipline in Poland.
For all intents and purposes, suitable courts only started appearing in 1990’s, and the first team championship took place no earlier than in 2010. At present, places where you can play squash, specialized shops with gear and trainers who will introduce us to the ins and outs of this discipline are easily accessible in cities all over the country. Nothing stands in the way of you trying your hand at this sport! Most of the discipline’s enthusiasts will find out immediately that it was worth their while.
Advantages of squash
People who are accustomed to the pace typical for tennis may be in for a surprise when playing squash for the first time. This is a particularly quick and dynamic game, which requires flexibility, quick reflexes and coordination (at the same time, squash is excellent for mastering all these skills).
Anyone who wishes to lose a little bit of weight will not leave the court disappointed. One game can help you burn even 1000 kcal. It comes as no surprise because the game combines running, jumping and swinging your hand, with involvement of your whole body. In particular, playing squash strengthens the muscles of arms, abdomen, legs (calves, thighs and buttocks) and back.
This is not all. Being a highly dynamic sport, squash has a very beneficial effect on our respiratory and circulatory systems, therefore it can function as, for example, a weekly equivalent of one intensive cardio workout.
Benefits for the body are one thing, but we must not forget about squash’s favourable effects on our psyche. The game requires a substantial amount of focus, resembling strategic board games or even chess in which you need to foresee and pre-empt your opponent’s every move. This makes it an excellent active relaxation for the brain. Let us not forget about endorphin, serotonin and dopamine which are usually excreted with intensive body movements.
Contrary to obsolete beliefs, squash is not “tennis for one player”. The game is not just about bouncing the ball off a wall, even though it is possible to use the court individually, albeit only for practice. This game is usually played one-on-one or in doubles, which is another advantage. You may bond with friends or make new acquaintances when playing.
How to play squash – basic rules
There are indeed a few similarities between squash and tennis, but we must not be misguided by that. Otherwise, we may easily make a mistake – for example, a ball touching the line is considered to be out. The court looks differently. First of all, it must always be enclosed by walls. Its dimensions were determined a hundred years ago at 9750 x 6400 mm.
Naturally, players should get to know the specific rules of the game rather than the court’s exact dimensions or its characteristics. The rules may seem quite complicated for beginners, all the more so that the game is very much about tactics and outsmarting your opponent. Nevertheless, it is worth going through some not-so-successful sessions, as a baptism of fire, to get to know the sport well. Absolute beginners may also take a few lessons from a trainer employed at a sports club.
A game starts with a 5-minute warm-up during which each player has 2.5 minutes for a good practice. Like in tennis, the actual game starts with a serve. The first player to serve is usually selected by spinning the racket (and less frequently by a toss of a coin). The ball must be served from the service box (without making a contact with the line) and must hit the front wall of the court below the out line and bounce in the opponent’s quarter of the court. The serving player serves alternately from the right and left service boxes (freely choosing the first box to serve from) as long as they keep winning points.
The front wall of the court plays an important role not only during service. A ball played by the opponent may be hit by the player only after it bounces off the front wall (it can also hit the side walls on its way, but the front wall is of the essence). Players hit the ball alternately until one of them makes a mistake. A match is played until two or three games are won (a game is won when a player scores 11 points, unless the game is tied at 10 points; if this is the case, they continue playing until one of them gains a 2-point advantage).
The above rules are an abbreviated and simplified version prepared specifically for this article. Before going to a court for the first time, it is worth knowing the rules. Like we already said, beginners may ask trainers for advice or even purchase a few lessons.
Squash – what should you buy?
Like every sports discipline, squash requires you to make a few purchases before you can start playing it. Fortunately, the shopping list is not long. Especially if you do other sports. Sportswear should be first of all comfortable and breathable. Sports t-shirts and shorts, or tennis or running skirts will work perfectly. You need to remember that squash is a high-intensity indoor sport which means you need to wear light clothing, suitable for high temperatures. The footwear should be suitable for running on wooden floors, light and stable and with a good grip. Remember to choose non-marking soles.
The selection of the ball is a little more complicated. Do not forget that squash is a tactical game, and outsmarting your opponent is your chance to win. This is why it is better to have more time to think over your next hit, especially when you are only just starting to play. Contrary to common sense, you should grab a “quick ball” then. In contrast, a “slow ball” has a better chance of touching the floor twice, which steals away your time to think about tactics. A good shopping assistant will definitely help you choose the best model to match your level. If you do not want to ask for help, look at the dots – the more dots a ball has, the slower and more professional it is. Importantly, every ball needs to be warmed-up properly before the game, therefore a 5-minute exchange takes place before each match in accordance with the rules.
The most important accessory is the racket. You should by no means use the one you play tennis with. Squash requires different type of gear. The racket size is no more than 686 x 215 mm, and its weight should not exceed 255 g. The weight plays an important role when choosing the racket. As a rule, heavier rackets are recommended for beginners, as they deliver a heavier hit and greater stability. In contrast, professional players usually choose very lightweight rackets which additionally speed up their reaction.
Head size also matters (the bigger the head, the easier for beginners to play), as does the stiffness of the frame (more flexible frames are recommended for a start). Other characteristics include the net pattern or material from which the racket is made. There are so many possibilities that it is best to just ask the shop assistant about the available range and choose a possibly comfortable model within your price range. What you need to remember is that your first racket will not be your target gear. Do not spend so much as an advance player would.
Any investment you make in the gear will more than pay for itself quickly, making you will feel good and in excellent shape. No wonder squash is gaining new followers at an impressively fast pace. It is true that it has still not been included in the Olympic games, but efforts are still being made. An army of fans is keeping their fingers crossed all around the world.
Sources:
1. https://www.squashtime.pl/index.php?language=en.
2. polskisquash.pl/en/.