Squash

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Squash, much like racquetball, is played on a court with a racket and a rubber ball. Millions of people enjoy this recreational activity as exercise or in competition.

Squash is played on an enclosed court. Two red lines on the front wall of the court serve as the inbounds, where a person must hit the ball on the serve. Players can only get points on their own serve. They can lose the serve if they make an error.

A player wins by getting nine points. Play continues alternately until a player misses or the marker judge declares the ball out.

Because of all the exercise involved in squash, a player must be physically fit and trim. To play a full match, players must compete in five games. That can take a toll on those who are not in good physical condition.

Squash enthusiasts in both Canada and the U.S. have a lot of squash clubs and facilities available to them. The United States Squash Racquets Association (USSRA) lists all the facilities and clubs in the country.

Sara McNeill is a squash enthusiast. She began playing in 1990 while she was working in a hospital in Australia. "It's fabulous exercise and socially...it is great. There is a tight-knit community of squash players who belong to the various clubs around town," she says.

The clubs and facilities provide members with the opportunity to meet others in their area. Although it may be expensive to join these clubs, the expense is well worth the benefits. Online chats and members' e-mail addresses allow members to set up their own games, as well.

An article in SquashTalk says the game was initially popular with the wealthy, who build courts at their houses in the country. Courts later began to spring up at clubs, schools and hotels. Even today, many luxury hotels provide customers with racquetball and squash courts.

Squash continues to be a good exercise and social activity. People are joining squash clubs and organizations every day.

David Adams is a squash coach. He believes that squash fills a social need. "Squash players tend to be reasonably tolerant and humble. During the game, they are required to cooperate physically while competing. That is a very difficult test for the human being," Adams says.

Getting Started

Squash is a relatively inexpensive sport. There are club and facility fees that can be paid on an annual basis.

The first thing a beginning squash player needs to do is buy the proper equipment. You will need a racquet, some rubber balls and proper playing attire, typically shorts and a T-shirt.

Injuries in squash can be anything from a hit on the head with a racket to a broken leg. People with special needs rarely play squash because of all the running and closed spaces involved.

According to the USSRA, when someone gets injured, three things could occur. If the injury is self-inflicted or accidentally caused by an opponent, the player must continue playing.

If the opponent deliberately caused the injury, the injured player wins the match.

Employment in the field of squash is not financially rewarding. But it is physically rewarding. Squash enthusiasts could become coaches, professional players or officiators for tournaments.

Organizations such as the USSRA provide classes for certification for coaching or officiating tournaments and squash matches.

As a coach, Adams receives satisfaction from seeing people's confidence grow as they become more skilled. "I encourage them to invest in skills, particularly ones that can be applied worldwide, be enjoyed as an individual, are good for life and are inexpensive and convenient to test with another human being," Adams says.

McNeill says there are employment opportunities in sports administration or coaching. "You could manage a squash facility, or work as a squash professional. Professional squash players make a pretty decent living if they're good," she says.

"Squash is an up-and-coming sport that encourages players of all levels to participate in leagues and tournaments," McNeill says.

Associations

United States Squash Racquets Association
P.O. Box 1216
23 Cynwyd Rd.
Bala Cynwyd , PA   19004
USA
E-mail : office@us-squash.org
Internethttp://www.us-squash.org/

Women's International Squash Players Association
Internethttp://www.wispa.net/

Professional Squash Association
Internethttp://psa-squash.com/

Publications

Squash: Steps to Success,
by  Philip Yarrow
Improve Your Squash Game: 101 Drills, Coaching Tips and Resources,
by  Pippa Sales
Sports With Racquets,
by  Hugo H. Bronsen
Squash (Know the Sport),
by  Carolyn B. Mitchell
Get Ready for Squash: A Complete Training Program,
by  David Collins

SquashTalk
Internethttp://www.squashtalk.com

Squash Player Magazine
Internethttp://www.squashplayer.co.uk/

Links

Squash Leagues
Online squash management system for individuals interested in playing with other members

Globalsquash.com
Has a section on squash tips

Worldwide Squash Ladder
Find other players

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Contact

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    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

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