Squash
Insider Info
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
Internet
:
http://www.us-squash.org/
Women's International Squash Players Association
Internet
:
http://www.wispa.net/
Professional Squash Association
Internet
:
http://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
Internet
:
http://www.squashtalk.com
Squash Player Magazine
Internet
:
http://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
Back to Career Cluster