Squash players

[Mudball]

Played an hour of squash today. It was the first time I was trying it. Got pulled into a group of school dads who play.

This morning spent an hour on YouTube so that I don’t look like a complete tool. The guys on it make it look so simple. Reality was way different

What a sport and how hard it is to play it. Trying to get the ball warmed up took 15 mins. Played 4 matches + rallies where my friends showed me the ropes. At the end of the session.. my avg heart rate for the session was > 80% my max heart rate!

Been asked to come back next weekend. I will go and research some racquets to buy (recommendations welcome)

Brutal. But loved it.

Any regular squashers here?

 

[rulefan]

No longer I'm afraid but it is possibly one the best 'exercise' sports.
And it can be very subtle

 

[Imurg]

It was, probably, the one sport I couldn't take to...just couldn't keep up.
Golf is much more relaxing....

 

[SocketRocket]

Played it three/four times a week up to the age of fifty five when my knees and back couldn't keep up any more. Absolutely loved it.

If you want to take it up I would recommend some lessons so you learn the basic rules and strategy. You've got to learn not to chase the ball around the court but rather read your opponents game and move into the right position to take your next shot.

 

[Foxholer]

Great 'exercise' if you can find a partner/opponent of similar level.
Tough on the knees though - and mine were never in good shape in the first place.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Tried it a few times. Could never get into it and was always trying to simply smash the ball back without any of the subtlety or finesse you see from any player with a modicum of ability. Now the knees and eyes have gone won't be trying it again.

 

[rosecott]

No longer I'm afraid but it is possibly one the best 'exercise' sports.
And it can be very subtle

Played competitively at Trent Bridge till I reached 65 when my family said "no more". Played a few times against Derek Randall who played squash exactly as he fielded. I still dream about playing. Subtle? I was known as "sneaky Jim".

 

[Mudball]

One of the dad’s is fairly big. He is also the most experienced. When he was playing with me, he hardly every moved. I was a headless chicken fetching it from every corner.

i used to play badminton as a kid, so have some muscle memory. But squash is fairly counter intuitive for a badminton player. My knees were ok, but I did struggle to spot the ball a few times. Also, very difficult (for me) to judge the height of the bounce as the ball kept warming up. Also we switched a few balls (dots to white), the bounce kept changing.

One has to start somewhere

 

[PhilTheFragger]

The only game of squash @Imurg knows is when he sits on you

Brother Lee Love ?

 

[jim8flog]

I have not played since I tore a tendon going backwards for a shot and placing one foot on top of the other.

I used to play once a week with my brother and loved the game. I very rarely beat him. I had better technique but he was so much fitter and faster than me and could get to nearly everything.

 

[Fromtherough]

Great 'exercise' if you can find a partner/opponent of similar level.

Agree with this. Playing against experienced players is bound to result in you running around being played all over the court. Much better to try and play against another beginner, at least initially until you get a feel for the game, the bounce of the ball and an understanding of positioning.

 

[Mudball]

Agree with this. Playing against experienced players is bound to result in you running around being played all over the court. Much better to try and play against another beginner, at least initially until you get a feel for the game, the bounce of the ball and an understanding of positioning.

One of the other dad is also a relative newbie.. we sneaked into an empty court next door. That’s where I lost my virginity. Had not realised how hard you need to hit the ball for it to travel back during a service

 

[srixon 1]

Played an hour of squash today. It was the first time I was trying it. Got pulled into a group of school dads who play.

This morning spent an hour on YouTube so that I don’t look like a complete tool. The guys on it make it look so simple. Reality was way different

What a sport and how hard it is to play it. Trying to get the ball warmed up took 15 mins. Played 4 matches + rallies where my friends showed me the ropes. At the end of the session.. my avg heart rate for the session was > 80% my max heart rate!

Been asked to come back next weekend. I will go and research some racquets to buy (recommendations welcome)

Brutal. But loved it.

Any regular squashers here?

I haven’t played for about 25 years but used to play a couple of times a week. One of those sports where your opponent needs to be of a similar standard so that you get the most enjoyment out of it.
Hope you are not doing too much tomorrow because your arse muscles are going to be hurting. The first time you play squash you discover muscles that you didn’t know existed ?

 

[Deleted member 29109]

I loved playing squash and was reasonably good at it. Although a really good player could easily make you look foolish. It’s the only sport I’ve played where I have been sick during the game.

Unfortunately my left knee just isn’t up to the stress.

 

[Foxholer]

Agree with this. Playing against experienced players is bound to result in you running around being played all over the court. Much better to try and play against another beginner, at least initially until you get a feel for the game, the bounce of the ball and an understanding of positioning.

Though if you are both newbies and don't play other racquet games, keeping the ball at a sufficient temperature that it rebounds can be a problem.

 

[Deleted member 29109]

Though if you are both newbies and don't play other racquet games, keeping the ball at a sufficient temperature that it rebounds can be a problem.

We used to keep them on the radiator at the back of the court. Or warm them up and keep them in an insulated bag with hand warmers in. Playing with the correct dot ball is key. For beginners or on a cold court, the blue balls are excellent.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Never played the game, and remembering how it's popularity boomed in the 80's and 90's always considered it a yuppies game.

 

[Foxholer]

...blue balls are excellent.

I trust you mean 'blue dot balls'.

 

[Deleted member 29109]

I trust you mean 'blue dot balls'.

???

 

[pendodave]

I used to play club squash. It's a fabulous game. Lower back issues meant I had to stop in my early 30s.
On the subject of ball warning up - get the correct speed and size (you can look it up online). Rather like golf, people play stuff that is not appropriate to their ability and it makes the game much harder and less enjoyable.