Squash players

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.
is it blue? My other newbie friend suggested I order a red dot one… I haven’t. Researched it so far. Tomorrow wfh is going to be interesting
 
played a couple of times but never really took to it. Table tennis was my racket/bat game, followed by badminton. Mrs Hobbit was an excellent badminton player, and we pretty much always played singles against each other.
 
I started playing when I was twelve. Played regularly until I was 46. Over the last 20 odd years of playing, I occasionally played my sister who was two years older than me - never ever beat her! I loved playing, you got a great hour or so of strenuous exercise in what seemed like 5 minutes.
 
is it blue? My other newbie friend suggested I order a red dot one… I haven’t. Researched it so far. Tomorrow wfh is going to be interesting

It was blue, red, single yellow then double yellow when I played. Things may have changed now.
 
Having played to a reasonable standard I would suggest initially in January to ensure you have a red or blue ball initially as you will not hit the ball hard enough to warm it up and make it enjoyable. Ensure you take control of the T which is key and look at where your opponent is rather than the front wall.

Try and hit the ball down the line and try and keep tour opponent behind you.

Not sure of tour age but if you played for around an hour you will walk tomorrow like never before!

Such a shame it is mot as popular as in the 80’s 90’s.
 
Best game I ever played. Loved it. Played it , or went running, every day until I was fifty. When I was 62 I went to the Dr and told him I was going back to it. Couldn't stand the boredom of the gym any more. I managed a couple more years.
I really, really miss it.

Bit like golf re the rules. If you stick fully to the rules, there were some didn't like it?
 
I just discoved that there are muscles between your shoulder blades and also in your lower back... Must me new muscle categories..
 
I played it a couple of times many years ago. I honestly think it's one of the hardest games I've ever played in terms of physical effort. But then, I was playing against someone who was a bit better than me each time. Nowadays I play badminton which is loads of fun but not quite as killer - especially not in doubles which is very enjoyable. Singles is a bit more of a sweat - but nothing close to squash.
 
When I first saw people playing squash, I thought it was daft just hitting a ball against a wall. Then I played it and I loved it. I played it for years but eventually other things took up my time. Age and a dodgy knee means I won't try again now, but I really enjoyed it while I played it.
 
Club's tend to have a ladder system for playing. It's like ability leagues where you start on the bottom of the league and play the others in your league. At the end of the month the best result goes up a league, the lowest goes down (unless you're at the bottom) and the middle result stays. You soon end up on a suitable ladder position and work at trying to go up. No handicaps but it works fine.
 
Club's tend to have a ladder system for playing. It's like ability leagues where you start on the bottom of the league and play the others in your league. At the end of the month the best result goes up a league, the lowest goes down (unless you're at the bottom) and the middle result stays. You soon end up on a suitable ladder position and work at trying to go up. No handicaps but it works fine.
Similar in NZ, though initial placement can be exactly that...'placed'. Worked well at mine, a combined Tennis and Squash club that had about 20 leagues.
Squash is great for a concentrated burst of effort, once both players are at a reasonable and similar level. If not, then the ball doesn't heat up enough (even if designed to do so) or one of the players simply dominates every rally, so 1 player runs too much and the other hardly runs at all. That's why the 'league' system is used.
 
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How does your body feel this morning?

I played on Sunday afternoon… I think I over did it with my amateurish enthusiasm. Played 4 matches + rallies. I somehow got into bed.
On Monday, I was walking like a penguin.. today it is slightly better. I guess I will be back to normal on Wed.
plenty of new muscles discovered.
 
That's the other 'thing' about squash, certainly that I found.
You don't seem to realise how much effort you are actually making - except from lungs - and the consequences a day or 2 (I was always worse on 2nd day if I'd had a long break) afterward can be 'interesting'! It's different from other exercise because it's short bursts, so less noticeable at the time, but very noticeable later.
Apparently, it gets easier! 'Controlling the "T"' is meant to be the secret.
 
What is it they say "get fit to play squash, don't play squash to get fit"
 
I have only done 1 session, so i am no expert. One of the revelation to me was how different & counter-intuitive it is from Badminton (though they look a bit similar)

The big change for me was how I stand. I stand very open - as if I were facing the net/wall. When trying to hit the ball, i would lead with the wrong foot. This means, i am using my arms more than needed. Also, i am too wristy. Apparently the trick is to face the side wall and use the other feet. IT results in using the bigger muscle and get power thru the shot. In this case it is more like tennis rather than badminton.
 
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

Squash balls used to come in different grades. Are you using the correct ones for your ability. I do not remember having to hit it particularly hard once it was warmed up.
 
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