What do you love about squash?
Published: 11 Nov 2006 - 18:26 by gwl
Updated: 08 Dec 2006 - 22:34
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1. Strategy - I love the thinking aspect of the game. There is so much to think about in splits of seconds that I find it keeps my mind active. Strategy is one aspect of my game that I know needs working on. I don't always get it right or even have a strategy sometimes when playing an opponent, but this leads me into my next reason for loving the game.
2. Focus - I often find myself losing the mind game when I have assumed an easier game, or just plain have my mind on other matters. Squash helps me to gain focus on the job at hand. Pointed out today to me (amongst other aspects of my game to work on) was the simple fact that before you even serve the ball, get your focus back on track for the next rally...run back through what you did right/wrong, learn from it and get focussed back on the next point.
These two points are weaknesses in my game but they are reasons why I love it.
A number of weeks ago I was playing a lady and took *really* casually and played sloppily because I had no strategy or focus. I won the first game 9-7 but this was purely through my ability to get to the ball rather than any clean shot. During the break, my team mate told me we needed points as it was going to be close if it came down to a draw. So I found myself in the next game more focussed and learn quickly how to strategically outplay my opponent (get her to twist/move in the opposite direction). In between in each serve I regained focus and took control of every rally as opposed to me having to do all the running and chasing. I took the next two games 9-1, 9-0.
If only I can win the mental mind game with myself first each time...
Cheers,
gwl
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From gregzilla - 08 Dec 2006 - 22:32 - Updated: 08 Dec 2006 - 22:34
From fred142 - 05 Dec 2006 - 19:49
I am addicted. Everybody elses reasons are logical and sensible and explain why anybody might love playing , but it doesn't explain why , if I haven't played for a week I start to get cranky with wife and kids and workmates. I get all sulky and start walking around the house swinging the imaginary racquet. Every time I close my eyes I am playing this shot or that.
From SuperSage666 - 03 Dec 2006 - 22:24
It's just for the exercise!
Errr, well that's the story I tell my opponents after they've beaten me.I'm the kind of player that loves it when a match goes to 5 games. I have often tried to make a tournament match go 9-10, 10-9, 9-10, 10-9, 10-9. Came close a few years ago but in the fourth game the last point went the wrong way.
My team mates hate me, because I refuse to win in 3 games unless it is near or in the finals.
Really, for me, it's the personal challenge of being able to place the ball away from my opponent and watching them scramble for it, again and again.
I guess this is some kind of sadistic tendency I have.
If my opponent good and fast enough to get to my well placed shots and beat me with their choice of shot, then I think they deserve to win and we both leave the court as winners.
They get the satisfaction of winning the match and I get the satisfaction of knowing they had to work bloody hard to do that. They are usually drenched in sweat while I remain quite dry.
I hate the new point-a-rally scoring system, though, I think it makes the game more like lottery winning. Especially with fairly equal players, a few lucky nicks and the opponent will have an extremely hard time catching up. Where in the traditional scoring the equally matched opponent still has a chance of catching up from 8-0 down. I've done that many times to a player who is my equal. In a point-a-rally match, I severly struggle to catch this same player from being 2 or 3 points behind.
But mostly, I live for my squash.
Catch u on a court somewhere mates 
From rippa rit - 03 Dec 2006 - 08:33
I think, give up the game you loser, or accept the challenge.
For example, I tried bridge, and would come home mentally exhausted, and frustrated so that was not the game for me, at the moment anyway. I was not satisfied with it. And, I was not getting fit physically either, but maybe mentally!!
I obviously needed a mentor to overcome the challenges.
These bridge players were playing for fun (I thought as there was no prize) and they were so serious you could not speak, or even go and look over their shoulders, and do not dare ask a question......such is life.
From drop-shot - 02 Dec 2006 - 22:13 - Updated: 02 Dec 2006 - 22:13
If you LOVE something or somebody, you do not have to find reasons.
no more words, everything there is magic
From gwl - 02 Dec 2006 - 20:48
Even today, someone said to me at practice that her husband loves squash for that little bit of anger management from his work...I must admit, I like that too after work, but tend to use a driving range with white balls instead.
I'd like to hope I will still be around and as competitive as some of the 70yr olds I've seen and played. As you suggested, there are many facets to every sport which can lead to invaluable life skills (including control of mind and body). There are many things to love about sport in general, but right now I am still loving the thinking (strategy and focus) required in squash.
Cheers,
gwl
From rippa rit - 02 Dec 2006 - 07:10
I was amazed at the lack of response from our fanatics.
From rippa rit - 12 Nov 2006 - 09:28
- At the beginning, it was an all weather game, that could be played in a short space of time so fitted in well to my busy lifestyle.
- The fact the sunshine did not fry my body was also a plus
- My fitness improved, and then weight control became obvious.
- Felt good.
- Next, it was very challenging as I improved, and learnt more skills, and then strategies.
- From there, the more challenges that faced me the more determined I felt, and more satisfied I became overcoming each hurdle along the way.
- Overtime squash has become a character building sport, showing up my mental and physical weaknesses, for all to see. It sure gives you plenty to work on.
I encourage you to go the whole way
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Delicate straight drop, glued to the wall.
Winning the rally after being forced to hit 3 back wall boasts.
Cross-court lob winner.
Returning your opponent's nasty tight rail back ever nastier and tighter ;).
Getting my heart rate to 190bpm.
Playing a great match (win or lose) and having pint with your opponent afterwards.
Re-reading the original post, looks like I am something of an instant gratification kinda guy :).
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