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better squash players

Published: 19 Jul 2007 - 16:32 by fatness

Updated: 22 Jul 2007 - 09:00

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Hello There,

Recently over the last 8 months i have worked realy hard at my game, getting coaching and doing loads of drills and also working onn my fitness a lot. I feel i have improved and am now easily beating players in "b" section. I was previously a c player last year. my problem is i have been asking and asking the better players for games but they are very reluctant to play!!  I presume they think they wont get a good game or they just have their own "clique"

how do i get around this problem?

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From rippa rit - 22 Jul 2007 - 08:59   -   Updated: 22 Jul 2007 - 09:00

I just realised what I used to do to get a hit in the days where I was really thirsty for more knowledge and more squash. 
I would watch the guys at the club play each other very competitively, and say to one of the guys as they came off the court  "when you are stuffed, and before you go home, will you give me a hit"?  I would literally hang about for an hour or more (sometimes scoring their games) just to get half an hour hit with one of these fellas.
Keen or mad, but I usually got a hit where they would give me 6 start and the serve or something so ridiculous, and then 5 start and the serve, and then maybe 4 start and the serve, and I would run my little legs off.
The mean ones/good sports (really good A graders) would often just keep the rally going so long until I staggered off the court breathless and legless.

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From SamBWFC - 22 Jul 2007 - 01:58

Yeah I've experienced this problem too. It's down to the better players thinking they are better than you, and they won't get a good game.

 

Last year, my University team was so big it created a second team, but they had to be put in the lowest league while it was a new team. Now, the standard in this league was very poor, some of them could hardly hit the ball. The guys in our second team were technically very good, and actually refused to play halfway through the season with reasons such as "The other teams are all ****" and "It is just boring winning 9-0 9-0 9-0 every time".

 

Now, your situation might not be you don't even get a point but do you see where I'm coming from? Squash players are competitive and want someone who will challenge them. Say something like 'Ive been doing a bit of practicing, I bet I could give you a whooping' and they're likely to respond by playing you. You might not be able to beat them, but at least it will get them on court!

 

Some players at my club who are not at my standard ask me for a game, and although I'm likely to win, I usually give them a game because if I was in their shoes I wouldn't like to be rejected the chance.

 

On a side note, I think it's good practice to have two opponents to play per week, one of lesser ability and one of higher standard. Maybe you could convince one of the stronger players to use you as a 'weaker' player in order for them to 'practice their shots' or something like that.

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From rippa rit - 21 Jul 2007 - 07:19

fatness - you are getting some ideas but their is no easy solution.
When our clubs have this problem in club practice times, often there is a board system operating with a buzzer, where the organiser actually puts on the games, basically guarantees 3 matches and, providing there are sufficient numbers, give players an even game, a better game, and a lower game to try to satisfy all players, and with the buzzer the games may only be set for 15 or 20 minutes each.  Mixed (male/female).

Other systems I have used:
  • The weaker player can hit anywhere, the stronger player to hit all length.
  • The weaker player gets 2 points start and the serve, and the handicap increases or decreases depending on the score in each game.
  • Each pair play a routine, eg drive/boast, and then play a game.
If you have a club committee it could be something to be discussed at the next meeting.

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From hamburglar - 21 Jul 2007 - 01:23

the question is if the better players feel intimidated by you or if they feel that they're above you. I'm guessing it's the latter. I guess I would ask to just hit with them, maybe warm up with them if they're waiting around, then maybe throw in a drill or two. If you're at their level, they should quickly see that. If you only think you're at their level and you really aren't, they'll see that too.

I certainly hope they're not trying to shun you, there are so few squash players in the world, that we have to always try to include players and find ways to improve them.

It took me a year or two to begin hitting with some of the local university players. Most of them can still beat me, but they know I can give them a workout.

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From rippa rit - 20 Jul 2007 - 15:15

I was waiting for a better more conventional reply to your problem. 
Be assertive, try challenging one of these players for a beer, see if that makes it more attractive - pick your mark though!

Maybe put your name down to fill-in as a reserve in the grade above to get a feel for how you are going.   It could be the higher players feel threatened if you have improved, and their position in a team may be in jeopardy, who knows how people think.

Good luck.

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