Squash Magazine: Player Mistakes

Mistakes Players Make Master These Rules for a Better Squash Game Rod Symington, W.S.F. Rules and Referees' Committee

While watching an “A” match recently, I saw a rookie mistake: the opponent's shot hit the side-wall close to the out line and the player stopped play and said to the Referee: “That ball was out!” The Referee responded: “The ball was good—and you lose the point.” This is an elementary error that far too many players make. Although the Rules permit a player to stop play at any time and ask for a let, where doubtful shots during a rally are concerned, it is ill-advised to do so—because if you are wrong, you will lose the rally. The sensible course of action is to wait the end of the rally. Then if you win the rally, you are happy; if you lose it, you can still appeal your opponent's doubtful shot and perhaps be awarded a let. Far too many players also believe that if their opponent is in their way, it is automatically a let. Not so. You have to show that, but for the interference, you could have reached the ball and made a good return. Here's a little mental experiment you can perform each time you experience interference. After your opponent has hit the ball, imagine that you are suddenly alone on the court, so there is no interference. Could you now reach the ball before it bounces twice? If not, you are not entitled to a let. “Shaping” is a concept that confuses many players. They tend to believe that if the opponent has “shaped” once to play a shot, they no longer have to keep out of the way. Wrong again. You have to keep out of the way until the opponent has actually made an attempt to hit the ball. And an attempt is defined as “The movement of the racquet from a backswing position towards the ball.” So until that has occurred, you must stay well clear of your opponent's swing. Finally, one of my personal peeves. I have lost count of the times I have seen players turn on the ball and hit it. When the rally is over, I say (politely): “If you turn on the ball, please do not hit it. It is unsafe to do so.” The frequent response is: “I know what I am doing.” Sorry, but you don't. During the act of turning, you have lost sight of your opponent; furthermore, you often turn because the action of the ball has surprised you—so your resulting shot could well be out of control. Such a shot is therefore dangerous—and the primary consideration on the squash court must be safety. So unless your opponent is lying unconscious in the back right-hand corner, when you turn on the ball, always stop and ask for a let. If, however, your opponent is lying crumpled in the back corner, it is O.K. to hit your shot before calling for a doctor.

Mistakes Players Make

Master These Rules for a Better Squash Game