Squash

[up_the_clarets_1989]

Recently started playing squash and really enjoying it. Just wondering if anyone knows of a local league or if any competitions ever take place? I’m definitely not playing to any great standard, but would love to play more. Had a look online but can’t find anything.

[ClaretTony]

Recently started playing squash and really enjoying it. Just wondering if anyone knows of a local league or if any competitions ever take place? I’m definitely not playing to any great standard, but would love to play more. Had a look online but can’t find anything.

Do they have squash courts at the St. Peter's Centre? If so, it might be worth asking there.

[Hipper]

When I first started playing it's surprising which muscles hurt. I'd played tennis before and never had a problem but the way squash is played - mostly one or two steps from the centre position and a kind of crouching action when playing the ball - seems to give aches at the back of the top of the thighs, shall we say (OK, at the base of my arse!). The first time I played I could hardly get out of bed the next day!

It's an enjoyable sport though. Many people insist on playing with the yellow spot super slow ball but I found you get better games usually with a white dot, especially in cold courts. There's a certain snobbishness about using a yellow dot just because the top players do.

I played in a 'Ladder'. Five players in each division, play the other four one time in a month, the top player goes up two divisions, second up one, middle one stays in place, fourth down one, fifth down two. In my ladder there were 24 divisions and whatever ability you started at the bottom. I was an OK player and the bottom players could hardly get a point off me so it was no fun for either of us. Between about eighth and twelfth division I got really competitive matches. On one occasion I got someone from division two in a cup and I could hardly get a point off him.

[ClaretTony]

I played in a ladder system at work. I think we were just all put in a hat to start with but we did two up, two down and one stay so didn’t take long to get to your level.

It’s not particularly good for a tennis player being so different but in a lot of ways you tend to play the ball similarly to batting at cricket by the way you use your feet.

It’s a long, long time since I played.

[Hipper]

Another thing about squash is holding the racket. In tennis you change how you hold the racket depending on the stroke. There's no time for this in squash so you have to hold it in an odd way that isn't natural. This link doesn't describe the grip I used and I was also told that it's silly to use spin although I did sometimes because it felt good!

https://squashskills.com/master-the-grip-david-pearson/

[Rumbletonk]

It used to be very popular in the area but I'm not sure there are any courts now. I still play 3 times a week but live in Warwickshire where there are loads of clubs. Crow Wood had a couple of courts but I think they've gone now. The demise of squash was around the same time Gyms became the place to go to exercise.

Its a real shame because it's a superb sport. If you're new to it try Racket ball. Its played with different rackets and a bouncier ball. You'll find the rallies are much longer and enjoyable

[taio]

St Peter's Centre has two courts.

[AfloatinClaret]

Another thing about squash is holding the racket. In tennis you change how you hold the racket depending on the stroke. There's no time for this in squash...

I haven't played in years - it was the first sport that my knackered ankle could no longer cope with; even before I had to give up football and rugby! - but I had several opponents complain about the legality of my changing grip: I'm ambidextrous to a greater or lesser degree in most things and squash in particular I could play equally with either hand; if an opponent played wide and long to my backhand court, I'd often change hands on the run; not only a shorter stretch, but if the opponent was in front of you, he'd often be caught out by the unexpected angle at which I'd played my return.

[up_the_clarets_1989]

It’s definitely an enjoyable game to play. Don’t think I’ve ever played a game where I’ve felt I’ve had to learn so quickly. It’s great experimenting with the angles and shot powers off the walls. You’re right about it being a good workout too. Sweating buckets after 5 minutes!

[LeadBelly]

I never played until I started work here in Basingstoke when I was 45 yo -my company had a social club next to the offices with 2 courts that were easily bookable at lunchtime or after work. There were about 8 leagues in their ladder.
I was pretty fit and had played tennis and badminton a fair amount but I found squash v demanding at first. As per most sports its exhausting when you have no experience/anticipation and have to make up for that my sheer effort.
I'm not sure it was much of a help having played other racket sports because it seemed " inside out" with your competitor being on your side of "the net".
I managed to get about half way up the ladder in 2-3 years but never felt completely at home with the game - though well pleased with the amount of exercise + it was fairly sociable - often involving a beer after the game (if after work) with somebody you wouldn't normally have a chat with.

[The Enclosure]

Many many years ago I played in a "ladder" at the Thomson Centre.It was a really popular sport in those days.From memory I think there were 4 or maybe 5 squash courts there.
There was also a squash club at Reedley opposite the Rugby Club.

[Longsidelenny1882]

Orange. Utc

[A.Claret.Fan]

I played with Dave Jones when he was Saints manager, he used to bring some of the squad for lessons.

One thing when starting to play that I can't stress more is to find a good coach and take lessons. There's too many bad habits to pick up, grip is just one of them.

[Rumbletonk]

I haven't played in years - it was the first sport that my knackered ankle could no longer cope with; even before I had to give up football and rugby! - but I had several opponents complain about the legality of my changing grip: I'm ambidextrous to a greater or lesser degree in most things and squash in particular I could play equally with either hand; if an opponent played wide and long to my backhand court, I'd often change hands on the run; not only a shorter stretch, but if the opponent was in front of you, he'd often be caught out by the unexpected angle at which I'd played my return.

Nothing illegal about it at all. The vast majority of rallies are played from the backhand at the highest level though. Switching hands only slows your response. That said, if it worked for you, happy days. The best thing is coming off court struggling to walk after a tight game. Love it

[expoultryboy]

Gruelling game . I used to play about 40 years ago on a court somewhere near Nelson cricket club . We had a little mini league out of Holmefield mill , with Alan Haigh ( wicketkeeper) and Colin "yosser" Parry ( Tims dad ) . They were both quite good and commanded the"T", whilst i ran around like a silly buggar .

[ICL]

Started playing when I was 18 and still playing 44 years later. I’ve never improved beyond ‘decent club’ level, but I love the sport and appreciate the level of fitness it gives. I’ve played in squash teams for most of that time and made lots of friends through the game.

Over the years I’ve seen local clubs close, Colne, Springers, Reedley, Mitchelin and Clitheroe, reflecting what has happened in other parts of the county/country. The fundamental problem is that the sport fails to get the exposure it needs to bring in new players; failure to get squash recognised as an Olympic sport was a real setback. There are areas where Squash England is doing well bringing young players in to the game, by engaging with schools, but this tends to be in more affluent areas of the country.

Locally (Burnley) the only remaining Squash courts are at the St Peter’s centre and the private health and fitness club of Crow Wood. I play at Crow Wood, but we have been given notice that the Squash courts (and remaining two tennis courts) are going to be lost, when they expand the Spa and Bertram’s restaurant; completion of the building work stated to be 2024.

Further afield the club at Haslingden Sports centre is very active. There is coaching available at both St Peter’s and Haslingden. There are a further two clubs in Blackburn hanging on; East Lancashire cricket club and Blackburn Northern.

There is lots of information on the Squash England Website and you can find contact details for squash coaches at St Peter’s and Haslingden, using the ‘Squash Finder’ facility.

https://www.englandsquash.com

[Rumbletonk]

It really is a shame. Its a sport that I've played for well over 40 years. I go and watch the pro tournaments occasionally and the skill and fitness levels has to be seen to be believed. Unfortunately the speed that the ball travels doesn't transition well to TV which has probably hindered the sport's progression. The saving grace is that its becoming very popular in the US which will hopefully drip back here and give a new lease of life.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Used to be a club at East Lancs CC when i was at school next door, which admittedly makes it circa 25 years ago

[Paul Waine]

It really is a shame. Its a sport that I've played for well over 40 years. I go and watch the pro tournaments occasionally and the skill and fitness levels has to be seen to be believed. Unfortunately the speed that the ball travels doesn't transition well to TV which has probably hindered the sport's progression. The saving grace is that its becoming very popular in the US which will hopefully drip back here and give a new lease of life.

I was working/living in New York in 1993. My apartment was near the World Trade Center and the linked Winter Gardens Atrium. One Saturday I had nothing on and went to watch a squash tournament in the Winter Gardens Atrium. There were a series of competition games. In addition there was a charity game between an ex-baseball pitcher (I forget his name) and John McEnroe. McEnroe, then aged 34, had retired from the tennis tour a couple of years or so earlier. The baseball guy was mid/late 40s, but had been playing squash for some time. At first McEnroe had the upper hand, but it was obvious that his strokes were from his tennis days. As the games progressed, with both of them playing to win - can anyone imagine John McEnroe not wanting to win? - the ex-baseball pitcher took charge and decisively beat the younger guy.

It's getting on 20 years since I stopped playing. It was always a good work out.

[Cabbage]

In 1992 I played in an open competition at Maidstone Squash club where I was a member. I lost 3 nil in the first round, the guy I played didn’t take his track suit off, match lasted about 20 minutes. After the match he gave me a lesson. Later we talked about football and Burnley, he then told me he was on the coaching staff at Maidstone United. He then went for a run!

[Wuggawumphwumph]

There’s an excellent squash club at Rochdale cricket club.
My son is one of the top juniors there.
Interestingly they’ve just appointed a coach who once played goalkeeper for our friends brfc. A chap called mark shipley