I first met Rodney Durbach when I was a young and ambitious squash player, coach and administrator. I was coach of the EP Schools side at an Under 19 Schools Inter-Provincial, and had just been appointed Chairman of the SA Schools Squash Association. I thought I was quite important. On the final day of the tournament, we hosted a Financial group who were interested in sponsoring SA Junior Squash.. If I could swing the deal, I would be even more important.

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As luck would have it, after a lunch where we had  sprouted forth about the professionalism, commitment and  well- disciplined behavior of out juniors, we wandered down to the Stellenbosch courts. That afternoon, Northern Transvaal was playing off for the wooden spoon of the A Section Inter-Provincial, and as we arrived at the court where the match was taking place, one, Rodney Durbach, burst out of the court, uttering swear words and profanities, and wearing a dress, via collusion with their girl’s side.True schoolboy humour. Yes. Sign of a sense of adventure. Yes. A person not going to conform to “old” ways of doing things. Potential to step out of comfort zone. Yes.  A Great Advertisment for our potential future sponsors - NO!

Needless to say, the sponsorship did not materialise, and I took an instant disliking to Rodney Durbach, who was right up at the top of the SA Schools tree, and, in my view, should have known better. I wrote him off as one of those who would disappear as the going became tougher in the adult world of squash. One who was fit and fast, but would not have the skills or mentality to take himself to the top levels that we aspired for our juniors.

How wrong could I have been.

Here was a man who was prepared to grit it through, to work at his game, prepared to take himself out of his comfort zones, to learn, and grow himself. And gradually, he outstripped his contemporaries as he travelled overseas  to eventually reach the top 25 in the world, claim the national title a number of times, and represent South Africa on the international stage with much success. From a youngster who I had dismissed with contempt, I now have huge admiration and respect for the man, and the squash player, and am proud to say, I am friends with Rod Durbach.  I have coached with him, I have played doubles with him, I have reffed him, where I was treated with respect, and I have partied with him. And now he has produced a Squash Book which I honestly believe will help many squash players, of all levels, take themselves to new levels of play, and understanding of the game.

If Ian Mackenzie's "Squash Workshop" is the current bible of Squash Coaching, “SQUASH with the Pros” is a worthy handbook, a textbook for regular reference, a simply explained view of squash, very different from the traditional Squash Coaching Books which are sometimes very hard to decipher. It addresses the needs of beginners, seeking technical assistance without much of the technical jargon, and offers simple but effective drills and routines which will help to get you to a level of play where you can compete and enjoy. And for coaches whose focus is at Beginner level, will do well to use it as a great reference.

But then , Durbach takes you into the Thinking World of Squash, the world of tactical scheming, of reading opponents, of preparing for matches and tournaments, that 80% of the Squash Iceberg that few people understand, but which elevates the top 20% to where they aspire to be. So for Ambitious players, a peep into the "unknown world" of the professional squash player, and for coaches, with aspirations for proteges, ignore this offering at your peril.

This is not a “read-from-beginning-to-end” book. Clearly indexed and sub-titled, it takes you, from where you are at the moment, to where you want to go, and with highlighted quotes and affirmations, it is very easy-to-read. If I had to be critical, I would have looked for more on movement, an area seriously lacking in skilled coaching, and would have  loved to read more on Durbach’s views on concentration, maintaining confidence and some of those more subtle and intangible areas of sport which are so difficult to control.

But maybe, and hopefully, he has left these for a sequel. We live in hope, but for the time being, there is much to digest.

The price is R299 + postage. Books can be bought online at www.publisher.co.za. Or contact me at 082 4170712 0r Rodney @ 083 469 5578 or  email at rdurbach@gmail.com to arrange a copy.

 My family hate me at Christmas. They claim that I am the most difficult  present-person to please, as I have everything a Squash fanatic needs, so they have to revert  to music, books or beer. Conversely, I think I am the easiest person to please. Buy me anything sport-related, and I’ll convert it to something with squash value ! What follows, therefore, are some gentle hints for those who struggle with squash dopeheads in their family.

If you really want to tickle the heart strings of your squash loved one, your first point of call is a new racquet, a squash bag or shoes. A new weapon, or a spare weapon in the bag  is new motivation that will have that squash freak, itching for a knock, shortly after guests have disappeared from the Christmas table. These are gifts, that like wands can create magic and have the potential to raise your stakes,  and rocket them to new year squash glory. And every time they use them, they will think of YOU. But racquets, like underwear, are very personal choices, and you will do well to check their preferred brand, make and weight. Debates over whether size matters will rage on, but when choosing racquets, weight does matter and 10g, makes a difference to performance and satisfaction

Squash players, generally, are not very fashion-conscious, and squash clothes, do become a bit pongy ( especially after being left in the bag over-night), so additions will always be welcomed. But be careful of chucking stuff out as we are sentimental folk and become attached to outfits that took us to famous victories. A new outfit might, however, create a subtle opening. Very few  Squash brands market their clothing  but Tecnifibre has launched an impressive range which will soon be available in PE.  And don’t forget those Puma Shoes, highlighted in last month’s column, which could also double up as “hunk/chick”pullers

With squash being described as “Physical Chess”, we like to think of ourselves as an  intelligent cerebral breed. Sadly, squash literature is scarce, so popular South African, Rod Durbach’s “SQUASH… with the Pro’s” is a welcome drop of wisdom. Aimed at both beginners and seasoned players, it offers advice , not only on basic technique but also addresses tactical  problems, shot selection, opponent analysis, and much more. Another great read is “Run to the Roar  - Coaching to overcome fear” by Paul Assaiante - a coaching memoir which can be applied to all walks of life as it tracks how the author brings a cosmopolitan group of individuals at his university and gels them into a record-breaking team. Running parallel to this, is his trauma at home, as he deals with a son who has gone off the rails. And then there is Richard Millman’s “Angles’ – an anthology of squash poems !

On the DVD front,David Palmer’s “The Making of a Champion” has routines and footage to make your eyes water, and your muscles cringe ! And if your squash-freak is really fanatical, he might also be interested in a DVD, entitled “Let Please” which will take him through a range of real-match let/stroke situations.

Heart Rate Monitors are useful, and not just for over-weighters, heading for old age homes . If you are serious about squash, you should be measuring your fitness and your progress, and they can also be useful in gathering information about opponents and how far they make you run. Stop-watches are key to training properly and useful for handicap tournaments and Summer Leagues when matches are time-based.

Some of the most valued gifts are those which have a personal touch. Download some squash pictures, and design your own 2012 squash calendar. Alternately, personalize a Diary/Log Book for your Squash Freak to plan the season and track progress with comments on training, matches and opponents. And spice it up with  action pictures and motivational quotes. These gifts take time, thought and creativity, but are relatively cheap, and guarantee you front of mind attention for the whole year.

Parents who have taken their children onto squash courts will know the frustration of getting the ball to bounce sufficiently so their eager offspring  can somehow make contact with the ball. Ever-innovative, the Australian Squash Coaches have developed a soft, slow bouncing foamy yellow ball which is an absolute dream for beginners from a confidence and a safety perspective. A consignment is “on the water” Expensive , and not dog-friendly.

While golfers cling to coaches for advice, Squash players seem to think it “infra dig” to seek  assistance, and blindly bliksem forwards, trailing their own path and imprinting faults indelibly into their psyche. A couple of lessons with an experienced coach may just give your squashaholic some direction.

I could go on but time, space and the divine Ms. M stare fiercely at me. Some other ideas – Lisa O Grady’s Calender Girls’ Recipe Book, on the internet, look for K Tape and S2H watches, for Coaches - Ball Machines, video cameras, reaction balls, training ladders and as stocking fillers, skipping ropes, towels, both hand and bath ( but clearly identifiable so they don’t get mixed up with the  guest bathroom towels ) squash glasses, bandannas, wristlets, grips, balls, scissors, vaseline ( for blisters), and pumice stones for calloused feet

As we prepare for the helter-skelter of Christmas, and Summer Leagues clatter to a close, for about 4 weeks, there will be no official squash activities. Cold Turkey time and cooked turkey time but also time-out time to bronze our beautiful bodies and bond again with families and friends. Thank you to those who have squished their way  through these squashy columns. Hopefully, they will have asked questions, generated discussion, remembered a memory, planted an idea, and hopefully, raised a smile.

And oh, if anyone wants a run in this “dead period”, I am always available.

 The old traditional view of Squash Clubs was of isolated, funny-shaped buildings where   dribbles of monastic-type people, with white baggy pants, knobbly knees and round, strangely-shaped bats gathered in  dark, dingy tunnels before  paying their tithes, and entering their lighted shrines to seek fitness and friendship. Once finished, they would, perhaps, shower in a cramped and cold change room, and disperse, to other more lucrative activities. Maybe squash players can be likened to psychiatric patients who need to be kept away from normal society because as things have changed, clubs are still, mostly, in isolated buildings. However, they are now, much smarter, more inviting, with glass-backed walls, bright lights, bars, lounge areas, shops, kitchens, and more spacious, but still “economically” designed change rooms.

But bricks and mortar, glass back walls, and bright lights do not a club make. In the Retail world , they talk of “The Iceberg Principle” where 20% of the consumers’  decisions of where to spend their hard earned money, is dictated by the perceived price perception and range of that outlet. The other 80 % is made up of a basket of other factors like convenience, friendliness, excitement, activity, helpfulness, cleanliness, safety… and the list goes on. The warm and fuzzy stuff that creates the character.

October and November will see club committees balancing their pennies, signing off their books and sending out AGM notices, most of which will probably be deleted, or conveniently forgotten. On the day, a straggly few regulars will gather to make a quorum, and with one or 2 changes, the straggly few regulars, will be re-elected , to once again, drive the club. Sadly,  it is usually just those straggly few, but Port Elizabeth is fortunate to have some passionate “straggly few”. Some clubs will continue to drive at 60km/ph and get from A to B, taking part in leagues, and doing the regular things. Others, will put foot on the accelerator, take some detours, hit some potholes, maybe, even have the odd collision, but somehow  the club will be taken to places  it has not been before.

What can your club do, to take itself to another level ? Some of the following ideas have been stolen from beery conversations, some are original and the others have been stolen from an article by Bruce Brunning in The Squash Player magazine.

First and foremost, the squash,  the membership fees and the  leagues that your club offers, are  that 20%, of the Retail Iceberg. The other 80% is the Hub of Club. Is it a gathering place for like-minded people, to relax, and meet and greet ? Squash is the catalyst. The vehicle for you to offer the warm and fuzzies mentioned earlier.

Keep your committee small, if your constitution allows. ( Maybe that constitution needs  to be reviewed. When was it drafted ?) Less is often more and fewer people often make better and quicker decisions. But then seek people to act as “Project Managers” – for short periods where they drive their project and then go back to their little lives.

Squash is your “core business” and your Leagues must be well organised and effectively run. The Competitive Spirit is a wonderful fuel for your club, if mixed with sportsmanship and camaraderie. And I have yet to see an effective ladder or challenge system. I know Westview and Crusaders are dabbling with proposals…

Apart from Squash, does your club offer a good mix of facilities ?  Secure areas for kids to play, exercise bikes/gym equipment, secure parking, a squash shop, convenient and effective booking system. Having a bar and ideally a braai or lounge-type area at the courts, for your members to shoot the breeze, analyse their matches and socialise, is ideal. “Don’t be afraid of allowing your membership to indulge in the bad things of life. It is probably why they joined you in the 1^st place”  says Brunning .  And a Club Tour, embracing players from all Leagues, should be an integral part of your Club’s annual programme

Once you are comfortable with the structures of your club, make sure that you maintain, by cleaning, painting and sanding where necessary. And keep the club interesting with posters, and pictures and well organised, up-dated information-baring Notice Boards.

Attracting new members ? Stealing and luring players from other clubs with financial offerings ? Let’s not go there. I also query the need to incentivise 1^st League players unless they are re-committing those funds into coaching or mentoring. Surely Membership Fees should be for the benefit of all members. But inviting players, and particularly students and juniors to your club to participate in Fun activities and impressing them with what you have to offer, must be encouraged

You cannot have enough internal competitions. This is where you can differentiate. Your club must be a hive of activity. Some ideas - Summer Leagues, Doubles evenings, Junior Tournaments, Junior Leagues and Coaching, Beginners Courses, Housewives Leagues, Training sessions, Markers and Refs Talks, Coaching Leagues, Pitch-and Plays, Handicap Tournaments, Blitz Competitions, Exhibition Matches, Club Nights where Squash and Social are mixed. Be creative.  And apart from drawing people to your club, they also generate funds

Club Fees, Light Monies and Fund-raising are always contentious issues but squash must be, arguably, one of the cheapest sports available. Some believe that Squash has sold itself short as the “Poor Cousin”. It is difficult to start increasing fees, substantially, to create funds to implement ideas, but maybe this is necessary. Break down your club fees into months, and then matches, and you will realise just how cheap squash is – and then think of the enjoyment you get out of those 45 minutes. And to really make you feel really good, compare those costs to that of our bigger, more beautiful, richer cousin, Golf. But maybe, we can also steal some ideas from him. 10 year memberships, flexible membership options, soap in the showers ?

Be aware of the Bigger Picture of Squash, and get involved in Squash SA and Eastern Province activities. While you may wonder sometimes what these bodies do, if you went behind their closed doors, you might be surprised.  If Squash continues to grow, your club’s potential is in your hands.

Some pitfalls to avoid, and to look out for.

Never disregard the value of having a 1^st league side.

Look after the women in your club. They have different needs to the average, amenable man, but ignore them, and your club will wobble

Watch out for Cliques in your club and allowing them to become too powerful.

Are you holding players with potential and aspirations back ? Sometimes throwing these players into the deeper waters of a higher league, catapults them forward.

We, squash players, are very blessed in this city. Imagine if we could just increase the numbers of those “few straggly ones” who drive our clubs and our sport forward.

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Talking about innovation, it is always exciting to see new brands entering the World of Squash, and this month we see the launch of sports clothing giant, PUMA, leaping into the battle for the feet of Squash Players.

Irrespective of your ability, you will not go unnoticed. One of the Vellum 2 range is bright, and I mean bright, yellow, and for the less adventurous, there is a black partner. Very light, comfortable, with good support and very eye-catching , the PUMA Squash Shoes are a welcome addition to the Squash Shoe Market. Standing the test of time is always the acid test for Squash shoes but at R699, they will be very competitive, and make you, even more competitive.

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The Crusaders Corporate League launched further innovation into EP Squash where teams  from Khuene & Nagel (Behr), Ex Es (Behr) , Aurecon, Investec, Itec, Pioneer Foods, S4 Integration, Finmap, Gentic, and Old Mutual gathered on Thursdays through October with  players ranging from  capable to crockety, from eager to experienced, and fit to fatigued. But with squash as the catalyst, new friends have been found, much fun has been had and if a few have been converted or re-awoken to the joys of squash, then success has been sealed.  And the winner of the Holy Grill will be fined.

 Friday 2 September brought dark clouds, ominous winds, power failures and plane-loads of masochistic, mature Masters Squash players to Port Elizabeth. Worried brows were eased by bitterly cold brews as the Opening Function was pushed forward and players gathered in blacked out places with the Crusaders Castle hosting the host province's players in candle-light to set the mood with some balmy barmen and brazen and brave-hearted banter .

 Saturday brought more winds as the tents were repaired and re-prepared and it was time for these fine men and women, reasonably fresh, and ready, stretched and strapped, to greet old buddies and meet new friends , pass judgement over the virgin players ready to broken in, and drag back memories from those misty days of yore. ( Chris Holden and I worked out that we have been going to schools IPTs ,SAU's, Jarvis, Young Masters, and Masters for 37 years since a tournament at Hilton in 1974 !! - where half of my Border team were sent home for  drinking and I wasn't !!) . Not much has changed.

 On a personal level, the EP 50-54 boys bonded briefly on Saturday morning before kicking off against the KwaZulu Sharks. Fearful of the A  Section, they coped admirably, claiming silver behind the Golden Giants from Gauteng .Tony McEwan, fresh from freeing fish, should have gaffed  the Most Improved Player prize as he started at 5, and ended the week at 3, and he truly did improve with every performance. Stu Hancocks, under more pressure from his bosses than his opponents, had to bale after day 3, and had a great win against Andre, the reverse angle fiend from the Bosveld. How we missed the free-running Hancocks against the plastic-knee’d James in the Gauteng encounter. The Staple-bullet, after reeling off wins against the 2 Richards, was in trouble but rallied against Bosveld Bielies’ tricky Tony, but then Xhosa-clicked his knee into a swollen blob that effectively ended his week. It was just left to Van Der Byl to slice his throat, and send him gutted, hobbling in Hansa’d pursuit. Bushbuck Emslie, moving more like a kudu, was at his magical, mystical best with high-hanging lobs and soft, soothing drops that even had the slow game Maestro, Holden, mesmerized. At No 1, our Boertjie , Anton Van Niekerk, ran and moered as if he was chasing and moering Malema, and even the handsomely handy, hamstrung Hanson could not hold him. Off the bench, Robbie Adair, that one with one "i", came, saw but was conquered by the ringing, calf-wretched Van Rensburg, and then went golfing, and the Dulce'd Fuller was a little under-cooked against the Bulle on Day 5

For 5 days they courted and quarter’d , at courts all over the Bay with just the special few being treated to the jewel of the Hage. Bio-oiled, braced ,bandaged and  beered , the bodies, now slower , daily, slowed more, in stiffness and soreness. But the skills were slicker, ( on court and off),  tactically wiser (on court and off), in competitive camaraderie (on court and off), winning and losing on the courts. But off the courts, all Winners.. 

After wowing the world with their rendition of the anthem at the All Black test a week earlier, Port Elizabeth once again, wowed the over 800 participants with warmth, proximity and pub-friendly friendliness. Off court the real tournament triumphed, with quarts being quaffed, the clubs buzzing, the bars, bustling and bubbling, the Fines Meetings, fierce, frenzied and fizzy but above all, hospitality, so P.E and so homely, Like the Squash bodies, the wind tired, and died, leaving our visitors with opportunities to humiliate Humewood , and memories of a  beautiful city.

Brothers&Sisters-in-arms, squires&maidens-in-squash, the old buddies bonded and new friendships  were founded. From the  commanding control of Craig Van der Wath to the gregarious Giorgio Giaconi, from the trauma and tremor of  Trevor Wilkinson’s power to the lovable power of Elsabe’s laugh, from the tightness and touch of Toothil to the elegant range of Rae Masters’team’s clothing , from the serenading  mad Scotsman to the cruel Keevy Fines Master, from the Roaring Twenties to a fine tented Final Function, from zany Zimbo’s who travelled and “tored” to the layers of locals who laid it on thick, from the ageing to the aged, from plumbing problems to police patrols and from Lisa’s cooked Calender Girls Cook Books to bloody blisters and beer, we bid you all, Farewell. Stories will be told, secrets will be stored and memories will be many. And we ask Jimmy Catt and Rae Masters, and their team of merry workers, to take a bow, for A Job – Well done. Thanks may be few but appreciation will be sincere. Well Done.

And we wait, and prepare, in anticipation for East London , 2012 ..

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

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EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

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And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

                                                                **************************************

EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

                                *********************************************

And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

                                                                **************************************

EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

                                *********************************************

And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

                                                                **************************************

EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

                                *********************************************

And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

                                                                **************************************

EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

                                *********************************************

And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

                                                                **************************************

EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

                                *********************************************

And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

                                                                **************************************

EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

                                *********************************************

And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

                                                                **************************************

EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

                                *********************************************

And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

                                                                **************************************

EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

                                *********************************************

And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

                                                                **************************************

EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

                                *********************************************

And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall: I have a Dream to a A Few Small Steps to Freedom

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were visionaries. Mandela’s “ Long Walk to Freedom” has  inspired many to change their views and perspectives. Once demonised, he was despised, hunted, hated, abused and cursed, because he made decisions based on how he saw life from his perspective .  He stood his ground, was firm, assertive and courageous but, he also developed the ability to see things from a different perspective . Thankfully, he is now lionised, and respected, and in my humble view,  Madiba is the pride of every single South African .

Squash Referees  also walk a long road to freedom. They too, are sometimes  despised,  abused and cursed because of decisions they  make from their high chair , and their view of events, which is very different from the players, and the majority of spectators.  Referees make decisions based on their knowledge of the rules and with the hope of facilitating a fair game. Sadly, their  decisions are probably guaranteed to displease most of the crowd, all of the time.

And as much as Mandela and King were visionaries, so Squash Referees are also expected to be, visionary. No other sport demands a knowledge of the rules, PLUS the ability to:

 1) predict the future,

 2) predict the players’ intentions

 3) predict players’ relative speed and skills.

 Because of this, refereeing Squash is arguably far more difficult than other sports where decisions are made on what has already happened, where the referee can “coach” the players and where they have assistance of linesmen, line judges, hawk-eye and the like

Those players and spectators, ( and this is probably true of all sports), have probably, never read the rules, attended a seminar or debated the rules within context of the Rulebook. And as effective as the propaganda/education  of the apartheid system was, where many myths were propagated that eventually became part of many people’s belief systems, so a whole Rule Book of Myths relating to squash has evolved in the cold and echoing hallways and bars of Squash Court fiefdom. As the apartheid system blanketed people in a false sense of security, so these squash myths envelop  squash players in a similar blanket of false knowledge. And this blanket eventually causes much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth as perceptions and bodies clash.

Let me take your hand and walk you through a real-league experience to illustrate the ugliness of these  clashes  of perception. This match, ironically, and thankfully , was between 2 sides from the same club so many of the deep-heated scars could be iced, beered,  bi-oiled and massaged back to friendship. Names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved

“Then it was the war-horse, the Master against the Leader, the captain of the clan . And a merry time was had, as the Cee’s crept ahead with the 1^st game to the Captain. Matters were leveled by the Master, but with a new Ref in control, all was tense as they tussled, teasing each other with cunning stunts of deception and lobbing floats. Then thunder dondered. Loud. Lightning flashed. The night turned black, as the Veteran, supposedly  "TURNED", and the mood turned as a stroke was awarded. All hell broke loose. Between brutal persuasion and discussion, the Captain trying to turn the decision, was punished for dissension. At 1-2 down and 1-9 down , the Captain turned his brain back on, and the tussle was turned back on, but the Veteran, just tugged through. Off court, debates, diagnoses and discussion returned to turning and what-is-turning, and what is not-turning, but the world continued turning while the heated discussions kept on turning into the steaming showers and onto the beer-laden tables.

Then focus swung back to the courts, and it was down to the wire, as the Number 4’s unleashed their left handed swings and flailings on each other. Now, with that same veteran, sitting on his High Referee’s Horse, the combatants were far from comfortable as bodies bashed, balls flew, and curses collided as the normally peaceful , placid one, muttered, moaned, huffed and puffed as backswings and follow -through fights filled the Squash Courted Castle with tension. Eventually, the Aze sneaked in. But the air was icy on a night which is best, soon forgotten.”

So how do we prevent these  skirmishes of ugliness ? Once that Competitiveness Edge boils over, it becomes as ugly and as unreasonable as the anger created by the apartheid system.  Ideally, ( but someone will probably have to spend another 27 years in jail to change this), we need to change the Mind Set of South African Sports lovers - That Belief, that if their side lost, it is FIRST, the Ref that was to blame, and then, maybe, possibly, their side also played kak.

But Squash Referees also need to get it right, and the quickest march to this freedom from abuse, is to read and digest Rule 12 , the Interference Rule, and develop  an understanding of The 4 Freedoms of the Squash Court

1.       The Freedom to a FAIR VIEW of the ball … on rebound from the front wall

2.       The Freedom to direct, and unobstructed access to the ball after completion of a reasonable follow through

3.       The Freedom to a FAIR, and REASONABLE swing ( maybe this should read, Regular)

4.       Freedom to play the ball directly to any part of the front wall

Finally, understand that the rules have not changed dramatically, and the Only rule that has changed, is the rule related to Turning . Space precludes discussion on all of the above, so let’s just talk about the Turning and Swinging  that can turn lives, and squash league evenings, sour.

TURNING

In a rally, (and this applies to the return of service as well) , if a player strikes the ball directly towards the front wall and it hits his opponent , it is a stroke to the Striker of the Ball. If that ball is headed for the side wall, it is a let

However, if the player, allows the ball to pass around him and he turns around, either physically, or mentally, and plays the ball  which strikes the opponent, it is a stroke to the opponent ( as consolation for that blue-yellow bone-sucking bruise he now boasts)

Physical Turning = literally turning around and following the ball as it moves behind and around you. (It’s  easier to demonstrate than describe)

Mental Turning = allowing the ball to move behind and around you , without physically turning around.

Note:  If a player changes his decision to play forehand, to a backhand, with the ball passing in front of him, it is NOT Turning

The Swingers Club – A Reasonable Swing

Reasonable – is an elastic word, influenced  by perception, and players swings do differ, particularly amongst women. The best tip in terms of “defining” reasonable is to watch the Warm Up, and identify the 2 players , regular swing.

Other things to understand:

The player striking the ball has the right to play the ball at whatever stage he wants, even if it disadvantages him. His opponent must get out of the way.

The measure of how actively that opponent is attempting to clear the swing will influence the decision.

Minimal interference (where the shot is not really affected) does not automatically demand a stroke. A good guide is: Prevention of Swing = Stroke. Interference of Swing = Let

Too often, Referees’ focus is on the clash of bodies. What they should be looking at is the position of the ball, in relation to those clashing bodies

While Swinging Clubs, and swinging racquets and turners and Turncoats will forever cause dissension, with more understanding of these rules,  the Long March to the Freedom of competitive, but  friendly league evenings may become a reality.

I have a dream !!

                                                                **************************************

EP Squash Conundrum

If EP Squash can return 3 Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 8 Bronze medals from the Under-age Inter-Provincials, and have the following players ranked in the Top 10 in their age -groups:

Girls U/ 19: No 3 Lumé Landman, No 2 Elani Landman

Boys U/19: No 5 Jarryd Terblanche

Girls U/16: N 5 Ashleigh Schepers, No 1 Kacey-Leigh Dodd

Boys U16: No 8 Jethro Thornburn

Girls U/14: No 8 Hannah Knott-Craig, No 5 Aimee-Leigh Pote

Boys U/14: No 8 Dewald van Niekerk, No 2 Daine Kruger

And produce the 2 players ( Jarryd Terblanche and Elani Landman) rated as the Most Promising Male and Female  at the Jarvis/Kaplan Inter Provincial,

Why did our senior Inter-Provincial sides produce arguably, our worst results ever at the 2011 tournament ?

                                *********************************************

And while our Provincial players battled, successfully and unsuccessfully, the core of EP Squash shivered during the break , with Derek Calitz de-faulting his way to victory at the Woolstaplers Tournament, Karen Schepers adding Gold to her cabinet at the EP Handicap Tournament and Neale Emslie, weaved his magic at the Walmer Classic.

Apologies: Carol Botha, the Cornerstone of Londt Park Squash was also awarded an Honours Award at the recent Squash SA Awards dinner, but was omitted from last month’s column

And the 2^nd Half of the League Season, with all its twists, and turns, and swings, and see saws and sagas continue ……

 Balls to the Wall:  Titbits, Nipple Caps and Inter-Prov Previews

July will  see our Juniors traversing the country in pursuit of glory  at the Age-group Inter-provincials. Traditionally, EP has  dominated at this level and we look forward to see how many Top 10 rankings and winning medals return to the Bay. More important however is that the province is able to send almost 100 players to these tournaments. All of these players are winners in their own right as they have been through a tough series of trials to gain selection, from which they will gain invaluable  exposure and experience. The prayer is that their motivation for squash is not only for that provincial recognition, but also the joy of the sweat and sweet smell of success, the privilege of participating, the challenge of competition, the lessons from losing, the camaraderie of team-mates, and the opportunity to meet new friends. If they are playing for these reasons, their careers will be long and the future of EP Squash is secure...And hopefully, they will thank their parents for the sacrifices they have made.

                                                ************************************************

The Grahamstown National Arts Festival will probably never be the same again, as this year, the SAASU ( SA Universities) Squash week will be held in tandem . Festival fans will have extra options to squeeze into their days with the added option of perusing the melting pot of talent and tequila tangling, in this, the Iron Man equivalent of squash, where 24 hours, is not enough in a day. Both NMMU and Rhodes should be very competitive, and the home court advantage of the Rhodes Fridge, may well be an advantage

                                                ******************************************************

“Survive, Learn and Grow” may well be the EP Jarvis and Kaplan Cup squads’ mantra as they head off to East London for the 2011 Inter-provincial tournament. Severely hampered by the loss of Greg La Mude, coaching overseas, Jacques Laas (Scotland) , Paul Mason and Durandt Martin ( Cape Town), the unavailability of Zane Schwarz, Peter Ryder and Garth Plaaitjies and with Rhodians, Garren Kent and Matthew Ferreira unable to fulfil selection requirements, the men’s pool was looking  like some of the PE Dams. Amongst the Ladies, Jacqui Ryder, Karen Schepers and Kierryn Keeton were also not available. The fact that EP has been able to put together competitive sides is testimony to the depth of talent in the province, but the players are under no illusions and they will be starting with their backs, firmly against the walls.

Having said that, could 2011, be the year for a Changing of the Guard ? Players like Dane Bigara , who has been knocking on the door for awhile, and Grey High School’s, Jarryd Terblanche have forced themselves into the A side with some gutsy  performances. Could they be leading a little revolution in EP Men’s Squash ?  Terblanche has worked incredibly hard at his game this year and now joins an illustrious group of players like Richard Driscoll, Morgan Morris and Mark Rogers who have represented the provincial A side while still at school. The enigmatic Quintin Masters, who always seems to rise to the occasion at Jarvis and Rudi Van Niekerk at 1, add experience to the squad. And with Sean Bailey captaining the side, and Alton,”Ysterman” Senekal managing, you can guarantee that there will be no shortage of commitment. Let no province take this side lightly.

The B side is a South African Dream Team. This is no window dressing or affirmative action stuff. But here, we have a Dutchie from DF Malherbe, an English-speaking Whitey from Westering and  3 Darkies from EP’s Development programme –  (terms used are purely for alliterative effect and are meant with no disrespect.) The side will be led by the highly talented, Shawn Viljoen who has battled with back injuries but with a month to prepare, could well be back to his best. He will be supported by Thami Mngcete , Bonakele Nomkala, and Lonwabo Sigele.  Angela Difford’s legacy continues and these players’ ability to compete under very difficult circumstances –so, so commendable. Completing the squad, the fast-improving Warren Watermayer, makes his debut . This could be the start of big things for the Squashing Pastor. And if I were a Hansie Cronje, my money would be on these guys to produce our best results

Anton Van Niekerk ( 15 Jarvis Cups) will surely be making some form of history when at 54 he will compete for the 3^rd time , together with both his son, Rudi ( 6 Jarvis Cups )  and his daughter, Lizelle (8 Kaplan Cups). 29 Tournaments within the family ! Quite a phenomenal achievement. Hopefully, his  experience and tough mental approach will be infused into a bunch of talented young guns who have shown courage, commitment but erratic form. Fit, fast and talented, they still need to develop tactically and mentally and hopefully the experience will lead them closer to that holy grail. Brent Beard, Brinley Forbes, Travis La Mude and Lance Peterson have much to offer and one can only hope that the Jarvis Cup exposure will help them to join that earlier-mentioned revolution.

Lizelle Goosen and Anlen Murray will lead the charge of the Lady Brigade. Goosen has always challenged South Africa’s top players but never quite broken through and if she can just calm her mind, she has the potential to cause big upsets. Murray, after a 2 year break, returns from maternity leave. Like Kim Clijsters,  motherhood has added maturity and more variation to that incredibly competitive spirit, and she too, could well spring surprises. Only 17, Framesby’s  Elani and Lume Landman with 2 Kaplan Cups, lots of overseas experience and wise heads on fit and fast bodies, are poised to take on the best. Sadly this will probably be their last for EP as both have been offered  lucrative bursaries up north. “Again”, I hear some mutter but the reality, unfortunately, is that unless they are exposed to regular top level squash, their games will stand still.  And Alison Oshry , fresh from making her marriage vows, makes a welcome return to A Section squash. Under-rate her and this team, at your peril. EP has always had a tremendous record in the A Section of Kaplan, and there is no reason why this cannot be maintained.

Dione Johnson, again heads up the B side, comprising the crown princesses of EP Squash - Sarah O Grady, Kate Pearson and Aimee Brenner who last year debuted in Durban. Johnson has battled with work commitments, O Grady has battled with injury, Pearson, has battled with a confidence slump and Brenner, battled with a hectic Matric schedule so we have not seen their best this year. But,  under Johnson’s guidance, and with a teaspoon of self belief, they , too have the potential to make the Gautengers uncomfortable. Completing the B Squad is Gillian McGregor of Rhodes who was a bit of a surprise selection as she has had not had many results. However, she has proved herself in the past and has a wealth of experience to offer this exciting squad.

The C Team  has sprouted much discussion and probably sold many a beer as there are two extreme streams of thought on the topic. Made up mostly of the Calender Girls, Masters players, Lisa O Grady, Michelle Roos, Kathy Hoy, Caroline Rose and Pam Louwrens, together with the only debutant, EP Hockey player, Camilla Forbes ,will definitely not disappoint, and will be more than competitive. But with the possibility of losing the Landmans, Aimee Brenner, and Jacqui Ryder unlikely to be available, some feel that East London would have been an ideal arena to introduce some of the younger “bubbling under” players to provincial  squash.

There is a wealth of talent in the province with Kacey Leigh Dodd and Ashleigh Schepers, leading Under 16’s in the country but not available for Kaplan, Brigitte Kohne, Mary Anne Swiegers, Done’ Van Der Merwe. Inge Loftie- Eaton, and Sorika Tait are just some who are showing signs of breaking through. The cupboard is far from bare. The Calender Girls probably hold the key.

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More cuedo’s for EP Squash came at an apparently controversial National Convention when Elani Landman was announced as South Africa’s 2011 Young Player of the Year, Old Grey’s Mike Burmeister received a Squash SA Honours Award for his contribution to the game and Lisa O Grady, became the 1^st  recipient, and highly deserving winner of The Administrator of the Year. So long an Unsung Hero, Lisa takes no prisoners but EP Squash would not be as abuzz as it is, without her driving the action

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Leagues go into limbo, but there is still lots happening at Club level. The Woolstaplers Tournament, an elite, unique little event will be on the go as we go to press, The EP Handicap Tournament, where lower league players pit their skills against higher leaguers in limited-time matches, runs from 4 – 7 July, the Walmer Classic, from 11-15 July, and the Masters Championships will be played from the 22^nd to the 24^th of July. Players wanting to participate in the Masters Inter-Provincials in September should be entering this tournament. And while all of these are on the go, the Crusaders Club will be re-vamping their courts. Clubs wishing to increase their Bar Sales are invited to invite Saders members to their clubs for a game and a beer, as we will be homeless for a month. Is this Rehab … Detox  or Punishment ?

Oh, and the reference to Nipple Caps in the  Head-line ? Naah, that was just to get the editor involved and non-squash folk interested !!

The Official Match Report

Saders A beat Londt Park B: 12 - 2

Saders A team ( The Aze) ( The Cast)  : Jacques Theron - often unavailable because of Hockey and 1st League commitments< Brendan O Grady ( Rusty,Jinga Ninja), Steve Driscol ( Stevie D,Drisco, Poppa Steve) Neale Emslie ( Bushbuck,Buck,Captain Fantastic), Alan Stapleton ( Stapes, Staple - any other suitable suffix)

Plus: The Saders Beze, The Saders Ceze, and various other Squash folk in PE

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 The Final Round of the 1^st Half was a Grand, Sad, Successful but Disappointing evening for the Saders men .

After losing last week to the Londt A Gals and Guys, the Aze brought the wrath of Bushbuck and his harem of angels  down on the poor Londt B Bunch. Soundly scolded by their Captain Fantastic prior to their matches for scarring the tins of the town, lapses in concentration, no commitment, poor dress sense, sloppy hygiene, lack of discipline, too many fancy shots, too many reverse angles ( where he gets that from I do not know), late racquet preparation, not recovering to the tee et al, both Stevie D and Staple-face showed no mercy in scuttling Elbie and the Stormin Norman for egg-like figures.

The Scribe saw little of Stevie’s match as he arrived a tad late from coaching, and after his scolding, was ushered, still stiff, onto the court, but apparently that Man of No Bad Thoughts, Driscol was in devastating form. Staple-face was not at his most brilliant best but did what was required amidst, and despite the  heckling from an injured and crippled Westview fellow who is probably destined for 5^th League if his injuries persist, and his fellow-Westviewians continue to improve as they have, while he has lingered with torn and tattered muscles and dreams of one day playing for the Bulls.

And then the black-socked Buck , like a Collusus, bestrode the court, but it appeared as if the ferocity of his admonitions of his underling team-mates had drained him, as he slowly bullocked behind a sprightly young ex-Rhodian, Chris, squandering the 1^st game amidst a spree of tins, half courts and half lobs. Accustomed to his wizardry, we watched in bemused wander as tonight he appeared to be a  wizard without a wand. But, guided, and goaded by his confidence-building,empathic team-mates, he raised his game, literally and figuratively, and eventually had the Legal-eagle, circling in squirkles, and dizzy with frustration.

Our Jinga, as always, busy and bustling,  then took on the School-lad from Westering, intent on teaching lessons, and there was nothing cunninglis about this match. Amidst some cute looking touches and swishy shots, which earned the youngster a game, there was not much  consistency, and he was bullied off the court and sent to his corner as Mad Mike and Big Bad Brad arrived from their clash, all Hansa’d up and ready to rule, and rock. There had been a Black Out in the Hage so the Swifts lads were left in the dark, and what will be happening to them, is still in the Courts of Lisa

So it was a twelve for the Aze, who were taking delight in watching our friends (for tonight) from Westview steal points from, and almost whack the title-contending Londt Park Aze. And we were concerned that Mad Mike was going to start whacking himself as he oozled over the lovely Lizelle as she succumbed to the erratically brilliant Thiel. But that was the end of the Grand and Successful side of the evening

Amid news that there was more hiroshimic drama happening at the Saders Castle where the 3^rd of the One-Eye party, the mild, meek and fight-hating Adair was being accused of cheating and his better half, being accused of alcohol abuse by a Barnard-Bozo from Londt Park , we set off for the pre-arranged rendezvous with the Aze, Beze and Ceze at the Keg and Swan. A Half Yearly celebration of friendship, good yarns and yards of laughter awaited.

But it was not to be. DROWNED by an indefatigable and  loud wailing Chinaman determined to impress family , fools and relatives, discussion, debate, and dilemmas to be resolved, ground to a LOUD, thumping halt. Added to this, the Aze and the Beze had been stood up by the cruel, heartless and unfeeling Ceze who warmly chowed at their Walmer hosts, oblivious to the needs and desires of their Squashing Colleagues. We do not even know their result. So it was Chow-in-silence and Go, and Staple-face, who it must be admitted, had devious thoughts of deviating to the scene of his victory, to whet his thirsty whistle once again. But supposed sanity prevailed and he passed Go, and  committed the childishly silly, schoolboy error of arriving home BEFORE his nocturnal rambling children  AND his long-suffering wife, who had been painting the town red with her artist friends.

And so with a 3-or-4 point cushion, the Aze and their Knights of the Saders Squash Table friends peer though miserable  mists into a period of loneliness as their beloved castle is torn down and they are faced with 6 weeks of devastating desolation. De-tox, Re-hab, No courts, No quarts, No haranguing, no Hansa’s. Woe is us. Hopefully their allies from around the town will be inviting them to kuier at their courts, sit at their tables, and teach them lobbing lessons, discuss devious dropshots and swallow sacks of those beautiful beverages that sustain sanity and sexual arousal.

The 2^nd Half awaits, the enemies await. But,if our injured soldiers of the Strydom ,Reekie and Cusse clan return, and if we can capture that cheery Clayton Cherry, we can take them on and fight in our re-furbished courts, we can fight them on the beaches, and we can fight them on the lands. It will be long. It will be hard. But there will be no withdrawal. And victorious celebrations await in the fields of St Francis.

 Balls to the Wall: Please Sir, may I have some more …

While Squash, one of the biggest participation sports in the world, offers great  exercise  and competition , is economical in time, and money , is accessible to most,  come rain, shine, day or night, it is not a great spectator sport. Even worse, it does not convert well into the realms of TV viewership, where massive sponsorships lurk, waiting to exploit and dominate. Sadly many of the people who play squash, don’t really like watching it either. They want their wham-bam-thank-you-mam hour of endorphin-release, and off they go.

Squash on TV looks like a doddle. TV slows the pace  down, so the players appear to be aimlessly ambling around, gently stroking the ball around .  There appears to be no urgency, no strategy, no skills, no  drama.  All pretty boring. Advances are being made with the introduction of  all-glass courts and innovative camera work. But to appreciate squash, one needs to have played squash. A  bit like the Mona Lisa – it is a piece of Art. One needs to know what to look for.  Live viewing  allows only for limited spectatorship although massive strides have been made in using portable courts which have been erected in shopping centres and at some exotic arenas, particularly in Egypt and Saudi Arabia where the sport  has huge government  support. And watching the top guns play can be incredibly dramatic.

Sadly, and consequently, Squash does not attract huge money into the game, and administrators have tended to lean towards “begging” for donations rather than negotiating deals to attract Sponsors. This becomes a downward spiral, and becomes an erratic, unsustainable and short term resolution to our annual financial crises. So what can we do to attract these multi-million companies to our beautiful little sweat-boxes ?

Yes, we are giving the Sponsor mileage because the squash public and the public at large is aware of their involvement. And the power of the sub-liminal message can never be under-estimated. But do we maximise this mileage. Do we think of innovative ways of offering mileage. More, we have to ask ourselves, “ What can our province/club/sport offer this Sponsor that could add extra sales to his basket. We have to develop a  2-way relationship with the Sponsor. Therein lies the puzzle. And I do not have all the answers.

However, when  Sponsors do arrive and are interested in supporting our sport, we, as Squash Players need to go Balls-to-the-Wall and get behind them with all their support they can muster.

So, a Huge Welcome to Dulce and to Cadburys who have joined the Squash Family in sponsoring the League sides at Londt Park and Westview respectively. We would like to think that it is because the squash at these clubs, and in the province, is so vibrant but we hope that the squash fraternity at the clubs in particular, and the province at large will support those who are showing interest in their passion. With the economy down  and recession, still strangling, Corporates are looking closely at their Sponsorship Budgets, and are looking for return on their investment. If Squash wants to attract and retain sponsors, Squash must live the products of their sponsors. Nothing is more annoying than sponsoring an event , only to see the people who benefit from the sponsorship, using opposition product.

Hopefully, the Dulce and Cadbury relationship with Squash will be a long and rewarding one for all parties

And while on the topic of Sponsorship, I sometimes wonder why some children play squash. Sometimes I think, maybe for the sense of achievement, the recognition of making a provincial side. Hopefully, those are by-products, and they are playing for the fun of the fitness and feeling good and finding new friends and good people. And as the players climb the Squashing Tree, so more  and more carrots of sponsorship inducement are tangled in front of them from Racquet and Equipment Companies. Again here, Squash players have to understand that this is part business partnership/part relationship and is a 2-way street

Some pointers to remember when dealing with Sponsors.

Sponsorship is not a right, it is a privilege

Draw up and maintain a Players Profile/CV  annually which you can use to apply for sponsorships, and to re-apply at the end of the year

Sponsorships, like budgets are drawn up towards the end of the year. Once the season is over, draw up your “CV/Profile”, or up-date it and submit . Applications which are submitted in the middle of the year, are rarely successful

Do not brag in your CV/Profile – state facts, and be honest

Once you have been allocated a Sponsorship, maintain communication with the representative of the company.

A sponsorship should be an Inventive to improve more, and to work harder at your game. It is not a sign that you have arrived .

You are an advertisement for the company. Your behaviour on court is sometimes as important as your performances and rankings. And your behaviour off-court is also noticed

Whenever you have an opportunity, wear/show off  your sponsor’s clothes.

The sub-liminal effect of adverting is powerful

Do not wear opposition company kit.

If you are being photographed for the press, be an advertisement for your sponsor… and send him the photo, and the article

Get to know what other products/racquets are available in your Sponsor’s range so that encourage friends and other players to try the racquets/equipment/products

Keeping it in the Family …

The Van Niekerks made the EP Closed tournament a Family occasion when first young  14 year old Dewald clinched the  7^th&8^th League Sections, then Lizelle beat Anlen Murray to win the Ladies A Section and then Rudi kept the Men’s title at Londt Park when he defeated Jason Le Roux 3-1. Dad, Anton, a stalwart of EP Squash achieved a very creditable 8^th position in the first league. At 54, a pretty mean feat.  And I am sure, Mom, Salome was in the background, as always, supporting.

The tournament attracted 176 players – the biggest ever. And with the Adi Hansen Exhibition, Blitz squash,  Rhodes Open, Leagues pumping,  Top 16, EP Schools Trials, and the Crusaders tournament, announcement of Jarvis and Kaplan Provincial Teams, the Walmer tournament, the Woolstaplers tournament, Crusaders Court renovations…. Squash is abuzz in the province.

Any Sponsors out there ?

  Balls to the Wall:               Golf – I Hate You

    (Practice Does NOT Make Perfect)

My love-hate relationship with that great game ,Golf was taken to new levels last month when I played in a couple of Corporate Days, and piqued with a 3-day trip to play 45 holes at the cathartic Katberg Estate. I added a new golf course to my list , scored time off work, mixed with wonderful people and again experienced that calm, tranquillity and serenity of a beautiful course. Unfortunately, I also arrived at levels of anger and frustration, which dragged me close to depression. I hit some oomph-lovely drives, a few tink-beautiful irons, the odd exquisite chip and a couple of fist-pumping putts. Amongst “all of the above”, I also hit  squirrel rapers, a Pink Lady, dare I admit it - a freshie, a “square cut”, some up-and-unders, buried myself in bunkers , bumbled some 10 metre humpty-dumpty’s and was seriously well over par, on use of the F-word. I cursed myself, the world and Golf.

Surely, someone who has played provincial squash, Premier League cricket, and 1^st XV rugby,  should have enough ball sense to be able to manage a little white ball around a course in, at least, 90 shots. That would make me happy. Instead, I raise my bat, regularly. I have spent time with my ex-pupil Birdie Van Der Nest, Graeme Whale has attempted to guide me, and while I am under their tutelage, I actually impress myself. I believe I can become a Golfer. But then like a sinner on a Sunday , I leave the safety of their sermons…… and  head  back to my Squash Court comfort zone where I know what I am doing, and try to guide folk who are feeling the same frustrations on the squash court  as I feel on the Golf Course. I become the Preacher …. and the next time a Golf Course sees me, is at the next Corporate Day where I head-butt with those old “friends”, Frustration and Anger.

Actually, I lie. Sometimes on a Sunday afternoon, usually, just before that next Corporate Event, when grass is mowed, chores are done, coaching completed, week is planned, wife having a kip, I sneak down to the Driving Range, and bash a bucket of balls. Exactly that. Bash some balls. With no real idea of what I am doing.  I leave the range, proud that I have put in some “practice’ and with great expectations of miraculous improvement.

This brings me to my point. We are told that Practice makes Perfect. That , dear Sports Friends, is a lie. Practice makes Permanent. Only Perfect Practice, makes Perfect. As a Squash Coach, I get excited when I see players getting onto the court on their own but I despair ,  when I see them,  mindlessly moering the ball around. They are probably causing more harm to their game, and imprinting bad habits into their mind muscles. They say it takes 10 000 shots to develop a skill, but more to unlearn a bad habit . Sadly, practice  can become boring, and when it gets boring, you are taking your game down a bumpy road.

So how should one practise ?

1. Know what you want to practise and how long you intend practising. If you only have half an hour availablel, trying to cover the “whole syllabus” is not wise. Most people immediately head for the forearm side. Why ? Comfort zone. You should be wanting to work on a weakness. But sometimes, you may want to be just finding a rhythm. However, knowing what you want to achieve is critical. ( I have no clue why I play such erratic golf, so I don’t really know what to practise)
2.  When playing, think tactically. Be loose. Be free. ( I wish I would listen to myself on the golf course!!) But when  practising, think technique. Focus on your racquet preparation, keeping your head still, your follow through or the space between you and the ball.
3. Set yourself targets. That is the key to preventing boredom, and measuring whether you are improving. And start with simple targets. Just hitting the ball into the Service Box  10 x requires skills which will be converted into your match tomorrow. As you improve, you can increase the volume or ideally narrow the target and increase the pace. ( My problem at the Driving Range is that it would take me 4 buckets to achieve my targets)
4. Once you have achieved your target e.g 20 backhand drives into your identified area, do some fitness/movement exercises. It is relatively easy to learn to hit the ball. The difficult part of squash is learning how to move effectively on the court, and your position in relation to the ball. Most players don’t recover to the tee properly, have poor racquet preparation, force themselves to run too fast,  eventually run too far and are unbalanced when they play the shot . You may look like an idiot, running around the court on your own, but if you are doing it correctly, apart from improving your fitness, you are probably benefitting your game more than mindlessly klapping the ball around the court ( Warning – doing “court sprints” at the range –  could result in arrest, or maybe being barred from the club)
5. Now move onto your next shot routine/target. You may be a little tired now, so hitting those targets becomes a little more difficult. But should you not be replicating a match-like situation ?. Hitting 50 volleys after a set of Ghosting is not easy, but nor is recovering from a tough rally at 8-9 in the 5^th.
6.  At the end of your session, you should be reasonably tired as you would probably have done 6 to 10 court movement exercises. A good idea is to keep a journal/diary of what you do when you practice, so that you can adjust targets, and  measure improvement which will hopefully be translated into results
7. It is advisable to ask a coach/an experienced player to work with you in identifying areas where you should focus, and to give you a variety of practice and movement routines to use. Correctly. Then, it is up to you to develop your own regimen. To adapt the Runner’s mantra – Plan your Practice and then Practise your Plan.
8. Last, but not least, practice must be regular if you really want to improve. An odd Sunday afternoon bash, does not work. Ask me. I know

I am told that Gary Kirsten, would not allow himself a beer, until he had hit 300 cricket balls in a day. And he loved his beer. Seems like his plan worked for him … and the Indians last month. Ok, all you Golfing Fundi’s and Friends. Anybody want to perform a Miracle, and guide me down the path to that Holy Grail, a Golfing Peace of Mind ?

Squash features in the copy of Sport elizabeth that is going to sell zillions.

Click on the image to download a pdf in perfect resolution.

1. Rudi Van Niekerk                               Lizelle Goosen
2. Jason Le Roux                                   Jacqui Ryder
3. Zane Schwarz                                     Anlen Murray
4. Sean Bailey                                         Elani Landman
5. Thami Mngcete                                 Lume Landman          
6. Dane Bigara                                       Dianne Van Eyk
7. Quintin Masters                                  Sarah O Grady
8. Peter Ryder                                       Alison Oshry
9. Keith Stewart                                      Karen Schepers
10. Sean Viljoen                                        Dione Johnson
11. Garth Plaaitjies                                    Lisa O Grady
12. Anton Van Niekerk                          Kate Pearson
13. Jarryd Terblanche                                Aimee Brenner
14. Bonakele Nomkala                              Caroline Rose
15. Lonwabo Sigele                                 Joanna Dodd
16. Dan Schultz                                        Michelle Roos
17. Andrew  Reekie                                  Angela Fraser
18. Alton Senekal                                   Kacey Leigh Dodd
19. Jacques Laas                                       Ashleigh Schepers
20. Travis La Mude                                   Kathy Hoy
21. Rian Raubenheimer                             Inge Loftie-Eaton

1. Rudi Van Niekerk                               Lizelle Goosen
2. Zane Schwarz                                     Jacqui Ryder
3. Jason Le Roux                                                Elani Landman
4. Sean Bailey                                         Lume Landman
5. Quinton Masters                                 Anlen Murray 
6. Thami Mngcete                                   Dianne Van Eyk
7. Dane Bigara                                        Karen Schepers
8. Keith Stewart                                      Keirryn Keeton
9. Peter Ryder                                         Sarah O Grady
10. Sean Viljoen                                        Allison Doe
11. Garth Plaaitjies                                    Dione Johnson
12. Bonakele Nomkala                              Nicki Hurr
13. Jarryd Terblanche                                Lisa O Grady
14. Dan Schultz                                        Joanna Dodd
15. Jacques Laas                                       Kate Pearson
16. Anton Van Niekerk                            Aimee Brenner
17. Andrew Reekie                                   Caroline Rose
18. Lonwabo Sigele                                  Angela Fraser
19. Travis La Mude                                   Michelle Roos
20. Rian Raubenheimer                             Hayley Russell
21. Alton Senekal                                     Kathy Hoy