Squash
Posted: January 5th, 2023
Squash
Student’s Name
Institutional Name
Date
Table of Contents
Age-related physiological and psychological effects. 10
Squash psychological and physiological effects on children. 10
Table 1.1 Comparison between Squash and badminton. 12
Table 1.2 Comparison between squash and Tennis. 13
Table 1.3 Comparison between squash and volleyball 14
Squash
Introduction
The ancient racket game that was commonly played in London prison during the 19th century championed the modern-day squash game hence tracing the origin of the squash to England. The boys in Harrow invented the game following the discovery that a punctured ball compacted upon impact with a wall fascinated the game. The game then spread across various neighboring schools across England (Mazourek et al., 2021). The ball used to play this game was made of rubber as the preferred material. Since the school environment was characterized by hostile conditions for a game such as water pipes and hedges, students innovated smaller reaching rackets that paved the way for their play within these hostile conditions. Hence, this championed the building of courts to accommodate the game, which had begun spreading across Britain.
Squash, as the students invented it involves a racket and ball with only two players per game. The game as per invention, it is played within a four-walled court and using a small rubber ball. The two players involved in the match alternately strike the rubber wall onto the playable surfaces within the four divisions within the playing court using their rackets (Mazourek et al., 2021). The game is played in a manner that the winner is crowned to the individual who hits the ball to challenge the opponent player from hitting a valid return.
Although squash rapidly spread across the various schools in England and the larger Europe, nobody was mandated to govern the game as the different courts that were constructed did not follow a common and standard dimension. The rapidly spreading Squash game was then adopted in the United States, with the first squash court being set in 1884 at St. Paul’s school located in North America (Mazourek et al., 2021). However, the United States established the first national Squash association in the world in 1904, which was then dubbed United States Squash Racquets Association. This pioneered the need to set up a global body tasked with the management of Squash where Tennis and various other five associations formed a committee that formulated the game’s standards in 1907.
The generation of policies and bodies governing the playing of squash championed further the spread of the game to various other countries in the world. Currently, the game is played in 185 countries (Giovanni et al., 2019). As recognized by International Olympic Committee, World Squash Federation is tasked with governing the squash games worldwide. However, despite the International Olympic Committee’s recognition, the game has not been incorporated into the Olympic Games irrespective of the numerous applications.
The squash game singles are played within a court between two players, each holding a racket for hitting the ball. The game set that includes the court, ball, and racket must have the World Squash Federation’s guidelines. A serve initiates the competition, and the players are required to continually hit the ball alternatingly until the rally comes to a halt. Upon winning one rally, the player earns one point guaranteeing him to serve the next competition (Catalán-Eslava et al., 2018). As per the guidelines, each game entails playing to 11 points. However, if the score reaches 10-all, the game proceeds till one player distinguishably wins with a two-point lead. As per the World Squash Federation, a squash game is officiated by a marker and a referee who record the score and direct serving in the game.
Skills of playing Squash
There are four essential skills for playing squash. The players need to possess and improvise technical skills such as stroke production, eye movement, footwork, and practice. Incorporating the technical skills enables the player to outshine their competitors in the primary act of hitting the ball (Baghurst et al., 2018). This is because physical skills will allow the player always to be prepared to hit the ball and maintain grip while swinging to hit the ball. The physical abilities also aid in footwork, perfect positioning to hit the ball as well as body alignment in response to hit the ball perfectly such that they score against the other player.
The players hence have to learn the tactical and strategic skills that enable the player to win the game, such as shot creation, selection, and strategic analysis of the match. This is because tactical implementation facilitates the improvising of the various technical tools to achieve the set strategy that will enable the player to score (Tapie, Gil, and Thoreux, 2020). For instance, tactically wise individuals efficiently improvise different shots within perfect timing and rhythm in defense and attack. This type of skill is best achieved through the assistance of a good coach.
The players also have to embrace physical training skills into the match, which facilitates the improvement of strength, speed, flexibility as well as agility. Physical training forms the basis upon which players build up their technical and strategic skills. When improvised technically and strategically, the training skills reduce player’s tiredness and fatigue (Baghurst et al., 2018). Physical training enables the player’s ineffective coordination of the muscles and the general body parts to achieve mobility, stamina, and movement. Determination and attrition would allow players to outcompete the skilled competitors.
Mental skills are paramount to playing squash as this incorporates strategic discipline and resilience into the player. This is because cognitive skills help the player in concentration within the game as they positively think of winning the game, hence improvising the various technical skills through visualization of how best the technical skills will strategically work. Mental stability enables the players to maintain a positive mind ad concentration in-game despite the challenges and cope with pressure.
Equipment of Squash
In order to play squash, specific equipment should be available; racket, ball, and comfortable sportswear. Eyewear is a fundamental requirement for junior competition as they protect the eyes.
Rackets
Although there are different sizes and brands for rackets, the World’s Squash Federation has permitted the squash rackets to have a long handle and small head. The weight, however, is different depending on the material used in manufacturing the racket.
Balls
The choice of the ball determines the extent of game enjoyment. The more advanced balls exhibit less bouncy hence taking relatively more time to warm up, same as the more giant bouncier balls which allows a more extended period for a rally, therefore, developing the correct technic for the players the training period. There have been provided three types of squash balls in the regulation. Pro balls are assigned explicitly to elite players, and they have a distinctive double yellow marking (Tapie, Gil, and Thoreux, 2020). The competition balls are characterized by a single yellow dot and therefore assigned to the regular and club level players. For recreational purposes and improvement of the player skills, progress balls are recommended as they are slightly larger hence more bouncy. Their black color distinguishes them. The black-blue dotted squash balls are more significant and bouncier, therefore more recommended for beginners. They are referred to as mini squash balls.
Clothing and shoes
According to Tapie, Gil, and Thoreux (2020), comfortable athletic sportswear is recommended for squash as long as they allow one to turn around the court. However, recreational facilities and clubs may call for non-marking rubber shoes, which less leave fewer markings on the court.
Eyewear
While training beginners and playing doubles in addition to junior squash, it is mandatory to wear protective eyewear, although eye injuries are rarely reported.
Rules of Squash
Just like the other games, squash has some rules which must be followed while playing. Generally, a player hits the ball once before a competitor hence hitting the ball alternatively. As per the rules, the contact must be singular, thus prohibits the carrying of the ball. The ball is allowed to bounce once on the floor for any game, with more bounces leading to a score. The player must exert every effort to clear the shot while ensuring the competitor has space to hit the ball. The squash game rules allow for two mechanisms of scoring (Tapie, Gil, and Thoreux, 2020). Point-A-Rally commonly referred to as American scoring, is permitted for both juniors and professional players who play 11 points. However, any player is allowed to score irrespective of who serves. English games are commonly referred to as serving in enable players to win the competition while serving to score.
A march in squash allows players to play the best of five games. As documented in Point-A-Rally, a game tied in 10-10 is won by a 2 point difference. While using the English scoring rules, an 8-8 score prompts the player to determine if to play 9 to 10 by communicating 1 or 2 since there is no two clear win requirement within this type of scoring (Baghurst et al., 2018). In playing squash, the ball can hit all walls though it is ruled to first hit the front wall before hitting the floor, failure t which is ruled out. Whenever a ball hit lines restricted at the top of the court; red line and boards at any place located at the bottom of the front wall are ruled out.
Figure 1.1 Squash rules
Figure 1.2 Squash hit point rules
Aims of Squash
Roles
While playing squash, the aim is usually to continuously hit the ball against the front wall alternatively until the competitor cannot hit back on their turn (Baghurst et al., 2018). In addition, squash usually aims to hit the front wall and make a maximum of two bounce on the floor before the competitor hits back on their turn.
Learning objective
The aim of playing squash is not only a recreational or sports profession but also a life teaching institution. Through the ball’s alternative hitting, the players get to learn the need for being patient and alert as they alternatively hit the ball, hence discipline in everyday life where one knows the urge of giving each time to perform their tasks with respect (Kelly et al., 2020). The game players learn how to face the various failures and correct their mistakes by learning from their previous mistakes and working to improve their strategies through tactical experience.
Age-related Physiological and Psychological Effects
Squash Psychological and Physiological Effects on Children
The adolescents who are engaged in playing squash usually exhibit adverse psychological effects as they are found to be stressed. Since young individuals are still learning cognitively and physically from adult behaviors, they are likely to develop a fear of failure, parental pressure, and the inability to learn coping strategies (Somerset and Hoare, 2018). This is because some parents do not like their child playing squash hence pressure the child to quit something I which the children had a passion in. Since the young individuals had not developed mechanisms of coping with stress, it can result in severe effects on them as it can cause extreme metabolism disruption and cognitive behaviors, hence affecting the immune system, which could cause several chronic disorders and diseases. The swigging and gripping might also affect the general physiology of the individual.
Squash effects on adult
The individuals who play squash exhibit the general risking behavioral due to the high self-esteem due to increased self-esteem, which could challenge their approach in public life where they can risk a specific risky behavior hence losing more (Kelly et al., 2020). The first periods of learning squash are challenging to oneself as the individuals first doubt themselves before accepting who they are.
Specific Discussion
Children playing squash are believed to acquire various benefits from the game, such as improving self-esteem as the players believe in themselves as in the game. The children also develop social skills and discipline as they learn to cope with the ball’s alternative hitting, hence improving social skills (Somerset and Hoare, 2018). The engagement of young children in playing squash helps in reducing anxiety and depression. Individuals who play squash have shown to have improved general behavior and thinking. Due to the belief in hitting the ball alternatively, the individual’s self-esteem is improved as well as social skills where an individual develops discipline in associating with other individuals within the community.
Due to the strenuous exercise in planning squash, the squash individuals rarely experience obesity since there are no more calories stored as fats. Strenuous exercise aids in increasing muscle strengthening, increasing aerobic capacity, which results in physically fit individuals (Trybulec et al., 2020). This also reduces the risks of developing diabetes since they constantly exercise and the general body mass index is stable. The general exercise is hence translating to a reduced risk of suffering from any cardiovascular disease.
Since the individuals are always busy, it helps in maintaining a healthy social life. This is through averting the risks of teen pregnancy since the children will find less time to engage in such in addition to the fear of pregnancy affecting their playing capacity (Kim et al., 2020). In addition, the youth refrain from substance abuse as the individuals and children fear being eliminated by doping rules on the drug and substance abuse levels.
Squash help in the development of self-discipline in sticking to one’s goal to succeed. This is because enforced mindfulness vanishes off negative thoughts and nurturing the shift of focus from external views to personal development.
Comparison
Squash and badminton
Similar to squash, badminton can be played in both singles and doubles. However, the equipment and courts differ between squash and badminton. Squash uses heavier rackets and squash balls, unlike badminton that uses shuttlecock. At the same time, playing badminton (Sachs et al., 2020). One focuses on shorter and sharper movements, unlike squash which emphasizes full swings. Squash has not yet been listed in the Olympic sports, although it is has been recognized by sports Olympics, unlike Squash games.
Table 1.1 Comparison between Squash and badminton
| Discipline of comparison | Squash | Badminton |
| Court | It is usually 1.2 wider than badminton’s | It is usually 1.4 longer than squash’s |
| Net | Not used | Net used |
| Vital skills | Full swings | Short and sharp swings |
| Equipment | Heavy rackets and squash balls | Lighter rackets and shuttlecock |
| Olympic Sport | Recognized but not listed | Recognized and listed |
Squash and Racquetball
Similarities: In both squash and racquetball, long-headed rackets are recommended. Both squash and racquetball balls are distinguished with colors for different levels of expertise and purposes (Baghurst et al., 2018). The balls are made of varying sizes, exerting an extra level of bouncy, for instance, the more giant balls, which are bouncier recommended for the beginners.
Differences: Squash rackets have a small head instead of the racquetball rackets, which possess a giant authority. Squash balls are classified into four classes designed for various purposes and coloration as well as buoyancy level. In contrast, the racquetball balls are classified into two groups but with different buoyancy levels as in squash balls. The blue balls used in racquetball games are designed for beginners, as they are slightly bouncier.
In contrast, those designated for beginners in squash are usually characterized by a blue dot rather than the entire blue ball (Sachs et al., 2020). The black balls in the racquet are designed for the experienced players, while in the squash game, they are assigned for recreation and training of players. The professional player’s balls in squash have a distinctive double yellow marking.
Squash and Tennis
Both Tennis and squash require the use of heavy rackets while playing. However, squash uses squash balls as opposed to Tennis which uses tennis balls. Tennis demand a larger court as compared to squash.
Table 1.2 Comparison between squash and Tennis
| Discipline of comparison | Squash | Tennis |
| Court | Small court | Relatively larger court |
| Vital skills | Full swings | Short and sharp swings |
| Equipment | Heavy rackets and squash balls | heavy rackets and tennis ball |
| Olympic Sport | Recognized but not listed | Recognized and listed |
Squash and volleyball
Squash requires squash ball while playing while volleyball requires volleyball ball. Squash requires heavy rackets to play as opposed to volleyball which does not require players to use noises. Volleyball need 12 players, six on each side instead of squash, which requires only two players per match. Volleyball involves the use of the net as opposed to squash.
Table 1.3 Comparison between squash and volleyball
| Discipline of comparison | Squash | volleyball |
| Net | Does not use the net | Uses net |
| Players | 12 players, six on each side | Two players |
| Equipment | Heavy rackets and squash balls | Volleyball |
| Olympic Sport | Recognized but not listed | Recognized and listed |
Conclusion
Ultimately, squash is beneficial in improving the physiological and psychological behavior of both adults and children as it enhances self-esteem as well as a discipline among the participants. It also aids in reducing risks of the development of various diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases through increased blood circulation and regular exercise. Although both young children and adults have a challenge in learning how to play squash due to suffering from injuries and failures, which lowers self-esteem, the game’s long-term effect is increased self-esteem. Playing squash also reduces the risks of teen pregnancy and drug abuse. However, children playing squash are at risk of developing chronic illness due to extreme pressure from parents and stress. The paper has also addressed the various comparisons between squash and badminton as well as racquetball.
References
Baghurst, T., DeFreitas, J., & Hernández-Sarabia, J. (2018). Factors that affect winning in international racquetball: Findings from the 2015 Pan American Games. Journal of Contemporary Athletics, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 115-122.
Catalán-Eslava, M., González-Víllora, S., Pastor-Vicedo, J. C., & Contreras-Jordán, O. R. (2018). Analysis of tactical, decisional, and executional behavior according to the level of expertise in squash. Journal of human kinetics, vol. 61, no.1, pp. 227-240.
Giovanni, K., Al Ghifari, F., & Nuryadi, N. (2019, September). The Influence of Modification Field towards the Hit Playing Skills and Drives in a Squash Games. In 3rd International Conference on Sport Science, Health, and Physical Education (ICSSHPE 2018) (pp. 110-112). Atlantis Press.
Kelly, A. L., Jackson, D. T., Taylor, J. J., Jeffreys, M. A., & Turnnidge, J. (2020). “Birthday-banding” as a strategy to moderate the relative age effect: A case study into the England Squash Talent Pathway. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, vol. 2, pp. 145.
Kim, A. C. H., Ryu, J., Lee, C., Kim, K. M., & Heo, J. (2020). Sport Participation and Happiness among Older Adults: A Mediating Role of Social Capital. Journal of Happiness Studies, vol. 4, pp. 1-19.
Mazourek, M., Hernandez, C., & Fabrizio, J. (2021). Reconsidering Approaches to Selection in Winter Squash Improvement: Improved Quality and Breeding Efficiency. Plant Breeding Reviews, vol. 44, pp. 247-272.
Sachs, M. L., Tashman, L. S., & Razon, S. (Eds.). (2020). Performance excellence: Stories of success from the real world of sport and exercise psychology. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Somerset, S., & Hoare, D. J. (2018). Barriers to voluntary participation in sport for children: a systematic review. BMC pediatrics, vol. 18, no.1, pp. 1-19.
Tapie, B., Gil, C., & Thoreux, P. (2020). Squash. In Injury and Health Risk Management in Sports (pp. 677-681). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Trybulec, B., Liput, G., & Barłowska-Trybulec, M. (2020). Occurrence and degree of iliopsoas muscle contracture in regular male squash players. Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine, vol. 32, pp. 61-68.
Expert paper writers are just a few clicks away
Place an order in 3 easy steps. Takes less than 5 mins.