Taking up squash!

[RobinBanks]

I have never played before so I'm joining a local club and I'm going to see if it suits me.
As I don't know yet, I don't want to spend much on equipment.

Do these shoes and racquet look acceptable for the price?

Many thanks

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Browning-Big-Gun-Ti-150-...

http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/hit28/hi~tec-sq...

[jimmyVX]

Rackets are quite subjective, but ultimately if you haven't played before you will get use to whatever you buy. Rackets usually fall into 3 categories, head heavy, head light or balanced. It can be quite subjective and usually down to preference. I have been playing with these for years, id recommend them to anyone:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dunlop-Hot-Melt-Pro-Squa...

It is a balanced racket and I think a good all rounder.

The shoes are classics and will do you just fine.

[Lynchie999]

yeh, not totally sure about the racket, I would personally get a more well known brand.. technifibre, dunlop, mantis.. those brownings they put a high RRP on them to make them seem a good deal... when in fact it is only a £30 racket to start with.. may not be too durable, might only take 1 hit with the floor / wall for it to go bang...

[RobinBanks]

Thanks, noted!
I did assume the RRP was one of those tricks to fool the gullible, but I didn't know where to look.

I think I will try that Dunlop.

[BoRED S2upid]

Don't spend a fortune on a raquet until you know you like the sport and can play it. Most places will lend you one for the first few times. Also you may be better as a beginner with a cheap one that you don't mind smashing against a wall. Sports direct do them for very cheap and they take a bit of a battering. As you improve you won't hit the wall as much and can increase the money you spend on kit.

At the end of the day fitness is going to win you more points than fancy kit and fitness is free.

[RobinBanks]

BoRED S2upid said:

Don't spend a fortune on a raquet until you know you like the sport and can play it. Most places will lend you one for the first few times. Also you may be better as a beginner with a cheap one that you don't mind smashing against a wall. Sports direct do them for very cheap and they take a bit of a battering. As you improve you won't hit the wall as much and can increase the money you spend on kit.

At the end of the day fitness is going to win you more points than fancy kit and fitness is free.

This was my thinking. I'm just looking for a hobby and a way to socialise and maybe keep my fitness up as a bonus.
I doubt I will ever have expensive equipment, but I would like not to buy tat!

[Nezquick]

Squash is a great game. Unfortunately, my regular opponent moved to Spain a while ago and i've not played for a while!

However, as above, the fitter you are the better you will be. I always found that as my fitness improved so did my game. Be warned though: if you're not fit, you'll be a big sweaty mess after about 10 minutes!

Enjoy!

[RobinBanks]

Nezquick said:

Squash is a great game. Unfortunately, my regular opponent moved to Spain a while ago and i've not played for a while!

However, as above, the fitter you are the better you will be. I always found that as my fitness improved so did my game. Be warned though: if you're not fit, you'll be a big sweaty mess after about 10 minutes!

Enjoy!

I'm not fit but I'm working on it!

I'm supposed to be going to meet some people at a club next week with a view to starting soon after.

[Dogbash]

I joined a squash league around 2 years ago. Absolutely love it, play 2-3 times per week, sometimes more during Winter.

Started in league 8 now in league 2 so good progression. I find it a really rewarding sport and I am a heck of a lot fitter now.

Highly recommend joining a league, you get to play different people and your game will come on much quicker like this.

Andrew

[Miocene]

Thats the problem with squash - as per many sports - I found you need to play once a week to maintain your level, twice to slowly improve, but if you can squeeze in that third time you'll improve a lot faster. It'll certainly keep you fit though, and as per other comments - the shoes are fine to start off with but not the racket.

[RobinBanks]

Well I'm managing twice a week and although I haven't won a game yet, it's getting closer!
And my fitness seems to be improving so that's a bonus.

But overall it's just good fun. I'm glad I joined a club!

[gareth h]

Get some coaching, I started playing when I was 7 or 8, the greatest improvements came in my late twenties when I got some decent coaching.
Sort out the bad habits before they happen,you will enjoy the game much more, and beat players who are way fitter than you too!

[AlmostUseful]

Sod Squash for a game of soldiers.
I played for 3 months and it never clicked. The first time I played I broke my racket, every other time I just broke myself! Those walls do an awful lot of damage to your shoulders.

[amoeba]

AlmostUseful said:

Sod Squash for a game of soldiers.
I played for 3 months and it never clicked. The first time I played I broke my racket, every other time I just broke myself! Those walls do an awful lot of damage to your shoulders.

It takes a while to learn not to run on top of the ball/next to the wall. You never need to be nearer than an arm+racket length for the wall.

Anyone else thinking of squash - do it! Amazing for fitness, and also a great sport these days as you can fit a 45 minute game in at lunch time or after work despite rain/sun/etc.

[Shotgun Jon]

Don't underestimate the importance of movement and footwork.

If you excel at this you can reach any part of the court in two to three strides from the tee. You'll arrive with time and space at your disposable. Then put the ball where your opponent isn't. Simple game really. :-D

[blueg33]

I have used Browning Big Guns for 20 years of playing, I like them and they are a well respected squash brand. One of my admin staff is a coach on the National Ladies Squash team having been a team member until recenty, she also uses a Browning Big Gun. Ultimately though, rackets are quite a personal think. If you are starting out, any large head relatively cheap racket will probably do. You have much biger challenges than selecting the racket!

As other have said, dont play squash to get fit, get fit to play squash. Try an find players who are slightly better than you, if you go up against a much better player, the chances are that you won't score a point. Speaking from experience, this is demoralising (I played the coach mentioned above). A worse player will not take your game on.

Start with reasonably fast balls, that way you will learn control rather than having to focus on power for the drives. Use a faster ball in the winter.

Most players prefer a wide grip on the racket. I tent to put at least one layer of cushy grip over the factory supplied grip. In my experience this reduces forearm fatigue and stress on the wrist

[jondude]

It is without doubt a great game and one which - rarely - does not care much about age. A fit 60 year old will be able to hack it with a 20 year old in this sport, so long as the elder has good technique and fitness. You tend to hunt the ball rather than run after it as in other sports.

I would say be sure you are not carrying injuries to the court, for Squash WILL bring them out.


The rest is just go for it! It will make you feel 17 again (so long as you play regularly) as you tend to use your body in the way it was invented ...crouching, hunting, little bursts of extreme energy.

[bakerstreet]

I played a lot in my youth, but was never any good. Prince rackets were the business when I was playing. I still have mine and Hi-Tech for shoes