Class Expectations

Milestones: rules of squash, racket skills, and fitness
⁃initial evaluation and final evaluation

Class Rules:
⁃At least 24 hours of the class, notify the instructor if you cannot make it to class ⁃Arrive early/on time--if over 5 mins late (after your first class), no entrance ⁃Warm up on your own for all future classes ⁃Proper equipment: eyewear, racket, shoes, ball, clothes
⁃No certificate unless you attend over 50% of the classes (at least 5 classes).

Class Goals: proficiency in squash fundamentals
1.Rules: game and match scoring, in/out, lets, etc 2.Mechanics: grip and swing 3.Shots:
⁃serve and serve return
⁃in-game shots: rail, volley, drop, boast, lob, cross court 4.Movement (esp. star drill): approach, contact, recovery 5.Fitness: sit ups, pushups, sprints, burpees

Lesson structure (“What will we be doing each week”):
⁃ tutorial, practice, test structure: instructor demos, practice drills, condition games to test your new skills in action fitness and court specific movement emphasized tournament/game play (with reflection and feedback)

⁃ video feedback
⁃ personal sessions as time allows


Recommendations (how to improve faster)
⁃Take Notes: write your goals and your observations as the class progresses. What drills most positively challenged you? What are you proud of and what should you improve upon? Revisit your current and past notes before/after class.
⁃Personal lessons: for more individual time or to strengthen a specific weakness, schedule a one-on-one or a buddy lesson with the instructor
⁃Practice: solo drills targeting areas of weakness/honing areas of strength. Both before/after class.
⁃Watch: there are some great videos online (eg youtube) of terrific matches between the pros, as well as demonstrations of particularly shots/techniques
⁃Visualize: go through different squash scenarios and imagine yourself performing shots and movements perfectly
⁃Play: against your classmates (I list this last because you will typically see the greatest improvement with the solo work


Game and practice play: how do I handle playing against opponents of varying skill?
⁃Weaker players: use this lower pressure situation to practice your weakest shots (eg, if you struggle with the drop, capitalize on your opponent’s loosely hit shot by hitting a drop). Practice your skills at good sportswoman/manship (be polite and follow the game rules).
⁃Similar players: watch your opponent closely to identify any specific weaknesses. Capitalize on them (eg, if they have a weak backhand, wear them down by hitting constantly to their backhand).
⁃Stronger players: practice your mental toughness (think only about the current point, not about the points already past), physical fitness (even breathing and returning to the T), and higher probability shots (eg, use rails and stay away from cross-courts). Stay in the game by playing strong defense; you may even outlast your opponent.