Have you ever played a squash match that went south very
quickly after a bad call by the ref?
Coaches tell us to let that call go - FORGET IT - move on to
the next point. We’ve all had that one match where we’ve struggled to move
forward. The mental tussle impacting on the physical. As you read this, it’s
highly likely that a whole host of emotions - frustration, anger, dismay,
disgust, etc. - have come flooding back to mind. It’s crazy how the brain
works!
The unconscious brain doesn’t differentiate whether you are
a zebra being physically chased by a lion, if you are psychologically stressed
by deadlines at work, or if you are on a squash court.
Squash is a game of survival - kill or be killed by your
opponent. You are under threat and your body has to switch into fight or flight
mode to save your hide. Once you are safe (the match is over), your body can
now transition into a calmer, restorative state, often referred to as rest and
digest.
The squash court is a great place to hone our instinctual
survival skills. I’d like to share my survival story. My league team made it to
the playoff finals. Pressure was on! I was down in the first game but came back
to win. I went on to win the second game. Up 2-0, knowing how easy it is to
lose focus going into the third game, I had a conversation with myself - stay
alert, trust my instincts and stop thinking (Paralysis Analysis… very bad). At
10-8, I made the winning shot - a dropshot - and it’s good. My brain knew the
fight was over, I was safe! The hormonal transition into a calmer state began.
But NO WAIT! The ref then said, “You turned-you have to stop your swing and play
a LET!”
At the club level, the players referee their own matches. We
depend on each other to know the rules. As players, we have several resources
and opportunities to help us learn but many have not taken advantage. MA Squash
hosts several Squash Officiating Clinics during the season. There is also the
US Squash on-line refereeing exam that all players are encouraged to take.
Best of all, the 2014 World Squash Singles Rules can be
found on the US Squash website. Below is the direct link (I suggest saving a
direct link on your iPhone or printing it out to keep a hardcopy in your squash
bag. Of course, that’s after you’ve read it a few times.)
So, let’s be clear on Turning. Programmed into our brains,
we typically make a forehand or backhand strike by turning our bodies toward
the side wall. However, sometimes the action of the ball, which passes behind
the body, leads the player to “turn” her body toward the middle of the court to
strike. Please understand that Turning is NOT outlawed. But there are rules we
should all keep in mind.
The opponent (non-striker) must allow the striker freedom to
strike the ball to any part of the entire front wall (Rule 8.11). The
non-striker needs to make every effort to “clear” and give the striker access
to the front wall. Otherwise, it’s considered interference and other factors go
into deciding whether it’s a Let, Stroke or No Let situation. However, when the
striker “turns,” several things need to be considered. So, let’s compare normal
strike position with the body turned toward the side walls versus turning the body
toward mid-court. With a normal strike position, the striker may refrain from
striking the ball because of front-wall interference and request a Let.
• IF the ball would have hit the nonstriker on a direct path
to the front wall, a stroke is awarded to the striker (8.11.1).
• IF the striker swings through and the ball is going
directly to the front wall but hits the opponent’s body, racket or clothing, a
Stroke is awarded to the striker (9.1.2).
• IF … yes, there’s more, but that is not our focus right
now.
So what happens if the striker turns? Because turning can
create safety issues, such as hitting your opponent, there are some additional
things to keep in mind.
• IF the striker turns and does not know where her opponent
is, it is highly encouraged by our squash pros to “play it safe,” hold the shot
and appeal for a Let. The Let should be granted if the ball was playable.
• IF the striker turns and sees her opponent had no time to
avoid interference (Rule 8.13.2) and is blocking access to front wall, stop
play and request a Let for interference. Again, your Let will be granted.
• IF the striker is sure that her shot will miss her
opponent, then she is entitled to continue with the rally and no penalty applies.
• IF the striker turns and hits the opponent, it’s a stroke
to the opponent - no matter where the ball was going (Rule 9.15) The striker
loses the point. This rule provides incentive not to swing!
So back to game 3 with a score of 10-8. The ball bounced behind me, so I turned. Clearly seeing my opponent off to the right and not in my way, I dropped the ball in the left front corner for the winning shot. My brain said, “you’re done, your safe.” Oh, but wait! Then came the completely unexpected decision by the ref, “…play a LET.”
So back to game 3 with a score of 10-8. The ball bounced behind me, so I turned. Clearly seeing my opponent off to the right and not in my way, I dropped the ball in the left front corner for the winning shot. My brain said, “you’re done, your safe.” Oh, but wait! Then came the completely unexpected decision by the ref, “…play a LET.”
My brain somehow then had to try to switch back into survival mode and "play on.” I
allowed a bad call by the ref to get in my head and went on to lose 3-2. Even
the thought of this makes my heart pound a bit faster! This is one match I will
never forget!
I hope that by sharing my experience, we all have gained a
bit more clarity on the Turning Rule. And you all have learned something at the
expense of my pain! Yes,
it is important for all to know the rules. Even more critical, survival on
the court requires full attention to what matters. Let the small stuff go
and play on, otherwise you may be eaten alive by your opponent!
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Joyce Dendy is an avid player and student of squash. She is
a Training & Performance Coach, Z-Health Master Trainer and Nutrition
Consultant. She has been sole proprietor of Affirmative Fitness for the past 20
years. For more information, go to www.affirmative-fitness.com .
