Turning Point

by Joyce Dendy

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.)

http://www.ussquash.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/131023_Rules-of-Singles-Squash-2014.pdf

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.” 

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 .