Major Competition in Squash

The World Open

•  Individual world championship for squash players.
• Held annually in a different location each time, the competition begins with a qualifying round, followed by the first round, second round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and culminating in the final. 
• Female squash players compete in the Women's World Open

 

 

The World Team Squash Championships

• World championship for national teams from the 142 members of the WSF. 

• Teams of three or four players can be entered, and each round involves three singles matches between two countries, with the winner progressing to the next round. 

• The contest held bi-annually and the venue changes each time.

• There is also a women's championships, held in the years when there is no men's competition.

The PSA World Tour

• Continuous competition.

• It consists of over one hundred single elimination events

• Individual players compete in these events, accumulating points which determine their position in the world rankings

• Super series tournament - Tournament of Champions, PSA Masters, British Open, Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open, Pakistan Open, Qatar Classic and World Open

• Eight highest ranking player will compete in the Super Series Finals.

The WISPA World Tour

• Women's equivalent of the PSA World Tour.

• It is the official World Circuit for Women's Professional Squash 
• The basis for the Women's World Rankings

Source:

http://www.talksquash.co.uk/guides/squash_major_comps.html 

Images:

http://www.worldopensquash2011.com/

http://screeners.totalsportsasia.com/Catalogue_View.asp?vid=81

http://www.worldsquash.org/ws/?p=3418 

http://www.worldsquash.org/ws/?p=4381 

ToP PLaYeRs

Now, that we have already learn the game, we should now get to know the top players in the world ranking. According to PSA world rankings (the Official World Ranking for men's squash) the person (men category) who is now on top of the world is Nick Matthew.

 

Full Name      :  Nick Matthew

Date of Birth  : 25th July 1980  

Place of Birth : Sheffield
Residence       : Sheffield, England

Height            : 1.83 m

Weight            :77 kg
Racquet used  :Dunlop
He is a professional squash player who has won the British Open in 2006 and 2009. He is now the one who hold the title of squash world champion since June 2010. 

His home squash club is Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club in Sheffield which has named a squash court 'The Nick Matthew Showcourt'. He started to become  a professional player in 1998. Since then, there are many tournaments that he involved in, including British Closed Championship, British Open Championship, England World Team Championship, European Team Championship, and Commonwealth games. 

In women squash sport arena, Datuk Nicol Ann David is the one who reign the title and the first Asean woman to achieve this. Full Name      : Nicol Ann David Date of Birth : 26 August 1983 Place of Birth: Penang,Malaysia Residence      : Amsterdam Height            : 1.63 m Weight           : 50 kg Racquet Used: Prince She become a professional squash player in 2000, when she won her first WISPA title after defeating Salma Shabana in the Final of  Savcir Finnish open.  She is the first squash player to have won World Junior title twice, and remained to be the one before Raneem El Weleily emulatedNicol's feat by winning her second World Junior Championship in 2007. Nicol has also obtained the WISPA Player Of The Year on six consecutive occasions, from 2005 until 2010. Aren't they great? :) See you in the next entry on Major Squash Tournament.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Matthew 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_Men%27s_Squash_World_Ranking 
http://www.wispa.net/rankings.asp
http://www.psa-squash.com/entry/ranking.php?player=T00275&page=biog
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicol_David
Images:
http://www.isportgroup.com/Home/iSPORTmanagement-%281%29/iSPORTmanagement/Player-Profiles/Nick-Matthew/NICK-MATTHEW-SIGNS-TO-DUNLOP.aspx
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fLx4tct-9o57meJcr5dSfwX6HH0-4IwvFgzoHNqIDiqGpV4ZnBikyNdkTOFtV1f99KdrnYoCf6bLKbkitUDKvRgi91BYsPusGhQBBEV4WrFwMv_XzzxOaNAEG1mUYj5IvZGYPvjCYw4z/s400/Nicol_David.jpg 

BaSiC GaMe RuLeS

Actually, in every games there are certain basic rules that need to be followed. In this entry, we will learn a few simple basic rules that we need to know in playing squash.
Serve

The game begins with a serve from the small marked rectangle on the floor the service box. One of the server's feet must be inside the box and do not touch the lines of it. The ball must hit the front wall between service line and out line and then land in the opposite quarter court (it can hit any other wall before that).The receiving player may hit the ball after bouncing off the floor or volley it after it has hit the front wall.The players switch sides for the next serve if the server wins the point.

Play

If the serve was successful, the players take turns hitting the ball.The ball can hit back or side walls at any time but:

• It must hit the front wall between the tin and out line before it touches the ground.

• Any hit on the out line or above is out, hitting the tin is also considered out.

After striking the front wall (and any number of other walls) the ball can bounce once on the floor before the next player must return it.
Players may move freely anywhere on the court but accidental or even intended obstruction of opponents movement is prohibited.

Points

You win a rally if your opponent:

• Does not hit the ball before it has bounced twice on the floor

• Strikes the ball out (on or above out line / on the tin)

• Does not hit the front wall with the ball before the ball touches the floor

• Obstructs your movement

Easy,right? You can try to play squash after this. :) In the next entry, I'll bring you to the famous squash players. Stay Focus, and keep learning. see you in the next entry..

Source:
http://www.titanium-racket.com/squash 

Images:
http://thenakedhero.com/bill-gatess-rules-to-live-by http://squashtips.squashhero.com/squash-serving-drills-backhand/
http://sg.sea.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/websubstance/websubstance0705/websubstance070500034/956537-men-playing-squash.jpg
http://www.hellotrade.com/daktronics/squash-scoreboards.html 

The EqUiPMeNtS

In our last entry, we have learn about the introduction to squash, what is squash, and the history of it. In this entry let's learn about the equipments needed in playing squash.

The Court

First thing first what we need to play squash is the court. The standard, international squash court’s size is 9.75 metres by 6.4 metres. Basically, the squash court consists of four walls and a floor, and the front wall is the largest with three horizontal lines on it. 

• THE THREE LINES

The topmost line or also known as the out line, determines whether the ball is out or not. Any ball struck above or on this line is considered out. This line is at a height of 4.57 metres. The middle line is called service line or cut line, and is only used when serving the ball. The other two lines are still used throughout the game. This line is located at a height of 1.83 metres.The bottom line is 43 centimetres- high metal section that indicates the top of a tin. If struck, the ball is out and make a different sound when hit.

• THE FLOOR

The floor of the court is divided by a half court line. It is parallel to the side wall and extending down to the centre of the court for 4.26 metres. It is also divided by a short line which spans the whole width of the court. The two areas behind the short line are called quarters, also known as quarter courts. Two service boxes measuring 1.6 metres will be found within the quarters. These are located behind the service line at the far right and left court.

• THE REAR WALL

The rear wall is often made of glass. It is the smallest one which also contains the entrance to the court. It also has an out of court line at a height of 2.13 metres. The front and back out lines are joined by straight, angled lines along the side walls. These slope downwards (because the back out line is lower than the front out line), creating the characteristic trapezium shape of the side walls. 

The Balls



Squash balls are between 39.5 and 40.5 mm in diameter, and have a mass of 23 to 25 grams. They are made with two pieces of rubber compound, glued together to form a hollow sphere and buffed to a matte finish.  

Squash ball is basically different from any other sport balls. It does not bounce unless it is warmed up by hitting it hard 50 to 100 times. After that, it reaches its equilibrium temperature and is quite bouncy. The ball need to be hit hard to keep it warm and lively. Different balls are provided for varying temperature and atmospheric conditions and standards of play: more experienced players use slow balls that have less bounce than those used by less experienced players.  Due to this,  there are a few types of balls that can be used.

It's common for squash balls to break  during play. If this occurs the Referee will replace the ball, after confirming it is broken.

 Racquet

There are a lot of racquet types available in the market. Back in the old days, they used racquets that are made of wood and aluminium graphite. Modern squash racquets are mostly made up from a variety of materials including the composite of graphite and titanium, and carbon and the strings are made up from synthetic. It is some sort like a cross between a tennis and badminton racquet. These modern racquets are much lighter than the previous one, so that they get more control of it. 

Modern rackets have maximum dimensions of 686 mm (27.0 in) long and 215 mm (8.5 in) wide, with a maximum strung area of 500 square centimetres (90 sq in), the permitted maximum mass is 255 grams (9.0 oz), but most have a mass between 110 and 200 grams (4-7 oz.).

• How To Choose A Squash Racquets?

Some people prefer to buy an oversize head of 490 cm²  or more. This is because it will give a larger sweet spot, where maximum power and control is generated at the centre of the racquet so that shots that are hit off- centre will still have power, though there is not much control. Any racquet that is less than 180g would be suitable and make sure it is durable and balance.

Reminders:

Please avoid a racquet that is too light (< 130g) because it have little power and will make you use your wrist too much.

Others

• Clothing - The type worn by squash players varies, but is similar to the whites worn by tennis players.   

• Eye Guards - The World Squash Federation and other bodies recommend protective eye guards, to be worn at all times during play.
• Handle Grips - These may improve racquet control and help to stop the racquet from slipping out of a player's grasp.

So,what are you waiting for? Run to the nearest sports store and grab your needed equipments.. :) Come and let's play.

SOURCE:
http://squashclub.org/main/e-lessons/lessons/beginner_lessons/lesson1.shtml
http://www.titanium-racket.com/squash
http://www.talksquash.co.uk/guides/equipment_used_in_squash.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squash_%28sport%29

IMAGES:
http://www.talksquash.co.uk/guides/equipment_used_in_squash.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squash_%28sport%29
http://www.pdhsports.com/squash-clothing/sc1298.aspx
http://www.racquetdepot.co.uk/products/Halo-HS%252d2000-Squash-Eye-Protection.html
http://www.squashproshop.com/uploads/HEAD%20TI%20SPEED.jpg

The HisToRy Of SquAsH

 

Squash is said as a game that is modified from a game called racquets, which was itself a modified version of at least five other sports involving gloves, racquets, and balls and rooted from France in the 12^th century in which is played by hitting a ball against the wall by using the hand. It was first played for fun and entertainment.

Around the year 1148, the French played le Paume which means the palm of the hand, which was then developed into Tennis.

The First Invention of Racquets

Monks of religious institution in France has developed the similar game, where they used webbed gloves to hit balls against a fishing net strung across the middle of the courtyards of the monasteries. This developed early racquets that is used in tennis and squash.

The Next Development of Squash

The next major development of squash took place in Fleet Prison. The game involved racquets and balls but the non squeezable ball was hit against wall instead hitting it over a net.

It became popular throughout UK in the 18^th century especially in Harrow School. At this time, there were only two racquets courts available and they become impatient, and improvised the game, practicing on any available wall with old balls.

The new court is made up with two side walls, and a front wall with a buttress, which is an effectively an enclosed court, known as ‘The Corner’. This street version of racquets required fast reactions and split-second decisions, and the boys who played it modified the standard racquet by shortening the handle and used a softer ball which did not bounce so predictably or ricochet so quickly. This may have been a rubber ball or a punctured racquets ball. The impact of the ball hit to the wall, produced the sound Squash and gave the rise to the name squash.

This more compact version of racquets took off, and purpose-built squash courts were a feature of Harrow by the 1860s. These were roughly a third the size of the racquets courts. By the late 19th century, squash was popular in public schools and universities throughout Britain, and in 1908, a squash sub-committee of the Tennis and Rackets Association was formed to oversee the sport. This version of racquets was called "baby racquets" or "soft racquets" or "softer". This game spread from UK around the globe helped by its simplicity and the fact that it is unaffected by the weather as it is played indoors. 

By the 1920s, the rules of the game had been codified and the British Squash Rackets Association had taken over administration of the sport by 1928. In 1973 (for women) and 1980 (for men), the categories of amateur and professional were abolished, so that squash became an open game. By the early 1990s, there were 12 million squash players worldwide, and today there are around 50,000 courts. Squash has a particularly strong tradition in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Egypt. 

Source: http://www.talksquash.co.uk/guides/history_of_squash.html 
           :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squash_%28sport%29
Images:http://www.titanium-racket.com/squash
           :http://4.bp.blogspot.com