Pressure Builds

Published: 16 Nov 2006 - 09:00 by raystrach

Updated: 16 Nov 2006 - 09:00

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The pressure of winning my first match back from injury has been lifted from my shoulders now that I have finished on the right side of the score sheet in my second match back. While it was good to win, there was plenty of room for improvement.

Coincidentally, the thing that I noticed in both matches over the past few days was the element of pressure, not of winning but of tactics. In both matches, the player to build pressure most effectively won the match. This also relates to my last post in which I bemoaned some players' inability to play the right shot at the right time.

Most players should know how good it is to be totally out of position and have our opponent hit the ball straight back to us. Ahhhh sweet! And we have all done it as well! It is inevitable, that, from time to time it will happen. It is when it happens over and over again that the pressure is eased significantly.

Great champions and mugs alike have the ability to create and maintain pressure. Of champions (another sport I know), Roger Federer builds pressure like no other. His winning record over the past few years is quite incredible. The pressure on him to win is incredible. His opponents in the big finals know they have nothing to lose and come at him with all guns blazing. His great strength is that he is able to maintain composure and with that build pressure on his opponent over the course of a match.

Although there may be times when his opponent is outplaying him, the opponent know as soon as they come down from their high period, Federer will be all over them like a rash. How often do you see the final set score as 6-1 or 6-0.

The are hackers who, have very little Squash ability, they also have the ability to build pressure. Often they do not look too flash, but they seem to beat players with far more talent.

Just like a volcano, the pressure is always there but at some point the earth cracks. By consistently getting the ball tight, hitting the back to the right place at the right time, the pressure on the opponent mounts, even though it may not always show. Part of the game is the take note of the opponent and their body language. A soon as a weakness is spotted, the player who is building the pressure should up the ante or at least maintain the pressure they have built.

It is one of the best moments in a Squash game to feel your opponent start to crumble after a tight struggle. (Nothing personal of course) on the other hand, there is nothing worse than to be on the receiving end.