Mike - about your injury, and I do not know how bad it is.  However, once the injury settles down you can probably get into some sort of exercise to keep up the fitness.  Solo practice would be a  good idea as it is done at your own pace without the twisting and turning.  Hitting the ball does keep your eye in too.

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Thanks for the replies all.

To clarify, the reason I said Pro coaching wasn't an option was due to the lack of a pro coach here, not my willingness to pay for one. A top player could work.

Rita, you are of course right that I should identify my weaknesses. Relative to the Special grade even my strengths are weaknesses though Squash Gold is on the to-do list, but I may need to take 3 months off squash to let my back heal, in which case I'll wait till I return before getting a membership (or really taking up this advice).

Plenty of food for thought though.

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Mike - there are several evaluation tools on the site.  To know where to start you need to evaluate what is holding you back.  It is probably a combination, eg skill, tactical, mental and fitness.

Before going into any specific details and considering you may not be able to access all of the site content, just wait a few days and the new site will be open.  Meantime, make a list of the things that you feel let you down and hold you back, eg

• errors (front or back, forehand or backhand),
• serve (are you getting to the T and being able to control the rally off the serve),
• are you at the T every alternate shot (moving your opponent from in front of you so you have better command of the rally),
• following the Ten Fundamentals.

There will be a Troubleshooting section on the site which will give answers to most things, plus the opportunity to submit a video for appraisal.  Meantime, go to the Library, review the above chapters, pick out one aspect from each of the four areas then set up some solo practice, pair routines, restricted games, and tactical aspects to use during your games.  That will be plenty to keep you going for 4 sessions a week. Instead of chatting in between practice routines, do some court sprints to keep your heart rate up equivalent to a five setter. 

I hope this gives you a starting point.  If there is an experienced old warrior at your club to watch you play that might be helpful too.   If you can track down Robyn Cooper she certainly would be very helpful.

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I'd say pro coaching is the best way to go. It doesn't even have to be from a "professional". I've found that if you know a top-level player, chances are that they'll be able to give you lots of hints and tips in the right direction.

It also helps if you have some pros at your club, we may have just got Ong Beng Hee at ours!

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Hi

I must admin I don't know grade C means.  I have been playing for 2.5 years and recently started playing alone on my lunch breaks so 30 minutes each day Mon - Fri.  I found in just 2 months my game has improved a huge amount and I am now beating easily many people I used to struggle with so I must have been doing something right.  What I have been doing is court sprints twice a week.  A court sprint is running one length opf the court then turning and running back again (well thats 2 actually).  I have been doing things like running 20 then having a short break then 18, short break, 16, 14 , 12 10, 8, 6 , 4, 2 etc and also doing some with ankle weights on.  Afetr this youll move very fast round the court.

I have also just been practising basic shots - forehand and backhand, volleys, drops and also spending 1 day doing just ghosting.

Its working very well for me so maybe this kind of thing would help you?

Alos do ahve asome lessons even if you can just afford 2 or 3 you will get a great insight into anything you are doing wrong.

Dave

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