Adz - I think for starters, skill for most would be to be able to hit 20 accurate consecutive shots from the same position on court.  Well, let it begin there.

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I think this topic was disc ussed before I was even a member on this site, but some interesting reading none the less!

I think I agree with Slavi..... The definition relates more to perfection than skill

But I would say that I always looked at skill as being the ability to execute a variety of different shots at any given time under any given pressures to a high level of quality.

Perfection is the ability to play one shot of a consistantly high quality time and time again, but adding skill to this means playing the BEST shot to a high quality in any given situation. It's having the ability to decide on the shot, execute the shot and even to change the shot at short notice. To some skills come naturally, to others they have to be worked on. With perfection, more people have to work on it than those that it comes naturally to.

But hey, I'm just sitting at home in my new year staring at the computer screen on my day off (from both work and squash!). Back to squash tomorrow and back to work on Monday. The joys of holidays!

 

Adz

 

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Point taken, quotes recorded and being saven in my mind :-)
So, we were talking about perfection and skills ... Well, I can tell you one thing. The grass won't grow on the court where I play. City Squash Club, Court Nr.2..

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Hi Slavi - There are a couple of really good old sayings "nothing ventured, nothing gained" and a true one. Another is "some people make it happen while others say, what happened?"; and another which you will relate to "don't let the grass grow under your feet". So, hopefully, that is us "movers and shakers"! Please record!!

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Rita,
just to finish the offtherecord topiic... If man are shy, they won't become better players, do not you think so? Reading yes, disagreeing yes, but answering questions, arguing, not at all ... and the whole misareable life like this :-)))

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Good afternoon Slavi,
I'm a bit slow on the uptake! Got your subtle message off the record. You know I was thinking our members are sitting back and reading what you are saying, but I do not know if they are keeping up with you; so that saves them the trouble; or maybe they are shy! Off the record you and I are not shy! I agree we do need more interaction. It will come, and today it did. It takes you to stir things along. Thanks Slavi.

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Just wonder ... it's just you and me ... and the so-called
World Village internet shrinks to 1-2-1 dialogue... Off the record. And now I goto sleep to practice tomorrow. BAckhand backswing ... among the others ... Solo drills rules!!!

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Hi Slavi - you are on the ball again! See the photo caption "consistent preparation" (backhand backswing)? It is another skill to be able to quickly and economically prepare your racket for the shot, and an advanced skill to do the same movement under pressure, and even more difficult when you are twisting and turning ('cos there are other elements in the way, namely, the feet!). So really every detail contributes to the "consistency and accuracy". That's why the tough ones keep on keeping on! Some just stay the same.

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Yeaahhhh, let's speak this language then. Now you really mean "perfection" and I love it. Especially the accuracy area given (racket lenght) is impressive enough. You are absolutely right, the better we play, the further we would love to go. And solo-drills are one of the tools when you can go to the court with the plan in your head (or written down in a small notebook), and start hitting the ball. Drive, boast, drive-volley-boast-drop (if you can run fast enough), etc. And anyway, I think that thanks to you and Ray I became a better player as I gained more knowledge (theory), while I am having practice lessons on a daily basis. Recently my coach increased the difficulty and speed of our lessons, so when i am ready with practical part, my polo is as wet as I was having a shower. Why? Because as you say, "as we play better we increase our array of shots, become consistent and accurate in all strokes." This is where I am heading to. With your support and my persistency ...

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Morning Slavi - So I have to reply with consistency with high degree of accuracy too! Why? Because you put me to the test!!
In our next part of squashgame we will have skill tests (levels), and a sort of self-development program, making a more complete overall program, eg skills, tactical, drills, restricted games, etc - if you get what I mean. So these skills, etc will gradually get more finely tuned as the level becomes higher, eg hit 10 consecutive drives to length, one racket head from the side wall, to land one racket length from the back wall; hit 10 consecutive boasts from the back corner to land within a racket square in the opposite front corner, and so on. The word consistency defined with accuracy (within a benchmark) becomes a sort of grading tool. Do you understand where we are heading with this training regime? So Slavi as we play better we increase our array of shots, become consistent and accurate in all strokes. Firstly, these skills are static skills, then become travelling skills, with the same accuracy, and then ideally the speed and power gradually increases. Finally, I the ultimate is to have the same accuracy and consistency under "pressure" (this is where the physical and mental skills are valuable resources too). Don't worry - enjoy.

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Rita,
As I assume you would love to hear some comment on your article, let me start.
What you have described is not "skill" definition. In my opinion, we are talking about "perfection" (A stroke hit consistently with a high degree of accuracy.)

So, here comes my question: How often man should practice to get there? Or as simpe as this: What do you need to reach with squash? Do you really feel like becoming semi-proffesional player as it happend to me, or just you want to treat squash as the other weekend semi-sport oriented activities as bowling or beach volleyball. I hope you still follow my thoughts.
If you want to hear the answer from me, here you go: I treat squash truly deep and serious. I play with Head using my heart, if you know the metaphor. So, I do diet, I do jogging and stretching and fitness. This week i started Yoga lessons. Keeping in mind that I am 9 hours at the office, I have family and friends, squash became an addiction, though very healthy. And I want to reach the level of consistent hits with a high degree of accuracy. I will be there. I believe in it.

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