Cybersam's Blog - How not to hit a squash ball

Thursday, February 16, 2006

How not to hit a squash ball

I have improved my squash skills since I started playing squash with John. A few nights ago, I threw my back and hurt my shoulders while playing squash at the z-center. I think I over stretched my back while trying to get the ball at the far corner of the court. I am no longer a young stallion anymore and my back just couldn't take that kind of (mild) abuse anymore. Another reason why turning 35 sucks. I was flexible enough not to stretch before any major exercise or run in the first 35 years; do remind me to stretch the next time. ;-)

Also, the way I am hitting in squash the last 2 weeks is bad. How bad? Bad enough to hurt my shoulder. For some reason, I have developing a tendency to hit the squash ball like I would with a tennis ball. I think I am explaining the physics wrong (please comment if this is incorrect) but the reason why a squash stroke is not the same as a tennis stroke is because tennis ball is heavier and requires more power than squash ball. Furthermore, because of the presence of a tennis net, you do need give the tennis ball a good spin by rubbing the ball with the racquet upon contact. Thus, a tennis stroke draws power from the shoulder and elbow, and requires a slightly different follow through than that of squash to give it a good spin. In squash, the ball is smaller, lighter, and more elastic, you just need to hit it hard enough to get a good bounce off the wall. So you can imagine hitting a squash ball with tennis stroke is not good because it is fundamentally wrong. I am over exerting my shoulder and spinning the ball for no good reason. In squash it is all about the wrist...

2/16/2006 9:57:14 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) Comments [2] Sports

2/17/2006 11:56:33 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

I know absolutely nothing about squash...but I will attempt to make an analogy to explain your hurt shoulder.

Have you ever punched a punching bag? You can basically hit it with all your force, getting a great work out, and do no major damage to your body. However if you were to attempt punching the thin air with the same force...your shoulders and arms would quickly be very soar!

So hitting a squash ball with the same force as a tennis ball is equivalent to punching the air will all your force.

This is all B.S., by the way... :P

Ramey

2/17/2006 3:13:47 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Yeah, it's all B.S. I don't expect that my blog entry is the correct in explaining the physics behind squash and tennis. I was just writing what I was thinking last night. :-)

But just thinking out loud once more, here are the differences between squash and tennis (in terms of hitting the ball):

Tennis
1. During pull-back (pulling the racquet back prior to hitting), the racquet is at hip level and almost parallel to the ground.
2. The ball should be hit at around hip level.
3. The racquet is rubbed against the ball upon contact for top-spin. The calves, thighs, and good follow-through are keys for a good top-spin.
4. Wrist should never be used to hit the ball. Power is derived from the hip while the elbow and shoulder are pivot points.
5. Much more pronounced follow-through than that of squash, with the hand going above the shoulder. The follow-through includes turning of the hip for power.

Squash
1. During pull-back, the racquet is usually above chest level and usually tilted.
2. The ball should be hit low, usually at the keen level and below.
3. Almost no spin on the ball when hit.
4. Power is derived from the "twisting" of the wrist.
5. There is a follow-through but much less pronounced.

I don't claim to be an expert. That's how I play tennis and squash. My stroke techniques may be flawed. Of course, someone else can comment on my B.S. ;-)

Cybersam