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Clinic Notes !!!!

From The COLUMBUS CHALLENGE Pro Clinic- January 27, 2002

COLUMBUS, OHIO

Clinic Notes - Courtesy of Mitch Masters

 

Columbus Challenge Sunday Squash Clinic (Jan 27, 2002)

Pros: Jamie Crombie, Julian Wellings, Tim Wyant, and
Rob McFadzean

Hi all -

The squash clinic was quite interesting to me, and I
though it might be helpful to pass along some of what
I learned. The first set of notes on stance and swing
comes from me and reflects my understanding (or mis-
understanding) of what the pros were trying to get
across. I ran these notes past Ahmed, Wes, and Mal,
who also participated in the clinic, and also asked
Farid for his comments. Wes, Mal, and Farid offered
some further commentaries and clarifications.

A) Stance and racquet preparation

The preferred stance is with the leading foot nearly
perpendicular to the side wall, and the shoulders
facing the back wall.

It may not be possible to do this with every shot
in the heat of a game, but this is the goal
because this position gives you more options and
accuracy.

Try to get into the same position relative to the ball
every time. This improves accuracy by cutting down on
variability. (Julian claimed that 10% extra effort to
get to the right position can give you a 40% better
shot.)

Get your racquet back EARLY, wrist cocked. Do this as
soon as you know whether you're going to hit a
forehand or backhand, not at the last second.

Don't take the racquet as far back as recommended
in years past when racquets were heavier.
On the backhand, you should feel a stretch in your
lats at the top of your swing.
The racquet face should be open at the top of the
back swing.

B) Swing

The main goal when striking the ball is to keep your
head and mid_torso absolutely stationary (just as for
a golf swing).

During warm up and when demonstrating, the pros
seemed to exaggerate keeping the head still, not
looking up until well after they had hit the ball.
The pros did move their shoulders as they swung,
but the shoulder turn was small compared to
earlier recommendations (again, maybe the light
racquet has brought about this change).
The motion of the swing is pretty much straight
forward from the preparatory position, with little or
no additional little wind-up added on as you start
your swing.

The back swing is relatively short, but the follow
through is COMPLETE. Don't stint on this or you lose
accuracy and power.

Hit the ball off the leading foot. Especially on the
backhand, don't let it get behind this point or you
will have no power.


The power comes from the swing motion and follow
through, and from moving into the ball as you strike.
It does not come from "flipping" with the wrist.
The wrist is used mainly for deception (or
desperation!).


Mal added these additional points:

1. Regarding the amount of backswing, all pros
mentioned that the backswing has been substantially
reduced from the large backswing used by many in years
past. The backswing position basically has the
racquet hand coming no higher than ear level except
for high volleys. The backswing also is with an open
racquet head. The entire backswing is much more like
the hardball backswing except the elbow is brought
more away from the body on the forehand side.
Backhand backswing is very similar to hardball except
that the wrap around the neck may be somewhat greater.
2. Body position - All advocated having the entire
torso face the back wall with a step/lunge made to the
side wall for a drive or volley. Again, keeping the
head and torso as still as possible throughout the
swing in order to improve consistency/control.

3. Early preparation - Make your pivot first before
moving off the T. In other words, get that torso
facing the back wall immediately as you take your
first step to the ball.

4. On volleys, think of leading with the forearm and
not breaking the wrist. This helps with control.

5. Stay down through the shot and be sure to follow
through more up than around the body.

6. When your opponent is in the back corner, your
position on the T should be turned 45 degrees towards
the side of your opponent.Wes' comments:
With my squash ability, I find that I must emphasize
the following basic points:

1) Keep your eye on the ball at all times.

2) Return to the T after EVERY TIME YOU HIT THE BALL.

3) Aim to hit the ball into the corners, particularly
the back corners, so that the ball does not drop into
the central court.In my discussion with Farid, he made the following
points:

1. Different people have different styles and
preferences. No one rule fits everyone. This applies
especially to how far to take the racquet back on the
back swing. Farid feels more comfortable taking the
racquet back farther, and feels it produces more power
and control. Which style works best for you may have
a lot to do with how you have been taught and how much
you have practiced what you've been taught (how
ingrained it is). Rob MacFadzean did not have the
same back swing as Julian and Tim; it was more like
Farid's.

2. Placing the leading foot perpendicular to the wall
is not the best position for striking the ball. The
foot should be at more of an angle. The shoulders,
however, should face the back wall as recommended
above.

Play well!

-Mitch



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