Author Archives: Jeff

Squash – The cost of a bagel

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Jeff

Thursday night is league night for me in our regional league.  I play B level and myself had a pretty straight forward match.  Our #1 though was in very tough playing the top player in our league, one of the top under 19 players in Canada. The junior used to play at our club until he went to University so these two have played countless time before.  The match ended with the expected player winning but not without some interesting twists and turns along the way.

The pace of play for the outset was really fast and hard.  Both players are extremely fit and their movement is astounding.  The ability to retrieve balls that look like they are not returnable is quite amazing.  The first game was tight the whole way through with rarely more than a couple of points between them.  Our #1 was able to close it out in extra points though I believe 15-13.

Games 2 and 3 went to the junior but were tightly contested.

Game 4 is where it got really interesting.  The junior got off to a quick lead and kept adding points and our #1 was having no success getting on the board. At around 5-0 there were murmurs in the crowd of a possible bagel.  The junior was digging in and our #1 looked like he could not figure how to win a rally.  Even when he was really extending the junior the ball kept coming back.  This is where the really interesting turn came.  The lead eventually got to 7-0 and there was a clear focus from the kid on getting the bagel.  He definitely knew it was possible and wanted it.  Our #1 knew it too but for the last few points had worked the kid all over the court and even though he had lost the rallies it was clear who was doing way more work.  At 7-0 a very hard and low unexpected boast ended the run and the hopes of the bagel to bring the score to 7-1.  That 1 point was huge of course but the work that our #1 made the kid do was even more important.  The game completely turned around and the score kept getting closer.  The change in the match was not only physical it was also mental.  There seemed to be a definite focus on getting the bagel and when that was lost there was a mental let down as well. The game eventually got to 10-9 for the junior.  Remarkably close considering the score had been 7-1. The kid did manage to close the game out and thus the match but it definitely looked in question.

It was a very entertaining match to watch.  The 4th game was definitely an incredible affair with a couple of lessons to be learned.  If you are the player that is struggling to win even a point against a tough opponent don’t give up hope.  Mental toughness is imperative.  If you are in the rallies and really making him work focus on that.  Don’t let the negative aspect of the score deter you.  See the positive in how you are extending your opponent and realize the work you are making him do will pay dividends later.  Look for a let down in focus. If you are the player way out in front remember the goal is to win the match not bagel your opponent.  Certainly you do not want to give up any cheap points but keep focused on the match and its outcome not on winning a personal battle, getting the bagel, and in the process risk losing the war.

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Control the ‘T’ Sports is pleased to introduce Mike McCue

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Jeff

We are very excited to announce that Mike McCue, an up and coming PSA Tour player will be blogging for Control the ‘T’ Sports.  Mike has been playing squash since the age of 10 and is currently 18-years old.  He finished his junior career as the #2 ranked player in Canada.  His current ranking on the PSA Tour is #234.  Mike trains under Jamie Hickox and Jamie Nichols at the National Squash Academy in Toronto.

Mike’s posts will focus on squash from the perspective of someone that is turning professional and trying to make it on the PSA Tour.  You can expect posts from Mike focusing on his training, training tips for other players, life as an up and comer on the PSA Tour, coverage of tournaments he plays in and other topics related to squash.  We hope you enjoy his posts!

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Jonathon Power – The master of deception

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Jeff

I am watching a match between Jonathon Power and Peter Nicol on www.psasquashtv.com and am inspired by Jonathon’s play.  He uses all 4 corners of the court beautifully to stretch his opponent out.  What I find truly incredible to watch though is his use of deception in the front corners.  Even watching the match on the computer it is difficult to figure out what shot he is going to play.  There are really three things I believe that made him so hard to read at the front court.  His body position, racquet preparation and how good he was at hitting the various shots.

Your body position in the front corners is critical as it gives you the ability to hit the drop, the straight length or the cross court.  In particular leaving yourself the straight shot is critical and what Jonathon did so well.  It is a hard shot to play and most players don’t even leave themselves the option with their approach to the ball in the front corner.  Jonathon on both the forehand and backhand would setup the same for a drop, a straight drive or the cross court drive.

Racquet preparation is equally critical to your body position.  Jonathon’s racquet preparation when he was in the front corner looked the same for the drop or either drive.  It is very important to have your racquet in a position that will allow you to drive or drop. Many players when they are going to drop have already extended their racquet out in such a manner that prevents them from driving the ball.  Likewise they will only have their racquet back when they go in to the front corner when they are going to drive.  Focus on being able to hit a drop, or the straight or cross court drive every time you go in to the front corners.  Work on making your racquet preparation look the same for every choice.

The ability to hit a quality drop, a quality straight drive or a quality cross court drive front corners is the key.  Jonathon Power was great at all three shots.  He had an amazing drop.  He could kill it in to the nick given the angle or if the angle did not present itself he would keep it hugging the side wall.  His cross court drive had the width to get by his opponent at the ‘T’.  The straight drive from Jonathon was lethal.  It is a very tough shot as your can’t pull it at all, you can’t catch the side wall it has to be very straight.  Jonathon hit the straight drive from the front corner beautifully.

Jonathon Power was terrific in the front corners and his opponents rarely knew what shot was coming.  His body position, racquet preparation and the fact that he could play any shot with such quality from the front corners left his opponents guessing as to what shot he was going to play.

 

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Squash – Fluid movement back to the ‘T’

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Jeff

Many I am sure have seen this video from www.squashskills.com featuring the great Peter Nicol discussing moving back to the ‘T’.  Here is the video:

Squashskills.com is sponsored by Prince Sports

His discussion on not rushing back to the ‘T’ is critical and not something that I think you hear discussed that often. Most people are taught to get the back to the ‘T’ which is of course critical but with too much emphasis this can definitely lead to players rushing back to the ‘T’. This can cause a couple of problems. Getting stuck as Peter mentions and getting hit behind as well I would think is a risk too.

If you arrive back at the ‘T’ long before you opponent is going to play their shot it is very easy to get got caught flat-footed. If your opponent is very good at holding their shot as Peter Nicol noted Jonathon Power was then if you are at the ‘T’ too soon you have to wait, and wait for your opponent to hit the shot. They will definitely be trying to catch you flat-footed. Arriving back at the ‘T’ right when they actually are playing their shot will help prevent this from happening.

I think another point to this is that if you are to aggressive moving back to the ‘T’ you risk having your opponent hit the ball back to where you just left if they take the ball early. Your aggressive movement out of that corner will make it difficult to change direction and go back to where you came from.

Getting back to the ‘T’ is critical in squash but definitely take the great Peter Nicol’s advice and try not to charge back to it. Move fluidly and try and arrive when your opponent is going to play their shot so you don’t get stuck and caught flat-footed.

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Gilly Lane forced to retire from the PSA Tour due to injury

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Jeff

Gilly LaneGilly Lane today announced his retirement from the PSA Tour due to injury.

Back injuries are a very difficult injury to recover from.  I have been fortunate to have never hurt myself as seriously as Gilly obviously has.  I have suffered one back injury playing squash that was incredibly painful but I was extremely lucky that I recovered from it quickly.

Gilly Lane made the announcement on his Facebook page today stating “It’s been a tough couple months struggling with this back problem and today is even tougher. I have decided to retire from the PSA Tour due to the injury I suffered in July. I think the time is right to begin to pursue other avenues and start the next phase of my life. I want to thank Tommy Berden, Lucas Buit, Floris Minnaert, John White, Natalie Grinham for their coaching and constant support. Thanks to US Squash for their backing and efforts to put us in the right position to succeed. Also LJ Anjema and Cameron Pilley for being great friends and role models and my parents and family for their endearing support. It wouldn’t have been possible without my family and I owe them everything.”

On Twitter Gilly tweeted the following “Tough day as I have decided to retire from the PSA Tour. My injury has not healed in the manner I wanted it to and it’s time to move on.” He then tweeted “Looking forward to the next phase in my life.”

Good luck in the next phase of your life Gilly.

 

 

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James Willstrop – Will he reach #1 on the PSA Tour?

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Jeff

James Willstrop Kuwait Champion 2011James Willstrop is on quite a roll.  He has won his last two tournaments and has moved to #2 in the world.  This is the 2nd time that James has reached #2 in the world.  With a win in India this next week he could move to #1.

James Willstrop is sponsored by Prince and uses the Prince EXO3 Rebel Squash Racquet.

The 2012 season is really looking interesting.  Hopefully Nick Matthew and Ramy Ashour will be back and injury free.  Can James Willstrop reach and possibly even maintain a #1 position with these 2 playing injury free?  His current run has not included victories over either of them.  With the form that Willstrop has shown it seems possible though.  The control with which he has been playing has been astounding. He is moving the ball around the court with astounding precision and giving his opponents so few opportunities to attack.

I expect that Nick Matthew and Ramy Ashour are definitely going to push James harder than he has been pushed in his last couple of tournaments.  Ramy’s attack will no doubt be tough for James to counter.  The intense physical pressure that Nick plays with will also prove difficult for James.  It will be interesting if we can get all 3 of these players playing at the top of their game who will come out on top.  Will James’ precision on court be enough to contain Ramy?  Will it be enough to force Nick to let balls go past him to the back of the court to keep him from exterting his physical presence he normally does by playing so high on the ‘T’?  I definitely look forward to watching and finding out!

 

 

 

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Tough Week on court? Time to focus.

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Jeff

It was a tough week on the court this past week.  I seemed to have lost focus on what works well for me. Thankfully this was a week off from league but still definitely was disappointed in my play.  I am sure this has happened to all of us.  I think what is important to figure out what went wrong and work to improve.

So what went wrong for me this week?  Focus.  I was playing squash but not with any purpose.  I went on court without any clear sense of what I was trying to work on or accomplish.  I hit shots without any clear objective.  I was not trying to get my length shots to die in the back I was just hitting them.  I wasn’t going short with the intent to work my opponent hard.  I was just hitting balls.  My movement was also without focus.  I play best when I am hunting the ball and trying to volley as much as possible. I was not returning to the ‘T’ quick enough to be able to do that.

I am playing today and am determined to play with focus.  The serve will be hit with variety and with an objective.  It will hit the side wall when I am aiming to.  There will be a few serves at the body to try and keep my opponent off guard.  Length shots will be hit with purpose.  They are going to get past my opponent in to the back corner and my opponent is going to have to really dig them out.  When I go short it will be with the intent to really stretch my opponent out.  They may well get the ball back but they will have to work very hard to do so.  The focus is not on winning it is on hitting the best shot I can – every time I strike the ball.  I will hunt the ball and volley as much as possible to exert pressure on my opponent.

I will focus.

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James Willstrop – The Hong Kong Open 2011 Champion

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Jeff

James Willstrop The Hong Kong Open 2011 ChampionAs I am writing this I am watching the final match of the Hong Kong Open 2011 and am quite amazed at the performance of James Willstrop.  The precision with which he plays is absolutely superb.

The first two games, in particular the second were very tightly contested.  James was so accurate with his shots though he really contained Darwish and gave him few good opportunities to attack.  Willstrop’s length was terrific throughout the whole tournament.  When he went short he did a great job of keeping the ball tight to the side wall on the straight drops and angling it in to the side wall when volleying more from the centre of the court.

What was really interesting in both of Willstrop’s last two matches was that the first two games were really hardly fought but he forced his opponents to work very hard and gave them so few opportunities to really attack.  The games were close in score but it was Willstrop who was controlling play.  At the end of the second game both Gaultier and then Darwish seemed to have been mentally broken and not able to mount much resistance in the 3rd game.

The performance against Gaultier in the semi’s was really impressive partly because of how well James played but more importantly was the mental focus that he showed.  The last couple of matches against Gaultier Willstrop has lost and has looked very frustrated with Gaultier during the match.  Their last match, at the World Open Willstrop looked like he had carried over frustration from their previous match.  In the semi’s of this tournament though he was incredibly focused and had put the frustration aside and definitely looked to be intent on getting revenge for the previous two defeats.

Congratulations to James Willstrop on such a dominating performance at the Hong Kong 2011 Open.  From the opening match to the championship match he never dropped a game and played brilliant, accurate squash.

James Willstrop is a Prince player and plays with the Prince EXO3 Rebel Squash Racquet.

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David Palmer has joined the US based Pro Squash Tour

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Jeff

David Palmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was only a couple of weeks ago that the squash world was discussing David Palmer’s retirement from the PSA and now he has signed to compete on the US based Pro Squash Tour (PST).  The PST’s full announcement can be read here.

Joe McManus, the commissioner of the PST stated that “David is the sport’s most recognizable name and one of its great ambassadors,” said McManus. “We have seen this type of signing before in sports. Pele came to America to bolster the game of soccer. Later, it was David Beckham for MLS. David’s addition to PST will benefit every player on the tour because his presence will allow us to attract more sponsorship and increase our tournament purses. It is a seminal moment in the history of the Pro Squash Tour and the game of squash.”

I certainly agree that David Palmer is one of the biggest names in squash.  That is because of the success he has achieved on the PSA Tour and because of the longevity of his career.  It is amazing that he left the PSA tour ranked #9 in the world in a game that certainly favours youth.  He certainly is the biggest name on the PST.  Heralding’s Palmer’s signing as comparable to Pele or Beckham coming to the play soccer in the US is certainly a bold statement but there are similarities.  Both Pele and Beckham came to the US later in their careers.  Palmer is certainly later in his career.  Both Pele and Beckham were or are huge names in their sport as is Palmer.  Beckham’s signing definitely got people talking about the MLS.  I am sure the PST is hoping the signing of David Palmer will have the same outcome for them.

I do agree with Joe McManus’s assertion that having signed Palmer should allow the PST to attract more sponsorship and therefore increase prize money.  I would expect that there will definitely be an increased interest in the PST’s events which should lead to larger audiences which should lead to more interest from companies wanting to market to them.

How will Palmer do on the Pro Squash Tour?  Is he going to dominate?  Following many squash related accounts on Twitter that seems to be the consensus.  There is a belief that he is going to completely destroy the competition.  When he left the PSA he certainly was playing at an extremely high level.  I am definitely interested in seeing how he fares and just how well the PST’s current line-up fare against him.

Will more top international players follow Palmer and join the PST?  If the prize money does grow there is a possibility of that of course.  This is definitely an exciting time for the Pro Squash Tour and I look forward to following David Palmer on it and seeing if his signing does indeed help the growth of the PST and squash in general in North America.

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David Palmer has announced his retirement from the PSA

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Jeff

David Palmer has been a fixture on the PSA tour for years and managed to maintain a top 10 ranking for over 10 straight years.  He bridged generations of squash. He entered the top 10 near the end of Jansher Khan’s career when Peter Nicol and Jonathon Power were the dominant players on tour. When he announced his retirement Nick Matthew and Ramy Ashour are now the dominant forces on tour. He finished his career ranked 10th in the world.  He achieved nearly every major milestone in his lengthy career.  He reached #1 in the world on 2 occasions, he won 2 World Opens and 4 British Opens.

The strength of his game in my opinion was commitment.  He committed himself to being the best he could be in every aspect of the game.  His physical training was second to none on the tour.  He has a huge physical presence on court due to his size and strength.  His endurance was equally impressive.  His belief in himself was also an amazing attribute.  He managed to win both of his World Open titles after having faced match points against. Even his swing showed commitment.  The conviction he had when he hit the ball was impressive. He was set, hit through the ball and was very still and balanced while striking the ball.

Congratulations to David Palmer on a very impressive career and all the best in your future endeavours.

Below is a video interview with David Palmer after his last match.

 

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