I must admit, I've actually always been a bit naive when it comes to the topic of this article.
Perhaps naive is the wrong word, but, I've never really thought about people who don't feel the same as me. At least until recently when I was chatting to a fellow female squash player who mentioned that she gets incredibly nervous whenever people are watching her play.
In hindsight, I know a lot of people who have mentioned that they don't really like playing in front of big crowds.
Whether it's because they're nervous, or, whether it's because they get distracted by the noise/commotion and struggle to concentrate on their game, there could be many reasons for this now I think about it.
Personally, I've always loved playing in front of a big audience. It really gets me pumped up and I feel like I play better squash since people are taking the time to watch me (or my opponent) play our match.
So, I thought I'd talk about playing in front of a crowd. I've decided to split it into two sections, the first half will be for players who perhaps struggle with their squash in front of a big audience, and, the second will be for those who thrive when there's a crowd.
I'll give some tips and advice for both types of player to make the most of their situation, as whether or not there's an audience is very rarely in your control!
For Those Who Get Nervous
So, as I mentioned in the introduction, a friend of mine mentioned that she always dreads matches where she knows there's going to be a big crowd.
It affects her in the lead-up to the match itself, which can be very daunting and mentally draining before you even step on the court, and, when she's on the court, she feels incredibly self-conscious and struggles to focus on playing her best squash.
I did ask her for some tips on how she deals with this (since her experience differs so much from my own), and I've incorporated her advice along with my own into these tips.
I should mention that there are, of course, different types of crowds depending on the type of match you are playing, however, a lot of my tips should work for any of these situations.
For example, you may be just playing a friendly or a league match and some other local players or friends at the club have noticed you're playing and stopped to watch.
Or, you might be playing a team match against a rival team, and, you've got home supporters going crazy between each point rooting for you to win and away supporters doing the same for their player.
Or, you might want to be playing a tournament and be in a later-stage match with a lot riding on it (or, you might even be in a tight five-setter that has drawn a crowd).
Anyway, here's my advice...
Remember: No One's Watching Every Move
From what I've heard, self-consciousness plays a really big role when it comes to playing in front of a crowd.
In a sport like squash where everybody stays silent during rallies (and then cheers between points), it can feel like everybody is watching your every move as a player.
If you make a mistake, stop and ask for a decision, hit a flooky/lucky shot, make contact with your opponent, or, pretty much do anything else, it can feel like the home crowd is going to blame you if you're not winning, or, the away crowd is going to be angry at you for winning a point.
Of course, we all know that this is a (somewhat) irrational way to think.
I'd say that one of the biggest misconceptions when playing in front of a crowd is feeling like every single element of your game is being noticed and judged by everybody.
The reality is that most people in the audience are either focused on the overall match, supporting their favourite player, or simply enjoying the game as a whole.
They’re not watching your every move under a microscope. In fact, they might not even be paying attention to the match itself.
It depends on the situation, of course.
Try to remind yourself that squash is a fast-paced sport.
Moments come and go quickly, and most of the time, the crowd has moved on before you’ve even finished thinking about an error. Spectators are usually impressed by the effort, resilience, and exciting rallies, not perfection.
Shift your mindset from trying to impress others to enjoying the game for yourself. Focus on playing your best and remember that any “bad” shot or mistake will likely be forgotten within seconds.
This leads me to my next tip...
Shift The Focus
it’s easy to become overly aware of yourself when there are a lot of people watching your match.
You might start overthinking how you’re moving, how you’re playing, and how others might be perceiving you.
This kind of self-consciousness can create a spiral of nerves that takes your attention away from what really matters, which is the game you're playing.
To counteract this, try shifting your focus outward.
Instead of worrying about what others think of you, zero in on the tangible aspects of your performance.
Focus on your opponent—what are they doing well? What’s their next likely move?
Keep your attention on the ball, the angles, and the strategy. When your mind is occupied with the technical and tactical side of squash, there’s much less room for anxious thoughts about the crowd.
Another great way to shift the focus is to frame the match as a learning opportunity.
Every game, whether it's in front of a packed audience or just a few friends, is a chance to improve.
By seeing the crowd as an extra element to practice with, rather than something to fear, you can turn the experience into a positive step in your development as a player.
Just keeping focusing on those small wins every single chance you get, and, before you even realise, you'll notice that you haven't been thinking about the crowd at all.
Lastly, I'd say that another good way to shift your focus is to think about gratitude.
Playing in front of others is a privilege (in some ways), it’s a sign of progress and an opportunity to show off all the hard work you’ve put into your game, and, it's great for building self-confidence in the long run.
Whether the crowd is large or small, remember that they’re there to support the sport and enjoy the spectacle, not to judge you harshly.
If you can learn to reframe the experience as one of excitement rather than fear, the nervous energy might even start to work in your favour.
Of course, this is definitely one of those things that's far easier said than done, but, it's certainly worth giving a go!
Practice With A Crowd
If playing in front of others feels intimidating, one great way to tackle this fear is to face it in controlled, lower-pressure situations.
Practicing with an audience can help desensitise you to the feeling of being watched, making it far less daunting when it happens during an actual match.
When I say controlled (or lower-pressure), I mean by starting small.
Ask a friend or two to watch you practice or join in on a casual game.
Knowing they’re there, even just as spectators, will give you the opportunity to get used to the presence of others without the added pressure of competition.
As you get a bit more comfortable, you can try playing in front of slightly larger groups, perhaps at your local squash club during busy hours or in a group session, where spectators may be strangers or people you've seen around but haven't spoken too much.
Gradually, the anxiety of having others watch will hopefully begin to fade!
Of course, it might be difficult to actually get people to watch your match, so this tip isn't going to be for everyone, but, if you've got the chance to try it, I'd say that it's worth it.
Another great tactic is to play “practice matches” in a competitive setting but with no stakes involved. These can mimic the feel of a real match while removing the weight of winning or losing.
If you make a mistake in front of the crowd, it’s a perfect opportunity to remind yourself that errors are normal and that nobody cares nearly as much as you think.
Practicing with a crowd isn’t just about dealing with nerves or anxious feelings, it’s also a chance to refine your focus.
It teaches you to block out distractions and stay mentally locked in on your performance.
Over time, this mental discipline should not only help you play better under pressure but also build your confidence, transforming the idea of playing in front of others from something you absolutely dread into something you maybe even enjoy a bit!
Image credit: Steve Cubbins
For Those Who Thrive
If you're like me and really enjoy playing in front of a crowd, the first thing to do is realise how much of a blessing this is!
It wasn't really until writing this article that I thought more about how not enjoying having an audience could affect your squash, however, now I realise just how lucky I am to be someone who enjoys it.
Not only is this something that makes you look forward to matches and feel great while playing them, but it's actually something you can harness and take further advantage of to enhance your performance off court.
So, here are some of my tips for using the crowd atmosphere...
Embrace That Buzz
This is something I imagine most people who like a crowd are already doing, however, there are ways you can harness that buzz even more if you incorporate it into your actual game strategy.
If you can channel that energy into your game, it can really elevate your squash and even fuel a comeback if you're behind in a match.
The key is to consciously acknowledge the energy you’re receiving and direct it into your performance.
Let the cheers, the claps, or even just the presence of the crowd push you to dig deeper and play with more intensity.
If you’re down in a match, use the buzz as a reminder that you’re not out of it yet, the crowd loves a good comeback, and you can thrive off their anticipation.
When you're feeling that adrenaline spike, focus it on playing aggressively but intelligently.
Take the opportunity to inject more pace into your game or attempt shots that could shift momentum in your favour. That boost of confidence the crowd gives you is your friend, let it motivate you to step up to the challenge and dictate the rallies on your own terms.
At the same time, don’t let the crowd’s energy overwhelm you.
This is something I'll talk about in the next section, however, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and play more recklessly than you normally would.
Instead, use it to sharpen your decision-making and awareness. Treat it as a resource, almost like a reserve of energy to pull from when you need it most.
Now, this could be a little more controversial to some of you, but, feeding off the crowd doesn’t have to stop with your own energy.
Try subtly acknowledging the audience after a spectacular rally or a hard-fought point – a quick nod, a fist pump, or even just maintaining your intensity can keep the crowd engaged and on your side.
However, more often than not, I find that a shout to yourself of 'come on' or a fist pump sometimes happens almost naturally in the spur of the moment.
A responsive crowd can create an incredible atmosphere that fuels you further and puts extra pressure on your opponent.
Just make sure you're celebrating with humility and stay respectful to your opponent and the crowd members who may be supporting them.
Stay Present & Grounded
By all means enjoy the moment when you hit a cracking winner or get a point from a mega rally, you can even engage with the audience if you want to, but don't be too cocky about it, and remember to stay focused on the game.
The adrenaline of strong crowd feedback can override your rational squash brain and cause you to start making more questionable decisions and go for riskier shots and plays.
This can be a pretty quick spiral into losing point after point so try to avoid it at all costs.
To stay grounded, make a conscious effort to reset after each point, whether you’ve just hit a great winner or lost a tight rally.
Take a moment to focus on your breathing, remind yourself of your game plan, and approach the next rally with a clear head. The crowd may be buzzing, but the most important thing is staying consistent in your execution.
Passions often run pretty high due to the intensity and speed of the game, it can certainly be hard to keep a lid on things at times, but it's an absolute necessity if you want to keep your head in the game!
It’s also helpful to focus on the controllables such as your movement, your shot selection, and your tactics, rather than getting carried away by the external hype.
While it’s tempting to play for the crowd, remember that it’s your game, not theirs.
Keep your head in the moment and play each point with intent, not emotion.
Also, channel the energy of the crowd into staying positive rather than pressured.
If the momentum swings against you, don’t let the audience’s reactions, or your own internal monologue, rattle you (if you can help it).
Reframe their energy as a boost to stay engaged and fight your way back into the game. Staying present is all about balance, enjoying the crowd’s vibe while staying focused on the task at hand.
Set Personal Goals Beyond the Crowd
Play for personal improvement and enjoyment, not just for applause.
While a crowd can provide an incredible energy boost, it's important to remember that your growth as a player doesn’t depend on your reactions.
Use each match as an opportunity to refine your skills, implement new strategies, or challenge yourself in areas you’ve been working on.
For instance, focus on maintaining your accuracy under pressure and hitting those targets, or sticking to your game plan even in high-energy situations.
These personal goals not only help you stay grounded but also give you a sense of achievement, regardless of the match outcome or audience response.
It’s also worth reflecting on what you take away from each game after it's finished.
Did you try something new? Did you learn more about how to handle high-pressure moments?
It's easy to forget about things straight after a big match, especially when crowd members come up to either congratulate you for a win or console you for a loss.
Playing in front of a crowd is a great environment to push your limits, but the ultimate reward is your own development and the enjoyment of the sport.
Remember to keep the crowd as an exciting bonus, not the sole motivator for your performance!
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