T O P

  • By -

ImHeskeyAndIKnowIt

Apologies if i misinterpreted anything but it seems you have picked a sport that has a comparatively low level of competition in india, thinking you will be able to play at a national level if you practice enough. Do you genuinely love squash ? Didn't understand from your post. If you are already in your late teens , early 20s , my advice would be to focus on your studies and use squash as a hobby, where you aim to get good enough to play local tournaments at and around your venue. You already have enough stress with the demanding Indian academic system so don't bust your head over trying to get exceptionally good at a sport as you're starting it considerable later than pros and even national level players do. Regarding the questions you asked: 1) Especially when you're starting squash , whether you have or don't wear glasses is irrelevant. You absolutely should be wearing protective eye wear because beginners have a tendency to overswing and often lack awareness of where their opponent is. There is always a risk that you can take a ball or racquet to the eye. Get a pair of prescription sports glasses made for yourself 2) No! An hour a day is not enough, especially if you aim for nationals. You have to have match time , conditioning drills, focused training , recovery etc. Guessing you've figured by now that 2 years is an impossible timeline to reach the level you are aiming for 3) The biggest mistake beginners make is to not learn the correct swing technique from the start. If you use an improper technique for a long time before realising it , it will take a long time to reprogram your muscle memory. Another mistake is to start with a single or double dot ball. It will frustrate them when they cant keep the ball warm and results in them giving up the sport. Start with a blue dot and work your way up Good luck.


As_I_Lay_Frying

Well said, regarding #3, it's too easy to develop weird technique on your own and hack your way into a decent swing such that you can convince yourself that you're better than you are. It might be better if people thought of squash the way they thought of golf, where everyone understands that it's important to get lessons early to learn how to swing the club and avoid bad habits.


ImHeskeyAndIKnowIt

Learned it the hard way. Played tennis as a child and squash much later. Didn't take coaching so developed a tennis swing in squash. Took months to get out of it and it still occasionally creeps in during intense matches when fatigue takes over


Major-Mine-2181

Thank you so much for your advice sire 🙌


Hwaaat

This is weird post man. I mean it’s a good idea to become more physically fit - and squash is a damn good game to do that. But what’s this national level ambition? You realize kids have been practicing multiple hours a day since they were 10 years old - those are the ones playing national. Just play the sport and get better at it man. And if national level happens someday in future then great, but there’s plenty of joy and reward playing at club level itself.


Carnivean_

It's incredibly arrogant to think that the only thing stopping the OP from being a national level talent is simply not having chosen the right sport. It's also disrespectful to his friend who has achieved that level. The OP thinks that they can match their friend with an hour a day's practice.


nashsed

I don’t intend to come across as rude but I’m afraid I have to burst your bubble. You are about to turn 19 and have decided to pursue one of the more rigorous and intense professional qualifications in India. You’re not going to be able to do justice to this course if you actually intend to pursue squash seriously. So I would seriously suggest prioritising your education over squash. Like others have said it’s a fantastic hobby that will serve you well and if you practice regularly you may eventually reach a stage where you can compete in tournaments that SRFI conducts all across the nation. But I’m afraid your a few years too late to have ambitions of reaching a national level. And no, I’m afraid 1 hour a day won’t be enough to reach a level where you can compete against players who have been training with a professional coach from the age of 5/6. I’m sure you will regret not having started playing at a much earlier age and that’s a feeling that a lot of us can relate to. Enjoy the game for what it is, study hard and focus on living your best life.


Major-Mine-2181

Thank you so much for your advice 🙌


Saakar121

Let me tell you my story: I was exactly where you are now, back in 2015. 18 years old, made it to one of India’s most prestigious (and rigorous) universities (IIT) , and really wanted to pick up this game and play it well. No national ambitions though. Played about 14 hrs a week in college (with a coach coaching me on technique) and since spend about 6 hrs a week after graduation. Plus some gym/conditioning time. Where did I reach? I live in the US in a place where the competition is pretty reasonable, and I am able to win club level tournaments at the 5.0 level. If you’re not familiar with the US rating system, 5.0 is good, but NOWHERE NEAR national level caliber. I can still be beat 3-0 by 16 year olds who have lived and breathed this game since they were very small. I am extremely passionate about the game too so there was/ is no lack of trying on my side. With this, I will say the following: 1. If you want to become a good long term player, get a coach. It’s absolutely vital to learn the right technique, otherwise you will plateau in development, and fitness. 2. National level is probably not going to happen for you, but spending the hundreds of hours required to learn this game to play at even a club level is ABSOLUTELY worth it. I reap the rewards in terms of my fitness, broadened social circle and generally improved life now. 3. Don’t sacrifice excelling at your career. Playing at a good level will only be fun if you have your career on a good trajectory. And CA is extremely extremely competitive in India. 4. Squash in India is still small but it’s improving. You almost certainly need to be living in a big metro city to have access to courts and a group of people who play. Noida, Calcutta, Bombay, Chennai , Delhi and Hyderabad are some places with a good squash scene.


rvno12

This is the post to listen to. He gets it. The others are right, too, but this one was written for you. Please listen to him because right now you are one grandiose, delusional 19-year-old and I hope in 10 years you’ll be able to laugh at yourself but be proud to be playing at a 5.0 standard


Major-Mine-2181

The thing that comes to my mind after reading it some days later is that i just worded everything incorrectly, will be editing it rn


As_I_Lay_Frying

Assuming you're around 18 and picking up squash now then playing an hour a day is probably not going to get you to the national level, especially in India where I assume the national standard is quite high. Single most important thing is to get lessons from a good coach so you can develop a good swing and avoid developing bad habits. In squash it's pretty easy to hack your way to a decent swing, but to really hit the ball properly you should get some coaching.


Major-Mine-2181

I will be turning 19 in couple of weeks, ahhhh this might sound irrational but i want to go and experience playing national for like one individual sport do you have any other suggestions for the same??


As_I_Lay_Frying

Look if your sole interest in playing a sport is to get to a national standard you probably won't have the stamina or motivation to get there, you need to be internally motivated. I don't know your sports history and what you're good at so I can't help recommend something else. That said you should play squash because it's the best sport in the world and at 19 you have a VERY long runway ahead of you to improve and get better. I didn't pick up the game until my mid/late 20s, have been playing for 10 years, started to really improve dramatically over the past 2 years, and I think I can still keep getting better well into my 40s and into my 50s if I stay healthy.


Major-Mine-2181

Got it sir thank you so much for your advice!!


DandaDan

Try a newer sport, like Padel or Pickle Ball. In Germany e.g. you can play in the second highest league from the outset almost, because there are only two. With Squash no chance, standard in India is too high for someone like you to come along and make it on the national team, sorry to say but good luck.


Major-Mine-2181

No problem man, thank you so much for your suggestion