Sunday sessions are back this weekend

Sunday training is most definitely on this weekend!

During a recent coaching session at Club a discussion about watching the ball reminded me of a chat I had with a fellow masters player, a Kiwi ex-pro who coaches in Spain. Being aware of the ball’s existence is not quite the same as watching the ball, he said.

Learn to focus on the ball’s flight path, track it and connect its movement to your own movement, so that you move through space mirroring the ball’s flight path. It’s not the same as following the ball or going to where the ball is. It’s understanding the relationship that the two of you have in the space of the court. The ball lands where it does, whereas you have to position your feet far enough from it to be able to step in and take a swing. The two spaces are adjacent, but different.

You’ve navigated the space and you’ve tracked the ball’s path all the way to the moment of impact on your racket. It might not be possible to see the ball actually hitting the racket, because it stays there for such a very short time, nanoseconds only, but keeping your head still as you strike will give you that feeling, and make you more balanced on the shot.

Once you’ve struck the ball, the eyes dart to track its path once again. This time you have to consider its flight path while being aware of where you are, where you’ve hit the ball and where your opponent is, so that you are able to clear your shot for your opponent AND make your way back to the T. You have to observe many things.

While you’re navigating your way through the space of the court, watch the ball to the moment of impact on your opponent’s racket.

Take in the information that the space where they have to hit from reveals. If it’s tight against the side wall, a cross court is unlikely. If it’s deep and behind the opponent, a boast is likely. Study what their body position and the shape of their swing preparation reveals. Shift your T position in anticipation. This will help you predict their shot and anticipate where you need to go for your next shot.

And so on it goes. Watching the ball is certainly much more than being loosely aware of its existence, but it’s also more than just unblinkingly staring at it. It’s about linking the flight of the ball to your movement and being aware of everything that’s happening around you all of the time. The challenge is to stay focussed and concentrated on observing.

One thing is not up for debate. Considering that the front wall at Club has been there since 1928 and it hasn’t moved since, one can be fairly confident that it won’t move anywhere anytime soon and, therefore, it’s pretty pointless to keep your eyes on it.

Hope to see you on court soon. Observing...! ;-)

Ville Leppanen
Head Coach
Blackheath Squash Club
07939 007224
www.blackheathsquashclub.com
Weekly training sessions at Blackheath
https://calendly.com/blackheathsquashcoach/sunday-intermediate-session
https://calendly.com/blackheathsquashcoach/sunday-advanced-session