Month: November 2023

Importance of Warming-up Before You Start Your Squash Game

 

Embarking on a Squash journey is a physical endeavor. To optimise your performance and minimise the risk of injury one should acknowledge the importance of warming up before you start your game on the Squash court. 

In this blog, let’s talk about warming up and explore the benefits of warming up before the match. We will also discuss some exercises that you can include in your daily warmup routine. So do follow the blog till the end.

Warming up might seem a very trivial activity but is actually a big deal. It can greatly affect your performance in the match and can give you an extra edge against your opponents. Warming up is like giving a wake-up call to your muscles before the actual action starts. It makes you ready for the game not just physically but mentally.

 

Why is Warm-Up important in Squash?

 

Squash is a fast-paced sport that demands the flexibility of your body and the focus of your mind to think strategically while playing. To win this game, your body and mind must be in good coordination. Warming up can prepare your muscles, body, and mind for action. It makes your muscles more flexible and improves your reaction time. When you warm up, your blood flows better and makes you move faster and hit the ball at the accurate time.   

 

  • Prevents Injury- 

When you warm up, your muscles become warm and they get ready to handle all the twists and turns of Squash without getting injured. Without warming up, the body muscles remain stiff and your body becomes more prone to get injured. Quick moves could lead to sprains or strains. So before you start your game, take a few minutes to warm up. Include it in your practice session and make it a routine. Always remember warming up is like giving your body a pep talk so don’t skip the warm up.  

 

  • Improves Performance-

Squash is a game of agility, strategy, and physical and mental fitness. As we discussed earlier, warming up makes your body, mind, and muscles ready for the action. Your muscles become flexible and your joints loosen up. It increases the blood flow and makes you faster, stronger, and ready for quick moves on the court. It also helps you to make decisions super quickly. It increases your focus in the game and improves body and mind coordination. All these factors give a positive edge to your performance and boost your performance on the court. 

 

  • Prepares you mentally-

When you go through your warm-up routine your mind starts thinking about the game, planning your moves, and getting into the zone. It is like turning on your focus switch. It is normal to feel a bit nervous before the match; warming up shifts your focus more on the game and makes you feel confident and prepared for the game. You can include some mental warm-up techniques in your warm-up routine. 

 

Exercises that can be included in the Warm-Up routine

 

Till now we have taken a look at the importance of warming up, its benefits, and its role in improving your game. Now let’s move on to some exercises that you can incorporate into your daily warming-up routine.

 

  • Exercises to improve flexibility

It is important to be flexible on the court during the match. Following are some exercises that can increase the flexibility of your body and give you an advantage on the court.

  1. Neck and shoulder rolls
  2. Arm and hip circles
  3. Side bends
  4. Trunk twists
  5. Leg swings 
  6. Stretching
  • Exercises for fast movements

Include these exercises in your warm-up routine and be dominant in this fast-paced game.

  1. High knees
  2. Squats
  3. Jogging
  4. Jumping jack
  5. Crossover steps
  6. Shuttle runs
  • Mental warm-up exercises

Mental warm-up is as important as physical warm-up. Practising these exercises not only enhances your focus but also helps to build a positive and confident mindset.

  1. Visualisation
  2. Breathing exercises
  3. Positive affirmations
  4. Positive Imagery
  5. Gratitude exercise 

 

Squash is now an official Olympic sport-

 

After many applications, rejections, and disappointments, a historic chapter in Squash’s story has now begun. Squash is one of the five games included in the Olympics for 2028. After a long wait, Squash is now officially an Olympic sport. After recognizing the worldwide presence of the sport, the International Olympic Committee made a final decision on the 16th of October 2023, and the Squash players and fans went crazy with excitement.


Squash’s inclusion in the Olympics will now attract new players and increase the popularity of the sport. So if you are also a Squash fan or aspiring player this can be a motivating factor for you to embark on your Squash journey. 

Whether you are an aspiring player willing to learn a Squash sport or an experienced Squash player willing to enhance your game, The Acres Club is the right place for you. If you are searching for a ‘Squash court near me’, The Acres Club welcomes you with the best Squash training and well-maintained and well-equipped Squash court available in Chembur, Mumbai.

Throughout this blog, we talked about the importance of warming up and its benefits. We also discussed some exercises that can be included in your warm-up routine. We hope our blog will be helpful for you in your Squash journey. Keep reading our blogs and follow The Acres Club on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.     

Read our blog The World Of Lawn Tennis – An Overview Of The Sport where we have explored Lawn Tennis in detail.

The World Of Lawn Tennis- An Overview of the Sport

 

With its graceful rallies and super exciting matches, Lawn Tennis has gained a place among the most popular sports in the world. With its rich history, competitiveness, and popularity, this racquet sport has captivated audiences for generations. In this blog, we will explore the world of Lawn Tennis and embark on a journey to know more about this game.

People all around the world love playing Tennis. They play it for fun with friends and family, and some choose to become professional Tennis players. The reason behind the popularity of the lawn tennis game is its inclusive nature. Whether it be a toddler, an adult, or an elderly person, anyone can play and enjoy the game. 

This popular sport has its roots in 19th-century England. The modern form of Lawn Tennis was developed by Major Walter Wingfield. Earlier it was played on grass courts and the English elites used to play it as a pastime on well-maintained lawns of grand estates. Hence it was known as ‘Lawn Tennis’. As time passed the game evolved and became more structured with standardised rules and equipment. Today The game has become a global sensation, with major tournaments like Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open drawing all the best players from every corner of the world. 

 

Equipment 

 

  • Racquet- 

Lawn Tennis racquet is your most important tool on the court. There are so many racquets available in various styles, shapes, and sizes. You should use the one that suits your playing style. Beginners often start with lightweight, oversized racquets. Advanced players may prefer more control-oriented racquet options. Make sure that when you hold your racquet it feels comfortable in your hand and suits your skill level.

  • Ball-

Lawn Tennis balls are the heart of the game. There are various types of tennis balls available in the market but for most games, the standard yellow balls are used.

  • Net-

Net is like a divider in the middle of the court. Players hit the ball over the net to the other side and this adds to the fun in the game.

  • Wrist bands-

It is essential to wear wristbands while playing lawn tennis as it absorbs sweat and helps players keep their hands dry for a better grip. 

  • Headbands-

Headbands add a very cool and stylish look to tennis players, but the actual work of these headbands is to absorb the sweat from the hair and prevent it from running into the player’s eyes. It ensures clear vision and focus on the game. 

  • Shoes-

To ensure necessary grip and stability on the court, lawn tennis shoes are specially designed with features like best-quality soles and good support. These shoes help players to move swiftly and reduce the risk of injuries.

  • Dress–

Lawn tennis outfits come in various designs including skirts and dresses for women and shorts and shirts for men. These outfits are moisture-absorbent and help players to stay cool and dry during matches.

 

Lawn Tennis Court-

Lawn Tennis courts come with various types of surfaces. Some are made of hard materials like asphalt and are fast. Some have a special kind of dirt called clay and are slow to play and some are covered in grass. The surfaces covered in grass are even faster. The type of surface affects the way of playing the game. The court has a rectangular shape with a length of 78 ft and a width of about 27ft. For doubles, the size is a bit wider. All players need to know about the surface and size of the court to make a perfect strategy to play and win the match.   

 

Important Shots in Lawn Tennis- 

There are different types of actions or movements in Lawn Tennis that players perform during the match. These actions include the ‘serve’, the start of each round. Players use ‘forehand’ and ‘backhand’ shots to hit the ball to their opponent. There are other actions like ‘volleys’ where players hit the ball in the air and ‘smash’ to hit the ball high over the opponent’s head. The ‘drop shot’ is a soft shot. Good footwork and quick moves help players cover the court. These actions and techniques are all part of what makes tennis an exciting and challenging sport. In our next blog, we will dive deeper into the world of lawn tennis and explore all the important shots played in Lawn Tennis in detail. So don’t miss it!

 

Rules of the game-

Here are some fundamental rules of Lawn Tennis. The player must go through these rules and regulations for a better understanding of how the game should be played.

 

  1. The game is played in sets. A set is made up of games and games are made up of points.
  2. You need to win by at least two points to win a game.
  3. The ball must fall within a bound, if a player hits the ball out of the boundary it leads to a loss of points for that player.
  4. Player/players can not touch the net or enter the opponent’s side of the court
  5. Player/ players can not catch the ball with a racquet or carry it.
  6. The player will hit the ball only once.
  7. If a player fails to return the ball before two bounces, they can lose points.
  8. If the ball touches or hits the player, if a racquet leaves a hand or any kind of verbal abuse can count as a penalty.   
  9. The server gets two chances to make a good serve, if the player fails in both, it is called a double fault.
  10. The serve must bounce first before the receiver can hit the ball.

 

Famous Tournaments-

 

There are four Grand Slam Tournaments in the Tennis world. 

  • The First One is ‘Wimbledon’ – it is the world’s oldest lawn tennis tournament. Since 1877 it has been held at  All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London. This tournament is played in late June to early July. 
  • The Second one is the ‘Australian Open’ and it is held annually at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. It was first held in 1905. Every year it is played in January. This tournament is known as Happy Slam. 
  • The Third one is the ‘French Open’. This tournament is the only grand slam played on clay surfaces and held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France every year. This championship began in 1891. It takes place in late May to early June every year. 
  • The fourth and last of the Grand Slams is the ‘US Open’.  Chronologically this is the final grand slam tournament of the year played in late August to early September every year. Since 1987 it has been played annually in Queens, New York. 

 

In this comprehensive overview, we have gone through the important information about the Lawn Tennis game such as the history and background of the game, the equipment used, and some important actions in the game. We have also talked about the Rules of the game and major tournaments worldwide. 

If you want to excel in this game it is essential to take the best coaching available. Coaching can refine your skills, help to enhance your strategy and help you to reach your fullest potential on the court. At the Acres Club, we take this aspect seriously by offering expert coaching. Our certified coaches are dedicated to enhancing your talent and your game.

The second most important thing is the quality of the tennis court in your tennis journey. The Acres Club has top-notch tennis facilities and a well-maintained tennis court for players of all levels. So if you are looking for a Lawn Tennis academy near you, The Acres Club is the perfect place to chase your Lawn Tennis dreams.

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