A stretch in time…

November 3rd, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, General

Stretching! That ever important ritual before (and after) a hard match. Some of us do it, some do not but eventually it catches up with all of us causing injuries we could do without - especially in a sport like squash which has our bodies lunging and twisting in all directions. Some interesting excerpts from an excellent NYT article that explains the virtues of combining static and dynamic techniques into a sport specific stretching routine.

…Stretching muscles while moving, on the other hand, a technique known as dynamic stretching or dynamic warm-ups, increases power, flexibility and range of motion….
Dynamic stretching is at its most effective when it’s relatively sports specific….
…Athletes who need to move rapidly in different directions, like soccer, tennis or basketball players, should do dynamic stretches that involve many parts of the body….
…While static stretching is still almost universally practiced among amateur athletes, it doesn’t improve the muscles’ ability to perform with more power, physiologists now agree. “You may feel as if you’re able to stretch farther after holding a stretch for 30 seconds,” McHugh says, “so you think you’ve increased that muscle’s readiness.” But typically you’ve increased only your mental tolerance for the discomfort of the stretch. The muscle is actually weaker….

Read the entire article (with video) from the New York Times.

“Squash In No Time” at Midtown Athletic Club

October 29th, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, General

Sign up and encourage your friends (think Christmas gift!) to join this beginner squash program at Midtown Athletic Club.

The Mizuki Shot by Hisham Ashour

October 23rd, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, General, Video

Okay so The Mizuki may be just a bit much to practice and perfect. If you’re the regular social club player, you want to make sure you have the basics right - the rails, the drops and the boasts. Here are some words of wisdom from Kim Lee Wong on the #2 ranked Princeton squad:

“…If you are truly a beginner, and you are playing with other beginners, resist the urge to whack away. Instead, try to play the ball high, deep and to the corners….”
“…Ideal rail shots are both deep and tight and usually find their way to the back corners of the court, where space limits both your opponent’s swing and what he can do with his return….”
…”It’s about timing,” Wong said with a slight laugh. “If your opponent is off his balance, hitting a really hard shot just about anywhere will win the point. If your opponent hits a loose shot, you can hit a hard shot that takes up a lot of space, to get him stuck in a corner….”
“…Hacking the ball is not so much hard, but hard to keep it up…”

Read the entire article from the Daily Princetonian - “Mastering the shots: a beginner’s journey” by Jake Miller.

And finally, a quick primer of the basic forehand and backhand from Shahier Razik, current World #22. (previous Razik videos on grip and footwork)

Recap: 2008 Youth Squash Clinic

October 8th, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, General

Lunatic Squash Clinic 2008

In the month of September, the Genesee Valley Club hosted the second annual RSRA Youth Clinic, a four session clinic for kids and teens (ages 8 and older)spread over four weeks and instructed by Kate Guyer and Eric Hernady. Clinic organizer and RSRA Junior Development board member, Troy Zarcone reports: Another Youth Squash Clinic was hosted by the Genesse Valley Club and coached by Kate Guyer and Eric Hernady. The clinic lasted 4 weeks and the ages ranged from 8 to 16 years old. They covered the rules of squash and then worked on basic skills with a series of drilling games. The most popular drills were “Squicket” and “Junk Food”. Squicket is a hybrid of the game cricket, played on a squash court and junk food has you waiting to jump into action when you hear your favorite desert called. Both games involve a lot of running, sweating and laughing. As can been seen from the photos, everyone involved had way to much fun.

“It is a little fun.” Luke

“Kate and Eric were excellent teachers for the kids. They created a very positive, safe and fun learning environment. My kids especially enjoyed the drills and games they taught the kids. ” Kim

Crazy Squash Clinic 2008

Click to see the rest of the 2008 pictures.
Photos from the 2007 Youth Clinic
And heres what they said:
“Kate and Eric were excellent teachers for the kids. They created a very positive, safe and fun learning environment. My kids especially enjoyed the drills and games they taught the kids.” - Kim (parent)
“The clinic helped me with my squash technique and the physical skills need to win games and matches.” - Scott
“I like squash because it is a fun and unusual sport!” - Taylor
“Very helpful in learning how to play squash.” - Nick
“It is a little fun.” - Luke
“Squash is really fun!” - Kyle

2008 Referee and Rules Clinic Recap

September 16th, 2008 Chris Thomas posted in Education, General

Doug Bennett reports:
On Sunday, September 14th the RSRA held a Referee and Rules Clinic at Midtown Athletic Club. Led by US Squash certified referees Herb Barbehenn and Eric Hernady, with expert on-court exhibition play by Midtown’s Professional Mark Banford, the clinic taught players from beginner to experienced the nuances of the rules and on-court play.
The goal of the clinic was to teach everyone the rules that everyone thinks they know, but do not execute very well. Many of us were surprised to learn that some “lets” were “strokes”, some “strokes” were “no-lets”, and that some played points that are “down-right dangerous”.
The clinic only helped us realize that the more players who learn the rules, and play by the rules, the more fun and enjoyable squash will be. We will have more clinics in the future and encourage all players to attend. If you’d like to attend, contact Doug Bennett or your club rep.

2008 Refereeing and Rules Clinic

August 18th, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, Events, General

Did you know there are other ways to improve your squash game besides practicing countless down-the-line rails and in-the-nick drops on court? Yes there are! Go back to the basics with the 2008 RSRA Refereeing and Rules Clinic. Learn minute aspects of the game (and what you’ve been doing wrong all this time) or learn the real difference between a stroke and a let ( how to cunningly “extract” a stroke from your opponent). Yes its true…the devil IS in the details! For beginners and intermediate players alike.

When: Sunday Sept. 14th 2008, 3:30 to 6:30pm
Venue: The Paddle Hut and squash courts at Midtown Athletic Club (200 East Highland Ave.). Refreshments will be provided.
Instructors: US Squash certified state referees, Eric Hernady & Herb Barbehenn
Cost: $10 for non-members (for the entire session including refreshments). Payable through cash or check at venue. FREE for RSRA members!
Questions?: Email clinic coordinator Doug Bennett (dbennett at gmail dot com).

Whats that you say? “I don’t need rules. I don’t wanna referee, I just wanna play squash!”? Well, here is what you will learn from this clinic and why you should attend:

• Learn how to play safe squash - safe for yourself and for your opponent.
• Learn how to earn easy points while avoiding the risk getting decapitated by your opponent’s flailing swing.
• Learn how to avoid getting stressed out and hold your own when refereeing a match at the annual city tournament.
• Learn how to play squash in the correct spirit of the game and teach others to do so.
• Undo some bad habits and get ready for the upcoming city team leagues.
• Enjoy a Sunday afternoon with other squashies.

Topics will include rules with focus on Lets and Strokes,what is interference?, how to referee and also play in a refereed match.
Also included will be an audio-visual presentation and discussion plus on-court playing along with hands-on refereeing practice so bring your playing gear for an afternoon of learning and socializing…and squash of course! So come join us as we prepare for the start of the upcoming squash season and the city leagues. Sign up online using the form below (limited to the first twelve registrants):

Note: Registration is now closed.

Squash Physio

August 4th, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, General

After a hard match this past weekend, I developed a sharp pain in the ball of my right foot. Thank God for Google, Wikipedia and WebMD, I could self-diagnose the problem without waiting to consult my friendly neighborhood orthopedist (as dangerous as self-diagnosis might sound to the URMC physicians reading this). Turns out to be a case of metatarsalgia, nothing serious and nothing a little rest can’t fix.
But as we all know, squash can take its toll on the body over time and tales of injury, pulls, sprains, knee replacements, torn Achilles tendons, tennis elbow etc. all make for great off court chitchat. Here is some time-out reading material on what to watch out for:

• Great article on common squash injuries and advised treatments by Sally John, an Ontario based physiotherapist.
• Another piece specifically about Achilles tendon injuries by Mike Parent.
• And for the statistically inclined, some interesting numbers from a study on squash injuries by orthopedic resident A. Martin Clark Jr., MD in Squash Magazine.

2008 Youth Clinic - Sign up now!

July 31st, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, General

Crazy Group Picture Photos from the 2007 Youth Clinic (see all)

A FOUR week introduction to squash for kids and teens (Ages: 8 and older). Maximum 8 slots available As part of RSRA’s mission to promote youth involvement and interest in squash, this is our third consecutive installment of the Youth Clinic. Sign up for your child for four fun-filled squash instruction sessions with experienced junior instructors at almost no cost. Schedule: Sept. 10, Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 1 (All Wednesdays) Instructors:Kate Guyer and Eric Hernady Time:4:45 pm to 5:30 pm (Please plan to arrive around 4:30 pm. ) Venue: Genesee Valley Club, 421 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607 Equipment:Racquet, non-marking indoor court shoes, protective glasses required. (See Bell Racquet Sports to purchase). Please contact Troy Zarcone for more information. RSRA may be able to provide some equipment. Cost: The RSRA is covering the cost for the coaches. There is a $10/session fee for use of the GVC courts, $40 total for all four sessions, paid in advance. To sign up your child and for additional info, contact the RSRA Junior’s Rep: Troy Zarcone (tzarcone at gmail dot com) Thanks to our instructors, Kate Guyer and Eric Hernady and also to the host club, Genesee Valley Club.

Where do YOU get your squash news?…(besides here)

February 17th, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, General

For those among us who like to get our squash news daily (or weekly or monthly), theres a new site on the block - Squash360.Com. This content-rich site offers a lot to explore so get started with a video of Shaun Moxham (coach to David Palmer) on Basic Technique Other squash dailies that should be on your list if they are not already - SquashSite, SquashTalk, College Squash News Squash education resources - Guide-To-Squash.Org, SquashClub.Org

A History Lesson

January 10th, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, General

Ever wondered about the origins of the sport that you love? Yes? Okay so you know something about squash originating in English schools in the 18th century but just how much DO you know?
Let James Zug take you back to the 12th century and tell you all about the game of tennis and rackets and fives and squash.
His book Squash: A History of the Game which goes into great depth is also a highly recommended read. Here is a good description of what it includes:
“The first history of squash in the U.S., Squash tells the story of the game from its beginnings in 1884 in open-air courts in New Hampshire to today’s pro tournaments in portable glass courts in Grand Central. It describes every aspect of the game: women, men, juniors, intercollegiates, singles and doubles, hardball and softball. Learn about such legends as Harry Cowles, whose Harvard teams never lost a match; Eleo Sears who swam in the icy Atlantic in February before matches; and the Khan family who emerged from the Khyber Pass to build the world’s greatest squash dynasty in North America. Follow the concrete court on the Titantic to its watery grave. Read in detail about the classic confrontation between Jahangir Khan and Mark Talbott at the 1984 Boston Open. Gasp at the five times the title of national champion has come down to one final, winner-take-all point. Discover who are the stars of the future. With sixteen pages of exciting photographs and an appendix containing a complete list of all major tournament winners, Squash is the essential piece of equipment for the twenty-first century player and fan.”

Hit that Nick with Lee Beachill

December 3rd, 2007 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, Video

Learn how to play this advanced shot straight from Lee:

Shahier Razik’s Quick Tips on Footwork and Grip

November 16th, 2007 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Education, Video

Ever confused about which foot goes forward on your forehand or backhand! Let Shahier show you.

The basics of holding your racquet: