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diff --git a/11550-0.txt b/11550-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bb6ad81 --- /dev/null +++ b/11550-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,981 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11550 *** + +SQUASH TENNIS + + +by Richard C. Squires (1931-2003) + +$1.00 + +[March 1968] + + + + +CONTENTS + + +Who Can Play? +Strategy +Fundamental Strokes +Shot-Making +History of Squash Tennis +Court Specifications and Equipment +Official Playing Rules +[National Champions] + + + +ABOUT THE AUTHOR + + +Dick Squires is certainly qualified to produce this manual on "Instant +Squash Tennis." + +Added to an articulateness which equips him to put his experience and +knowledge into words, his background in racquet games is broad, +longstanding and at a level sufficiently upper echelon to have garnered +national championships in three separate bat and ball sports. + +Starting early, in Bronxville, N.Y., he was a member of the National +Junior Davis Cup Tennis team at 17. Emerging from The Hill School in +1949 and fitted with the National Junior Tennis Doubles crown, he went +through Williams College with the class of 1953. + +In 1954, he was 50 percent of the title winning team in the National +Squash Racquets men's Doubles Championships, and was ranked seventh +nationally in singles. Twice a finalist in the National Intercollegiate +Squash Racquets Championship, he was elected President of the National +Intercollegiate Association in 1952. + +Less active in formal competition for some years, he latterly became +interested in a newly burgeoning racquet sport, and attained the pinnacle +in the 1966 National Platform Paddle Tennis Doubles Championships. + +Meanwhile, he had become fascinated with the venerable game of Squash +Tennis. Attacking it with his usual enthusiasm and natural aptitudes, in +two years he mastered this relatively difficult game sufficiently to be +runner-up in the Nationals Singles (1966). Concurrently, he devoted the +aforementioned enthusiasm to heading a program to revitalize the game; +with significant results. Finally, also in 1967, he was elected +President of the 57 year old National Squash Tennis Association. + + +A word about the various illustrations showing the squash tennis court +and various shots: The solid * is you and your position and the O is +your opponent's. The direction of flight of the ball is indicated by +arrows and the "x" indicates when and where the ball bounces on the +floor. "F" indicates forehand, "B" backhand, and the "S" is the service. +In all descriptions it is assumed the player is right-handed. + +(Illustrated by Richard Kaiser) + +[Transcriber's Note: See the HTML version of this e-book for +illustrations. Figure captions have been transferred to the text in +brackets.] + + + +WHO CAN PLAY? + + +Anyone who enjoys playing Tennis, Squash Racquets, Platform Tennis, or +any racquet game and has good reflexes will love Squash Tennis. + +Where it lacks the endurance and subtlety that Squash Racquets calls +for, it offers the exhilaration inherent in powerfully hit strokes, +split-second racquet work, and graceful, seemingly unhurried footwork. +The ball "comes to you" more often, but the challenge is to figure out +the wider angles and exactly where the lightning fast green ball will +eventually end up after rebounding off of as many as five walls. + +The game of Squash Tennis has something to offer players of all ages. +The demands for fast reflexes, agile racquet work and speed of foot are +intriguing challenges for the youngsters. On the other hand, placement, +guile, patience, and the faster ball that actually provides more time for +retrieval make Squash Tennis the ideal sport for the "older" athlete who +wants to preserve that straight waistline all of his life. The average +age of the ranking players today is around 43! + +In addition, the promising, young (10 to 13 year old) Lawn Tennis +"comer," who cannot play Tennis during the winter months and still does +not have the strength or coordination to hit the Squash Racquets ball +hard and often enough to heat it up and realize some prolonged, +interesting rallies, is an excellent prospect for Squash Tennis. + +The ball is not affected by temperature change and requires no "warming +up." The youngster will improve his racquet work, hone his reflexes +(especially on volleys and half volleys), and keep his legs in shape +during the off winter months. Also, the racquet and ball are akin to +Lawn Tennis equipment. + +Finally, everyone and/or any club that presently possesses Squash courts +can introduce the additional indoor bat and ball game of Squash Tennis. +All that is required is a 4 feet 6 inches backwall "out" line in addition +to the 6 feet 6 inches Squash Racquets line and, ideally, the extension +of the service dividing line up to the tell tale (see fig. 1 [Note +extension of service line to front wall.]). + +Because the ball is not affected by temperature, many people play Squash +Tennis all year round, and not only in the cold, winter months. This +game could, therefore, be played widely in the South. + +So, we invite all racquets men, young and old alike, to accept the +challenges of the fastest indoor racquet and ball game in the world. As +a matter of fact, because of the speed of the ball and, consequently, the +less running involved, Squash Tennis would be an excellent game for the +more active distaffers. + +If you are looking for a sport that you can "master" in one or two +seasons then don't take up Squash Tennis. But if you are looking for an +intriguing and invigorating game which you can play practically all your +life, we strongly urge you to try Squash Tennis. You, your waistline, +legs, lungs and reflexes will never regret it. + + + +STRATEGY + + +The strategy in Squash Tennis is basically the same as Squash Racquets; +i.e., to control the so-called "T" or the intersection of the service +court lines, by keeping your opponent up front, off to the sides, or +behind you, the majority of the time (see fig. 2 [Desired court +position.]). + +The fundamental stratagem can only be carried out by your learning a wide +assortment of Squash Tennis shots and perfecting your repertoire with +practice and experience against many different types of opponents under +competitive situations. + +You will have to fight and play hard for this position. Always head for +the "T" immediately after hitting the ball, but taking care not to +interfere with your opponent's stroke. + +All of your shots should be hit with a purpose, which is to keep your +opponent off balance, away from the "T," and of course, eventually to +defeat him. Change of pace, therefore, is of utmost importance. Break +up your opponent's rhythm, never allow him to get grooved, frequently do +the unexpected, so that he loses confidence in his anticipation and, +subsequently, goes on the defensive. + +At all times be offensive. The game of Squash Tennis has known many +so-called "great getters," but they invariably have succumbed to +"purposeful power" and the aggressively angled shots of players with the +burning desire to win, "the killer instinct" that spurs the great players +to go all out for every point. + +Play each point like an individual match. Don't let up or intentionally +"throw" a game. Squash Tennis, as with all racquet games, is a sport of +momentum. Many a tide has changed, many a match won when seemingly it +has been hopelessly lost. Go after every point as though you were down +Match Point and had to win it. "Coasting" shatters your concentration, +and lost concentration can well mean a lost match. Play to win as +quickly as you can. + +Finally, assume your opponent will retrieve even your best shots. Don't +underestimate his ability or overestimate your shot-making prowess. +Remember the speed of the ball actually gives your opponent more time to +get to it. Always be ready for anything until the ball is actually ruled +dead and the rally has ended. + + + +FUNDAMENTAL STROKES + + +The Squash Tennis stroke is more closely allied to the Squash Racquets +swing than to the Tennis swing. + +Ground Strokes: The wrist and grip should be kept loose at all times. +The grip will automatically be tightened at the moment of contact with +the ball. + +The forehand and backhand ground strokes should be hit with a short, snap +of the wrist--as though you were cracking a whip. There is no time and +no reason to employ a long, high follow-through. + +The head of the racquet at the moment of impact with the ball should be +slightly "open" and you should feel the gut "biting" the side of the +ball. This slight side-spin cut, with the racquet head tilting back and +hit like a short, chip shot, will tend to keep the ball low and +inexorably "grabbing" for the floor. The spin will produce many "nicks," +which are shots that hit a side wall and floor practically simultaneously +and die. (See fig. 3 [Racquet open when contacting ball.] for position +of racquet at the moment of contact with ball.) + +The follow-through is low and abbreviated. The racquet head should go +straight out or up the court rather than be wrapped around your body. +The best way to "groove your strokes" and to keep the ball low is to +consciously aim your racquet head on your follow-through at the very, top +of the "telltale." + +As in all racquet sports, the racquet should do the work. The ball +willingly goes where the racquet head directs it. Do not flail or +attempt to push your shots. Hit them crisply with the snap of your +cocked wrist, and at all times attempt to regiment your swing. + +Ideally your body should be out of the way, which means whenever possible +on your ground strokes you should turn sideways. Your weight should +shift toward the direction in which you are hitting at the moment of +impact, and you should have your feet planted firmly. Because of the +high velocity of the ball, however, you frequently will not have the +time to turn sideways and will be required to stroke in awkward and +off-balance positions. Your aim, however, is always to be in the correct +position of play before the ball gets there, thus allowing time for +adjustment and proper stroking. Move to your position with short, quick +steps rather than long, tiring strides. Consciously maintain your weight +on your toes, with the knees slightly bent. This will help you to move +in any direction necessary as quickly as possible. + +In following the ball around the corners, do not stand still and pivot. +Go after it, again with a series of short steps with your racquet head up +and cocked, and your body in proper position so that you are ready to +make a quick and meaningful stroke. + +Volleying or cutting off the ball before it hits the floor is similar to +the tennis stroke. It calls for lightning-like reflexes and the ability +to move the racquet head practically in any given direction in a fraction +of a second. + +The volley is a short "jab," with the racquet head traveling forward no +more than, say, 24 inches. Once again, your aim should be in the +direction of where you want the ball to go, and low. + +The main purpose of the volley is to keep your opponent constantly on the +run, moving him about, and preferably up and back, by cutting off the +flight of the ball. Most players can run all day sideways, but will +eventually tire if you make them run up and back. Like body punches in +boxing, forcing your opponent up to the front wall with deftly placed +volleys will eventually take its toll. + +Miscellaneous: Generally all Squash Tennis strokes should be hit as low +as possible--within a few inches of the front "telltale." This will take +time and practice, but pays high dividends. A low ball invites the +aforementioned nicks and keeps your opponent hurrying and scurrying. The +chances are better that, when hit with the proper amount of pace, a low +ball will die before it gets to the back wall. + +When a ball is hugging the side wall, don't attempt to "pick" it off. It +is far easier, and your percentage of success is far greater, to "scrape" +the ball off with a very loose wrist. Your other alternative is to hit +the ball right into the wall and hope it will angle off and travel to the +front wall (see fig. 4 [To retrieve wall hugger, hit ball right into +wall.]). + +Service: The proper position prior to serving is with the feet as close +to the "T" as possible. This location will help you to put your service +in the desired place, which is parallel to the side wall. In other +words, you reduce the angle. In addition, the "center" of the court is +the ideal position from which to cover your opponent's return (see fig. 5 +[Forehand and backhand service positions.]). + +Since the ball must land short of the service line, it is obviously not +possible to overpower your opponent for a service ace--as contrasted to +the services in Squash Racquets or Lawn Tennis. + +The most effective service, therefore, is hit as high as possible on the +front wall to a "spot" that will place the ball after bouncing (and your +opponent must wait for your service to bounce on the floor--he cannot +volley it) as high and also as close to the side wall as possible. Your +opponent will have a difficult time hitting the ball well because of its +height and its closeness to the side wall. A great deal of practice and +experimentation will be required before you discover exactly where that +"spot" is, and with what degree of effort you should hit the ball. + +The service is hit with a slight cut, which will usually make the ball +grab the wall and hug closer. A semi-overhand, side-spin service is best +employed from the right court, and a sliced underhand shot is used from +the left side (see fig. 6 [Forehand and backhand lob services.]). + +For an occasional "surprise" or change of pace, you can vary the service +by hitting the ball somewhat harder right at your opponent. This can be +done either as a straight shot right down the middle (fig. 7 [Service +straight down the middle.]) or at a sharp angle that breaks off the side +wall and lands right at his feet (fig. 8 [In and out service angling into +opponent.]). + +In addition, reversed cuts can also throw your opponent off, since you +can make the ball bounce off the floor in the opposite direction than +expected. + +Finally, the service is practically the only stroke in the game of Squash +Tennis which permits you the luxury of time prior to hitting. You +should, therefore, take advantage of this time to get settled, anchor +your feet comfortably, pause, even take a deep breath, and concentrate on +how you are going to hit the ball toward your "spot" in order to make as +good a service as possible. Don't aimlessly just put the ball in play. +A careless server loses many points by allowing his opponent to make an +offensive return. A deliberate, concentrating, purposeful player, on the +other hand, will actually win many important points with well placed +serves. + + + +SHOT-MAKING + + +Most uninitiates, especially Squash Racquets players who are adroit at +and/or addicted to that game, believe Squash Tennis offers nothing but +prolonged "slam bang" rallies and a boring "sameness." Because of the +tremendous liveliness of the ball and the apparent absence of deftly +placed straight "drops" that die in a corner, these potential players +scorn and speak disparagingly of the wonderful game of Squash Tennis +which, like all racquet games, has its own shots and ways of putting the +ball away. + +It is very true that overwhelming power is a key to hitting winning +shots, but this is also true of Lawn Tennis. Employing the so-called +"Big Game of Tennis" is an absolute must if a circuit player today is +going to be a winner. No longer do you see any classic baseline duels +where the premium is on guile and steadiness. The Big Service, the +powerful rapier-like follow-up volley or overhead smash are the standard +weapons that pay off in today's Tennis game. + +Squash Tennis, although played in a regular Squash court, is indeed +"different" from Squash Racquets. It possesses its own distinctive +variety of shots, subtleties and ways of defeating your opponent. + +One of the most difficult and frustrating tasks we in the National Squash +Tennis Association have in our attempts to expose the game to potential +players is to somehow get a prospect out on the court more than once. +Squash Tennis is a game calling for such speed of racquet and +comprehensive understanding of much longer or wider angles (than Squash +Racquets) that no one can really feel "comfortable" until he has been out +on the court playing at least a half dozen times. It is a rare player, +indeed, who does not quickly become discouraged the first few times and +decides the game just isn't for him after all. And what a pity it is! +For he is missing out on playing a sport that offers him many years of +wonderful, exhilarating exercise, good camaraderie, and a beautiful, +matchless rhythm displayed in harmonious coordination of racquet and +graceful footwork. + +The following are some of the fundamental shots you should attempt to +include in your repertoire: + +Rails: Your "bread and butter" shots, similar to Squash Racquets, are +the "rails" or shots hit straight up and down, parallel to the side wall. +These rails keep your opponents "scrambling" and allow you to hold that +important "T" position. + +The rail shot is hit more effectually when you are fairly close, within +three feet, of the side wall. The closer your position to the side wall, +the easier it is to hit a shot that stays right next to the wall during +the entire flight of the shot (see fig. 9 [Straight up and down backhand +and forehand rail shots.]). + +Many winners are made off of these rail shots in the following manner: + +1. Frequently the ball hits straight into a rear corner and dies; or +2. It pops unexpectedly out of the corner and right into your opponent; +3. When hit with the proper pace, and low, the ball will die before it +comes off the back wall; +4. When hit with sheer power and relatively high, your opponent will be +unable to catch up with it; +5. If the ball is hit in such a manner as to make it cling to the side +wall all the way back, your opponent will err in attempting to pick it +off the side wall. + +Crosscourts: To be mixed in with your straight up and down strokes are +the crosscourt forehand and backhand shots. Here again, these are +employed to keep the ball out of the middle and keep your opponent +defensive and on the move. They can be hit either straight toward the +opposite back wall corner (see fig. 10 [Cross court to opponent's +backhand.]) frequently for a winner, or more sharply cross court, so that +the ball either breaks into or behind your opponent's position (see fig. +11 [Cross court that breaks into or behind opponent.]). + +Three-wall Fadeaway: This shot can only be executed when you are a few +feet in front of the service line and off to one side of the court or the +other, nearer to the side wall than the center. Otherwise it is +practically impossible to obtain the necessary angle to pull of the +three-wall fadeaway successfully. + +The ball is hit as sharply as possible into the opposite corner, at a +position approximately midway between the floor and the ceiling, striking +the front wall first and then the side wall. This particular stroke is +hit higher than most of the other Squash Tennis shots since the ball has +so far to travel. It will shoot off the side wall at great velocity and +traverse cross court, bounce, and hit the other side wall deep--ideally +within two feet of the back wall. Then, instead of coming off at the +same angle as it hits, the ball rebounds practically parallel to the back +wall (see fig. 12 [3-wall fadeaway.]). A well hit three-way fadeaway, +which can be made either off the backhand or the forehand, is practically +irretrievable since your opponent, even when he comes to realize how the +ball is going to skid out straight at him, will still have great +difficulty in getting his racquet head behind the ball (and in front of +the back wall) to make a return. + +Double Boast: This shot, while not as effective as in Squash Racquets, +can, nonetheless, result in many winning points or, if not producing a +winner, it will force your opponent to the front of the court in order to +make his retrieval. The double boast is hit almost straight into the +side wall and fairly low (three to four feet above the floor) and can be +hit either off the forehand or backhand side. The ball rebounds off the +side wall, goes cross court and hits the opposite side wall just inches +away from the front wall. It bounces out and practically parallel to the +front, barely touching or "kissing" the front wall for a winner, or at +least a very difficult "get" for your opponent (see figs. 13 [Forehand +boast.] & 14 [Forehand boast.]). The only prerequisite for hitting this +shot properly is that you should be fairly far back in the court and +close to one of the side walls prior to the execution of your shot. + +Four-Wall Boast: This particular shot is much more difficult to master +than the double boast or three-wall fadeaway but, at the same time, far +more effective and unexpected. It has to be hit with a good deal of +power and quite high in order to carry to the front wall. Your chances +of success are, therefore, far greater if attempted off the forehand +side. + +The ball travels off your racquet high into the backhand or left wall, +rebounds sharply to the opposite or forehand wall heading toward the +front of the court. There should still be enough momentum and height +remaining to permit the ball to again go cross court to the left wall +where it hits within a few inches of the front wall and drops straight +down barely, touching or "kissing" the front wall (see fig. 15 [Fourwall +boast.]). The four-wall boast is presently only hit by a handful of the +better Squash Tennis players and should be a shot you attempt only after +becoming skillful in the other more standard winning shots. + +Straight Up and Down and Cross Court Drops: These soft or "touch" shots +are employed primarily to move your opponent up and back, although an +occasional winner will result when a low ball, hit with the right amount +of pace and spin, dies before your opponent can get to it. Too few +Squash Tennis players today, including many of the ranking competitors, +employ this change of pace shot. Of all the shots, this one must be hit +with a short, low follow-through in order to work successfully. Your +primary goal to accomplish these shots is to make certain you hit the +front wall first and, ideally, not allow the ball to angle into the side +walls (see figs. 16 [Straight backhand drop shot.] & 17 [Cross court +forehand drop shot.]). + +Corner Shots: Again, unlike Squash Racquets, the Squash Tennis corner +shots rarely result in an outright winner. The ball is just too lively. +These shots are worth employing occasionally, however, to keep your +opponent cross-legged, off balance, and on the run. + +The most effective corner shots are hit with fairly good pace. Your aim +should be low and into the side wall to a point much closer to the front +wall than the spot a Squash Racquets player employs. The reason for +hitting a corner shot in this "in and out" manner is to keep the livelier +ball out of the center of the court (see figs. 18 [How not to hit corner +shot.] & 19 [How to hit corner shot.]). + +Miscellaneous: Generally it is best when hitting any Squash Tennis shot +to "hold" your shot as long as you can, thus reducing the chances that +your opponent can anticipate where you are going to put the ball and +start moving to position even prior to your actually hitting. + +Whenever possible, shield the ball with your body so that your opponent +cannot see the direction you have hit until the very last possible +instant. There is nothing in the Playing Rules against blocking your +opponent's view, as long as you do not interfere with his swing or with +his getting into the proper position. + +Remember that the key to your shot making is mixing up your strokes and +keeping the ball angled away from the middle of the court. A ball that +ends up in the center will probably result in your losing the point or, +at best, having to leave the "T" and go on the defensive. The exception, +of course, is the widely employed "gut ball" that you hit into the front +wall with great speed and at such a height that it rebounds right into +your opponent's body (see fig. 20 [Ball aimed to rebound off front wall +and into opponent.]). + +Employ the side walls as much as possible to keep the ball ricocheting +and rocketing about the court so your opponent becomes frustrated and +almost dizzy from following the flight of your angled shots. + +Turning: A word on "turning" or "coming around" is in order. Unlike +Squash Racquets where turning is quite rarely necessary, in Squash Tennis +it is both required and desirable to come around as frequently as +possible. The Squash Tennis ball is so lively and the angles so wide +that trying to back up usually results in the ball chasing you and at +best, a defensive, awkward shot will be all you can hit. Turning, +however, and moving constantly after or toward the ball will "open up the +court" as well as place you in a solid, firm position to stroke the ball +freely and comfortably. (See figures 21 [Don't back up and take ball on +backhand.] and 22 [Usually best to turn and take ball on forehand.] +showing a player backing up versus a player who is properly turning.) + +Learning to "come around" is another one of those frustrations you will +not find easy to master at first. The ball, being so fast, will seem to +run away from you. Just remember two things: 1) hustle after the ball +with short, speedy steps, keeping in mind that the angle is much greater +than in Squash Racquets (see figs. 23 [Usual Squash Racquets angle and +final bounce position.] & 24 [Note wider, longer angle of Squash Tennis +ball's final bounce position.]) and 2) your racquet must be back and +cocked, ready to swing through when the ball arrives at the proper +hitting position, which is preferably out in front of you. + +Finally, another aspect of the game of Squash Tennis that a beginner or a +converted Squash Racquets player will find "unnatural" is the necessity +of immediately moving forward when you see or sense your opponent going +for a sharply hit up-and-down shot, either cross court or "rail," that +does not hit any of the side walls. The Squash Racquets black ball is so +much "deader" that the player usually has to go back first and then +forward somewhat in order to be in the proper position to hit the ball as +it rebounds off the back wall. + +The tremendous speed of the Squash Tennis ball, however, does not require +that you go toward the back wall first. To the contrary, you must charge +forward instantly (even when your opponent's shot is heading toward the +back wall) or else you will never be able to catch up to it as it comes +rebounding off the back wall. Many a shot off the back wall is played +from a position closer to the front wall than to the back. + + + +HISTORY OF SQUASH TENNIS + + +Squash Tennis is one of the few racquet and ball indoor sports that can +be termed honestly and strictly "American" in origin, whereas Squash +Racquets has its roots in England going as far back as the 1850s. The +game spread to America in the 1880s and the first real organized Squash +Racquets play was in 1882 at St. Paul's Prep School, in Concord, New +Hampshire. + +Eventually some of the boys there experimented with a Lawn Tennis ball +and liked the fast rallies and liveliness of the action. Consequently an +exciting offspring was born, Squash Tennis. + +Toward the turn of the century, Stephan J. Feron, of New York became +fascinated with the possibility of the speeded up version of Squash and +has been given the credit for creating the lighter Squash Tennis racquet +and the famous (or infamous) inflated ball with the knitted webbing +surrounding the regular cover. + +The last decade of the 1800s saw, therefore, two Squash games being +played. Very quickly, however, Squash Tennis became more popular and +widely played than Squash Racquets because of the more exciting pace and +action of the play. Private courts were built on estates owned by such +millionaires as William C. Whitney and J. P. Morgan. The famous Tuxedo +Club, Tuxedo Park, New York, installed the first formal Club court in +1898. By 1905, the Racquet and Tennis Club, Harvard, Princeton, and +Columbia Clubs in Manhattan had courts, as did Brooklyn's Crescent A. C. +and the Heights Casino. + +In 1911 the National Squash Tennis Association was founded and organized +by the banker, John W. Prentiss, Harvard Club of New York. The following +year inter-club league competition was started in New York City--56 years +ago! The sport also gained popularity and some limited play in other +cities such as Buffalo, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, but the real +nucleus of activity was pretty much confined to "The Big City." + +The halcyon days of Squash Tennis were the 1920s and 1930s. Such names +as Fillmore Van S. Hyde, Rowland B. Haines, Thomas R. Coward, William +Rand, Jr., and R. Earl Fink dominated the amateur ranks during the Golden +Twenties. New York Athletic Club's Harry F. Wolf reigned alone and +supreme as the amateur champion during the ensuing decade. + +The professionals, however, "owned" the best of the amateurs. Walter +Kinsella, Robert L. Cahill, Tommy Iannicelli, Johnny Jacobs, Frank +Lafforgue, Rowland Dufton, were the outstanding "play for pay" +performers. And, the unquestioned king of the Squash Tennis courts was +the legendary Frank Ward, who never lost a match in tournament +competition. + +Because of the desire by the expert Squash Tennis players for more and +more speed and a higher pressurized ball, a novice quickly became +discouraged with his initial efforts at playing the game. For many +crucial years, therefore, the game was not adopted by new players and +there was no broad base of tyros. Plainly and simply the avid duffers, +which every sport must have if it is to survive and retain its +popularity, took up a less frustrating, easier to master sport for their +exercise. + +World War II saw the demise of this lightning fast webbed ball because of +the shortage of rubber and the game all but died. Simultaneously Squash +Racquets thrived during the War. Organized play and competition were +established at service bases, colleges, schools and YMCAs. A new breed +of young, active Americans became enamored with Squash Racquets and the +pendulum swung away from Squash Tennis. After all, what is a racquet +game without an appropriate ball? The now aging professionals saw the +wave of interest in Squash Racquets and climbed aboard. + +After the war Frank Lafforgue, of the Yale Club, attempted to renew +interest in Squash Tennis by utilizing a standard Lawn Tennis ball. +While it was a far easier game for the novice to learn and a marvelous +form of indoor exercise for the otherwise sedentary businessman, the "old +timers," remembering the Golden Age of the 1920s and 1930s, became +completely disenchanted with the slow, heavy, "make shift" orb. They +left their love and were contented to talk wistfully about the "good old +days." + +Competition, though comparatively limited, continued. Some of the +outstanding players who competed right after the War in a dwindling +number of tourneys were eight times national champion H. Robert Reeve, +Barry Ryan, Frank Hanson, Joseph Sullivan, Howard Rose, (still very +active in his sixties) J. Lennox Porter, and John Powers. + +Norman F. Torrance, Harvard Club, Secretary of the Association in +1919-1934 and the NSTA's President up until 1954, despite his love for +the game and his efforts to rejuvenate it during the 1950s, was a voice +in the wilderness. + +(The following was extracted from an article written by Robert H. Lehman, +Editor of the 1966-7 edition of the NSTA Yearbook.) + +"The present starts its story less than two years ago. For many years, +well known, long known figures had tried to revive the game, revamp the +ball, attract new players. Still active in administration and +competition were Willard Rice, Howard Rose, Larry Pratt, Rodney Fiske, +Frank Wadelton, Dave Smith and others. + +"Suddenly after protracted doldrums dominated mostly by conversation, a +spark was fired. Back to his old Eastern haunts came volatile, +enthusiastic Dick Squires, a National Junior Davis Cupper while at school +in Bronxville, a nationally ranked Squash Racquets player 10 years ago, +now in mid-thirties and still a 'natural.' Exposed to our game at the +Rye Squash Barn in early 1965, he went whole hog for his new love, roamed +around crying, 'How long has this been going on?' Mr. Torrance must have +known something when, way back in 1951, he said the game would come back. + +"The ebullient red-head lit a fire under everyone. He talked a +'Rejuvenation Committee' into existence, headed it, and started the ball +rocketing. Fund-raising letters to Patrons, membership solicitations to +clubs and individuals, colorful posters broadcasting the game's delights +on squash bulletin boards all over, letters to pros outlining advantages +and opportunities, revision and updating of Official Rules and +Association By-Laws, publicity releases to papers and magazines--all were +dreamed up and implemented by Squires and his now famous 'NSTA-RC,' a +dedicated, hard working bunch. + +"One of the most imaginative programs, instigated during the winter of +1965-6, was the running of exhibitions (over 22!), which dramatically +exposed the game to the uninitiated, attracted sizable galleries and +converts. Dick's buddy, Bill Moncrieff, conducted running commentaries, +stopping play to explain fine points, while such as Dick, John Powers, +Gavin Murphy, Dave Smith, Jim Prigoff and Henry Stanton roamed the East +to such spots as Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Washington and Rochester to +spread the word. + +"Mindful of the age-old cry, 'What about the ball?' a committee was +formed to pursue all possibilities with determination and with primary +view to drastic reduction of breakage--a long-time bugaboo. If the +action could be improved, so much the better. . . . + +"Great strides were made, and recently Norman Forster, after carrying on +lengthy, exploratory discussions with the loyal Spalding outfit (which +had been keeping the game going with the best they had been able to +produce for this specialized and heretofore limited field, developed an +excellent ball--one that can withstand the tremendous beating a Squash +Tennis ball takes as it rebounds about the walls." + +In 1966 as evidence that Squash Tennis was, indeed, on the "comeback +trail" the august governing body of the National Squash Tennis +Association elected five-time national champion, Jim Prigoff, as their +new President. They pledged their support both verbally and financially. +The most active season in over 25 years was instigated and many new faces +were seen chasing the fast green covered ball about the court. +Innumerable converts came over from Squash Racquets and new life and +vitality was breathed into the "grand old game." + +Momentum continues. A "new look" was adopted in 1967 with the complete +reorganization of the Association. Functioning committees were formed to +create and implement workable plans in the various important areas of +activity as Tournament and Ranking, Exhibitions and Clinics, Promotions +and Publicity, Finance, National Development, Membership, Referees and +Rules, etc. A broad base of energetic lovers of the game, with due +respect for tradition, began to think in the present what could be done +now to enhance the popularity of the sport, and to plan for the future. +The day of the "one man show," the one athlete-dominated sport was over. +Squash Tennis can and should be played and enjoyed by everyone. And we, +of the revitalized National Squash Tennis Association plan to do +everything necessary to provide you, the present or potential player, the +"hacker" or expert, with the kind of organized programs that will +encourage you to play Squash Tennis as long as you physically can. Keep +in mind that the venerable Mr. Torrance won a tournament match at the age +of 82! + + + +COURT SPECIFICATIONS AND EQUIPMENT + + +Court--Basically the Squash Tennis court is identical in specifications +to Squash Racquets; namely 18 1/2 feet wide, 32 feet long, and 16 feet +high at the front wall: The ceiling should be at least 18 feet 6 inches +high in order to allow for lights. Running along the front wall, 17 +inches in height, is the "telltale" made of sheet metal. Hitting the +"telltale" is tantamount to hitting a Lawn Tennis ball into the net. The +front wall also has the front service line, which is 6 1/2 feet above the +floor. On the floor, 10 feet from the backwall, is the floor service +line extending parallel to the backwall and across the entire width of +the court. A line drawn from the floor service line to the backwall +divides the back court into two equal halves. Ideally (but not an +absolute necessity) the service line should also extend all the way up to +the front wall in order to divide the forecourt in two for service +placement. In other words, the service must land in the opponent's half +of the court in front of the floor service line and divided by the +extension of the center line to the front wall. The service court in +Squash Tennis, therefore, is actually 22 feet long, and bounded by the +center line, floor service line, side wall and front wall (rather than +back wall). + +The backwall "out" line is 4 feet 6 inches above the floor, or 2 feet +below the present Squash Racquets' backwall out line. + +Otherwise the rules in scoring are identical to Squash Racquets, even +though the style of play is, as you have noted, quite different. (For a +schematic drawing of a Squash Tennis court, see Figure 25 [Dimensional +drawing of a Squash Tennis court.].) + +Equipment--The green felt covered ball is approximately 2 3/8 inches in +diameter, slightly smaller than a standard Lawn Tennis ball but +containing higher pressure. It is, therefore, lighter and faster. These +Squash Tennis balls are manufactured for the Association by A. G. +Spalding & Bros. They can be bought from any Squash Professional or +directly from the National Squash Tennis Association for $1.25 each. +Recent manufacturing improvements have extended the length of time you +can play with a ball without it wearing out or breaking. + +The racquet has the identical size head to a regulation Lawn Tennis +frame, but the length, including the handle, should not exceed 26 inches, +which is 1 inch shorter and, therefore, somewhat lighter and more +wieldable than a standard Tennis racquet. Regular gut or nylon is used +for the string. A strong Squash Tennis racquet sells at a competitive +price to a Squash Racquet bat. + + + +OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES + + +1. COURTS + The court dimensions, lines, telltale, material, construction, and +lights shall be in accordance with the specifications approved by the +Executive Committee of the National Squash Tennis Association. Existing +[American (hardball)] Squash Racquets courts are recognized by the +National Squash Tennis Association, but a court boundary line across the +back wall, 4'6" [1372mm] from the floor, is essential, and a line from +the center of the service line forward to the front wall is highly +desirable. + +2. RACQUET AND BALL + The racquet or bat shall have a frame similar in shape to that of a +lawn tennis racquet, the length including the handle not to exceed 27 +inches [686mm]. The stringing shall be of gut, nylon or other kindred +substance, but neither the frame nor the stringing may be of metal. + The ball shall be in accordance with the specification approved by +the Executive Committee of the National Squash Tennis Association. + +3. GAME + A game shall be fifteen points; that is, the player scoring fifteen +points will win the game, except in the event both players tie (a) at +"thirteen all," the player who has first reached the score of thirteen +will elect one of the following before proceeding with the game: +1) "set five"--making the game eighteen points, 2) "set three"--making +the game sixteen points, 3) "no set"--making the game fifteen points--or +b) at "fourteen all," providing the score has not been "thirteen all," +the player who has first reached fourteen points will elect one of the +following before proceeding with the game: 1) "set three"--making the +game seventeen points, 2) "no set"--making the game fifteen points. + +4. MATCH + Matches shall be the best three out of five games. + +5. SERVER + Before a match begins, it shall be decided by a spin of a racquet by +the players as to which player shall serve first. Thereafter, when the +server loses a point, his opponent becomes the server. The winner of a +game shall serve first at the beginning of the following game. + +6. SERVICE + The server shall stand behind the service line with both feet on the +floor and not touching or straddling the line, and serve the ball +against the front wall above the front-wall service line and below the +16-ft. [4877mm] line before it touches any other part of the court, so +that it shall drop directly, or off the side wall, into his opponent's +court in front of the floor service line without either touching the +floor service line or the center line. + If the server does not so serve, it is a fault, and if it be the +first fault, the server shall serve again from the same side. If the +server makes two consecutive faults, he loses that point. + The server has the option of electing the side from which he shall +commence serving and thereafter, until he loses the service, he shall +alternate between both sides of the court in serving. If the server +serves from the wrong side of court, there shall be no penalty and if +the receiver makes no attempt to return the ball the point shall be +replayed from the proper court. + When one service fault has been called and play for any reason +whatsoever has stopped, when play is resumed the first fault does not +stand and the server is entitled to two services. + +7. RETURN OF SERVICE AND SUBSEQUENT PLAY + (a) To make a valid return of service the ball must be struck after +the first bounce and before the second bounce, and reach the front wall +on the fly above the telltale and below the 16-ft. line; in so doing it +may touch any wall or walls within the court before or after reaching +the front wall, except as in (e), below. A service fault may not be +played. If a fair service is not so returned, it shall count as a point +for the server and he shall then serve from the other side of the court. + (b) After a valid return of service, each player alternately +thereafter shall strike the ball in the same manner as on the return of +service, except that it may be volleyed. The player failing to so +return the ball shall lose the point. + (c) A ball striking the ceiling or lights or on or above any court +boundary line on the fly shall be ruled out of court; if a ball should +strike the back wall on or above the 4'6" line after having bounced, it +shall continue to be in play. If a ball having bounced should go into +the gallery or strike any construction which alters its course, a let +shall be called. + (d) If a ball before the second bounce hits the front wall above +the telltale for the second time it is still in play. + (e) In an effort to return the ball to the front wall by first +hitting to the back wall, the ball may not be played to the back wall +unless it has first struck the back wall, and must be so struck as to +hit the back wall below the 4'6" line. + (f) A player may not hit a ball twice during a stroke, but, while +the ball is still in play, it may be struck at any number of times. + +8. LET + A "let" is the stopping of play and the playing over of the point. + (a) In all cases, a player requesting a let must make his request +before or in the act of hitting the ball. If a let is requested after +the ball has been hit, it shall not be granted. + (b) If a player endeavoring to make his play in proper turn is +interfered with so as to prevent him from making such play as he would +without such interference, or if the striker refrains from striking at +the ball because of fear of hitting his opponent, there shall be a let +whether the ball has been hit by him or not. + (c) A player shall not be entitled to a let because his opponent +prevents him from seeing the ball, provided his stroke is not interfered +with. + (d) If the ball breaks in the course of a point, there shall be a +let. If a player thinks the ball has broken while play is in progress, +he must nevertheless complete the point and then request a let. The +referee shall grant the let only if the ball proves in fact to be +broken. + (e) If in the course of a point either player should be interfered +with by elements outside their control, there shall be a let. + (f) It shall be the duty of the referee to call a let if, in his +opinion, the play warrants it. If a match be played without a referee, +the question of a let shall be left to the sportsmanship of the players. + (g) A player hit by a ball still in play loses the point, except +that if he be hit by a ball played by his opponent before the ball +strikes the front wall above the telltale, then it is a let. If +however, a player is hit by a ball off his opponent's racquet that is +clearly not going to reach the front wall above the telltale, a let will +not be allowed and the point shall be given to the player who was hit by +the ball. However, a player hit by a ball still in play will not lose +the point if because of interference a let is called. + +9. PLAYER INTERFERENCE + Each player must stay out of his opponent's way after he has struck +the ball and (a) give his opponent a fair opportunity to get to and/or +strike at the ball and (b) allow his opponent to play the ball from any +part of the court to any part of the front wall or to either side wall. + +10. LET POINT + (a) A "let point" may be called by the referee if after adequate +warning there is no attempt or evidence of intent on the part of a +player to avoid unnecessary interference or unnecessary crowding during +his opponent's playing of a point. Even though the player is not +actually striking at it, the referee may call a let point. The player +interfered with wins the point. + (b) If in the opinion of a player he is entitled to a let point, he +should at once appeal to the referee whose decision shall be final, +except when judges are present, as described in Rule 11(b). + (c) A let point decision can only be made when a referee is +officiating. + +11. REFEREE AND JUDGES + (a) If available a referee shall control the game in any scheduled +match. His decision is final, except when there are judges present as +described in Rule 11(b). + (b) Two judges may be appointed by the referee or tournament +committee to act on any appeal by a player to the referee's decision. +When such judges are on hand, a player may appeal any decision of the +referee directly to the judges. Only if both judges disagree with the +referee will the referee's decision be reversed. The judges shall not +make any ruling unless a player makes an appeal. The decision of the +judges shall be announced promptly by the referee. + (c) All referees must be familiar with these playing rules when +officiating in sanctioned matches. + +12. GENERAL + (a) At any time between points, at the discretion of the referee a +new ball may be put in play at the request of either player. + (b) Play shall be continuous. Between the third and fourth games +there may be, at either player's request, a rest period not to exceed +five minutes. Between any other games there may be, at either player's +request, a rest period not to exceed one minute. + (c) If play is suspended by the referee due to an injury to one of +the players, such player must resume play within one hour or otherwise +default the match. + (d) The referee shall be the sole judge of any intentional delay, +and after giving due warning he may disqualify the offender. + (e) If play is suspended by the referee for some problem beyond the +control of both players, play shall be resumed immediately after such +problem has been eliminated. If cause of the delay cannot be corrected +within one hour, the tournament committee and/or the referee will +determine when play will be resumed. Play shall commence from the point +and game score existing at the time the match was halted. + + January 1968 + + + +NATIONAL CHAMPIONS + + +Transcriber's Note: For reference purposes, the reader may appreciate +this list of Squash Tennis National Champions. The championship +tournament may not have been held every year in the early 1990s. And +although (as of early 2004) the most recent tournament was held around +1995, the National Squash Tennis Association considered Gary Squires to +be the reigning champion when it reported to the New York Times through +2000 for the paper's annual comprehensive list of national sports +champions. Gary Squires happens to be the son of the author of this +booklet. + + +1911-1912 Alfred Stillman +1913 George Whitney +1914 Alfred Stillman +1915-1917 Eric S. Winston +1918 Fillmore Van S. Hyde +1919 John W. Appel, Jr. +1920 Auguste J. Cordier +1921 Fillmore Van S. Hyde +1922 Thomas R. Coward +1923 R. Earl Fink +1924 Fillmore Van S. Hyde +1925 William Rand, Jr. +1926 Fillmore Van S. Hyde +1927-1929 Rowland B. Haines +1930-1940 Harry F. Wolf +1941 T. A. E. Harris +1942-1945 (no tournaments held) +1946 Frank R. Hanson +1947 Frederick B. Ryan, Jr. +1948-1950 H. Robert Reeve +1951 J. T. P. Sullivan +1952 H. Robert Reeve +1953 Howard J. Rose +1954-1956 H. Robert Reeve +1957-1959 J. Lennox Porter +1960-1962 James Prigoff +1963 John Powers +1964 James Prigoff +1965 (no tournament held) +1966-1968 James Prigoff +1969-1980 Pedro A. Bacallao +1981 David Stafford +1982-1983 Gary Squires +1984 Loren Lieberman +1985 Gary Squires +1986 Pedro A. Bacallao +1987-2000 Gary Squires + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Squash Tennis, by Richard C. Squires + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11550 *** |