Serious Squash Updates

It's been a pretty busy fall and start to winter so I'm well behind on blog posts. I do have a lot of updates since the last post. I've had a number of new podcast guests since the last blog post. I've had squash legend Mike Way on discussing Ali Farag, Jonathon Power and college squash. I also recorded a tribute episode to Canadian squash legend, Stuart Dixon. The most recent episode featured Bob Bowers who is 1 of the top squash trainers in the world. If you're interested in training this is a must listen to episode. You can listen to these episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts by searching 'Serious Squash Podcast.'

In other news I'm up to episode 87 of Squash Shots. There's a new episode every Monday morning. If you want to learn more you can check it out at Patreon.com/SeriousSquash or on Instagram @SeriousSquashShots

Last week I thought it would be fun to a figure 8 volley challenge. One take with a cold ball and see how many I could do. I ended up doing around 980 (give or take 10-20) as I lost count once or twice. Here's the video if you want to check it out. 

1 Take Figure 8 Volley Challenge

I just completed my first draft of a sport psych workbook. For the time being I've called it 'Winning and Losing Between The Ears: An Athlete’s Guide and Workbook For Maximizing Mental Performance.'

It's 33 pages with 21 sections. Each section includes my viewpoint on the topic and concludes with a work section to customize that area for your game. Even though it's written by a squash player and coach it's applicable to all sports. If you're interested in this you need to subscribe to the Serious Squash email list where I will be sending out a free copy shortly. To subscribe simply enter your email address here: Serious Squash Email List

Currently in Canada, most areas are in lockdown. This applies to my club as well so I've started filming a weekly workout video and posting it online. If you want to check then out you can do so here: Lockdown Workout Playlist I'm going to be rating the difficulty of each workout from 1 to 10. I've also been easing into the workouts since the holidays and the goal is to keep them short (10-15 minutes). 

There's always plenty of new updates and posts on the Serious Squash Instagram and Facebook pages. Let's hope we get through Covid-19 in the next few months so we can get back to playing the game we all love. 

Serious Squash Podcast Episode 3: Featuring Greg Hutner

In the most recent podcast I had longtime friend and college teammate, Greg Hutner on. Greg is a 3x Canadian Junior Champion and was 1 of the top players at Western University. He know runs one of the top junior programs in the country at Mayfair Lakeshore in Toronto. In this episode we discuss junior and college squash and have fun remembering some of our old squash days. Here's the link if you'd like to give it a listen: Episode 3: Greg Hutner

Here's a glimpse of the epsiode

If you want to stay updated on all things Serious Squash sign up for the email list: Serious Squash Email List

That's all for this week. Stay tuned for the next couple of podcasts as I have on some of the top coaches in the world. Also, consider subscribing to Squash Shots which gives you a weekly exclusive video. This week the video is on the front forehand corner when you have time and next week I look at the differences in this area when under pressure. Learn more at Patreon.com/SeriousSquash

Serious Squash Podcast Episode 2 ft. Graeme Williams

I'm really enjoying interviewing some insightful and knowledgeable squash coaches. In episode 2 I interviewed Graeme Williams who was the head coach in Windsor for 7 years and is now in the US coaching. While in Canada he had a great junior program and was also the Women's National Team coach. We discuss a lot about junior squash, the differences in squash and coaching from England to Canada to the U.S., the PSA, CSA and his thoughts on a few technical ideas about squash.

Something all the coaches I've interviewed have in common so far is they are so passionate about squash. There's also been some similarities and also a few differences in their philosophies about squash and coaching. I've learned a lot so far and I know you will too.

Here's a little teaser of episode 2 with Graeme:

The full episode will be released tomorrow morning. You can find it wherever you listen to your podcasts or from the following link: https://anchor.fm/serioussquash

Episode 3 is also another great interview featuring a good friend and a big time coach for junior squash in Canada. This episode will drop in 2 weeks so make sure you subscribe to the podcast or the email list below to be notified when new episodes and other Serious Squash stuff is happening.

A mentioned there is a new Serious Squash email list. Since Serious Squash is all over the net (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Patreon, Podcasts, a shop and this blog) I thought it would be easiest to have a central place where I can email out the occasional update on all things Serious Squash related. If you'd like to subscribe you can do so here: Serious Squash Email List

The Serious Squash Podcast: Episode 1 ft. Rob Brooks on Junior Squash

Throughout the pandemic I've been listening to a bunch of podcasts and I've even been interviewed for a few squash ones as well. Last weekend I had the idea of creating a Serious Squash podcast. Instead of simply interviewing the backgrounds and stores of squash players, I've decided to focus on interviewing the top coaches and sharing their expertise. I may know a lot of things about squash, but there are plenty of things I still don't know.

I believe a lot of top coaches will be open to sharing their knowledge and ideas because together we can improve our sport as whole. Our sport is too small to do things on our own on a trial and error basis and a lot of us coaches don't have the luxury of working alongside great mentors. I also think that this information will be interesting to the squash players and the parents of juniors. 

For episode #1 I was fortunate to get Rob Brooks on. I've known Rob for over 30 years and he's one of the nicest, humblest, most passionate and hardest working guys I've ever met. He's worked with more top juniors over the past 30 years than any other coach in Canada and in this episode he shares his expertise on junior squash. Rob definitely ignited my passion for coaching and I know you'll enjoy some of his ideas and philosophies about coaching kids. 

Currently the podcast is only available on 2 platforms, but will be added to others in due time. If this sounds like an interesting topic to you feel free to have as listen and subscribe. I already have another beauty lined up for episode 2. Here's the link for episode 1: Rob Brooks on Junior Squash