Today I'm going to talk about some ideas on how the PSA and WSA could improve watching and branding squash. This post topic is inspired after watching the final of the Netsuite Open in San Francisco. The outdoor glass court looked awesome and the setting couldn't have been any better...but. But the match was one sided and quite short. We always hope that the top names in squash put on an epic 4 or 5 game thriller. The same has happened in tennis for a long time with Nadal and Federer and over the last few years Djokovic and Murray. So how can we better market our sport for the viewers? For squash playing and non-playing viewers? Because that's the main things other sports have. Most people that watch the NFL on Sundays never played a game of football in their lives. So how do they end up sitting through 12 hours of football each week and still have time to watch the pre game and post game shows?
Squash is never going to be a mainstream sport. And I'm okay with that. That means people play because they love it. We watch it because we appreciate the high skill and athletic level required to play at the top of the game. I remember back when I was doing my masters project I emailed Roger Flynn from Scottish Squash and had some questions for him about my project. Roger wrote an interesting article about decision making training titled Tactics and Strategy In Squash. You can google it and find it online. He lists all the things that go into make a shot selection and ways to train anticipation and the importance of learning the tactics of the game. We discussed some of the challenged of decision making training in squash and in one email he brought up the idea of using a power bar when viewing professional squash. Like in the video games, you can see how much power or life someone has left. I thought it was a clever and neat idea, but he admitted that the players would never buy into it. Still it left thinking what else could be changed and improved.
A power bar may not be a realistic addition to watching live squash. But perhaps some of the players physiological data could be displayed. I know again, the players wouldn't like this. But as a viewer I appreciate how hard they consistently train and work in match to match. This would also make the non-squash player comprehend just how tough of a sport squash is. We could list the players heart rates and we could see how high they get after long points and how quickly they recover. I know it's important to disguise your fatigue and to make it look like you're not working all that hard. This can be quite mentally taxing on your opponent, but I think an idea like this should be taken into consideration for the benefit of growing the sport.
Okay, so the players don't want to wear a heart rate monitor. What about something simple like a step counter or total distance travelled? This may help the viewer understand who is controlling the match and the tempo, even if the scoreline is close. Another option that I always thought we be cool is the shot displacement like they do in tennis. Maybe squash doesn't have the funds to do this yet, but when they do I think it makes the game more intriguing. What shots are each of the players hitting from each part of the court? Is there a strategy or pattern that we are not seeing from out here? This could also be used to see where players are hitting the front wall for their drives or for how frequently each of them volley. Because whoever volleys and spends more time around the middle has a better chance of winning. And it would be cool to see how and if the players make these adjustments from game to game and match to match. If anything, it would only make all the players better along the way. I'm sure they would all love to have this information, but they wouldn't like their opponents having this access as well.
I don't even see the basics listed between games anymore; the winner to unforced error ratio that is. I know there is a lot more to squash and it's how the point is set up that matters. But even with a shoestring budget this is something that should be displayed.
Another way they can improve the viewing for professional squash tournaments is by doing a more comprehensive background and portfolio on each player. There are so many things behind the scenes that we would all like to know. Who are they training with, how often? How did they do in certain physical tests? Are they working with a sports psychiatrist? Show some clips and interviews from the last time the 2 players met. Even things like their yearly and career earnings. In tennis they go over the top doing some of these mini documentaries trying to create emotion and hype about an individual or a specific rivalry. We don't need to go in as much depth as they do in tennis, but it would be a good method for helping the viewers get to know the players better and this will create more interest for us, even if we don't have any Canadians in the event!
I know that they've used radar guns to measure how hard someone can hit the ball. But why not have them installed just above the tin near the front wall? This way we can look up and see just how hard someone struck that last straight kill or nick. People are amazed by a 100mph fastball just because it's rare and triple digits. Squash could create some buzz like this by including a measurement tool on the courts.
Another easy tool that could be included is having social media chats displayed below as the match is going. We get people watching from all over the world and we could tally up just how many are watching from each country. I believe this would create more of a community. They could use this to calculate polls about who things who is going to win and by what score. Everyone has an opinion and wants to have their say. Using Twitter, or something like that would be an effective way to do this.
Okay, so there are a few ways I think they can improve pro squash from a viewers perspective. I know some of it would cost some money that SquashTV probably doesn't have. But if they did, what would you like to see included? Do you have another idea that would improve spectating? Lowering the tin, using 4 wall glass courts at some incredible locations, and implementing a challenge system were all impressive and have helped facilitate the growth of the game and improve viewership. But what's next? We all want to promote the game we love to a larger audience...to our coworkers, friends, family, and to the youth. I believe the way to do this is by thinking outside the box. And last but not least, squash must continue evolving if we ever want to make it into the Olympic Games.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Playing & Feeling Better At Tournaments
Today I'm going to discuss tournament preparation. Today I am going to talk about a few important areas to make sure you play your best and are well rested. There is a tournament here in town starting tomorrow and although I'm not playing, I just started feeling sick. It reminded me of times when I got sick right before or during tournaments. I've coach some kids that this tends to happen to as well. I believe there is stress for many people leading up to a tournament and this can cause them to get sick. Has this happened to any of you before? I have a few ideas on why this happens and how to prevent this from happening at future tournaments.
Travelling to tournaments often means early mornings, a poor nights sleep, lots of sitting, and often poor nutrition. When you compound that with the stress we put on ourselves worrying about the tournament, the draw, our first opponent, and so on it's no wonder we are susceptible to getting ill. Most people also are training very hard before a tournament and this can also weaken the immune system. So what can you do about all of this?
The first thing is to taper your training a few days before the event. Give your body and mind a chance to rest and feel 100% going into the event. You will not get fit by doing 1 last hard session. If you aren't prepared a few days before the tournament starts it's too late anyways.
The next step can be a tricky one do to at some events. Often we have to travel grey distances in a car, train, or plane. This can mean early morning departures and we are already tired before the tournament begins. If this is the case I suggest going to bed earlier the night before you leave or having a nap when you arrive at the hotel or house you're staying at. Even just 30 minutes to an hour can make a big difference.
Eating healthy and the same when you're away can be a challenge if you don't pack some food to bring. This is often overlooked, but the last thing you want to do is eat unhealthy food only during tournaments. This is when you need to be eating your best, drinking lots of water and getting your carbs and protein. I always like to go to a grocery store if my hotel room has a min fridge to store stuff in. Top up on water, gatorade, fruit, veggies, yogurt, sandwich making supplies and you'll be good to go.
Tapering before the event, taking naps or going to bed early, and eating well can all make a big difference to how you feel and how you perform. The stress is a more difficult one for some people. Some of us get nervous and anxious thinking too much about what may or may not happen. And yes, even though we are just playing a game expecting certain results to unfold can put stress on you. This is why I wrote a post recently about enjoying competition (http://www.serioussquash.com/2014/09/enjoying-competition.html). If we have fun and don't concern ourselves over things out of our control we are more likely to play better, and this will give you the best chance of winning. Thinking about how you have to win, or how you can't lose to that person puts pressure on you and that pressure results in stress.
If this doesn't work for you, then I like to put things in perspective. This is discussed in the Inner Game of Tennis. What is really the worse thing that can happen? You lose of course. You lose to someone badly even, maybe someone people think you should have beaten. Nothing is certain in squash though and this is why we play the game. Anything can happen. This is also your ego telling you that you are superior to this other person. Be humble and try your best each time, this is within your control and all that you can do. Everyone loses sometimes.
I read in a sports psychology book called Finding Your Zone, that thinking about the bigger picture can help ease pressure. There are much more serious and imminent challenges facing people all over the world. The result of your match is not worth getting so stressed out about. Simply sport is a game, not a life problem or illness. If we can approach the game of squash like this and keep it in perspective we can lessen the pressure we feel to perform at a certain level.
The last tip I have about getting better at handling stress and pressure is by playing more tournaments. If you only play one or two events per year you probably won't feel too comfortable on court. Whereas if you compete in 8-12 events per season year after year you will get better and better at controlling your nerves and the stress you put on yourselves. This is experience is so invaluable. Experienced players are better at playing their best in competition. And this is also why I believe it's important to introduce kids to competition at a young age and the way they handle winning and losing is often how a behaviour learned from their parents, coaches, and peers. Kids play unregulated made up games with their friends and they have fun no matter what happens. When we live vicariously through their results as they compete in an organized sport they feel our stress and they learn how strongly we value the outcome.
So there you have it. If you have a tendency to get sick before or during tournaments hopefully I've give you a few tips. I also recommend doing things to keep your mind off squash. Read a book (not on squash), do your homework, or watch a movie. These will all keep your brain out of the way and you can focus on squash when it's time to play!
Travelling to tournaments often means early mornings, a poor nights sleep, lots of sitting, and often poor nutrition. When you compound that with the stress we put on ourselves worrying about the tournament, the draw, our first opponent, and so on it's no wonder we are susceptible to getting ill. Most people also are training very hard before a tournament and this can also weaken the immune system. So what can you do about all of this?
The first thing is to taper your training a few days before the event. Give your body and mind a chance to rest and feel 100% going into the event. You will not get fit by doing 1 last hard session. If you aren't prepared a few days before the tournament starts it's too late anyways.
The next step can be a tricky one do to at some events. Often we have to travel grey distances in a car, train, or plane. This can mean early morning departures and we are already tired before the tournament begins. If this is the case I suggest going to bed earlier the night before you leave or having a nap when you arrive at the hotel or house you're staying at. Even just 30 minutes to an hour can make a big difference.
Eating healthy and the same when you're away can be a challenge if you don't pack some food to bring. This is often overlooked, but the last thing you want to do is eat unhealthy food only during tournaments. This is when you need to be eating your best, drinking lots of water and getting your carbs and protein. I always like to go to a grocery store if my hotel room has a min fridge to store stuff in. Top up on water, gatorade, fruit, veggies, yogurt, sandwich making supplies and you'll be good to go.
Tapering before the event, taking naps or going to bed early, and eating well can all make a big difference to how you feel and how you perform. The stress is a more difficult one for some people. Some of us get nervous and anxious thinking too much about what may or may not happen. And yes, even though we are just playing a game expecting certain results to unfold can put stress on you. This is why I wrote a post recently about enjoying competition (http://www.serioussquash.com/2014/09/enjoying-competition.html). If we have fun and don't concern ourselves over things out of our control we are more likely to play better, and this will give you the best chance of winning. Thinking about how you have to win, or how you can't lose to that person puts pressure on you and that pressure results in stress.
If this doesn't work for you, then I like to put things in perspective. This is discussed in the Inner Game of Tennis. What is really the worse thing that can happen? You lose of course. You lose to someone badly even, maybe someone people think you should have beaten. Nothing is certain in squash though and this is why we play the game. Anything can happen. This is also your ego telling you that you are superior to this other person. Be humble and try your best each time, this is within your control and all that you can do. Everyone loses sometimes.
I read in a sports psychology book called Finding Your Zone, that thinking about the bigger picture can help ease pressure. There are much more serious and imminent challenges facing people all over the world. The result of your match is not worth getting so stressed out about. Simply sport is a game, not a life problem or illness. If we can approach the game of squash like this and keep it in perspective we can lessen the pressure we feel to perform at a certain level.
The last tip I have about getting better at handling stress and pressure is by playing more tournaments. If you only play one or two events per year you probably won't feel too comfortable on court. Whereas if you compete in 8-12 events per season year after year you will get better and better at controlling your nerves and the stress you put on yourselves. This is experience is so invaluable. Experienced players are better at playing their best in competition. And this is also why I believe it's important to introduce kids to competition at a young age and the way they handle winning and losing is often how a behaviour learned from their parents, coaches, and peers. Kids play unregulated made up games with their friends and they have fun no matter what happens. When we live vicariously through their results as they compete in an organized sport they feel our stress and they learn how strongly we value the outcome.
So there you have it. If you have a tendency to get sick before or during tournaments hopefully I've give you a few tips. I also recommend doing things to keep your mind off squash. Read a book (not on squash), do your homework, or watch a movie. These will all keep your brain out of the way and you can focus on squash when it's time to play!
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