SQUASH57 (Racketball)

Top Coach, Mike Phillips, shares what Squash57 (Racketball) has to offer, whether you’re a beginner or seasoned Squash player.

by Mike Phillips (2020),
13 years as the Head Squash & Racketball Coach to Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club in West Sussex.
Qualified LEVEL 3 England Squash Coach. British Closed & British Open 065s Squash57 (Racketball) Champion 2024.

Throughout my time at Chichester I put on a range of workshops for beginners, such as ‘Return of Serve’ or  ‘Hitting a Good Length’! But my favourite part of a session was saying to a group of first-time pupils, “in one hour’s time you will leave this court able to play a game of Squash57 (racketball) with one another.”

They would always looked a bit confused/frightened to begin with but as the session continued on smiles would begin to appear and you could tell they were enjoying themselves. I would stop the session from time to time to give feedback and answer all questions, but the bottom line was they now understood the basics, how to score, and were able to go off and play each other.

Squash57 (Racketball) is responsible for keeping so many clubs and courts alive in fact The Devon and Exeter Club in Exeter converted one of their squash courts into a gym in the squash days as it wasn’t being used sufficiently only to be converted back when Squash57 (Racketball) took off at that club.

Squash57 (Racketball) is for everyone, a great entry into the squash court and you may find you like it that much you don’t bother with squash.

From Squash to Squash57 (Racketball)

For me, it all began in 2008 when I very briefly underwent a hip replacement operation. On my return a squash friend, Matt Baker, who had just taken up Squash57 (Racketball), suggested I started playing the game as a way back into Squash. Such was my love for Squash57 (Racketball) I didn’t even try to play squash for 18 months.

You hear some squash players mention “Squash57 (Racketball) is for when you cannot play squash anymore”. Although this is true, it is not the full story! You only have to attend the National Championships and see the senior players in action to realise how much there is to the game. A great example of this is Tim Vail, 10x National Squash57 (Racketball) Champion, whose skill, strategic placement and fitness makes him in my opinion the greatest exponent of the game.

There is also the other end of everyone’s squash career, the beginning! Squash57 (Racketball) is a great way to keep going. Why? Because for those who at some point have tried squash and had difficulty hitting the ball hard enough to warm enough to bounce higher thus meaning you cannot easily establish a rally will not have this problem with Squash57 (Racketball).

Because for those who had difficulty hitting the squash ball hard enough to warm it up, so you cannot easily establish a rally will not have this problem with Squash57 (Racketball).

1.     The Rackets are shorter and have a larger head and as all rackets are basically an extension of your arm a Squash57 (Racketball) racket becomes easier to hit a ball with.

2.   Then the ball, which is larger, (easier to hit), bouncier, (no warming up if hitting consistently is a problem).

As I mentioned a way back into squash when recovering from an injury, because the ball is bouncier the sport is less dynamic meaning the ball comes back to you a little easier meaning not so much vigorous stretching and lunging as you can imagine an older player who becomes more injury prone Squash57 (racketball) becomes less demanding on their joints ( hence the reason it was originally branded for older players)

A great cardio workout for the club player where putting the ball away is not as easy as squash so more thought and patience is required.

For the top players in the country who are usually squash players also a great alternative to squash and a change of mindset and like the club player more patience required, not so easy to hit a winner!

Contact your local club now to find out what is on offer!!