Can You Jump In Squash?
When it comes to squash, whether you are a beginner or a veteran, all players know how demanding the sport can be on your body. Squash games are intense and incredibly fast-paced; this leads to players trying everything in their power to get the advantage over their opponents, resulting in the question; can you jump in squash?
Typical squash regulations allow you to jump. However, it is not as straightforward as that. You are not permitted to jump while you are serving. This rule is somewhat confusing, as only one foot needs to be in the service box, so squash players typically avoid it altogether.
Having a good understanding of the rules when it comes to the game is of enormous importance, especially when trying to get an edge over your opponent. See, every little thing counts. So, let’s take a closer look at how jumping in squash can be used and where you can use it.
Squash Regulations For Jumping
As mentioned before, understanding the rules of the game will aid you. First, squash is played as either a 1v1 or 2v2 inside a closed court. When serving, players must ensure that both the server and the challenger have one foot within the service box.
The importance of ensuring that one foot is inside the service box when starting is vital; otherwise, this could result in what we call a foot fault, which in turn awards a point to your opponent, putting you behind on the scoreboard without the game even fully starting.
After the serve, however, once the game becomes a rally between the players, you are free to move around the court as you wish. There are no restrictions regarding your body movement or any requirements to keep your feet on the ground.
The Use of Jumping is Squash
Being agile and light on your feet is a must when it comes to being in an enclosed small space such as a squash court. Of course, the advantages of that alone will add to your game, but it also helps with other game rules.
Let’s look at some examples of these rules and situations:
With the court being so small, getting out of your opponent’s way is extremely important. Otherwise, you could receive a foul. This is known as the “Fair View Rule.” Sometimes, you need to jump out of the way.
This rule ensures that the challenger has enough time to see and get to the ball without being obstructed. In this case, an agile jump in an awkward position can be a get-out-of-jail-free card to avoid fouling.
Does Jumping In Squash Affect Performance and Fitness?
Jumping in a squash game can be a great way to get out of your opponent’s way or to make a desperate shot. However, it is essential to remember that this will affect your stamina, so choosing your moments is vital to avoid expending any excess energy.
We must remember that our legs have some of the biggest muscles in our bodies. While this is great for explosive power, because of their size, these muscles will consume a lot of your body’s oxygen to produce energy, therefore taking away from other areas where it may be needed.
Another effect of jumping during a squash game is that your legs will build up lactic acid faster than they usually would. With squash being an intense cardiovascular workout, conservation of your energy when available is vital. This will all add to the lactic acid in your system, affecting your performance output and stamina when it builds up.
How Jumping In Squash Affects Your Health
When it comes to exercise and playing sports, we all know how good it is for your health and the fact that it releases endorphins in the brain, elevating your mood, reducing stress, and even helping relieve pain. However, with that in mind, let’s look at the pros and cons of your body’s health.
- Squash is a game that is very intense and incredibly hard on your joints, so when we think about adding jumping to our game; there is always the possibility of injury.
- With all the abrupt stopping, turning, and jumping, your knees are a huge weak spot. As a result, players will often experience twisted knees, ACL injuries, and even permanent Patella-Femoral arthritis that can be difficult to treat.
- The best way to preserve your body is to ensure you take care of it.
- Knee braces are a perfect layer of protection to add to your game for extra support.
- Warming up correctly is another must. Again, the use of yoga will perfectly complement your stretching.
- Using a foam roller (Available on Amazon below) after playing is another great way to look after your body and ensure a faster recovery time.
Improving Your Jump
Now that we have gone over a couple of talking points about jumping, you should know by now if it is for you or not. Deciding to use it in a game can help and even give you an advantage if used correctly, so let’s take a closer look at how we can improve our jump.
- As mentioned earlier, yoga is excellent for stretching but did you know that the extra elasticity in your muscles and tendons can increase the height of your jump?
- The correct gear can also make a huge difference. For example, something as small as a good pair of squash shoes can make all the difference, not necessarily with the height of your jump but more with the impact and stability of landing.
- You can do exercises to build strength in your legs; this will help with stability which, in turn, will not only help your jumping ability but also help avoid injuries.
- Exercises like box jumps, knee bends, straight leg raises, and single leg squats are a great way to build stability, especially when landing from a jump. The biggest thing to remember is not to push yourself if any of the exercises hurt.
Conclusion
So, after all the back and forth, yes, jumping has its place in squash; the key is to use it correctly. As long as you do not jump during a serve, it is a great tactic to employ. It is also a great way to catch your opponent off guard.
There will always be a personal preference towards your play style and the tactics you may use during a game, but jumping is a great asset to have in your arsenal when it comes down to getting one up on your challengers.
