Why Do Squash Balls Need To Be Warmed Up?

Unlike other balls, which bounce when thrown onto the ground or against a wall, squash balls require warming up before you can play with them. This is because a cold squash ball does not bounce very high and does not lend itself to being played with. So, why do squash balls need to be warmed up?

Squash balls need to be warmed up because the air inside them needs to be warm for them to bounce. Squash balls are hollow and cannot bounce unless they are warm because the temperature of the ball dictates whether they bounce or not.

The temperature of the squash ball is critical to keeping a rally going. If the ball gets too cold, it doesn’t bounce well and can be frustrating when you’re playing a game. Keeping the ball at the right temperature is essential to its bounce. This post shares how you can do that.

Does A Squash Ball Need To Be Warm To Play?

Knowing that a squash ball needs to be warmed up and kept warm is critical to the game of squash. Trying to play squash with a cold ball will be a frustrating experience.

Like tennis balls, squash balls are hollow inside. But unlike tennis balls, they need to be warm because they can only bounce if the air inside them is at a specific temperature.

An increase in heat loosens the bonds in a squash ball, becoming more elastic and bouncing better.

A cold squash ball will not bounce well, which can be frustrating. Therefore, it is essential to warm the ball up before you start playing, as this will ensure it bounces well, and you can enjoy the game more.

Players have different ways of warming up squash balls, and what you choose will depend on your preference. However, it shouldn’t take long to warm it up, and once it’s warm, you will need to keep it warm throughout the game.

This shouldn’t be a problem because it will maintain its heat if you’re hitting it and bouncing it regularly. It is unlikely you will need to warm it up again once play has started, but if you do, you can choose your way of doing it and carry on with the game when it’s warm.

How Do You Warm Up A Squash Ball?

Players have different ways of warming up a squash ball, but some of the most common include hitting it against the wall, rolling it on the ground, or hitting it repeatedly against the floor. Of course, you can combine these if that works best for you.

When warming up the ball, the most important thing is to move it and apply pressure to it consistently and for a certain amount of time. Once you start warming it up, do not stop until it is warm, even if you combine some different movements.

If you stop applying pressure to the ball, it will lose heat, and you will need to start again.

Hit The Ball Against The Wall

To warm it up by hitting it against the wall, you must hit it regularly and quickly for at least two minutes. Ideally, stand close to a wall so you keep your balance. It can be any wall inside the squash court and hit quickly against it. Volleying works well for this.

This repeated action over a few minutes will cause the heat inside the ball to increase until the ball is soft and ready to be played with.

Roll The Ball On The Ground

If you roll it on the ground, make sure you keep your balance by standing close to a wall and placing one hand against the wall. This helps to secure your balance as you use one foot to rub the ball repeatedly on the ground under your shoe.

As with the previous example, you must do this consistently for at least two minutes to get the desired result. Do not stop after a few seconds, as this will cause the ball to lose heat, and you will have to start again.

Making sure you are comfortable is important because it enables you to keep going until the ball is ready.

Hit The Ball On The Ground

Hitting it on the ground is another option. To do this, you must choose one area of the court and ensure there are no obstructions, such as being too close to a wall or your opponent. Then, drop the ball to the ground and bounce it as hard as possible, using your racquet for continuous strikes.

Hit it in quick succession for two minutes until it is warm.

Warm The Ball Up Before You Get On The Court

You can save valuable time by warming the ball up before you start playing.

If you can, rub the ball between your fingers while changing for the game. Or you can hold it up to the heater and hot air vents in your car while driving to the courts.

How Warm Should A Squash Ball Be?

Various factors impact the temperature of a squash ball. These include how often and hard it has been hit, as well as the court’s temperature.

Some courts are warmer than others for no reason, and you must adjust accordingly. For example, you may notice that the ball loses heat after warming up. This is likely because the court is colder than others you have played on, or it could be because you are playing in a cooler climate.

Cooler courts are generally disliked because they make it harder to keep the ball warm, affecting bounce as well as how deep the balls go in the court.

If you notice the ball cooling down, warm the ball up again by applying repeated pressure to it.

Conclusion

The temperature of the squash ball is an integral part of the game. A cold ball will not bounce well and will be frustrating. Therefore, knowing how to warm the ball up and keep it warm is critical to your enjoyment and efficiency.

There are many ways to warm up a squash ball. The important thing is to choose a way that suits you and ensure you keep the ball warm. If you notice it is cooling down and losing its bounce, warm it up again to ensure maximum enjoyment and bounce.

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