Squash originated from the ancient game of racquets, which was played in London prisons in the nineteenth century. Later, in 1830, lads at Harrow School discovered that a perforated ball that “squashed” on collision with the wall added diversity to the game. Squash emerged, expanded to other schools, and finally became a global sport.
Squash is now played in 180 countries worldwide, with plenty of diversity even at the professional level, where 12 countries are represented in the top 20 in men’s and women’s squash, including Egypt (the world’s leading squash nation), the United States, Belgium, Peru, England, New Zealand, Wales, France, Columbia, Malaysia, Spain, and Japan.
Squash has been added to the Olympic Games for the first time, in 2028 in Los Angeles. This is certainly very exciting for squash players and fans alike. Perhaps one day, someone from this school will represent the United States in squash at the Olympics!! Let’s start today!
This training course provides teachers with a basic 8-lesson course to follow and teaches the fundamentals of squash to players on any net or wall, not only on the squash court. This is a pre-level 1 training course called SCHOOL START SQUASH.
Our goal is to expand squash across the country and provide every child and adult with the opportunity to learn the sport. Squash’s growth in the United States is primarily reliant on the passion and expertise of national leaders, teachers, and coaches. They contribute to the development and maintenance of a love for the game, as well as to the growth of involvement and programming.
Ideally, each teacher completes the one-day in-person course, which equips them in greater detail, how to administer this eight-lesson course.
This online course includes 8 complete simple squash lesson plans for 1-hour Phys-Ed squash sessions. Included in the course are videos and educational info for the following…
- Simple squash techniques, strokes, and movements.
- Fundamentals of basic squash shots, drills and games.
- Detailed explanations of any safety precautions, adaptations, or limitations that are associated with playing squash in the school gym.
- Warm-up and cool-down exercises.
- Examples of solo drills that improve hand-eye coordination needed for squash.
- How to score and referee.
- Fun Games for camaraderie and to practice skills learned.
- Equipment checklist.
PLAY THIS VIDEO TO HEAR INTRODUCTION FROM LINDA ELRIANI, THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAMMING
This is your first day of the 8-lesson course. These are the items you should have prepared BEFORE your students arrive for each squash class:
- Set up the nets or/and ‘courts’ against the walls (using tape if feasible).
- Set out the correct number of racquets, balls, and safety eyewear for the students.
- We recommend that younger players start with the red mini squash ball and progress to the green mini squash ball once they have mastered ball control.
- Older students can begin with the green small squash ball.
- Set up a television or projector or carry a computer or iPad to present each informational/teaching video throughout each session.
PLAY THIS VIDEO TO HEAR THE INTRODUCTION FROM SAKORA MILLER, THE DIRECTOR OF GRASSROOTS PROGRAMMING AND SCHOLASTIC SQUASH
