Conditioning for Those Who Hate It
Most players could play better for longer if they simply had a bigger engine. And they know it. So what's holding them back? Well...have ever heard a player say "There is NOTHING I like doing more than riding the bike, running the treadmill, or doing court intervals 🤗. I cannot WAIT to do my conditioning today!!!"? Unlikely. But, the work needs doing if they want to play better for longer. Good thing there's a lil' trick to make this more enjoyable. You can combine your match fitness conditioning WITH playing squash! All you need is a training partner who is happy to follow the slightly-adjusted rules. You get the competition, banter and skill development of playing AND the match fitness benefits. Awesome. FORMAT: 1. Number of games: 5. 2. Duration of each game: 5 minutes (NOT first to 11). 3. Intensity: play as hard as your able to (if you have a heart rate sensor, make sure you're 85% or higher for most of each game). 4. Rest between games: 60 seconds (use a timer, and be honest!). 5. Scoring: point-a-rally. 6. Result: best-of-5 games, but play all 5 regardless. TOP 3 CONDITIONED PLAY STRUCTURES: 1. Second bounce length with any shot (i.e., the ball can only bounce once before the short line, but not twice); no option to take the ball short. Make sure you don't sit back on the T and wait for it off the glass. This becomes more difficult as you take more volleys and hit the ball harder. 2. Second bounce length with option to volley straight drop only; retrievals need to be second bounce length. This will get you moving forward, and across the middle with more pace to cut off the ball. 3. First bounce length (i.e., the ball can only bounce after the short line, but not before it) with option to volley boast only; retrievals need to be second bounce length. Because the balls are being sent deeper, this opens up more volley chances if can push up. Or...just play normal but for time instead of points. But remember - THIS IS FOR FITNESS. So working hard is your primary objective 🏋️.