Let's Talk Squash - SUSPENDED

Viper · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject: Turning, yes or no ?

Is turning a good idea, yes or no ?
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stevecubs · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:14 pm Post subject:

Bad idea for a poll ...

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

At the pro level, turning should be allowed - they are pros and know how to handle it.

At the club level it should be banned. Turning can turn into disaster very easily. I am sure many of you have been there.

Lucas · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject:

I don't think it is as simple as saying yes or no. You can have some many different scenarios during play that it can't be so cut and dry. I think that as a general rule you should discourage turning and any other dangerous play, but I do think there are many scenarios where you can turn and play safely and having a rule for all amateurs saying you can't turn would eliminate certain options during play.

stevecubs · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:20 pm Post subject:

Well, yes, it probably is yes or no. It's dangerous, you shouldn't need to do it, if it's the only option just ask for a let. Sorted.

Lucas · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 10:10 pm Post subject:

Steve I disagree with you on this. There are situations where you may need to turn and it is perfectly fine to do so without endangering your opponent. One of the issues I really dislike about the rule in general is that is very easy to abuse. Many players will intentionally turn when receiving a wide serve to the backhand, it is much easier to turn and ask for the Let than actually making the effort to play the ball.

bendi36 · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 10:16 pm Post subject:

"Bad idea for a poll ..." pretty much sums it up. Turning to get to the ball is always a good idea but then you hav to decide whether you want the let or try to hit a winner
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nzbrendo · Contributor Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 16

I have to agree with Steve on this one, you shouldn't need to turn on a ball. If the ball has managed to get around you then you have stuffed up, the better option is to back away and take the ball around the half court line.

There are 2 benefits in this, if the opponent doesn't move off the 'T', you can get a stroke and if the opponent does clear you will have half a court in which to play the ball with your opponent stuck around the service box in the opposite half of the court, a 3/4 paced drive to the back corner should win the point or draw a very loose shot in return. Turning on the other hand forces you to play the ball from the centre of the court and, unless played well, sets your opponent up for an easy short volley (or you get a let).

Lucas · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:24 am Post subject:

According to the Squash Rules there it has been taken into account the fact that somebody can abuse the turning rule.
" 9.2.3 The Referee shall not allow a let if deciding that the act of turning was to create the opportunity to appeal rather than an attempt to return the ball."
In my experience this rule is hardly ever enforced at amateur level tournaments and almost impossible with non refereed matches.

The problem I have with saying definetly no to turning is due to the definition of turning, I do agree that it isn't a good idea to play a ball when it has wrapped around the corner, but if you follow the definition in the rules you can see there are scenarios when you are technically turning but not necessarily creating a dangerous situation:

" TURNING
(TURNS,
TURNED)
The action of the striker when the ball is followed around and the striker physically turns, or the ball is allowed to pass around the striker who, in either case, strikes the ball to the right of the body after the ball has passed to the left (or vice-versa). "

seshadri · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:06 am Post subject:

There are two issues where it comes to turning:
1. Whether turning should be allowed at all, and
2. Whether one should play the ball after turning
I am absolutely convinced that turning should be allowed, because there are situations[e.g. when the opponent has hit a serve tight to the side wall] where a player misses the ball on the first attempt, but is able to make another attempt at striking the ball after it has gone behind him and rebounds off the back ball to come on his other side. Even if he has not physically turned, this situation is called 'virtual turning'.
I am equally convinced that, after turning, the striker should never hit the ball , for reasons of opponent safety. Any referee worth his salt will award a let so long as the striker was in a position to play a good return. Striking the ball after turning may be attempted only if the striker is absolutely sure that his opponent is is no danger of being hit by his proposed shot.
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Viper · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:04 am Post subject:

It is pretty clear most people think turning is a bad thing so why is it allowed in the game ?
I personally think it is dangerous and stupid.
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Marro · Prolific Contributor Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 77

Of course turning should be allowed - not encouraged, but allowed.

If I miss the ball and it comes around me and I am able to hit it to the front wall, I should have the right to do that. In some cases it is possible that I will follow the ball around, so physically turning, not just virtually. Turning only becomes dangerous and stupid if I then choose, having not seen the position of my opponent, to hit the ball.

As with many aspects of squash, it is not having the ability to do something that makes it stupid or dangerous, but the way in which it is done. Anyone who plays squash without regard for their opponent and a "safety first" attitude is dangerous and stupid. Turning is just one more situation in which care needs to be taken.

Viper · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:42 am Post subject:

Turning is unecessary and dangerous Marro, added to that the vast majority of people agree.
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........ Squash is a drug - and remember there is always someone better than you........

Marro · Prolific Contributor Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 77

Most people agree it's not a good idea, and I am with you on that. However, from reading the comments, I would say most people also think that it has its place, so should be allowed in the game.

Viper · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:32 am Post subject:

?
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........ Squash is a drug - and remember there is always someone better than you........

stevecubs · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:41 am Post subject:

He means that sometimes it's the only way you can get the ball back, so to ban it outright would be unfair.

Just be sensible and don't hit it, take a let.

But if you attempt to turn, then ask for a let when you couldn't possibly have got the ball back (we all know people who do it), then admit it and give the ball to your opponent.

Viper · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:54 am Post subject:

As others have said if you have got yourself in a position where you have to turn then it is your silly fault, just back away, you are left with an open court anyway.
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........ Squash is a drug - and remember there is always someone better than you........

Gavster · Contributor Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 14

Banning turning is a ridiculous and unworkable idea... as said earlier, it is sometimes the only way to get the ball back.

Surely we should be more concerned with educating people (particularly beginners) with regards safe play and asking for lets!

Calsquasher · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:24 am Post subject:

The pros turn all the time and almost always ask for a let. I saw Ricketts do it against Ramy twice in one game and he just banged the ball against the side ball and replayed the point. He did scare the crap out of Ramy though who thought he was going to play it (which is a bad idea at any level).
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Lucas · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:10 pm Post subject:

It was actually John White who did that against Ramy. And Pros often turn and play the ball.

Calsquasher · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:24 pm Post subject:

Sorry, it was White who did it against Ramy in Kuwait and did the right thing to stop play. Pro or not, the safe play is to ask for a let. Why risk taking a guy's eye out? And yes, there are times when turning is absolutely necessary to retrieve the ball. Not often, but there are times.
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