Let's Talk Squash - SUSPENDED

stevecubs

From Chris Johnstone.

fionnmacual · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:55 pm Post subject:

Do we really need the service line on the front wall ?"

Not at the rate some folk like to pump the ball at it like a target, just to create tension. What is the advantage in this kind of serve, other than to put everyone on edge. "Fault, handout!" is my first reaction if the ball gets even a sniff of red paint/tape. That soon cuts out this aberrant behaviour.

Some refs/players seem to think it is akin to calling a player a cheat by stopping a fault serve and bottle it every time, the same as they do with foot faults.
Even in the old days of the second serve, a low serve caused a handout immediately.

stevecubs · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:32 am Post subject:

As a lob-server myself, I think the service line should be made much bigger.

If one of my serves clips the line, however marginally, it's invariably spotted and called by the ref - and sometimes it's called out before it's hit anything, just because it looks like it might be going out.

So I never get away with a fault serve, but those who hammer the ball at the service line get away with so many faults it's not true.

So make the line bigger, I say !!

stevecubs · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:39 am Post subject:

and hang on there - "even a sniff of paint/tape" is a fault anyway, so you're not deterring people by simply making the correct call ...

If I'm marking someone who consistently hammers the ball at the line, I know that some I'm unsure about will have been down, just too fast to be 100% certain, so calling the odd one down that was probably just up seems fair to me.

Back to the original question though - yes, I think we do need the line. If you can blast the ball at low level off the serve it would tip the balance too far in favour of the server - if you missed that first low volley the ball wouldn't be coming out of that back corner ...

Flash · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:43 am Post subject:

An interesting topic. I think I will try playing a practice match without counting the service line before I comment on its necessity. I'll get back to you.

Adrian19 · Prolific Contributor Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 230

"Do we really need the service line on the front wall ?"

Uh, what...??!! Being a bit silly are we??? What about the service boxes then... do we need those? Tin...need that? SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SSSSTTTTTTTTTUUUUPPPPIDDDDD!!!!!

So it doesn't matter how low a serve is hit to you? Intereresting.... Do the other court lines matter to you? Do you play squash or are you just hitting the ball in box? Two bounces is good with you too?

fionnmacual · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject:

Is Adrian the new Wasted? Is Adrian Wasted?

If the squash rules are being revised by WSF, it's a fair question to ask is the fault line is an unnecessary complication to the rules and causing unnecessary aggro in matches.

I think Steve is right to say the service line stops the low skimming serve that is used in racketball/gaelic-handball that would turn squash into tennis as there would be too much advantage to the server and hence fewer rallies.

I also agree with Steve that people call lobs and lob serves out prematurely just 'cos they look like they are going to go "out". And people accept such calls without question.

Whereas people who serve at the line expect them to not be called and get their backs up when their opponent appeals it or the ref calls it. Just the same as some people get offended if someone calls a foot fault on them.

stevecubs · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:13 pm Post subject:

Whoa there, I never said I accept without question pople calling my serves out before they drop just in !!

Actually there's normally no need for anything other than a hand on the hip and a wry grin up at the culprit, who usually has a quick check with others on the balcony before responding with a sheepish "sorry, play a let ...".

But, if they don't have the guts to admit their mistake .... then I get nasty !

But Fiona's right ... low servers are almost invariably aggrieved that anyone should dare to question their accuracy ...

Adrian19 · Prolific Contributor Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 230

Adrian19 · Prolific Contributor Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 230

Guest · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:01 am Post subject:

I agree with Adrian. Not even at the top level but A grade club the serve doesn't matter. Get it close to the side wall that's it so they can't nic it. Even the best serves are returned easily in A grade mens.