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Ever arrived at a match a few minutes late? No time to get kit properly prepared, warm up and get loose, think about how you will try to play against this opponent?  This is a quick way to go at least one game to love down.

 

What is obvious here is that physically you are not prepared, rushing onto court, probably a little tired and out of breath before a ball has been struck in anger.

 

What is less obvious, is that you are also almost certainly not in the correct frame of mind to start what might be quite an important match to you.

 

A checklist to look at before your match, with time to put right any problems/omissions.

 

• Venue – have you got directions? Do you know which court you are on and at what time? Have you told the relevant people of these facts (coach, parents, supporters)?
• Opponent(s) – do you know who you are playing so that you can visualise events and look at a game plan?
• Your rackets and grips- all ok?
• Balls – have you got a couple of decent ones if you need to provide them?
• Strings – are they OK?
• Trainers and other kit – spare kit if needed.
• First aid stuff (something to deal with a blood injury is always very useful)
• Water/Energy drink for rehydration both during and after the match
• A snack for after the match, to replace energy and other elements lost in the course of a match.
• Warm-up aids (stretching bands, reaction balls etc.)

 

Depending on how seriously you treat your squash some of the above will be relevant and others not so.

 

For a club player though, getting to the club 20 minutes before your match gives you time to relax a little, get a drink ready, do a little warm up, find the court, and have a little think about the upcoming match. You may even get a 5 minute knock up before your opponent arrives to get your “eye in”.

 

If you have done the above, then you will be one up mentally. You will know that when you hit the first ball of the match you are better prepared than your opponent and have a physical advantage. What’s more, in knowing this fact, you now have a mental advantage.

 

One, you will have a good idea what you are trying to do in order to best win the match, and two you can relax a little, knowing that your preparation has been better than that of your opponent. You are already one step ahead.  On the flip side, your opponent will feel slightly unready, and your thoroughness will only increase his/her sense of frustration that they are not properly prepared.

 

If you are a serious player, and your performance is important to you, then the advantages are heightened. The below may be added to the list of criteria for perfect preparation.

 

• A tailored training plan allowing you to peak for your match.
• Adequate rest over the preceding 48/72 hours.
• Plenty of sleep time.
• A good diet.
• Be well hydrated.
• Research into your opponent, with a game plan and flexibility should it need to be changed.

 

If you can step onto court knowing that you have ticked off each factor on each list, you can have peace of mind knowing that in the run up to the match/tournament you could have done no more.

 

On discussing preparation, Damon Brown, physical trainer to James Willstrop and previously to Nick Matthew, went further. He stated that if you had prepared perfectly and done everything you could, you could walk onto court knowing that you had an advantage already, as you opponent could not be prepared better than you are. This knowledge gives you a crucial mental advantage. In a sport where margins are so small between winning and losing this head start could make all the difference.

 

So next time you are going to the club to play your league match against you nemesis, just leave 10 minutes extra time in order that you can take your physical and mental advantage through the door onto court.