East Coast Squash Academy
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Covering Sydney
    • Club Locations
    • Corporate Profile
    • Careers >
      • Squash Pro Position
    • Coaching Team
    • Join Team >
      • Become an Athlete
    • Sydney University
    • Squash Practice Etiquette Infographic
    • Squash Commonwealth Games Infographic
    • Squash Statistics
    • Privacy Policy
  • Services
    • Junior Program >
      • Junior Squads
    • Uni Program
    • Adult Programs >
      • Small Group Classes
      • Training Squads
      • Play-To-Win Feedback Sessions
      • Ro-Butt Classes
      • Supervised Squash
      • Calorie Crush Voucher
      • Squash in the Park
      • Short High Intensity Interval Training (SHIIT) Sessions
    • Private Lessons >
      • Private Lessons with Aaron Frankcomb
      • Private Lessons with Mike Dickens
    • Private Video Squash Analysis Lessons
    • Private Group Lessons >
      • Private Group Lessons with Aaron Frankcomb
    • Personal Assessment
    • Coaching Clinics >
      • Serve 101
      • Return of Serve 101
    • Corporate Events >
      • Unleash Peak Corporate Performance
      • Deliberate Practice Principles Workshop
    • Memberships
    • Packages
    • Gift Vouchers
  • UTS Squash Club
    • UTS Squash
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Membership
  • Blog
  • Events
    • Gallery >
      • 2016 >
        • NSW Doubles Open Championship 2016
        • Super 7 Exhibition Match Photos
        • East Coast Junior Open June 2016
      • 2015 >
        • NSW Doubles Open 2015
        • East Coast Squash Academy Junior Open (Bronze) Jun 2015
        • Australian Junior Open 2015
        • David Palmer vs Aaron Frankcomb Willoughby Exhibition MAR 2015
        • Willoughby Junior Open 2015
        • Willoughby Open 2015
      • 2014 >
        • East Coast Squash Academy Open 2014
        • Adult Squash Camp #2 June 2014
        • David Palmer vs Aaron Frankcomb Exhibition 2014
      • Video Gallery >
        • David Palmer vs Aaron Frankcomb Sydney Exhibition 2003
        • Thierry Lincou #1 vs Aaron Frankcomb #38 Canary Wharf Classic 2007
        • Alan Clyne #25 vs Aaron Frankcomb #38 Harrow Squash Mote Classic 2009
        • Chris Ryder #33 vs Aaron Frankcomb #38 Harrow Squash Mote Classic 2009 Final
        • Miguel Rodriguez #4 vs Aaron Frankcomb #38 PSA Bluenose Squash Classic 2010 Nova Scotia Canada
        • Max Lee #12 vs Aaron Frankcomb #38 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open 2010
        • England vs Australia 2010 (Nick Matthew & Adrian Grant - Aaron Frankcomb & Zac Alexander)
        • Karim Darkish #1 vs Aaron Frankcomb #38 World Cup India 2011
        • Peter Barker #5 vs Aaron Frankcomb #38 World Cup India 2011
        • Backstage with Squash Team Australia (World Teams 2011)
        • Kaman Khan #58 vs Aaron Frankcomb #38 World Cup 2011 India 3rd & 4th Play off
        • David Palmer #1 vs Aaron Frankcomb #38 Exhibition 2014
        • Aaron Frankcomb #38 vs Josh Larkin #84 East Coast Squash Academy Men's Open Final 2014
        • PSL England - World's Strongest League
        • David Palmer #1 vs Aaron Frankcomb #38 Exhibition 2014
    • Australian Tournaments >
      • Senior Open & Graded Tournaments
      • Junior Tournaments
    • Past Events >
      • 2018 >
        • Commonwealth Games Package
      • 2016 >
        • Good Sport Holiday Camp Sept/Oct 2016
        • Super 7 Exhibition Match
        • East Coast Squash Academy Junior Open 2016
        • Junior Squash Camp July 2016
        • Good Sports Camps July Holidays
        • Willoughby Timed Event #2 12th June 2016
        • Good Sports Camps April Holidays
        • Willoughby Timed Event #1 17th April 2016
        • Willoughby Junior Open 2016
        • Willoughby Open 2016
        • Bondi Open FEB 2016
      • 2015 >
        • NSW Open Doubles Championships OCT/NOV 2015 >
          • Bondi Junior Open AUG 2015
          • Bondi Classic AUG 2015
          • East Coast Squash Academy Open AUG 2015
          • Good Sports Holiday Camps June/July
          • East Coast Squash Academy Junior Open JUN (Bronze)
          • Good Sports Holiday Camps APR 2015
          • Australian Junior Squash Open APR 2015
          • Willoughby Junior Open MAR (Silver)
          • Willoughby Open Doubles Championships November
          • Willoughby Open MAR 2015
          • Adult Squash Camp #3 MARCH 2015
          • EXHIBITION - David Palmer vs Aaron Frankcomb @ BONDI MAR 2015
          • EXHIBITION - David Palmer vs Aaron Frankcomb @ Willoughby MAR 2015
          • Bondi Open FEB 2015
          • Willoughby Squash Timed Event FEB 2015 #1
          • Good Sports Holiday Camps JAN 2015
          • Willoughby Timed Event Dec 2015 #4
        • World Squash Day OCT 2015
        • Good Sports Holiday Camps Sep/Oct 2015
      • 2014 >
        • Willoughbby Open Doubles Championships 8th & 9th November 2014
        • Willoughby Squash Timed Event #4
        • Adult Squash Camp #2 June 2014

Adult Squash Camp 2015

21/3/2015

0 Comments

 
East Coast Squash Academy hosted the third Adult Squash Camp two weekends ago, with 14 participants. It was great to have former World Champion David Palmer on the faculty. 

Over the weekend we covered the 4 key components of the game in fine detail -

Technical:
Each participant received a detailed analysis of their forehand and backhand strokes, using sophisticated video analysis technology from Squash Analysis. One of the key features is the player's swing comparison  in relation to David Palmer's and Aaron Frankcomb's swing. 4 suggestions for improvement are provided on a case-by-case basis in addition to on-court feedback.

Mental:
Marc Dussault covered our sports psychology components of the camp as well as presented Avoiding Mental Mistakes To Immediately Improve Your Squash Game.  This is not an area covered enough in sport training let alone Squash.  The Q&A session with David further reinforced the importance of mental toughness.

Strategic:
During the camp, we filmed each participant playing a match. Our coaches took notes on the match and then we passed these on to  our support team at SquashAnalysis.com so they can explain 4 areas for improvement with detailed video explanations. 

I still to this day, remember watching my first match on video and couldn't believe how distorted my view was of how I played. I believed I was doing things that I wasn't even close to doing.  Video analysis gives you an external perspective which you can't have while you're playing. It is one of the most beneficial training tools you can use and with today's smartphones, there is no excuse not to film yourself from time to time.

Physical:
We went through a structured series of routines that build into match play. Each half day session is focused on one aspect of the game (Hitting straight, increasing length, technical improvement and match play).

The weekend is aimed to give everyone a chance to be at there best for their coaching sessions and match play analyses. The handouts and manuals we give to participants provides a structured training regimen to improve physical fitness, quickness, agility, speed, strength and endurance. 

An intensive and immersive squash camp like this can be equivalent to as much as one year's development and improve - in a weekend. Of course that means you need to keep playing and focusing on deliberate practice techniques!
0 Comments

Mental Mistakes

11/3/2015

1 Comment

 
The 2015 Adult Squash Camp featuring former World #1 David Palmer included a sports psychology session called "Avoiding Mental Mistakes To Instantly Improve Your Squash Game" sponsored by Acer.
Picture
Dr Marc Dussault presenting "Mental Mistakes To Instantly Improve Your Squash Game"
Once Dr Marc Dussault presented the "theory" of the strategies, David Palmer joined in for a priceless 1-hour Q&A session explaining how he used these tips and techniques to become one of the most mentally "tough" players on the professional tour, becoming the first player in modern times to remain in the top 10 for 10 consecutive years. That feat has only been replicated since by Thierry Lincou and Amr Shabana.
Picture
David Palmer Sharing His Mental Toughness Strategies That Made Him A Squash Legend
Avoiding mental mistakes is the fastest, easiest way to improve your squash game and get past the frustration associated with playing such a technically demanding sport.

Easier said than done, but as Marc suggests - start with 1 percent improvements and see what happens!

If you'd like to read more on sports psychology, have a look at this list of leading books on mental toughness.
1 Comment

Playing David Palmer

9/3/2015

0 Comments

 
It's been a big week having to play two Exhibitions against arguably one of Australia's best players of all time, David Palmer.  The first challenge came about on Wednesday night at Willoughby Squash Club, competing to get the title back from the last exhibition 12 months ago.  

It was a see saw affair, seeing both of us going through some mental lapses and struggling to sustain concentration for long periods. I had a great start out of the blocks leading David from the word go, which became unveiled in the 3rd where David stepped up as I thought I had it won. From that moment on, the true "Marine" came out to play taking the ball ridiculously early and making me feel uncomfortable. 

Before I knew it we were back to 2 games all and I had let my lead slip.  As frustrated as I was, I didn't want to have a repeat of our last years exhibition when I was also up 2-0 and lost 3-2 in a tight fifth setter. I forced myself "in the moment" to raise my game and it was point-for-point and as we got to the later stages of the game.  

I felt David more tired than I was and gave it a big push in the tie breaker managing to sneak in with 14-12 win in the fifth.  It looked as if David's jetlag kicked in, he arrived from Germany the day prior due to a commitment to play for his Bundesliga League Team in Germany. 

Still, I will claim the win and this squared up our exhibition match-ups to one all.

The night finished with our, MC Pete Aitken, hosting a question and answer with the crowd firing questions at the Marine about his many illustrious career experiences.   

Check out the photos from the Exhibition Match With David Palmer

Following on two days later, on Friday night the 2nd exhibition took place at East Coast Squash Academy's 2nd venue in Sydney, Bondi Waverley Squash Club.  The night started with banter flying early from the crowd stirring the two players on.  Guest speaker David Wigley made both players feel welcome on court firing up the crowd with Palmer's awesome career achievements.  


The first game started with a gruellng 16:14 win to me going back and fourth several times taking the wind out both of us, lasting over 44 minutes. In the 2nd game, David came out strong attacking the ball early and getting ahead by a 3 point buffer and managing to sustain it for the rest of the game taking it 11-7.  


The third game was tight from the start with both players realising the importance of getting on top early and trying to push to take that all-important 2-1 lead.  It fell in my favour scraping  by, winning the game 11-9.  


The fourth game took me by surprise with Dave changing up his strategy by lifting the ball more and attacking early with his killer low cross court second bounce in the nick shot. This stopped my momentum as Dave managed to switch the game plan on me once more. (How many tricks up his sleeve does he have?!?!?) I couldn't come up with an answer fast enough to get back into the game losing 11-8.  


Here we were 2 games all - AGAIN and one match all in our exhibition series! It doesn't get tighter than that! 


Both of us were fighting hard extending the rallies on the hot bouncy courts at Bondi. It was neck-and-neck all the way. Dave had his first match ball at 10-9 in the fifth and I managed to control David in the rally and bring it back to 10-all with a clinging volley straight back hand drop which David was unable to return.  


At 10-all Dave and I had a massive rally with some great pick ups off Dave's aggressive two wall boasts, causing Dave frustration forcing him to make his attack more and more precise, ending in a (rare) mistake.  I then served to Dave's forehand ready for another hard fought rally but Dave uncharacteristically and surprisingly went for a cross court nick off the return of serve before it hit the side wall and hit it into the tin, giving me match point.  

The crowd reacted with great appreciation, realising both of us left nothing on the court. After the match, Dave and I sat around for a question and answer session. The last question of the night summed it up beautifully. " Dave you're an icon. I watched you from my early childhood and saw you progress up the rankings.  You were and always will be my favorite squash player. We can't thank you enough for making the effort to come to Bondi Waverley for the exhibtion with Aaron. You are a true legend and in my eyes, the best player Australia has ever produced!" 

A HUGE thank you goes out to David Palmer for making the effort to come out to Australia especially for these East Coast Squash Academy events.  THANK YOU!
Picture
David Palmer and Aaron Frankcomb Having a Q&A session at Bondi Waverley Squash Club
0 Comments

Cleaning up refereeing on the PSA Tour

4/3/2015

0 Comments

 
It's fantastic to see the PSA working hard to clean up the game of squash to make it more of a spectator sport.  Some players have a reputation for blocking, milking strokes and arguing with the referees, which is not helping the game break through for prime time TV which is necessary for it to get into the Olympic Games.  

It's great watching a match that is clean, where both players are playing the ball and clearing the path for their opponent, creating a majestic, graceful flow punctuated with artistic shotmaking and retrieval. 

The inconsistency associated with poor play and bad refereeing has negatively affected our sport for decades and it's great to see the PSA stepping up to take control and force the game in the right direction. 

Click on the link to see the great action that the PSA is taking on to clean up squash refereeing once and for all.

Click here for some videos of difficult calls the referees need to deal with.

0 Comments

    Sydney Squash Blog


    Picture

    Sydney Squash Blog Posts

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

    Sydney squash Tips Categories

    All
    Adult Squash Camp
    Amr Shabana
    Australian Open Squash Championships
    Beginner Squash Training Squads
    Bondi Squash
    Business Model For Squash Clubs
    David Palmer
    David Palmer - Adult Squash Camp
    Doubles Squash
    Doubles Squash Tournaments
    Dr Marc Dussault
    East Coast Squash Academy - Squash Camps
    Group Squash Coaching
    Holiday Camps
    Junior Coaching
    Junior Competitions
    Junior Squash Coaching
    Mental Mindset
    Mental Mindset Work Shop
    NSW Rankings
    NSW Squash Rankings Nov 14
    Palmer
    PSA Squash
    Shot Of The Month
    Sports Psychology
    Squash
    Squash Bondi
    Squash Camp
    Squash Camps Australia
    Squash Camps NSW
    Squash Camps Sydney
    Squash Club Development
    Squash Club Managementr
    Squashmad
    Squash Rankings
    Squash Statistics Infographic
    Squash Sydney
    Sydney Doubles Squash
    Sydney Squash
    Victoria Squash
    World Open
    World's Best Squash Camps

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture