​Non-marking shoes are required to play indoor sports such as squash, badminton, and volleyball. These shoes have unique rubber-type soles that provide good traction on indoor surfaces, but do not mark or damage wooden, carpeted or tiled floors. Shoes designed for outdoor use usually have soles made of a different ‘marking’ material and can cause damage or leave scuff marks on indoor surfaces.
 
Follow the steps below from the Zhu Badminton Centre to determine if your shoes are non-marking, and therefore suitable for use indoors.

​Step 1
 
Place the shoe so the sole is facing up and press your fingernail into the sole. If there is an indentation left behind the sole is likely made of a ‘soft’ rubber and is non-marking.
 
Step 2
 
Place a piece of plain white paper on the floor and, holding the shoe, firmly rub the sole across the paper, being careful not to tear it. If you observe a scuff mark on the paper then you do not have non-marking shoes.
 
Step 3
 
Wearing the shoe this time, drag the heel across another piece of white paper. If there are no markings visible on the paper, the shoes are non-marking. Note that non-marking shoes may also have dark-coloured soles.

​Make sure to clean your shoes before testing them, as built-up dirt and debris may leave behind scuff marks on the paper irrespective of whether or not they are non-marking. Regularly cleaning your indoor court shoes will also help ensure you have the best grip possible and are less likely to slip and injure yourself when playing on smooth indoor surfaces.

​The East Coast Squash Academy has created a table that allows players to self-select into lessons/classes/squads/clinics/round-robins/competitions/tournaments. You can use the table to determine where you’ll best belong in our programs and make the most out of your time on court, the table also includes some specific squash skills to take your game to the next level!
 
And for those who played squash prior to 2020 under the matrix system, The Academy has created a Squash Matrix and SportyHQ Calculator. Enter your matrix into the calculator to determine your equivalent SportyHQ ranking (the ranking system now used across Squash Australia).

​Squash is arguably one of, if not the most demanding racquet sport in the world! The statistics below highlight the true physical demands of a match for a professional squash player, though players of all levels will be able to relate to the many sharp changes of direction, intense bursts of play, and short rest periods involved in matchplay that make the sport so challenging yet enjoyable.
 
Check out our blog on squash facts and squash statistics infographic for more.

​Calisthenics is a form of strength training that exercises large muscle groups, requiring little or no additional equipment, and can be performed with only a person’s body weight. Examples of exercises include pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, crunches, squats, and lunges.
 
Calisthenics can be used to develop strength, endurance, balance, flexibility, coordination, and aerobic conditioning – all very necessary components of a successful squash player! Calisthenics is also a great way to burn calories, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, “Vigorous calisthenics burn more calories than many common cardio workouts”.
 
Injury prevention is another important benefit gained by including calisthenics in your training regimen as a squash player. Injuries are often caused by weakness and instability in muscles, tendons, and ligaments; and calisthenics can be used to build muscle and strengthen joints, hence reducing likelihood of injury.
 
The videos below include some examples of squash-specific bodyweight workouts (i.e. calisthenics) that you can try yourself, including workouts by top squash players Nick Matthew (former world #1) and Paul Coll (current world #4).

​Calisthenics can be performed at home or outdoors (such as during our popular Squash in the Park sessions!) without any additional equipment, and will help you avoid injury, prolong your playing career, and become a better and stronger squash player – all you need to bring is yourself!