If you can keep the ball in
when the opponent cannot,
If you can trust your drop shot
and play it reasonably above the tin.
If you can rally and not be tired by rallying,
or be deceptive, with a hold and flick,
or be aroused, but still accept no let calls against you
And don't play too fancy, nor argue vehemently.
If you can visualise - and not make visuals your mistress;
If you can plan - and express those plans despite distress;
If you can meet with prosperity and scarcity
And treat those two outcomes just the same;
If you can suffer to hear the facts you've spoken
Misinterpreted by fools making them seem wiser,
Or discover the efforts you put in, unfulfilled,
And refocus and restart your training again with an old racket.
If you can hunt for the crosscourt volley nick roller
And risk missing and leaving yourself open,
And miss, but recover and scramble to the next shot
And breathe calmly as you run rapidly;
If you can strive with cardiovascular capacity
Beyond self doubt about your tenacity,
And continue onwards and upwards with a defensive lob
To give time to recover the T for their next stroke.
If you can thank the officials and spectators graciously,
And be humble in victory, and generous in defeat,
If neither opponents nor administrators can hurt you,
If all stakeholders count on you, but none too much;
If you can fill the tie breaker in the fifth game
With the stuff of your life,
This squash court is yours forever more,
And - yes let's be a player of squash my friend!
by David Jarvis 20th May 2022.
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proverbs of squash the wall by david jarvis june 2022
Whoever does not train purposefully does not improve.
An athlete is heroic when their movement does all the talking.
From getting to the ball to hitting the tin is just poor shot selection.
From a loss versus one opponent to a victory over that opponent is many training sessions.
During competition an athlete forgets about the past, attends to the present and makes no predictions.
The released dart : Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Truthful counsel may evoke bitterness, but it is sweetness planted.
If you loan your racket to a friend and they break it, what will they do?
An athlete is not a referee, let others officiate.
A skilful player whom is angry misses more often.
A pessimistic player with two options for shot selection will miss them both.
Provide good when it is in your power to act well.
An athlete whom visualises successfully becomes a more successful athlete.
When your sport costs more money than you earn competing, it’s called a hobby.
A ball that you hit can be hit again, but a word that escapes your lips cannot be recovered.
Your training partner has another training partner, and your training partners training partner has another training partner, so know when to keep quiet.
