Ummmm…well not really. I would publish a “Science of Coaching Squash” book – if there was a market. Unfortunately, the tennis market is absolutely huge, but the current squash market, especially the squash coaching part of it is tiny – I probably personally know 80% of certified squash coaches in Canada and the U.S. 🙂
The title for this blog came from a 1989 book published by Human Kinetics: The Science of Coaching Tennis. The mental training section of the book was excellent – written by Jim Loehr, so practical. The other sections were not bad, but the book lacked an overall unifying framework – for example periodization, to really assist coaches in implementing the information. Here is a link to some of the other tennis books I think are worth a read.
One of my goals in writing this blog is for it to act as a resource for squash coaches – so almost like an e-book. I am going to have a crack at outlining a very rough version of a Science of Coaching Squash E-Book that uses LTADs and Periodization as a framework by using links to “Categories” and search results – organizing them by “chapter”. This will be imperfect but a fun exercise (for me) and might give squash coaches another way to access the information on this blog. So here we go:
Chapter 1: Planning a Squash Athletes Development: The Framework – LTADs & Periodization
Chapter 2: Establishing a Positive Learning Environment – Part 1: Understanding Squash Motivation.
- Talent Identification
- Understanding Children’s Motivation to play squash
- Helping Children Enjoy Squash
- Developing top juniors
Chapter 3: Establishing a Positive Learning & Training Environment – Part 2: Leadership for Squash Coaches.
Chapter 4: Tactics First – The Key to developing Great Players
- Tactics First, Games Approach and Decision Training for Squash
- Developing “Thinking” squash players
- Selecting/Developing a Tactical Model to Guide Your Program
Chapter 5: Periodization of Technical-Tactical Training (for each phase of the LTAD)
- Developing a priority list of tactical situations
- A Progressive Approach to Starting Players off Right
- Basic biomechanics for squash coaches
- Get the grip right!
- Designing Squash Drills
- Developing anticipation and deception
- Video analysis of technique
- Video analysis of tactics (charting, notational analysis)
- Summary of the technical-tactical annual plan
Chapter 6: Periodization of Physical Training (for each phase of the LTAD)
- Basic squash physiology for squash coaches
- Correct sequence of training at practice
- Basic Nutrition for squash coaches
- Basic sports medicine for squash coaches
- TRX for Squash Players
- Core Performance for Squash Players
- Overtraining
- Detraining
- Summary of the physical training annual plan
Chapter 7: Periodization of Mental Training (for each phase of the LTAD)
- The Ideal Performance State for Squash
- Basic mental training for squash coaches
- Visualization for Squash
- Squash Psychology & Tactics are linked
- Diagnosing & improving squash mental problems
- Summary of the mental training annual plan
Chapter 8: Evaluating Your Program and Coaching
Appendix