Squash Box Leagues – Please Read Carefully…….

The squash box leagues at Club Towers have been going from strength to strength, with more than 100 players now participating – an amazing number!

Whether you are a long-standing member or recently joined the leagues, please do take a read of the below. There is an important change coming in the next cycle (starting 24^th August) and we ask for your cooperation with a number of items which have been causing us a few issues administratively.

Par 11 Scoring

The top 3 divisions of our box leagues have been playing to 11 for the last couple of years, and we are moving the default for matches in all box leagues to PAR 11 (point a rally to 11) from the next cycle commencing 24^th August. There are many reasons for this:

• The whole squash world standardised to PAR11 many years ago and we are one of the few clubs still playing to 15.
• Players playing in external competitions or team matches will be better prepared for the PAR11 format in these. 
• Matches have fewer points which means that all matches should be able to be completed within a single 45 minute booked session. No need to book a 90 minute session “just in case”.
• When a match is one-sided, it is less “painful” for both winner and loser. If the match finishes very quickly, extra games can then be played, maybe with a condition, allowing for a more level playing field and better enjoyment for both players (see “Being Kind to Your Opponent” below).  

Although matches to 11 have fewer points, this should be offset by increased intensity through the match. And once the box match is completed, extra friendly games can be played allowing both players to experiment with different shots and tactics.

Please speak to one of the coaches if you want advice on any of these points.

Being Kind to Your Opponent

In the lower leagues, it is sometimes apparent early in a match that you are a much better player than your opponent. Please be kind to them! Try to encourage them and enable them to enjoy the experience of playing someone who is a better player. Once the box match is won, perhaps play a conditioned game where you, as the better player, have to hit all shots to the back of the court, or similar.

Default Ball Type

The default ball in most box matches is the double yellow dot ball. However, in the bottom two leagues, where the players are typically early learners, the default ball is a red dot, which bounces more when cold, allowing a better playing experience.

Of course, in any league, if both players agree, or the default ball is not available from either player, then an alternative can be used. A single yellow dot ball is a good option in the lower leagues in colder weather.

Arranging Matches Early & Booking Courts ….

Don’t forget to try to arrange your matches early in the cycle. Most cycles last 6 weeks, so if you don’t play any matches for the first 2-3 weeks, this leads to problems later.

When you arrange your match, you must make it very clear who is booking the court. We often see instances where both players book a court, leading to an unused court and frustration for all members.

Claiming Walkovers

Walkovers can only be claimed if a serious attempt has been made to arrange a match in plenty of time before the end of the cycle. Examples of when a walkover CANNOT be claimed:

• Contacting your opponent in the last 2 weeks of the cycle only to discover that they are now on holiday for the remainder of the cycle or there are no dates for your match that both of you can agree on.  
• Sending a single text to your opponent that does not elicit any response.

So, please contact your opponents in the first couple of weeks of the cycle, and if you get no response, keep trying – maybe a phone call rather than a text.

You can then claim your walkover just before the final week of the cycle, by entering a ” W” in your box and an “X” in your opponent’s box. Please do not simply score it 3-0.

Players agreeing between themselves to enter an imaginary score, despite not having played, is FORBIDDEN and you will be removed from the leagues.

If a player has withdrawn from a league due to injury/illness, and this is clearly marked on the board, a walkover does not have to be claimed. It will be automatically assigned by the box league administrator.

However, if a player has played some matches earlier in the cycle but now cannot play you because they are injured, you will need to claim your walkover in the way described above. Again, this needs to be done before the final week of the cycle (unless your match was arranged for the final week and your opponent could not play on the arranged day due to a last minute injury).

Injuries/Withdrawals and Returns

If you cannot play your matches due to injury / illness, please write clearly on the scoresheets that you are injured. MOST IMPORTANTLY, please also indicate if you are staying in the leagues for the next cycle or dropping out of the leagues.

Note that if you drop out of the leagues and wish to return at a later date, the box league administrator will do their best to insert you back into an appropriate league.

As an example, if you are in league 3, and drop out without playing (i.e. you are effectively relegated to division 4) then you will most likely return in league 5. This is fair to players who remain the leagues and gives injured players the chance to work their way back in gently.

Promotion / Relegation

The default across the box leagues is that two players get promoted and two relegated from each division each cycle.

However, this cannot always be guaranteed! If a number of new or returning players are entering the leagues and need to be inserted in higher divisions then this has a ripple effect on those lower down. The box league administrator always tries to promote the top player in every instance, but if you finish second, then you may end up playing the same division again, albeit against different players.

Thanks for reading. If you have questions about any of the above, please send them to [email protected] and we will get back to you. Or you can, of course, catch us in the squash corridor!

Steve Davies, Matt Towers, Steve Adams and Sam Morris.