What’s the take home message?
Make sure that players have a solid basis of general physical fitness before a return to “full on” squash specific training. At the very least, be aware that we’re coming out of a slightly disjointed time, so prioritizing athlete safety and prevention of injury is vital. Almost everyone has had an “unique” journey through the pandemic, and many have been relatively untouched, but an individual training plan to get back to full competitive mode is important.
Can we make too much of it?
Yes we can make too much of it, junior players in particular are quite athletic and robust, but awareness is key and simply returning to “business as usual” on a training front would be foolish.
Key quote (not from research)
“An unexamined life is not worth living” – Socrates
Well, an unexamined coaching career, without reflecting on best practice in these “unprecedented times”, ain’t too good either!