Dynamic patterns of movement of squash players of different standards in winning and losing rallies

Abstract

The aim of this work was to analyse and compare the dynamic motions of squash players of varying technical abilities, and link these to the tactics that the different standard players adopt. A computerized tracking system utilized mixed images on the VDU of both the tracking surface, and the subject during competitive matchplay. Four groups of squash players were categorized Elite (international); Provincial (provincial representatives); Club A/B (players at either the A or B level in the inter-club leagues in British Columbia); and Club C/D (players at the C or D level in the inter-club leagues in British Columbia). Six competitive matches of different players were analysed for each group. Each game in each match was analysed separately and means-per-rally calculated for: positional data, X and Y; lateral and longitudinal velocities, Vx and Vy; average velocities, V; distances travelled, D; and accelerations, A. The longitudinal position in the winning rallies for all groups was closer to the front wall than that in the losing rallies (p < 010), supporting previous research and demonstrating the operational validity of this methodology. The Elite and Provincial groups had significant differences in all the velocities and the accelerations between the winning rallies and losing rallies (p < 0-10), confirming the hypothesis that their tactic was to attempt to reduce their opponents’ playing time by taking the ball as early as possible and use all of the court. The Provincial and Club A/B players had a significant difference between winning and losing rallies in their lateral positions (p < 010), demonstrating the overload tactics of this standard of player, concentrating on their opponents’ weaker side—the backhand. The Club. A/B players also had significantly lower values in the overall velocity and the longitudinal velocity for losing rallies than those for winning rallies. Although the Club C/D players did not exhibit any differences in their acceleration and overall velocity data between winning and losing, they did have a significant difference (p < 0-10) in the longitudinal velocity.