The squash court ball

Squash Court Fives

This article by Howard Wiseman first appeared in the Eton Fives Association Annual Report 2000/01

A particularly useful game for Eton Fives players whilst at University where no Eton courts are available. A new Fives ball has been developed by The Handball Supplies Company that is ideal for use on squash courts. The red leather-covered ball is fast enough off the front and side walls to bring the court down to the scale of a Rugby Fives court. The squash court "tin" is lower than a Rugby Fives ledge, but still makes an excellent game with plenty of winning shots. An easy to assemble ledge/board is available for Official Matches.

Eton Fives players will find that they have ready access to a Rugby Fives style game - many areas of which will enhance their Eton Fives. Squash Court Fives opens the possibility of more schools playing one another when they otherwise play different codes, or when more pairs are waiting for courts during a fixture. The use of squash courts is a regular occurrence at St. Olave's School and at Warwick University.

Having coached Fives to large numbers of Eton Fives beginners at St.Olave's school on the four squash courts, due to the fact that the Eton Fives courts were always too full, I understood the basic value of using "non standard" facilities. At the time this was an action born from necessity - it was the only way to get new young players onto some kind of court. However, it was clear that the squash courts presented some considerable advantages in the early stages of learning to play Fives: bigger Court :this enabled a larger group of youngsters to play on the same court (3-a-side, for example). no buttress present: no obstacle to ruin the youngsters' rallies whilst they were still learning to hit the ball accurately . As soon as the buttress was missing, the new pupils developed an instant understanding of the ball swinging across the court from the left hand wall, which can take a peculiarly long time to get to grips with as a beginner on an Eton court. singles : can be played on the squash court, which exposes the pupils to more shots, and a greater sense of gladiatorial combat on the Fives/squash court. This rapidly develops their ability to strike the ball cleanly and accurately. greatest advantage of all as a coach: is the fact that you can shut a door on all that noise!

Exactly a year ago, I was playing in a Rugby Fives tournament in Devon, and a friend of mine was bemoaning the fact that it is difficult to continue with Fives whilst at University. "We have to get more students into Fives Playing Universities". At this moment the penny dropped. There is no way that either the Rugby or Eton Fives world should ever hope for pure Eton Fives or Rugby Fives to grow in the British Universities. Above all else- there is simply no need. Every University in England possesses Fives Courts!! Squash courts are almost identical to Rugby Fives courts - indeed they are virtually the same size as the large Fives courts to be found at Giggleswick School ! The only difference is the wooden floor, on which a standard Rugby Fives ball would not bounce as high as usual, and the lower ledge over which the ball must be struck. Just as Handball courts in America became the official Racquetball courts during the demise of Handball in the 1980's (this dual use effectively saved the courts from demolition, and therefore the game of Handball in America), so too can, and should, the same happen in reverse on the squash courts that are now losing popularity in England. (Ironically squash is a growing sport in the USA). The answer must surely be to play Fives on existing facilities! I know myself the benefits of playing squash-court Fives as a coach, and as an Eton Fives player (as an experienced Eton Fives player, the extra speed and stamina that the game develops is a huge benefit). Wayne Enstone, the most successful player in the history of Rugby Fives, pointed out to me that there would be a compelling argument in his opinion for making Rugby Fives courts bigger (squash court size), and lowering the board too, since this would re-address the present situation of over-long rallies that the bouncy modern Rugby Fives balls have resulted in. There would be a greater opportunity to out-manoeuvre your opponent and to place the winning shot. Altogether a more skilful game!As a result of this revelation, the hunt was on to find the ideal ball for use on a squash court. The answer was a red leather-covered Eton Fives ball. The ball is slightly bouncier than a Rugby Fives ball - this extra bounce off the side walls brings the court down closer to the scale of a Rugby Fives Court. The wooden floor, hovever does not allow as much bounce off the floor as the Eton Ball would usually display - indeed it is just like a Rugby Fives ball. The Red leather covering makes the ball highly visible, and produces an excellent contact and sound with the floor. The Squash Association have run tests on the balls, and have officially approved them, whilst pointing out the obvious warning not to use them on courts that are in a bad state of repair and that are laminating (plaster is breaking away from the solid wall behind it). Due to the smooth floors and walls, the balls last a very long time indeed! As far as the ledge is concerned, you can either play above the squash court "tin", or for a "pure" rugby Fives ledge, a rubber board that clips together across the court is being developed, that requires no fixing, but is simply leant up against the front wall. The balls and ledge are available from The Hand Ball Supplies Company.

Anyone going to a University that does not already have a Fives club, should contact Howard Wiseman at REFCA to discuss how to set up a club at their University. Warwick University already have a thriving Fives club, based on their Squash courts. They recruit the sport at each years' Freshers ball, as "Ruby & Eton Fives". Players from both codes happily participate, and half the club members have never played Fives at all before joining Warwick. It should be possible for any student to easily set up and run such a club at any University. There may well be sponsorship available to help with any setting up costs in the first year. This is the way forward at University level if the 18-22 year old bracket are to keep hold of the feeling that they are still Fives players having left school. This game can be played at any sports centre with friends who may then become interested in playing Fives on a "Pure" court!!