Take it from someone who went…

One of the last home games of the squash season happened on Sunday, with the Columbia women’s team crushing Georgetown 8-1.

As someone new to the game, I started with learning the rules. However, I don’t think it was ultimately that necessary. The main things to keep in mind are:

1. Get there early. By ensuring an extra 10 minutes, you can find a good spot to watch the matches and a good place to dump your belongings. You might even start talking to other spectators and make friends during these 10 minutes—although there’s plenty of time for that otherwise.

2. As with all sports, don’t get duped into clapping for the other side. Because squash moves so fast, every maneuver is incredibly impressive to fresh eyes. However, no matter how impressive, remember which side you’re on! If they’re not wearing the Columbia Blue, then it’s your duty to remain stony-faced.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask bystanders about rules. While I went in knowing the basic rules of the game, they went completely over my head. After 20 minutes of hard thinking, I was lucky enough to overhear a former athlete who’d come back to support the team explain the rules to others. I shamelessly listened in, and she was kind enough to explain everything to me.

4. Keep your eye on the ball and the players. This may seem obvious and contradictory but it’s one of the most important rules. The game moves at a pace that’s difficult to keep track of, so watching the ball can get tiring, but watching the players can also get confusing. It’s best to go back and forth, between player drop shots (when they hit the ball on the front wall softly to force their opponent to move into the first quarters) and the ball.

5. Be aware of people trying to see behind you. It may be just this home game court, but there were no seats, and the space to walk around was limited. With short parents and young children about, always be aware that you’re not blocking anyone’s view, especially athletes trying to cheer on their teammates. Sitting on the floor or leaning on the wall are always good options.

6. Embrace the chaos. While it can get incredibly confusing, and your instinct is to keep your eyes wide open at all times, feel free to walk between the matches and take everything in. Talk to people if they’re open, cheer for your team, and check the scoreboard if you can’t see it on the umpire’s tablet.

7. Keep your eyes and ears open and be aware of your surroundings. This comes from a personal place. I got hit in the head with a squash ball when I wasn’t looking, and it came from a completely different direction. While it doesn’t hurt as much as you’d think, it is a shock. Also, keep your eyes and ears open for anything—news travels fast in such a small space, and so do squash balls.

8. Come with as little stuff as possible. Tournaments are hot and crowded. There are clear themes within this list that show you exactly what I did not do, and clearly, I did not come early or prepared with how little space there would be. I came out of that tournament sweating almost as much as the athletes because I brought my bag, coat, scarf, and hat and couldn’t find anywhere to put them before the tournament started. And throughout the tournament, I was so engrossed in the action that I didn’t want to take time to find somewhere to put them.

As this was the last home game of the season, you might not have the chance to enact any of this until next season, but I would honestly recommend it. It’s a short walk to the court, which gets you ready for the action, and there are three games to choose from at any one time. The fans are friendly and there are extremely proficient players to cheer for.

Header Image via Wikimedia Commons