Lichfield Squash Club: Court Safety Reminder – Awareness and Eye Protection

At Lichfield Squash Club, we are proud to see our courts busy with players of all standards enjoying the game. Squash is a fast-moving and physical sport, and like any racket sport, it requires awareness and consideration for the safety of everyone on court.

Over recent months, there have been reports of a small number of head or facial injuries, as well as a few near misses, typically involving accidental racket contact during play or players being struck with the ball. Fortunately none of these incidents have resulted in serious injury, but they serve as a useful reminder that good court awareness and safe play are essential for everyone’s enjoyment of the game.

This is not about assigning fault or blame - squash is a dynamic sport and accidents can happen. However, by following a few simple principles, we can greatly reduce the risk.

Key Safety Principles

1. Maintain personal space awareness

Always be aware of your opponent’s position before swinging your racket. If your opponent is close to you, pause and reset the rally.

2. Stop play if you are unsure

If there is any doubt about whether it is safe to play a shot, stop and call a let. Safety should always come before winning a rally.

3. Control your swing technique

Players should ensure they have a controlled and compact swing, especially on follow-through. Wild or uncontrolled swings significantly increase the risk of contact.

4. Understand lets and strokes

The rules around lets and strokes exist partly to protect player safety. If your opponent is in the line of your swing or shot, you should stop play to ask for a let, rather than attempt a risky shot. If the player is in your swinging zone or directly in the line of your shot, more often than not a stroke to you is the correct outcome.

Eye Protection

Squash is widely recognised as one of the sports with the highest risk of eye injury, which is why protective eyewear is strongly recommended for ALL players. Please note in relation to eyewear:

• Ordinary spectacles do NOT provide adequate protection and may even shatter on impact.

• Players are encouraged to wear proper squash-rated protective eyewear meeting recognised impact standards.

• Eye protection is compulsory for all junior players (under 19), in line with England Squash guidance.

Protective eyewear is lightweight, inexpensive and provides a significant level of protection against accidental racket or ball contact.

Coaching Opportunities

We will shortly be announcing new coaching opportunities for players of all levels, which will include guidance on improving technique, spatial awareness and safe play on court. Developing good movement and swing habits not only improves performance but also helps create a safer environment for everyone.

Further details will be shared soon.

A Shared Responsibility

Squash is a competitive sport, but it is also a sport built on mutual respect between players. By maintaining good awareness, understanding the rules and taking sensible precautions, we can ensure our courts remain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

Thank you for helping us keep squash at Lichfield both competitive and safe.

James Roberts

Club Chairman