It’s Finals Week!

There’s a lot of excitement in the New York squash community this week, as various teams gear up to play in the inter club league finals. Captains are finalizing their rosters, players are fitting in one more good match, and everyone is keen to see who the winners will be. And while the city has a number of annual amateur tournaments, the leagues are the only team event, and the finals can be pretty raucous. This is as it should be. We have chosen to play an individual sport, so it is unusual when the pressure we all feel to play well is shared, when the wins and losses of someone else directly affect our own outcome.

The finals are also different from the regular season ties in an important way. Often, because of schedules and commitments, teammates don’t get a chance to watch each other play. During the finals, the whole team, as well as supporters will be in attendance. And the biggest effect of that is that there will almost certainly be someone there to talk to you between games.

Here are a couple of things that will help you all work together to get the best result.

Before you start warming up, figure out who your coach is going to be, the person you’re going to be talking to between games, and:

• Tell them your initial game plan so that they can watch for it and help you assess its effectiveness

• Tell them whether you want to talk to them between every game, or only if you indicate that you are open to their input

Coaches, supporting a teammate in an individual sport is challenging. In the end, it is about what that one player can do on that court, on that day, against that opponent. You can help by keeping them focused on the present, on repeating what works and detouring around what is causing trouble.:

• Have some water ready and allow them a few breaths to calm down

• Ask how they are doing and if they have thoughts about what to do next - it might be simply “Carry on”

• Do what you can to focus them on the next game, not bad calls, a lost lead, etc.

• Be prepared to give concrete feedback on the plan (whether it’s Plan A, or if you’re now on Plan B, C or D)

• Finally, if there are other teammates with you, ask them to watch for additional things like where is your player making unforced errors, winners, or letting their opponent off the hook and have that info in your back pocket

• Keep your communication brief and specific. And give them space (and quiet) before they have to get back on court

Good luck everyone!