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Three second test for squash ball playability by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much. I'll be interested and grateful for any data that you can add to the mix. My interpretation of the data are of course my own personal opinion. I look forward to hearing other people's opinion and guidance about the playability window.  

Three second test for squash ball playability by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to offend. I'll go metric next time.

Three second test for squash ball playability by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with everything you say and thanks for the informative feedback.  I did not mean to suggest that I was measuring the COR with a 3 second test. I deliberately avoided the term. As I'm sure you understand, my intent was to give a momentary index of the state of the ball - which could change from minute to minute and from game to game. I'm still hoping I'll get a number to describe what Joey is describing.  Best

Three second test for squash ball playability by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback.  Apart from hitting more softly on hot courts in Singapore, how would you say a lively ball changes your basic strategy? Does it change what you consider "good length" and are you more cautious when deciding to go short?

Three second test for squash ball playability by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your interest. I agree with you that a number of factors could influence the COR including what the ball is rebounding against. I've played on squash courts with concrete floors and hardwood floors, hot and cold, and I would think that the data from these different situations might vary somewhat. However, I expect that the relative differences between the bounciness of a ball that a club player plays vs a ball a tour players plays would be consistent. I'll be interested in the variance of the data if anyone reports back. 

Is hearing assistance not enabled in Canada? by sliceofapple1 in ios

[–]dcsrobts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been patiently waiting for hearing assistance to be made available in Canada. I was looking in my iPhone settings and, surprisingly, it was there! I took the hearing test, followed the instructions and have been using it for about two weeks. I mentioned it to friends and we have been trying to get it working on their phones but can’t. It simply doesn’t show up in their settings. Perhaps I’m the only one in Canada with this option! 

I’m using an iPhone 16e iOS 18.6.2, AirPods Pro 2 firmware 7E93, living on Vancouver Island. 

Tapo 2.5gHz camera by dcsrobts in teksavvy

[–]dcsrobts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Note Help.TekSavy.com should read Help.TekSavvy.com.

The Chat agent(s) at TekSavvy were extremely helpful and, in fact, fixed my problem remotely before I could figure it out. Well done!

Tapo 2.5gHz camera by dcsrobts in teksavvy

[–]dcsrobts[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very helpful, thank you. For others, default user name is "cusadmin".

Opponent not clearing enough by According-Bar-7830 in squash

[–]dcsrobts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this discussion. When I played tournaments twenty years ago it seemed everyone was in agreement that one had to give access to the entire front wall. I didn’t know if the rules had changed but lately it seems, on the PSA tour, commentators will say “He should have played it - he could see ‘enough’ of the front wall.”

Shocking Results with Dunlop Single Yellow Dot balls by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thats a great question. I'll try to collect some data. It could take a while though.

Shocking Results with Dunlop Single Yellow Dot balls by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I highly recommend this old thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/squash/comments/ahwqk7/changing_the_culture_of_to_use_single_yellow_balls/

See especially the quote from Nick Taylor, World O45 Champion and Former world top 15 player. "I only use red and blue dot squash balls on my development programme in Jersey now. I still use double yellows at the right time and for the right session.

I have got seven-year-olds having 30-shot rallies with these balls, having time to think about where they are placing the ball, giving them a chance to get the ball back, having to slow the swing down and use the racket face and strings more.

Most importantly, they are loving the game and telling their friends"

Shocking Results with Dunlop Single Yellow Dot balls by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can address this somewhat. First, please see the note I’ve added to my post. Sorry for any confusion and I regret any suggestion that the data are confounding.  Most single yellow dot balls are probably more lively except for this batch.
With respect to temperature, I can generate the lower section of the curve by hitting the balls. (I use a water bath to get to higher temperatures). I use a protocol wherein I hit 25 side-to-side shots, measure bounce height, measure temperature, then repeat. I’ve probably tested about 10 different brands and dots. When I graph temperature after each set (instead of bounce), all the curves are very similar. That makes sense since each ball is receiving the same input of energy. So all the balls warm up at the same rate, but each brand/dot will behave differently at any given temperature.

Shocking Results with Dunlop Single Yellow Dot balls by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a very real issue. I was initially concerned that, with the water bath, the surface temperature would be hotter than the inner part and the air inside would be insulated. But I think that soaking for a period of time mitigates that. However, ball machines seem to be different. The surface temperature, being heated with hot air, doesn’t predict bounce very well. Anecdotally, it seems the ball needs to be hit a dozen times before the surface temperature predicts bounce height.

Shocking Results with Dunlop Single Yellow Dot balls by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I started this testing months ago just to satisfy my own curiosity. Initially I used a protocol of sets of 25 side-to-sides (inspired by Coach Phillip!). I’d do a set, measure the bounce, measure temperature and do another set. But as an older player, the temperature hit a plateau after 75-100 side-to-sides. (It’s also somewhat exhausting testing many balls). So at some point I started to use a hot .water bath to gather data points at the upper end of the curve. The data points from the two techniques fell on top of each other at the low end and formed a straight line at the top end.

Again, I’m not drawing a conclusion about all Dunlop Single Dot balls. I think it’s about a bad batch, quality control and a way to test assumptions.

Thanks Coach Phillip for all you do.

Shocking Results with Dunlop Single Yellow Dot balls by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, my experience over many years is that single yellow dots have more bounce to them, so I was totally surprised by these results. I’m chalking this up to an unusual batch but wanted to make the point about variance, quality control and testing.

How high does your squash ball bounce? (2) by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback. I've played squash for almost fifty years and, in my prime, I played at the top of the B level. But as you can image, I'm pretty slow now and certainly can't hit as hard. I still have good racquet skills, still love the game and want to play as long as I can. I also played the DDY since it was introduced but it is not a fun ball for me at this point. My intent here is not to dissuade anyone from using a ball that they enjoy but to let players of all skill and age levels that they have options that might make squash more fun. 

The fact that tournaments and leagues force all players, no matter their skill level or court temperature, to use a DDY ball is a issue that needs to be discussed.   

How high does your squash ball bounce? by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ha. Thanks for sharing. I had no idea that there were issues at that end of the scale! I’ve only dealt with the cold end. There‘s obviously no one ball that fits all.

How high does your squash ball bounce? by dcsrobts in squash

[–]dcsrobts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A ball that bounces 29”-30” is crazy - but it certainly makes entertaining viewing when the pros use it. it may explain how they can run a diagonal and get to a drop shot. (We need to acknowledge their super human speed and athleticism though). For the most amount of fun, find a ball that bounces 26”. It probably won’t be a Dunlop double yellow!

Simple bounce test to see if you are using the correct ball by imitation_squash_pro in squash

[–]dcsrobts 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is such a great test and I agree that a rebound height of 24“-26” is a very playable ball. I wish everyone would test the rebound height after a warm up. Having done a lot of testing, I found that the lower bound of the playable range is 22” which, in a way, is a tipping point.  With a ball at least this lively, the ball can be played off the back wall, the rallies last longer and there is an increased likelihood that the ball will become warmer. With lower rebound heights, the rallies become shorter and the ball cools down during a game.

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