The Clock is Ticking!
by Nick-at-Will

THE SQUASH CLOCK...AT THE TIN!

October 2, 2013 - Why do people watch sports? Why do they watch at all, let alone pay enough attention in order to support an international sport (squash) industry with its own specialized media and product-endorsement dollars?

Playing a sport is fun...but we have never quite understood how anybody can be as entertained by watching sports as can be derived from playing a sport...especially (we believe most will agree) when it comes to our great game of squash!

We believe squash-players (for the most part), are participants...not spectators! Not that squash isn't a great sport to watch from time to time on the all glass court with spectacular lighting, replays, etc., but we don't believe being a spectator can be compared with being a participant. This is especially true (even among the most passionate) when games/matches go on - and on - and on!

Even though it was decided to lower the tin, change the scoring to 11 points PAR scoring...presumably hoping to "shorten" games and matches, (for the spectators), there are still a good number of matches (at both the men's and women's pro level) that extend way beyond a normal human being's attention span. Most physiologists agree that healthy adults are unable to sustain attention on one thing for more than about 40 minutes...give or take.

Viewing the results of some recent pro-squash events, we found that over 27 matches went way beyond (over 60 minutes) the normal attention span., i.e. a range of from 63 to 104 minutes...over twice the time of the normal attention span! And...in the recently held Malaysian Open alone, 14 men's and women's matches ran way over 60 minutes. And in the recently concluded San Francisco Net Suite Open, eight matches went over 60 minutes...including the finals!

What's the answer? Perhaps its giving serious consideration to putting a "clock" on professional squash matches! This could accomplish a number of things...not to mention keeping matches within the "reasonable" attention span of most viewers.

For example, if a clock were to be into play...say 12 seconds allowed before a player must serve - and a limit of 12 minutes allowed per game, match times could be kept to a 60 minute (plus or minus) time period. Just think of the excitement created when in the fifth game, the "clock" is ticking down...11 minutes and 50 seconds to go and the score is tied...wow! Will the match end in a tie, with the server being the eventual winner...or will a last second miracle shot end it all!? Exciting!

Regarding the score, there would be no limit to using a mandated five-game format...every point counting to sudden death, no set! This would result in both players fighting for every point throughout the match, not wanting their opponent to establish too much of lead, having the match get out of hand and out of reach.

Employing the above could also result in a couple of other very important important objectives. The "media" would be able to plan on commercial time, the organizers could schedule facility and social events appropriately, etc.

And just perhaps, using an "on the clock" system may just result in our great professional squash-players adding years to their playing longevity, not having to play marathon matches when the fatigue level goes way beyond human physical, mental and emotional tolerance...a perfect recipe for short and/or long term injury or worse...premature retirement! "The Clock Is Ticking!"