Ville Leppanen, Head Coach at Blackheath Squash Club since 2015, works in the music business when not on court. A native Finn, he once sang Finland’s national anthem at Anfield before a Euro Qualifier between England and Finland. His coaching philosophy is to help people find more tools to increase their enjoyment of the game.
Post Lockdown - restart your squash safely
Ville Leppanen • April 6, 2021
Ville Leppanen - Head Coach - Blackheath Squash Club
Tips to get you safely back on-court & reduce injury risk
With Blackheath Squash Club hopefully due to reopen soon, members may want to prepare for the resumption of squash. Below are some tips from Ville, Head Coach at Blackheath Squash, to help you safely back on court after a long break away from the game!
Over the past few months my training routine has included solo movement drills or "ghosting" - playing an imaginary game on your own, without a ball, swinging at thin air while working on movement patterns - in Greenwich Park. Having provided daily public entertainment to bemused passers-by, I'm now very excited to take my training back indoors when Club reopens on 12th April...! ;-)
Squash is an explosive sport about which the oft repeated mantra is that you don't get fit by playing squash, you have to get fit to play it. The macho sentiment appeals to some, but there are many more ways to play and enjoy the game, and it all starts with choosing the right kind of ball.
The competition standard is the double dot yellow. It doesn't bounce much and is probably a little too dead for the majority of ordinary club players. The game becomes rushed and jerky as players scramble around in short, mad bursts chasing a dying ball. Playing with a single dot, which bounces more, lengthens and slows down the rallies, helping even very good players become much better players. The even bouncier red dot and the very bouncy blue dot are fantastic for intermediate players and beginners.
In addition, you can impose conditions on your games like hitting above the service line only. A warm up game hitting above the service line is a great way to start each session. It's nice and relaxed, gets the heart going and makes you think about placing the ball, which often gets lost in the mad rush of a "blast it and hope" rally.
As we head back to Club, use these two ideas to gently ease your way back into squash. Your body will thank you. Play obviously being restricted for a little longer, most of us will only be able to enjoy solo sessions. If you're stuck for ideas on what to do on your own, email me and I'll be happy to send you materials. Combining movement drills and target hitting over 40 minutes can be a tough and fun workout.
I'm excited to get back into coaching and can't wait for the green light to start the group sessions. In the meantime, if you fancy a string of one to one sessions to Restart Your Squash, please get in touch via email ville@theanimalfarm.co.uk or on the phone 07939007224.
Ville Leppanen
Annual court maintenance - Club closed 8/9/10 April
2025 Club Tournament registration is now open to full members
The popular Ladies Sessions continue each Sunday @ the same time of 5:30pm. The sessions are open to ladies of all standards and currently no membership is required (although welcome). So, if you are a complete beginner who would like to try out the game, or a competent player looking for a "knock", why not pop along for a session of fun and exercise, do some stretching and play some squash. Please make sure have non-m arking trainers and bring a racquet if you have one, if not we can loan you one for the session. The session is £5 to attend and lasts from 5:30pm until 7:00pm. #Women'sSquashweek #SquashGirlsCan follow us on Instagram : blackheath_womens_squash For more details email me @ ladies@blackheathsquashclub.com Pam X
