Training by imitation

One of my training devices is the DVD. I watch some of the best professional matches today and from decades past on DVD and even on Bluray high definition format. Some of the best produced squash action comes from squashlive.com. The action is crystal clear and I can stop on a frame and replay a rally or a strike. I've been watching these matches now for many months, often replaying the same disc over and over again. At first I only paid attention to techniques; how a player strikes the ball and the footwork of the players. Now I'm starting to watch where the players hit the ball and when they pick their shots. From all my viewing studies, I've come to admire a few players; Jonathan Powers, David Palmer, James Willstrop, and Ramy Ashour. Every player has some quality that makes them stand out. Jonathan has a really light touch in his drop shot. He can change it at the last moment to a drive without tipping off his opponent. David Palmer is one of the hardest working athlete in the sport. He moves so quickly forward to volley the boasts that come off the front wall before they have a chance to bounce. James Willstrop has immense patience and precision. Ramy playing fast and loose has by far the most aggressive game of them all, volleying everything and hitting all kinds of angles into the front nicks. In my drills and ghosting I'm trying to imitate each of these qualities and make them a part of my game. With DVDs I can watch and imitate each of these squash techniques and movements.