G EVOLUTION* A different way of helping squash players evolve and change
In July I Presented the G Evolution process to the Catalan Squash Federation and a reduced number of their coaches in course entitled “A SQUASH COURSE FOR COACHES - Only For Coaches willing to think out of the Box”.

The question being : Is the challenge in teaching or having players learn and evolve?, teaching does not automatically equate to learning. The Gevolution process is focused on learning and transforming.

Now the Catalan federation is doing a second course with experienced coaches. We will do a study comparing the changes in pupils who are using normal training methods and those using the G evolution process

After writing my book “The G Spot, A Book about Squash” I have been experimenting and researching with sports science concepts for the last 3 years. Differential Learning from Wolfgang Schollhorn (University of Mainz Germany) and Deporte & Complejidad (Sport & complexity) written by Natalia Balague and Carlota Torrents (Barcelona Sports University I.N.E.F.) who also lead a sports science research group by the same name. I was also invited to participate in their recent research group weekend conference.

Here are some of main concepts I have been experimenting with for squash. Differential Learning and working in the present (Schollhorn). He has scientifically proved (in multi discipline training tests) that repetition is the least effective road to change… He also says that age is not a limiting factor for change, our experience with squash with players from 11 to 64 yrs old coincides with this. What does this imply for squash training where repetition is ever present?.

From Balague & Torrents, I have been experimenting with working with constraints (limits) which I have related principally to the primary movements (swing, body position, movement to and from the ball watching the ball and the tactics) although there are many more. The concept of Caos – Caos is when the primary movements lose their form or structure (both in training and matches), so basically those moments when we have that feeling that we’ve “lost it”. I have been looking at how caos effects learning and our ability to retain a new or changed movement or habit? They also talk about how each movement or habit comes from a neuron path or cell memory that we have created. Can and how do we create a new habit?

They talk about the tendency in modern sport to isolate the different aspects of the sport and train them separately in the hope that they come together in match context whereas we should be looking more at understanding how their interrelationship leads us to perform at an optimum level.

These ideas has lead me to look closer at how we watch the ball and the following questions. Can we teach watching the ball? Can we improve how we watch it?. What are the different parts or areas that make up watching the ball? Are we watching the ball in the moment of impact – does hitting the ball imply/equate to watching at the moment of impact? How watching the ball relates to our movement and orientation in space. I have also been researching the relationship between insecurity/doubts/fear and watching the ball. Does insecurity lead to disconnecting our eyes from the ball? What comes first insecurity, doubts or fear that lead to disconnection or is it the other way round - disconnection with the ball leads to insecurity, doubts or fear?. Is how we watch the ball related to our ability to create improved movements or habits?

Another question I have asked myself is what if the habit we have for hitting the ball or moving is based on moments of insecurity went we were learning, does this condition how were are able to evolve and improve?

The G evolution process also appears to have therapeutic value. I have been working with teenagers with Cerebral palsy, Dispraxia y orientation in space difficulties and they all have made surprising changes. It is too early to generalise about the therapeutic value but it something we are actively working on. My son Liam has a very slight cerebral palsy and a lazy eye, With his permission we’ll be sharing a case study about his squash evolution.

“Squash Project” on the Costa Brava is first squash academy to integrate the G evolution concept into their training programs. “G evolution simply opens new doors into ways of helping players change. After 1 month using G Evolution we are already seeing clear changes in some players ” Xavi Blasco, Squash project head coach

https://www.facebook.com/498407267207603/photos/504364499945213/

On court with Ona Blasco, US Open Under 11, Under 13 Nº1 European ranking & Spanish Champion

In the G evolution course and process, Tony challenges conventional thinking and training methods. His focus is on players learning and not teaching them, it leads to change!. It is based on sports science concepts and not intuition, so it takes the coach and players to a clear understanding of how transformation occurs, it is not random.

I have been coaching and watching coaches work for more than 30 years so over the last 2 years I have been following special interest his research and the development of G evolution. I have seen changes in Tony´s son Liam who has slight cerebral palsy and orientation in space issues that I did not think were possible. He is also working with other teenagers with Dyspraxia and motor neuron difficulties and they are also making surprising changes.

I fully recommend the G evolution process for anyone looking to make real changes. It is fascinating!
Albert Casanye - Squash Club Owner and Distributor Tecnifibre

Sad news, Dardir El Barkary passed away in August in Egypt ( http://www.nzsquashhalloffame.co.nz/dardir-el-bakary-gallery.html ). I remember as a youngster the excitement when heard that the Egyptian Dardir was going to do a coaching clinic in our small club. I still remember marvelling at the way he floated around the court in his black and red flared tracksuit pants. He made the ball talk. He was both educational and entertaining. I now realise that was his secret. Quite a few years later I organised for him to come to Barcelona and train our team. He had the same passion I had remembered and was still looking for new and improved ways to help young players improve their skills. He had just thought of a new metaphor to describe what was a good swing or racket movement. He likened it to the way an Italian ice cream cone is made. Apart from the metaphor, the wonderful thing was the sparkle in his eye and the excitement in his voice when he explained it to me. That´s probably why it has stayed in my memory. Rest in peace Dardir, Maestro and friend. Thank you for all that you have given to our sport. After publishing my book, "The G Spot, A Book About Squash" I wanted to give a copy to Dardir but no one knew where he was or had heard from him for quite a few years. After quite a few phone calls it became clear that he had been living on Australia´s Gold Coast. I enlisted the help of my sister and friends in Queensland. Finally my sister spoke with an Iman on the Gold Coast who had been in contact with him. He said that he had not seen him for a couple of years and thought that he had returned to Eygpt. Though facebook I contacted with squash people in Egypt and eventually found out sadly that he had passed away in August.

Testimonials

'Tony Griffin takes us with him on a personal journey of enquiry into key squash ideas. These he explains, follow from his concept of the G-Spot. He takes a fresh look at familiar topics and investigates what factors affect the optimal hitting experience. The question Tony poses is, ‘how to make this both natural and effective?’ His ideas, experiences and influences come together into an important work which will challenge inquisitive players and thoughtful coaches to rethink some familiar concepts.

While the G-spot is all pervasive in many of the discussions, Tony also throws in advice and innovative methods on such things as how to maximise the chances of 'lucky' back corner nicks and the elimination of 'free shots´.

An interesting journey, challenging analysis and entertaining anecdotes make it a timely addition to squash instructional writing.’

Ian Mckenzie

Editor

The Squash Player magazine

What a fantastic resource for coaches and players alike.  This comprehensive guide is a must for those who wishing to give squash enthusiasts the fundamentals of the game. Like anything mastering techniques and having a good understanding of all the facets of playing squash will not only improve your game but give you so much more enjoyment . I commend Tony on his ability to bring this all together. 

Dame Susan Devoy,  
Winner of 8 British Open and Four World Open Titles

Writing a coaching manual on any sport is difficult. Tony has succeeded brilliantly here by writing clear, easy to understand descriptions of how to learn to play and develop all the basic shots played in squash. His book importantly includes pairs routines, mental fitness, exercises, warm up routines and stretching, making it a complete coaching manual. The illustrations are a great addition.  They capture in detail exactly what Tony is explaining. The catchy title lends itself very well to the way the book has been refreshingly written.
Ross Norman 
Former World Champion.

This a great book for all levels . Nice anecdotes and a good technical focus with lots of insights . A good read with a different twist from other squash books " 
Liz Irving 
Former world nº 2 and coach of 7 times World Champion Nicol David

I have always believed that squash is about where and how you hit the squash ball. Tony's book explains this simply and clearly. He also talks about  some of the finer points of squash that many players do instinctively without really understanding the full reasons behind them. I love the fact that the title of a book about squash can put a smile on people's faces. 
Stuart Davenport 
Former world nº 3

Some years ago Tony talked to me about writing a book. I am very happy that he has finally managed to do it and share his fasinating vision of our sport. He is a master at analizing the many aspects that make up squash. This is a great opportunity for all those who love playing squash to  gain a deeper understanding of  the game and define areas in which they can improve. 
Elisabet Sadó Garriga,  
Former British Open under 14, 16 and 19 Champion, 7 times Spanish Champion and 10 times Catalan Champion.

Tony is a wise man of our sport.  He has a natural and instinctive way of understanding  squash that comes from years of playing in tournaments and coaching.  His experience and personal approach has allowed him  to become an excellent coach. Many of my achievements are thanks to the way he is able to adapt his knowledge to each individual player. I am very happy that he has decided to share some of his “know how” in this book. Oriol Salvia Corcoll, 
12  times Catalan Champion, 2 Times Spanish Champion and winner of 2 PSA Tournaments.

Here are couple of pages with illustrations

Here it is!!

"While doing some solo training I saw the relationship between the shoulder of my racket arm and the point of impact of the racket with the ball. I realised that if I had my racket prepared and could move my body to a position so that the ball was perpendicular to my shoulder it would go where I wanted it to almost every time. I also started to understand the reasons why the ball had not gone to where I wanted it to. This understanding is what  I have tried to explain in this book". 

"The ideas in this book have come from a constant and ongoing learning process that seems to have no end. It is the result of collecting ideas from many different people over the years, playing and watching hundreds of games of squash, and trying to understand and put together the many different details that make up squash".