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EXTREME HEAT GUIDELINES FOR SQUASH & RACKETBALL PLAYERS

As we head towards another HOT weather week please take the time to read the official guidelines to play either outdoors on the Tennis Court or indoors for Squash & Racketball.First & first most we want our members to be safe and healthy.

SQUASH & RACKETBALL PLAY GUIDELINES

Squash is an intense cardiovascular sport. The Management Team at Lee-on-the-Solent Tennis, Squash and Fitness Club strictly advises all members and guests that stepping onto a squash court during extreme or inclement temperatures is entirely at your own choice and personal risk.

While Club Management makes every effort to monitor facility conditions, ultimate accountability for physical exertion under challenging environmental conditions rests with the individual player. By choosing to use the courts when internal temperatures deviate from official recommendations, you assume full responsibility for your own safety, well-being, and any resulting injuries, strains, or heat-related illnesses.

 

While England Squash does not publish a standalone national "extreme heat" policy for squash courts, sports medicine guidelines and club best-practices stipulate the following when court temperatures spike.

  • Ideal Temperature: Courts should generally be kept between 15°C and 25°C.

  • Modification of Play: During periods of extreme heat, consider limiting the duration of matches. Increase the frequency of breaks (e.g., 5-10 minutes every 20-30 minutes) and actively use damp towels or ice packs against major arteries to cool down quickly.

  • Hydration: Drink 1–2.5 litres of fluids over an hour of play. Do not wait until you are thirsty, as performance drops before that happens.

  • Game Adjustments: Be aware that hot, lively courts make the ball bounce higher and travel faster. Adapting to a slower pace early in your session helps your body acclimate.

  • Stop Play: If you experience dizziness, excessive sweating, cramps, or feel unwell, stop immediately and rest in a cooler, well-ventilated area.

 

BEFORE YOU ENTER: THE 3-POINT CHECKLIST

  • Check the Floor: Are the walls sweating or is the floor slick? Do not play and report it immediately.

  • Check your Equipment: Do you have the right ball speed for today’s temperature?

  • Listen to your Body: Are you prepared to abandon the match the moment you feel lightheaded, nauseous, or unusually stiff?

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