Jamaica Squash’s WSF Level 2 Coaching Course on court at Liguanea Club

Twelve (12) coaches including two from the Cayman Islands began a three-day intensive World Squash Federation (WSF) Level 2 Coaching Course which is sponsored by the Federation of Pan American Squash. They began the first session Friday morning at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston – the home of the Jamaica Squash.

Experienced Head Squash Pro Colin White who was here last year for Level 1 returns as the facilitator for the Level 2 course. He is a WSF and European Squash Federation (ESF) Level 1, 2 and 3 certified coach and tutor for many years. He has taught and coached the game of squash in many countries including the US, Austria, Hungary and Russia.

“First I am very happy to come back and present this course on behalf of Pam American Squash and World Squash in conjunction with Jamaica Squash. The first day went very well. It was a little bit of de-brief and a reminder of what went on in Level 1 to make sure that the core components that are thought at Level 1, they’ve been used during the past 15 months and now Level 2 builds on top of Level 1.”

He said that during the first day which was mostly a review session covered “a little bit of fun to break the ice, we got them to do some lessons but the student had to use their non-dominant hand so it was a little bit of a reminder of the trouble you might have with a beginner who is starting and having trouble to make good contact with the ball. We also got to see their skill of delivery, what they are doing, how they engage with the person and how are they using some of the core principles that we teach at Level 1 which goes through Level 2 and Level 3, which should be game based. You are trying to teach a little bit more the intention not just a shot. You try to teach the person the what and the why you want to hit a shot and the understanding that everybody is uniquely different so you need different solutions for different people.”

“We have lot to get through over the three days but the first day the candidates really put the best foot forward. They were engaging, they were asking questions, they were interacting with me, they were interacting with each other and those are really good things to start with. They seemed to get a grasp of what it was I was trying to get across” said Coach White.

He out lined that Saturday’s second day will be among other things “about testing their skill of delivery and presenting lessons.”

President of the Jamaica Squash Karen Anderson said that the intention is to get more coaches upskilled so that they can help to grow and develop the sport among the youth population.

The three-day WSF Level 11 Coaching Course which is sponsored by the Federation of Pan American Squash will end on Sunday afternoon after an assessment of the participants court work as instructors, under the watchful eyes of the instructor Colin White.