Squash balls feature different levels of bounce and produce differing speeds of play, so it is crucial that you choose the appropriate ball depending on your level of play.
Dunlop is one of the leading squash brands, offering four types of adult squash balls with distinct colors on them and designed specifically for adults. This article will outline these options and their intended users.
Blue
Blue dot squash balls are a favorite among beginner players. Due to their soft yet forgiving feel upon impact, these balls make it easier for novice players to develop proper swing and technique while at the same time offering high bouncing rates compared with other squash ball types – making them more enjoyable to use and play with!
While blue dot balls may be suitable for beginners, it’s essential that they understand this is no replacement for practicing or training with professionals. Playing full games of squash using blue dot balls requires solid technique, agility and flexibility that matches professional players, fitness strength as well as coordination; newcomers may become disenchanted after trying double yellow dot balls but being unable to sustain long rallies due to fitness, skill or coordination issues.
There are various varieties of yellow dot squash balls, including the Dunlop Pro, Progress and Single Yellow Dot balls. Professional players, tournament and club players who rely heavily on hard hitting to maintain optimal temperatures for optimal performance often opt for this variety; Progress balls offer similar performance but at lower costs; while Single Yellow Dot balls intended for recreational players provide slightly more bounce than their Blue and Red counterparts.
There is also a selection of black dot squash balls suitable for all levels, featuring blue dots for maximum bounce, followed by those featuring red or yellow dots, and lastly with one or two yellow dots. A player may choose which ball best suits them depending on weather conditions – colder squash balls may not reverberate as much on court. To find which type is the most comfortable for you, play with each type at an arcade store or facility to see what feels good to you on court.
Red
As your skills advance in squash, it’s crucial that you use an appropriate ball for your level. Playing with balls that exceed your capabilities may make rallys harder to sustain and require greater fitness while lessening enjoyment from playing the game.
On the market are various squash balls designed for different levels of players from beginners through professionals. Dunlop manufactures many such balls that come in blue dotted beginner balls all the way up to double yellow dotted pro squash balls used on PSA World Tour tournaments.
For beginning players, the blue dotted Start Squash Ball (known as ‘Start Squash Ball) is the optimal option. Boasting up to 40% more bounce than its Dunlop Competition squash ball counterpart, this Start Squash Ball allows beginners to experience long rallies without needing complex techniques.
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, it’s time to advance with your game by switching up to a red dot squash ball – also known as a Prime Squash Ball – typically preferred by club players and providing a good balance of pace and durability. More experienced players may opt for double yellow dot balls which can be more difficult to hit off of back walls when trying out boast shots.
Yellow dot balls are known for their speed and can really push skilled players to deliver precise strikes with each strike. Unfortunately, playing above your level with yellow dots can reduce enjoyment as it becomes tiring, requires precision of agility, strength and technique and doesn’t re-bounce as often as blue and red dots; therefore it is advised that until you are confident enough in playing higher bounciness balls that the blue and red dot squash balls should be used until then.
Black
Squash is an eminently personal sport; how you choose a ball can have an incredible effect on how well you perform. To reach your full potential and ensure the fastest playback experience possible, a squash ball should be as bouncy and light as possible while still fitting perfectly in terms of size and weight. Choosing a type of squash ball often depends upon skill levels which dictate its speed of playback.
To select the ideal squash ball for yourself, take note of its surface colors – these indicate its level of bouncebackness; blue dots for beginners; red for intermediate players; and yellow dots for advanced players are an indicator.
Before playing squash, balls need to be warmed up properly for optimal results. This involves striking them vigorously several times before your match begins and hitting them numerous times, which will bring them up to their ideal bouncing state. Furthermore, it’s advisable to check the temperature of your court, since cold courts require longer for balls to warm up than more ambient environments.
Dunlop is the leading producer of squash balls, offering various models to cater to players of every level and ability. Their Pro and Competition balls are intended for experienced players and used on tournaments and PSA tours; intermediate and advanced players often opt for these balls because of their ideal blend of speed and bounce.
The Progress squash ball is a more affordable choice designed for improving players. Bouncier with 10% longer hang-time than its Pro counterpart, this ball can help players move beyond Intro balls to increase their skill.
The Double Yellow Dot squash ball is an elite professional-level ball designed for skilled and advanced players. Ideal for advanced and skilled players looking for a hard and responsive ball to challenge themselves with, the Double Yellow Dot ball has become increasingly popular during international tournaments and PSA tours for offering players who compete at those levels an additional challenge.
Green
Green squash balls are an ideal option for novice players who have yet to develop the hand-eye coordination and speed of play necessary for playing blue or red balls, yet. Being slower than their counterparts helps novice players develop slowing techniques without being difficult to control. Furthermore, these green balls work particularly well when playing in cold conditions where air, walls and floors tend to cool quickly.
As green dot balls don’t bounce as easily, when playing with one you must hit harder in order to create enough heat so it will bounce correctly – this requires skill and practice, so until your technique improves enough it would be wiser to switch up to different balls.
After your skills have progressed, it may be appropriate for you to switch up to the black ball with yellow dot – the standard squash ball used in tournaments and providing optimal speed and bounce properties – for more advanced play. It provides a good combination of speed and bounce that’s suitable for beginner club level players as they progress beyond red dots but feel not yet ready to move onto double yellow dots pro squash balls.
These squash balls are widely available, produced by various companies like Dunlop, Karakal, Pointfore, Viktor, Tecnifibre Eye Prince and Oliver. Constructed using raw butyrl rubber combined with natural and synthetic powders before being “masticated” until soft enough for molding into ball form.
Dunlop squash balls are the most widely available brand in the UK and supply tournaments with their products. There are four varieties: blue, red, single yellow dot and double yellow dot balls from this manufacturer – though many other brands exist; it’s important to try different ones until finding one that best fits you and your playing style.