Prep for squash success goes beyond the court, says Faragallah

Train hard, eat well: Ahmed Faragallah (left) with rising squash player J. Yasshmita. — Faragallah Fitness School Facebook

PETALING JAYA: Squash is more than just hitting the ball - it’s also about the physical preparation that goes on off the court, says renowned fitness coach Ahmed Faragallah.

The Egyptian coach, who previously worked with former women’s world No. 1 Raneem El Weleily for 11 years, believes that being physically prepared is the foundation of long-term success in squash.

He had shared that knowledge with aspiring players during a training camp at the Ace Universiti Malaya Squash Centre of Excellence last week.

“Most players focus only on the court, but forget about recovery and conditioning. This game is very hard and tough,” said Faragallah, who owns and runs his own fitness and recovery centre in Egypt. “If you don’t care about recovery and fitness, your body won’t last.”

With this in mind, Faragallah’s focus is on biomechanics and movement efficiency, aiming to help players save energy on court and avoid injuries.

“My slogan is ‘move right to play easy’.

“Maybe sometimes during matches, it can be straight games or it can last for hours, and your body should adapt and be ready for that situation.

“My main target to focus on is the kinesiology and angle of movements. I let the players move in good lines, and return to a good line without touching the other player.

“That’s how we ensure the game is safe and also care about the other player on the court,” said Faragallah, who was also the fitness planner for former world No. 1 men’s player Karim Abdel Gawad.

For young players, Faragallah stressed the importance of nutrition and smart habits off the court.

“If you train hard and don’t eat well, you’ll get injured, that’s normal. From a young age, players must learn what to eat, how to recover, and how to condition their bodies.

“It’s not only about the squash sessions, but also the homework off the court. Watching matches, doing their core work, and eating right go a long way,” he said.

Faragallah also praised the young talents he worked with during his time in Kuala Lumpur, adding that he sees huge potential in local talent.

“But they need to understand that squash is a science, and they must learn about movement, recovery, and how to use their bodies properly.

“You don’t build champions in five or 10 days. It takes years of staying with the players, step by step, to prepare them for the next match and for the future,” he said.