Who for the first time Squash usually concentrates on two things: the racket and the ball.
The choice of shoes is often seen as secondary.
A pair of old running shoes or the sneakers you still have in the closet will do - that's the common misconception.
But in the Sportcenter Wittenau we know from experience that footwear is the most important piece of equipment for squash.
It not only determines whether you leave the pitch as a winner, but above all whether you leave it healthy.
Respect for the plant also plays a major role.
In this article, we explain in detail what the term „non-marking“ is all about, why jogging shoes can be dangerous on the court and what you should look out for at your next match in Berlin-Reinickendorf.
What does „non-marking“ actually mean?
The term „non-marking“ refers to the nature of the rubber sole. Special indoor shoes are designed in such a way that they do not leave any marks on the floor, even under extreme friction.
Squash is a sport of extreme movements. You sprint, stop abruptly („stop-and-go“) and turn on the spot. These maneuvers generate enormous heat and friction between the sole of the shoe and the ground.
- Light-colored soles: The rule of thumb used to be: „Only light-colored soles are allowed.“ Today, this is only half the truth. Although light-colored soles are almost always „non-marking“, there are now also modern, colored soles that do not rub off. These are then explicitly labeled as „non-marking“.
- Dark soles: Conventional street shoes or black rubber soles often contain carbon black or softer rubber compounds that leave black streaks on the floor when rubbed. These streaks are nothing more than burnt rubber that bonds firmly to the floor.
Why running shoes have no place on the court
An even more important point than the color of the sole is the Construction of the shoe. Many beginners come to squash in their jogging shoes. This is understandable, but risky from a sports medicine perspective.
- The danger of twisting your ankle Running shoes are made for a linear movement: running straight ahead. They often have thick, soft cushioning in the heel and a higher sole to support rolling. In squash, however, you rarely move in a straight line. The game consists of fast sideways movements (lateral movements) and lunges. A high, soft sole acts like a lever here. If you stop abruptly to the side, the soft running shoe gives way and the risk of twisting your ankle increases dramatically. Stretched or torn ligaments are the most common injury in squash - and they often result from incorrect footwear.
- Lack of ground contact Squash shoes are flatter and harder. They ensure direct contact with the ground („low-profile“). This allows you to react faster. If you play in soft running shoes, you lose valuable milliseconds with every kick because the energy is lost in the cushioning instead of being converted into movement.
The protection of our system
At Sportcenter Wittenau, we are proud of the quality of our Squash courts. Our floors are special sprung floors. These wooden constructions are built in such a way that they bounce slightly with every step to protect your joints and your back.
The maintenance of these floors is time-consuming and costly. Black rubber streaks caused by the wrong shoes can often only be removed with special machines. In the worst cases, the floor has to be sanded down, which shortens the life of the court.
For this reason, as in almost all squash facilities worldwide, we have a strict rule: Entering the courts only with clean non-marking indoor shoes. Street shoes that carry dirt, small stones or moisture from outside into the hall act like sandpaper on the sensitive wooden floor and are therefore absolutely taboo.
The solution: renting instead of buying
Of course, we understand that as a beginner you don't want to immediately invest in an expensive pair of professional squash shoes before you know whether the Sport is fun in the long term.
This is exactly what we offer our service for. You don't have to buy expensive equipment to start with us. At our Counter we have a large selection of professional squash shoes in all standard sizes for you. These shoes fulfill all criteria:
- You are guaranteed to have Non-marking soles.
- They provide the necessary Lateral stability (Lateral Support) to protect your ligaments.
- They have a grippy sole for the perfect start.
For a small rental fee, you can play safely and in accordance with the rules. This is not only cheaper for you, but also safer for your ankles and better for our floors.
What you should look out for when buying
If you have caught fire and want to play regularly at the Sportcenter Wittenau (which we very much hope!), it is worth buying your own shoes. Look out for the following features when buying at the sports store:
- Labeling: Look for the words „non-marking“ or „suitable for indoor use“ on the sole or the box.
- Reinforced outer edges: A good squash shoe often has a small widening on the outside of the sole („outrigger“) to prevent twisting.
- Forefoot cushioning: As you often land on the balls of your feet when playing squash, cushioning in the forefoot is more important than massive heel cushioning.
- Material: The upper material should be robust (often leather or firm synthetic leather), as the shoe often drags on the ground when lunging („toe drag“).
Conclusion: Invest in your security
Squash is a fantastic way to stay fit and relieve stress. Don't let avoidable injuries or discussions about black stripes spoil the fun.
The right shoes are the foundation for a good match. Regardless of whether you bring your own or use our rental service: Pay attention to the soles. Your joints - and our hall floor - will thank you for it.
We look forward to your next visit to Berlin-Reinickendorf!
See also:
- Squash etiquette: the do's and don'ts on the court
- Understanding squash balls: What the colored dots mean
- The basic rules of squash - simply explained for your start
- Squash Doubles: Double the fun on the court?
- Tennis, badminton or squash: which sport suits you best?
- Squash rackets: rent or buy?
- Squash: Dominate the „T“