Things that I am struggling with in my game

Things have been pretty hectic in the past 2 weeks on the work front – and the squash has also suffered over the past week. I need to get back to it from tomorrow with the same enthusiasm with which we had started a couple of months back.
Over the past three months I have realized that it takes supreme effort and discipline to attain excellence in any sport – it is so easy to go and play when things are good and you are rearing to go and play. It is only on bad days – when you do not feel like going for the coaching and make all types of excuses – that the real desire shows. Dragging yourself to the court on these days takes mental fortitude and calls for immense discipline!! Guess I have to learn that now and make sure that I am there for the coaching – no matter what!!
Over to some of the technical things about squash – I have realized that as we start practicing more and more, my main problems are two-fold – or maybe they are related!! The first problem is that I get too close to the ball thereby preventing me from recovering well and controlling the directions on my shots. This is especially true when I have to run back from the front to the backhand back corner. I end up cramping myself and hitting either a weak boast or hitting the ball in the tin on the front wall trying to hit a rail. Everytime I run behind now, I have to keep reminding myself not to run into the corner and hence cramp myself!! I am trying hard but – get hampered – either going too close to the ball or staying so far that I can barely manage to flick the ball from back wall.
The other big problem is that of balance – I always seem to overrun or be out of balance thereby preventing effective recovery. I understand that this also has to do with the strength in my legs and I need to get down to doing some extra exercises for my legs – things that will make my footwork faster like skipping.
So the agenda from this week onwards is going to be following:
1. Sun salutation/ yoga for overall stretching to get the body going in the morning
2. Skipping – 300-400 for 1 week
3. Squash coaching – 45-50 min.
4. Push-up’s – 10X3 sets for 1 week. The aim is to hit 50 push-up’s and then gradually increase it to 100 in 8-10 weeks.
5. Sun salutation/ yoga to cool down after the practice
Wow!! That sounds like a cool plan!! If only I can put it to work – it will mean waking up at 5.15 AM everyday to make sure that I can make it to the office on time after the exercises and the squash practice!! Will keep you all posted on this