Entry to Squash On Fire

Please wear a mask- Everyone coming into Squash On Fire will be required to wear a facial covering at all times including when playing squash and using the gym space. The only exceptions to this are for solo squash sessions when players are in an enclosed exclusive space and when café patrons are seated and actually eating or drinking.

Court time will be booked in 60 minute blocks, with play ending at the 15 minute countdown. This allows time for a thorough court cleaning between play sessions.

We now have a ball machine available for rental when you book a solo play session. The machine can be reserved in advance by emailing manager@squashonfire.com or by calling 202-241-2233. You can also request to use it when you check in for your court. However, making a reservation in advance is recommended to increase the chances of the machine being available. The charge for renting the machine is $25 per session. A Squash On Fire staff member will set up the machine for you on your arrival and explain the procedures for its use. Please be aware that one of the requirements is to wear eye protection.

Furthermore, we now have Video Analysis available! Record your play session and then you and a coach will analyze the footage and come up with a training plan to optimize your game!

For players with squash reservations the gym area is available for you to use before or after your session. Please adhere to the social distancing guidelines set up in the space. We have also partnered with The Fit Files to offer personal training sessions. Email The Fit Files at thefitfiles@gmail.com to book your session and you can learn more about their programs here.

We are excited to announce a new set up for Round Robins. These sessions will cost $33 per player and have a modified format to adjust for COVID-19. This includes short built in cleaning windows on each court and a more structured playing schedule for every player during the 90 minutes. To maximize the experience we are also limiting the number of participants to 12.

A brief overview of the new format:

At the start of the Round Robin the group will split the players into 4 groups of 3 players each.

Each group will be assigned a court and will be complete three matches on that court over a 25 minute period as follows:

A vs. B

A vs. C

B vs. C

Once the first 25 minutes is over there will be a 5 minute cleaning window during which time the coach will assign 4 new groups of 3 players each based upon the results in the opening series matches. The same playing process will then be repeated (A vs. B, A vs. C and B vs. C) over another 25 minutes before a further cleaning window. The Round Robin will conclude with a third and final 25 minute playing period where the players will be placed into 4 groups for the last time and again play three matches on each court.

This means that each participant in the Round Robin is guaranteed 6 matches over the duration of the entire session.

Do you intend to play in Round Robins regularly? If so buy a 10-pack of round robin credits here and each session is only $29.

Please stay tuned for more details about when Round Robins will be available in the booking system for you to participate in.

If you have any questions about Round Robins please feel free to reach out to whopton@squashonfire.com

Squash On Fire Player Network

Are you an early bird who likes to play in the morning? Perhaps you prefer a lunch time game to break up the day? Or maybe you’re just looking for a new squash partner to fit your new schedule. Join our Squash On Fire Player Network! We are available to help you find playing partners and so if you’d like to participate please complete a short questionnaire by clicking here. Contact whopton@squashonfire.com with any questions!

Squash On Fire League

We are excited to announce the Winter 2021 edition of the in-house Squash On Fire league. The structure will promote balanced match play in a competitive but fun environment! The league is running on Sunday evenings at 5 pm starting from January 24. Teams will field a match-day roster of four players each week.

• Teams can field a roster totaling 13.3 US Squash rating points or less. That maps into fielding rosters ranging from beginners to relatively advanced players. Overall team rosters will have 7-9 players each.
• Because the rating cap will be strictly enforced, matches will be competitive and balanced!
• Don’t have a rating? Don’t worry! We’ll assign you an initial rating and, after a few matches, you’ll have an official US Squash rating. To get a general idea of your rating, see the descriptions at https://www.ussquash.com/participate/rating-criteria/.
• All players need to be paid US Squash members (see https://www.ussquash.com/participate/join/).That's $99 for 12 months starting from whenever you join. If you played last season, your membership is likely still active (check your US Squash profile).
• Players also must have an account in the Squash On Fire system and have a payment method on file. This is very important for liability reasons.
• Dues will be $17 each time you play (and only when you play)
• Indicate your interest by emailing Cory Capps at corysc@gmail.com and whether you’re willing and able to be a team captain.
• If there are particular people you want to be on a team with, let Cory know

New protocols to help keep all participants as safe as possible:

• All players will have their temperature taken upon arrival at Squash On Fire. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 F or higher will be asked to leave.
• To reduce milling around, each individual match will have a scheduled start time and designated opponent.
• Between each match the Squash On Fire team will use our HX Pro machine to disinfect the court surfaces.
• Matches will be self-officiated with no 3rd party referee.
• Currently it is a requirement for masks to be worn at all times while in the facility and this includes on court. The only exception to this is when you’re actively eating or drinking at the café. If the mandate from the city changes, Squash On Fire’s policy will be updated accordingly but for now please expect to need to wear a mask to play. Squash On Fire has a number of athletic masks from Reebok available for purchase. These do make a big difference in terms of perspiration absorption and breathability

Squash On Fire Ladder

The 2021 Winter Ladder will run as a 10-week tournament from January 11 - March 20. A new addition to the Winter Ladder will be bi-weekly Sprint series. These will create more competition within the competition and give players the opportunity to win prizes every two weeks along with the overall season long spoils! In order to generate the most enjoyable and engaging environment for all the participants potential ladder divisions will be decided upon once we have a clearer idea on who would like to play. The goal is to encourage players of all ages and skill levels to take part! This mantra will also apply to the formatting of Ladder Nights that we anticipate running at the end of each Sprint series.

How it works:

Signing up: To sign up, log in to your AB account here and purchase one of the Ladder packages below. All packages cover administrative/organizational fees, weekly communications and prizes.

1. Winter Ladder Package: $50 – Covers entry into the Winter Ladder.

2. Winter Ladder Pro Package: $200 – Covers entry into the Winter Ladder and 15 off-peak play credits (usable at all times aside from 6pm - 7:30pm on weekdays and 9am - 11:30am on weekends) to use during this ladder season.

Booking matches: Before the ladder starts on January 11 you will be sent your official Ladder link so you will know who is participating and have their email addresses. You can then get to work on submitting challenges to others and scoring points!

Scoring: The points system is designed to incentivize a lower-ranked player to challenge and beat a higher-ranked player and move up the standings.

Points distribution works as follows:

Ladder match played = 1 point to each player

Result of play = 3 points to the winner, 0 to the loser

Beat a higher-ranked opponent = x2 total points

Sprint series: Every 2 weeks, we will host a different Sprint series with the theme and prizes for each series being announced prior to the start of that particular Sprint! The prizes will range from new Pro Shop gear to free café items to doubling your match points! To end each Sprint we will host a Ladder Night so you can earn some final points and enjoy some café specials with your fellow players and friends!

Rules:

• Due to our cleaning procedures before and after play, please arrive on time to your designated court. If you need to warm up, the 3^rd floor mezzanine is available to run, bike and stretch prior to or post play.
• All bookings are 45-minute play sessions with a 15-minute cleaning window post play. Please respect these times which allow us to properly sanitize the courts and seating areas for the next booking.
• Pending future updates from the DC Mayor’s office, masks should be worn at all times in the club including when you’re on court. Athletic masks are available for purchase at the front desk. If you don’t have one yet, they are recommend for both excellent perspiration absorption and breathability.
• A match is best of 5 games. Results of your match should be reported on a ladder scorecard and returned to the front desk team. The team will enter the scores immediately to keep the ladder standings as up to date as possible!

If you have any questions related to the ladder please reach out to Brian Edling at bedling@squashonfire.com

Adult Workshops With Coach Ronny on February 20

Stay tuned for more information on the next workshop!

Please feel free to reach out to Ronny directly with any questions about these sessions at rvlassaks@squashonfire.com

Contact us

Squash On Fire Invitationals

The next Squash On Fire Invitational takes place on Saturday, March 20:

• All levels welcome
• There will be staggered start times as follows: 1 pm, 2:40 pm and 4:20 pm. You’ll play all your matches during one period lasting 1hr 30 mins so you won’t need to be here for the entire duration of the event
• You’re welcome to let us know if you have a preference for a particular playing window
• Players will be grouped based upon level so you’re guaranteed to have three well balanced matches
• Courts will be disinfected between each match
• You will only interact with the three other players in your group. This is to help minimize the mixing of players and maintain as safe as possible an environment within the space

• The entry fee is $50 which covers prizes, admin, court fees and access to a special offer at the Upper West Side Café
• Minimum age 14

Click here to register

Our Squash On Fire Invitational Series is a great way to meet new players and gain competition experience! Players will be split into divisions based upon level, and all entrants guaranteed a minimum of three matches! See if you've got what it takes to be crowned the champ and compete for a chance to win some great prizes along with top bragging rights. We will be hosting several of these throughout the year on Saturday afternoons. To receive updates about our next tournament, email manager@squashonfire.com.

Friday Nights With Coach Ronny

Want to take home first prize by outwitting your opponents with your control and touch then Ronny's 3/4 Court tournament is the event for you!

From 6 - 7 pm on Friday, March 12 you'll get to compete against 3 other players of a similar skill level. However, nobody will be able to hit the ball into the back left hand corner of the court! All matches will be played on time and so you'll get to be on court for the full hour.

There are only 8 spots available so don't delay in entering!

The entry fee is $35 which includes court time, admin, prizes for the winners and a complimentary drinks voucher for the Upper West Side Cafe for all the participants.

Any questions please reach to Ronny directly at rvlassaks@squashonfire.com

Click here to register

Your health and well-being are our top priorities. We have used CDC and DC government guidelines, in addition to those from US Squash and other clubs around the country, to create a comprehensive plan focused on providing a safe environment for you. Squash On Fire is dedicated to providing not only a fun but also safe and health environment to our players, visitors, and staff. Our unique design high ceilings and advanced system hospital grade MERV 13 air filters which capture air particles as small as .03 micron operates around the clock to continuously refresh and clean the air within Squash On Fire. It is also preemptively sanitized with tuberculocidal disinfectant specifically to alleviate the risks of airborne pathogens. Finally, we are consistently disinfecting the air on all courts in between play sessions. Please read more about our COVID Protocols below.

Entry to Squash On Fire

Please wear a mask- Everyone coming into Squash On Fire will be required to wear a facial covering at all times including when playing squash and using the gym space.

Health check - We will be taking the temperature upon arrival of all players and staff with a non-contact infrared thermometer at our host stand desk on the 3rd floor. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 F or higher will be asked to leave.

Check in - Please check in verbally at the front desk as is very important for us to know who is in the space. Please don't bypass this step!

Arrival - Please plan on arriving no more than 5 minutes before your session starts.

Reservations

Bookings – In order to access the courts everyone must have a squash reservation. Sessions can be booked by clicking here.

Amenities

Locker Rooms – There is currently no access to our locker room facilities on the mezzanine level, so please arrive dressed to play.

Racquets – We have loaner racquets available and they cost $5 per racquet. They will be thoroughly disinfected after each use.

Court Shoes – Players do have access to loaner shoes that will be disinfected after each use. We also have an excellent range of Asics and Salming footwear available for purchase. Please remember that all playing shoes need to be non-marking.

Drinks – We have water fountains as well as bottled water and Gatorade available for purchase.

Safety and Cleaning Protocols

Testing – Each Squash On Fire staff member is being regularly tested for COVID-19.

PPE – All front desk employees will be wearing company provided masks at all times.

Signage – There is clear signage set up around Squash On Fire to help guide you.

Cleaning – We have created a series of stringent cleaning and disinfection processes for all areas of Squash On Fire throughout the course of each day.

Sanitizer - Sanitizing stands and bottles have been strategically placed around Squash On Fire. Players have easy access to these on arrival in addition to before and after playing.

Courts – We have 15 minutes set aside between bookings for court cleaning and disinfection. To accommodate this our bookings last for 60 minutes, 45 of which will be for play. Please leave your court when 15 minutes remain on the countdown screen. We use an HX Pro machine to disinfect all court surfaces and place an added focus on cleaning key touch points between each booking.

Furniture – Our furniture set up outside the courts is for the comfort of our players, as well as to optimize cleaning.

Positive Test – Communication protocols are in place should anyone in our community test positive for COVID-19. To help us with this we ask that that all players inform Squash On Fire as soon as possible by contacting manager@squashonfire.com if they have been to the club and tested positive.

Air Filtration - Our HVAC system operates around the clock to continuously refresh and clean the air within Squash On Fire. It is also preemptively sanitized with tuberculocidal disinfectant specifically to alleviate the risks of airborne pathogens. Finally, within the system hospital grade MERV 13 air filters are employed to capture air particles as small as .03 microns

We are continually reevaluating our procedures given the constantly evolving situation and new government guidelines.