Can Ahad beat a 5.75 rated player with a wooden racquet?

In this match, I take on a 5.75-level player using a wooden squash racquet-yes, an old-school, heavy classic-against their modern high-performance racquet. The difference? Massive. The weight, swing mechanics, and shot execution completely change the game.
Throughout the video, I break down the challenges of playing with a wooden racquet, including how it affects volleys, pace, and shot control. You’ll see me adjust my strategy, find my rhythm, and even hit a sweet cross-court nick! But can I keep up with the speed and precision of a modern setup?
Watch to find out-and let me know if you’d like to see more matches with vintage gear!
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📩 Drop a comment below-ever tried a wooden racquet?
#Squash #SquashMatch #OldVsNew #SquashRacquet #SportsExperiment #ahadraza

[@tahmeedomar6663]

Thanks for sharing - great vid Ahad

[@ARProformance]

Thanks for your support 🙏🏼 all the best, - Ahad

[@M0odez]

Great video. Interesting to see how despite the challenges from the racket, it looked like you were quite dominant in most of the rallies simply through your movement being strong enough to stop him building any sort of pressure and hitting consistently better lengths yourself.

[@ARProformance]

Appreciate that. When my opponents realize that a hard, fast, attacking game is going to crush me given my slower racquet head speed and difficulty volleying, I'll be in trouble! 😂 All the best, - Ahad

[@ZeeShaanJamal]

great video Ahad - thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@ARProformance]

My pleasure. Would you like to see more such fun challenge matches? ☺️ - Ahad

[@ZeeShaanJamal]

@@ARProformance very much so - if you can incorporate it in your schedule then please do so 🙂

[@DaveyP-1]

Wow, really interesting to see, thanks for the video! I remember using such a racquet as a young kid, year would be around 1983 or so I think 😅 It wasn’t until many years later that I actually started playing properly and regularly so I never used a wooden racquet for any real length of time. Anyway, is it old string on it also? Is it even possible to restring it with modern string Lol ?

[@ARProformance]

It is old string! And to be honest, I don't know whether I can be restrung! I have never really played with them until recently and know nothing of their functionality other than the fact that it's hard to do anything quick with them! 🤣 All the best, - Ahad

[@drewbert7]

Hey ahad can you do an explanation of the rating system and how to get rated?

[@dalstonjazz]

I've got a 1980s Dunlop carbon not wood with the old shape. I gave it to an advanced player at our club and he easily beat most of us with it. Most of the stringing area is the sweet spot.

[@ARProformance]

It continues to shock me how different each wooden racquet feels. Some have a decent pop off the racquet (nothing compared to modern racquets, but still decent). Playing at a fast pace becomes exceeding more difficult. It's like racing a 1960's Ferrari racing a 2025 model. The technology is so different (from acceleration, to down force, braking, stability, etc. etc.). The old car has a massive handicap. It makes for a fun equalization of sorts between players of differing levels! All the best, - Ahad

[@sara.raza.7]

Cool 😊

[@ARProformance]

Thanks! :-)

[@swingeasyguy]

Looks like my Dunlop Maxpli I played with in university...Yes I'm your dad's age or older!

[@ARProformance]

Awesome! I'm now going around purchasing old wooden racquets to add to the toolkit! Shocking how different each one feels. Definitely makes for a fun game :) All the best, - Ahad

[@moeezsabir240]

How does the wooden racket feel compared to the contemporary ones?

[@ARProformance]

Given how much heavier it is, and how much smaller the racquet face is, volleying and generally doing things with a short swing and fast racquet head speed is very difficult! I will say that when I hit the sweet spot, my drop shots are even softer than with a modern racquet! - Ahad

[@emc14000]

200 grams versus 135 grams to start! ouch

[@alfredtu2]

Willing to volunteer with additional handicap! 🙋‍♂️ or just to show the viewers the massive gap in skills 🤣

[@ARProformance]

Haha, I'll keep you posted! 😉 Hope you're well! - Ahad

[@DoctorMarkW]

Did you restring the wooden racquet or still using the old ones?

[@ARProformance]

Same old strings from 30 years ago!!! Magical craftsmanship! - Ahad

[@marcodifilippo6475]

what is your rating?

[@ARProformance]

Officially a 6.4 or so, but I haven't played a tournament in a few years. I coach a pro that's rated around a 6.6 I believe (he's won a smaller PSA event on the challenger tour before), and he and I are quite close in level. I do want to get on court with some stronger players soon! All the best, - Ahad

[@marcodifilippo8922]

@@ARProformancethanks! I imagined you’d be decently high given you beat a 5.75 with a wooden racket haha. Definitely shows your level. Love the channel

[@James-sw9vm]

what's 5.75 equivalent on SquashLevels?

[@DoctorMarkW]

I think around 4500

[@fkhan98]

David Sly has a Canadian rating for 5.75 and fairly recent results on SquashLevels. He's 9512 on SquashLevels

[@ARProformance]

Probably in and around a 9000 or 10,000 squash level, I think! I'll have to dig in further! I have another challenge match planned for later today! Let's see how that goes! :-) - Ahad

[@logx-ow1us]

It’s basically the top player in u15

[@fkhan98]

@@logx-ow1us The top UK BU15 player is 13,000 Squash Levels

[@reubenparish9658]

5.75 what?? 5750 squash levels?

[@ARProformance]

Good question - it's the North American rating system (different from squash levels) - equivalent to a 9,000 or 10,000 squash level. Hope that helps! - Ahad

[@jordanbrooks3082]

As a 5.6 rated player, if you're using a wooden racket I think I could beat you. I'm keeping in mind the last time I said I could beat you I lost 33-0. But with a wooden racket? I think you would be too handicapped... Looking forward to testing this theory ;)

[@ARProformance]

Hahaha, back to our delusions of grandeur I see Jordan ;-) With a wooden racquet, I have now beaten two players rated higher than you (I won't give away the second player's name, but the video will be up in the near future). A third one might be biting the dust shortly, haha. Let's see if I can pull it off! It looks like you have a few players to get through first ;) Speak soon buddy, - Ahad

[@PeterP-m8t]

From UK I have absolutely no idea what 5.75 rated means. Why doesnt the US use squash levels like the rest of the world?

[@ARProformance]

Very good question! haha. A 5.75 is around a 10,000 on squash levels (give or take a little bit). No way to know exactly of course, but it's an estimate based on rating and levels of players on both platforms - in fact, another viewer commented on this above. Hope that helps! - Ahad