When should I call a timeout? This one I get quite a bit. The problem is, there are no definitive rules for this. Each game and each match is an entity of its own with its own set of rules. I think you have to “feel out” a situation. I like to have my athlete call a timeout when:
1. What they are doing is not working
2. If they need a new strategy or serve
3. If they are beginning to lose focus
4. If they have to
I will never forget a match where my athlete won the first and second games and was in the third game and winning. The athlete’s friend wanted me to have the athlete call a timeout because the serve they were using was not working.
I refused, Why? 1-they were winning and focused 2-they could win game three with the serve they were using. 3-the timeout would help the opponent more than my athlete. Well, the friend got the attention of the athlete-the athlete called the timeout-changed their serve and promptly got beat that game and the match!
Racquetball at top levels is often a mental struggle. If the opponent is struggling-why let them off the hook? Okay-I have it out of my system now! That has taken me four years to get over!
Back to time outs–Use them when you have to, and use them wisely.