Wow–opened up Facebook some time ago and saw a racquetball player demonstrating what they called a perfect workout. This athlete was doing a lot of footwork drills with feet going crazy in every direction. Only one problem-most of the movements we never make on a racquetball court. This renders the entire exercise as a cardio workout with a little strength work, but not a racquetball workout.
Many coaches and athletes cannot wait to share their new workouts. I am very fussy about my workouts and do not like wasted time or effort. I also do not post them because they are different than most workouts. So when I see a workout without correct footwork and mechanics, it is a waste of effort. The aforementioned workout had no forehand or backhand attempt. Second, practicing incorrect footwork in a workout reinforces failure of mechanics and footwork. To get better at racquetball you must play racquetball or do as much work as possible to simulate racquetball. Take it further though. To get better at racquetball you should practice as close to perfect footwork and mechanics as possible. That will improve your game.
Some time ago the Washington Wizards basketball team was in town. Some of the team came to my gym and were working on rehabbing injuries or working on mechanical things such as movement. I was doing a lesson on side-wall glass court 1 and I could not miss what they were doing. They were simulating basketball moves and even scrimmaged at half speed to work on correct footwork and basketball skills. If the multi-million dollar sports do that, why can’t we?