Copycat racquetball?
Several years ago I had the luxury of talking racquetball with the Godfather of racquetball, Dr. Bud, (RIP) and another champion, Charlie Brumfield (RIP).
Both of them echoed the same thing, they saw a lack of creativity in the modern game. I took that to heart and began experimenting with serves and then passed that on to my athletes. What transpired were advantages over opponents in tournaments, but it was the pro tournament that put those changes under a microscope. The result was almost every player today uses what I call the Phi Slamma Jamma offense. They attack with side-walls and attempt to drive the ball into an opponent’s body.
Now to be fair, I did not invent this style of game and in fact, I first saw it in National Racquetball magazine with Charlie Brumfield’s “Inside the Master’s Mind” collection of articles. There were several diagrams of jam serves in that article, circa 1981. From that article with the little racquets back then, your’s truly was able to take some games off the pros and upset some top seeds (in amateur racquetball, not pro!).
Fast forward today-With everyone using these serves what is someone to do?
1. Have good backhand mechanics. If you do not possess them, you had better be a great athlete.
2. Flick it to the ceiling. Use the 70’s shield and sword tactics. (backhand shield, forehand sword)
3. Not that many options available after number one.
Thus the popularity of the PSJ offense! Use the side wall to play winning ball!