To Be a Pro Hire Folks who Know
This one came floated across my desk recently. Dear Coach, There is a belief among the players I know that once they reach pro status they do not need coaches. They believe that pros do not need to do all of the things junior players do. Specifically, the junior players do strength training, and constant […]
Too Much Techo
CBOS which I call Ceiling ball overuse syndrome-wow-after watching four days of College racquetball I have to say I have never seen so many ceiling balls in my entire life. The college coaches have made an art form of coaching up ceiling balls. The “don’t make a mistake” game plan will works until you get […]
Junior vs Senior
I have the luxury of working with several up and coming players. As my junior players start to play open, one thing stands out and that is shot selection. Case in point: This morning I am going over a video vs a national level age division player. My junior athlete is getting schooled. My junior […]
Over-Application of Racquetball Legislation
This is for all you administrators out there–I recently have run across (repeatedly I might add) an issue I like to call OLS–Over-legislative syndrome. It works like this; An event is moving along with no problems. Everything seems to be running smoothly until the OLS….. Some examples: Major sponsor donates to the tournament and gets […]
Follow Your Own Path
Here is one that floated across my desk many times over the years! Dear Coach, I really think I want to quit racquetball. Everyone tells me I shouldn’t. What do you think? Signed, Lost the Fire, Dear Lost Fire, I received your message. You might be done with racquetball is what I took from your […]
Newbie Shoutout at the Newbie Shootout
Recently I hosted a shootout that featured a ton of novice players. Each player had fun and each player worked hard. One player in particular caught my eye. This player had a hard time handling defeat. My first thought was, “Wow, good ability, great footwork, poor skills and hates to lose!” Cool combo to championship […]
Training Days
Coach-make my training schedule for today please! I get this one from athletes but it is an impossible request to answer unless I know what you do every day for a (fill in the blank) job, school, requirements, family, relationships, etc. So lets look at it this way. 1. Start with your most important obligation-family, […]
Tips for Team Racquetball
It’s not about you! Team Racquetball is a great concept that has really impacted Racquetball for the better. Here is the most important thing to remember if you are on a high school, college, or national team. Your decision to not work as hard as you can affects the entire team. When you stop improving […]
Athletes and the Basics
(Disclaimer: I am not talking about one specific instance-this has happened so many times in the past it deserves a post!) This little happening drives me crazy. Here is the scenario. A new player with tons of talent signs up with me. I break down their swing and movement and give them some basic drills […]
More Dubs Tips
Today’s Tip of the comes from an email asking me if switching sides in doubles has any advantages. The reader is referring to the practice of “double serving” one side of the opponent’s doubles team. My answer is yes, in some cases there is a distinct advantage to the double serve tactic. Case in point: […]