Losing? Work Harder! Still Losing? Work Smarter!
Coach, Why do the hours of my racquetball practice not translate into more victories? I get asked this and here is what I see out there in racquetball land. 1. Poor mechanics-If your technique is not great, when you practice you will reinforce poor mechanics and you will not improve as much as you could. […]
Smell the Goal-Line
This tip is to open your eyes to possibilities! Know your situation. Back in the day I am coaching vs Canada and they had a very emotional lady who was a tough cookie. She had our player in a tie-breaker at match point. I do not know how I knew it but I did; If […]
Learn it to Earn it
A few years ago I attended a tournament and saw big yellow letters on a blue coat–COACH–like FBI or CIA—-I am only going to say this once-having been a good player does not mean you are a good coach. Having been a great player with a solid forehand and backhand featuring great mechanics definitely makes […]
Doubles or Singles? Both?
This one was drifted across my desk a few months ago. “Coach, there is a big tournament coming up. Should I play doubles or two singles?” My response to that is, “What do you want to play?” If the answer is doubles and singles do it. If the answer is no-two singles-then do it. […]
The Man Who Changed Racquetball
Above: Kane and Yours Truly-Photo by Restrung Magazine Here’s to the man who changed racquetball -forever! I always found it funny how crowds want desperately for anyone to step up and beat Kane Waselenchuk. They root against him scream and boo and when the match is over they line up to ask for Kane’s autograph. […]
Grip and Rip?
Which game do you play, “grip and rip” or the chess match racquetball? If we had to divide all players into one of these classes. Which would you be? Just play baby, is not a consistent methodology. Sooner or later you have to be in a rally and think your way through shot selection. Here […]
Farm-boy Training
I pioneered functional training for racquetball but never realized it! Back when I was a boy, I grew up on the farm. In the summer we planted crops and baled hay. I remember many days of 100 plus degrees in the top of the barn, stacking bales of hay that weighed 75 pounds plus. (acclimatization, […]
Movin’ on Up…Or Not?
This one came from Winterton Nation- “Hey Coach-can you address sandbagging-it seems like there is a huge jump from A to open” Signed, Sandbagged in Sandusky Dear S.i.S. It may seem that way, but I seldom see it that way. In fact I remember going to tournaments, watching a rally and thinking omg that player […]
Watch Like an Expert
The fans of racquetball are great for the game. No matter what player they root for, they add energy to a tournament. Now here is a little tip of going beyond the fan thing and thinking like a playa, and a Coach. First , watch the serves closely. What side of the court gets the […]
Reverse Thinking so The Backhand Won’t be Stinking!
Reverse the thinking and your backhand won’t be stinking! Forehand vs backhand mechanics. Is the backhand really that radically different than the forehand? I use Loom and video both have wheels on a video so you can run video back and forward. Run the forehand backward and you have a backhand. Therefore the footwork and […]