Amateur vs Pro
File this one under “Everybody is an expert”. I recently ran into a situation that explains the difference between an amateur coach and an expert coach. Coach had an athlete playing another athlete with an unbelievable backhand. Coach had his athlete serve almost every serve to the opponent’s forehand because logically the forehand was weaker […]
Loser Letter
I’m watching a singles match and I am asked for free advice! Here is my free advice! Dear LP (losing player), You are wasting your time. You are reinforcing poor habits. You refuse to change your mechanics or footwork. Worse, you refuse to work on conditioning. A well-conditioned athlete who hits the ball wrong can […]
Slip Out the Back, Jack
How to dump your doubles partner and get a better one. Here are 14 phrases and/or ideas. Some might sound familiar!! 1. I’m just not feeling it. It’s not you, it’s me. 2. I will never forget you, as you were my first right side player. 3. Have you ever though of playing with ________? […]
Mixed Dubs
5 tips for mixed doubles. Disclaimer: These are general rules and of course do not apply to everyone and like all generalizations there are exceptions. I only speak from my own experiences. 1. Never choose your mixed doubles partner for friendship or love. Choose your partner to win. If you are lucky to have a […]
Prize Money Math
Prize money math Prize money-everyone wants prize money but do the math people. 100 people at $45 first entry and $25 second entry. 70 people enter two divisions. $4900 income. 30 people enter one division so that is $1350.00. Total income=$6250. Off the top R2 sports gets 412.50. Now everyone wants food. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner […]
Free Advice Welcomed
All of my athletes are moving up the chain of excellence. Why? They are doing their homework. But some athletes are more visible because they play pro or open racquetball. So I begin getting messages and emails critiquing the athletes I coach. I do want to thank everyone and offer some advice myself! Dear Advice […]
Try Easier
Do not try harder! Say what? Coach, this goes against everything I was taught!! Many moons ago I was enjoying an adult beverage with a friend of mine who I played every week. He said, “I’ll tell you one weakness in your game if you tell me one weakness in mine.” So I proceeded […]
More Dubs
Five rules for good doubles! 1. Communicate-use calls such as “mine”. “yours”, “Switch” etc. during rallies! 2. Constantly change coverages by adjusting between rallies. Talk to your partner to change coverages. 3. Use the ceiling! Keep opponents behind you. Move them back when you are in the back court. 4. Don’t skip return of serve. […]
Great Trainer is a No-Brainer
Power recipe! Want to improve your game? Get a personal trainer. Make sure it is a good personal trainer. Five Tips for good trainer shopping: 1. They are knowledgable about the demands of racquetball. Will never forget back in my open days a trainer saying “Wow light workout today huh?” I had just […]
Shock and Horror
Oh the shock and horror! A friend shot some video of yours truly playing in a shootout recently. Now I teach this stuff and am pretty good at it, so imagine my shock when I saw what I was doing on the court. I thought the racquet was here, but the racquet was there. I […]