Time to revisit some of the myths of racquetball. Some of these are mainstream and , but they are not based in scientific fact, but rather based on “old school” thinking.
1. The player who busts their butt getting to every shot will win. No, the player who chases too many shots will wear down and lose. Relax -there are more shots coming!
2. Center court is at the receiving line. Who came up with that? Nope it is at least two feet behind the dotted line and in Denver, maybe four feet back! Think about it!
3. You have to take 45 degree angle step to the side wall to hit a shot. Okay-name one sport you step right or left to hit straight in front of you; at a loss? me too! This comes from the 80s too!
4. If you do not have a shot, go to the ceiling. Yes, great advice but if you are an open player or higher, you need to increase your offensive area. That means learning to shoot more shots rather than flicking to the ceiling.
5. Hit to the backhand on the drive serve. Fact; drive serves to the forehand are under-utilized!
6. You have to train like a maniac to play pro racquetball. Train like a maniac to play maniac pro racquetball. Train smart to play pro racquetball. Fact: 90% of all elite athletes over-train.
7. I need to get stronger to get better at racquetball. Fact: you need to get better at racquetball to get better at racquetball! Duh!
8. Visualization and mental practice will help me improve at racquetball and win. Now that one is true but visualization without on court practice is not as efficient as both put together.
9. I am injured and out of racquetball for awhile. Really? See above-mental training is not as good as on court work and mental training together but mental practice is better than doing nothing for how ever much down time you are injured.
10. If I play better players I will get better. Big myth although I have to say to a degree this is true. But when you hit A level or higher you get better by improving at your skills, breaking them down, and then playing better players.
I’m sure there are more so regular readers be sure to chime in!