Training tips!!
Many players are posting their training on facebook. Some of it is very good and some of it scares me! Here are a few observations of video sessions I that scare me.
1. Many of the trainers do not understand footwork. You might be training for shallow crossover steps while picking up objects. You will get better at shallow crossover steps and picking up objects, but there is not much transfer to racquetball skills.
2. Your trainer believes you must do depth jumps; on boxes; stacked on top of each other. Your trainer is risking career ending injuries to you but you will get better at jumping up on boxes-and there are safer ways to train for first step acceleration.
3. Your racquetball coach drops 500 balls for you to hit and roll out 499. Congratulations! If your opponent drops a ball for you chances are you will roll it out. If you have to run after a shot under pressure, using the poor mechanics and footwork I see demonstrated: not so much!
4. Your trainer has you running in the speed ladder and picking up “ball drops” after completing the ladder. You will get good at running the speed ladder and picking up any ball that is dropped, but again, there is not much transfer to actual racquetball movement. Training on the ladder will get you good at training on the ladder. (I do use the ladder with beginners, juniors, etc but not too much with advanced players-A to Pro levels)
5. If your trainers/coaches can think outside the box beyond the general population training and begin adding racquetball skills to movement skills your game might improve.
6. If your trainers/coaches can think outside the general population training and begin adding racquetball skills to movement skills and increase the mental pressure in practice to more simulate match play, then you will really improve!
Ooooops–more secret sauce bubbling on the stove!
Go get’em tigers!!