The old pioneer racquetball techniques have changed drastically with one exception; the Dave Peck School of racquetball. Dave was way ahead of his time, having conferred with movement experts and linked science and racquetball very early in our game’s history. Tennis has gone through the same growing pains racquetball now is. USA tennis took a huge hit a few years ago because of our kids being taught outdated techniques. I watch the tennis instruction pages and see a ton of misinformation, and things that do not work. Racquetball is the same. I like to swap notes with the best footwork minds so last week I am talking to one former touring pro on the Men’s Tennis tour and a lady coach who is friends with the Williams sisters and I am making sure I am on the right track in my coaching.
During the conversation I mentioned this large school of racquetball coaching that teaches athletes to crossover step behind the ball backhands and in some cases forehands, and then hit the ball in front of their body. (The term “crossover” refers to stepping to the side wall and swinging across the body to the front wall. To be clear it is not the step itself that is wrong, it is the weight distribution and usually a poor contact point.)
The tennis people said this word for word. “Wow, I hope they do not injure too many people before they learn they are wrong.”
Too often immediate results are confused with improving. It is simple not to change and hope for the best. In some cases due to the athleticism of the player winning can happen. But not injury prevention or improvement.
Editor’s Note: In the last year I have noticed some of my coaching competitors have changed their teaching! I am happy my posts like above have had some influence on our sport! However, we still have tons of misinformed, well-intentioned people teaching our sport. Lots of work to do!