Creative practice-I had a short conversation recently with the greatest player to ever play. When we get into these conversations I get a headache. I hate to admit this in public but it is true. He knows more specific racquetball than any person I have ever talked to. There are few people who can intimidate me with their racquetball knowledge. I like to think over the past 50 plus years of coaching novice to pro level I’ve learned something. But this guy is on another plane. His feel for the game and game planning is amazing.
I do come up with some things he has not thought of so I think I have some job security but wow!
Back to this knowledge thing. Typically I give a player a schedule and they practice shots. But they do not learn the shots, the nuances, and how to create more shots. They just practice shots. Where did behind the back and between the legs shots come from? I mean players did those shots once in a blue moon before that guy but that guy took those shots at a young age and practiced them. Then he perfected them.
Today everyone uses them, but not as effectively as he does. That is only one small example, but that should help illustrate what I mean by creative practice.
Invent something. Make it yours.
Look at the game outside the box, not like everyone else!
Be creative, B-E Creative!