Notes to a good player:
1. Congratulations, your name is out there and you have gone from nobody to somebody! But what is your goal?
2. No, seriously, what is your goal?
I find many athletes get stuck at “good” rather than go to “great”! They could be great, they have the ability to be great, but for whatever reason they stop short of that level and stick to the comfort zone.
There are lots of rewards for being good. Your picture is up there on a banner. Everyone who was not your friend coming up the chain is now your friend. Many new friends because you became “good”. You find some sponsors who like you, and you are on your way. Your seeding is good so you have a good shot at quarters or 16s every tournament.
But seriously, what is your goal? Is that it? People say the right words, but they do not mean it. I get it. I was good. I was in that category but for two years I went all-in! I ate sprouts, worked on flexibility, did mental training, ran sprints, and focused on being the best I could be.
Immediate results? I stunk! I got worse. But then, after a few months of bad to worse I started pulling upsets and whipping up on people. I stopped after two years because of my professional life and family. I just put too much of a strain on the other areas of my life. So I get it. I am not judging. I am saying there is a price for greatness. Not everyone is prepared to pay that price!
Back to my notes to the Pro. I coach several of them and it is an honor to work with these great people.
My advice? When you are my age now, a grandpa or grandma and your grandchildren ask, “How good could you have been at racquetball?”
Is the answer, “I don’t know?” Or do you have a solid answer?
Go all-in at least once in your racquetball career is my advice! You want “good” or “great”?
Go get’em tiger!!