GroundHog Day Coaching
How to get better faster!! 1-Maximize practice time–laughing and scratching is what we used to call wasting time–or in football the “mill drill” where you mill around like a herd of cattle and yap instead of working on your skills. 2.Have a plan-What are you going to work on? Then work on it! 3-leave your […]
Practice With a Purpose
Keep practice more simple. From the book, Peak Performance by Anders Ericsson. Purposeful practice is: 1. Well defined with specific goals 2. Focused 3.Must have feedback 4. Must involve getting out of one’s comfort zone #2 and number 4 are the two that affect athletes the most. The practice is not focused and the practice […]
Another Racquetball Junior Quits?
Another junior quitting racquetball. Why? The answer is in this article maybe. All Children are not alike. Because they do not win now does not mean they will not become great racquetball players. Because they are tearing it up in the junior 12s does not mean they are going to break Kane or Paola’s records […]
Return of Serve 101
The return of serve starts with where you line yourself up and how you line yourself up. I was shocked when I conferred with some “experts” who told me they split the court in half when they positioned themselves for return of serve. This violates laws of physics. Put your arm and racquet out straight […]
Study for Finals? Or Prepare to Win?
Studying for exams in college usually went like this. Relax for 9 weeks, do your homework and assignments but then cram the knowledge in for the finals. Stay up all night, slam coffee and take the test. Crash for a day and repeat semester after semester so you can spit back the information the teacher […]
RIP The Peoples’ Champion
Yesterday I heard of the passing of legend Charlie Brumfield. He was a larger than life champion, and had come to a place in his life where his humility and charm was contagious. He was an early champion and the number one player in the world. I met him at a pro […]
Cure for Boring Practices
How do you get out of solo practice boring routines? I hated practice. I hated losing even more. How can you get better without the solo practice? Some time ago two of my very good players were hitting fast and furious on court two. I asked them what they were doing. Their response, “Playing”. My […]
Play Nice and Share!
Fitness etiquette–these little Health Club breaches of etiquette ticks me off! 1. Water fountain Hog-this person has a two gallon jug to fill and seems oblivious to the line of people behind the Water Hog filling their jug. All they want is a drink of water, Get out of the way and let them drink! […]
Tips for Serve Return
Six tips for return of serve. The racquetball bible (unofficial book of racquetball pros teaching mainstream) says one thing. I say another. Here goes: The RBB says: 1. Position yourself in the center of the court to receive serve but I say not so fast mainstream Marvin or Martha..what if the server gets way over […]
Dear Brain Whiff
This one came across my desk recently. Hey coach, (I am a)…former student of yours..and slightly above average RB player…one question about the mental aspect of the game…How can I prevent myself from mentally beating myself before even stepping on the court…and during matches, my mind takes a vacation when I’m playing someone I know […]