The Hay is in the Barn!
There is an old football saying, “The hay is in the barn”. I guess it would be a rural football saying but basically it means we have prepared the best we can (the hay is in the barn so farmers can weather the winter storms). We can apply the same thought to racquetball match preparation. […]
How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?
This one came across my desk some time ago. I get many of these and it is hard to answer these if I never saw the player or the match. “Coach W, any advice or opinion for this man with a broken heart who was eliminated in the quarterfinals despite giving everything ?! I would […]
Ten Tips for Pressure Points
Under pressure the mind does strange things and the athlete sometimes climbs aboard a mental roller coaster that renders that player out of control! How does this happen? 1. The pressure of wanting to win leads to a following thought; my opponent is trying to cheat me out of that win. 2. See above only […]
The Program
I am a lucky guy. I get to work with some of the best players in the world, and even the greatest ever for 18 years. But I also get to work with newbies, brand spanking new players who fall in love with this sport. I love coaching players of all levels. In this […]
No Dinky Do’s in Your Wavy Gravy
Winterton sayings–You can hear some of these in lessons–over the years here are a few goodies! “Hit and get, don’t hit and sit or your game wont be worth spit!” “Use your body, not your arm, to your shoulder will come no harm!” “Shuffalo to Bufflalo Makes your game go, go, go!” “Out and around, […]
Play Like a Champion
Notre Dame plays for the college football championship today. There is a coach named Lou Holtz who once coached the fighting Irish and his motivational sayings are gold! Here are a few! “Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it!” I Love Lou […]
Clique Sick
Cliques! I hate racquetball cliques! Back in the day when I was top dog in the club I would play anybody and everybody who was close to A level and above. I encouraged everyone to play anyone. Then I moved to Syracuse, NY and a local club went bankrupt. They all came over to our […]
Basic Dubs Coverages
Some time ago a player asked me about doubles coverage. Without writing a book, which could be done on this topic, I will attempt to explain a few basic coverages and their strengths and weaknesses. 1. Pro coverage -my term, not official! This is the coverage most top athletes use. In this coverage the server […]
Junior Rules
Junior racquetball tournament play can be a mine field for parents to walk through! Here are some tips to help you navigate: 1. Not all Parents are “nice” during their child’s competition but that does not mean you can’t be! 2. Not all opposing coaches are “nice” either but see rule 1. 3. Keep priorities […]
Quit the Jitts!!
First round jitters are something players have to get used to and develop strategies to overcome. Here are a few tips to take away first round “jitters” in a tournament. First, warmup before your warmup! Use dynamic stretching which means movement warmups, like high knees, carioca and other such exercises before you even […]