Own it and Fix it!

I was going over a video last night (late I might add) and this athlete was practicing shots and looking pretty good to the untrained observer. However, the ole ball coach did not like one aspect of the practice. 1. The athlete dropped the ball to hit the shot; I would rather see the athlete […]

Rodeo Clown or Competition?

I love watching tough players compete. But sometimes it gets ridiculous. Some of the divisions look more like Professional Wrestling than racquetball. Players begging calls, trying to get every call, running into each other instead of tracking the ball, and hitting each other with the racquet during rallies to distract (a quick flick of the […]

Weak Zones

Every player has a weak zone. I define the word zone as an area of inefficiency when hitting a shot. For some player it is low-shins to thigh, and others it is medium, thigh to mid waist and others still, high waist to chest. Once you sense a zone to exploit you need to keep […]

Neither of Us Played Well?

A phrase I learned to hate was, “Neither one of us played well today.” I heard that phrase a lot when I beat people back in the day. I was thinking “Of course you did not play well, I tried to give you serves and shots you could not play well with!” It is an […]

Losing? Work Harder! Still Losing? Work Smarter!

Coach, Why do the hours of my racquetball practice not translate into more victories? I get asked this and here is what I see out there in racquetball land. 1. Poor mechanics-If your technique is not great, when you practice you will reinforce poor mechanics and you will not improve as much as you could. […]

Smell the Goal-Line

This tip is to open your eyes to possibilities! Know your situation. Back in the day I am coaching vs Canada and they had a very emotional lady who was a tough cookie. She had our player in a tie-breaker at match point. I do not know how I knew it but I did; If […]

Learn it to Earn it

A few years ago I attended a tournament and saw big yellow letters on a blue coat–COACH–like FBI or CIA—-I am only going to say this once-having been a good player does not mean you are a good coach. Having been a great player with a solid forehand and backhand featuring great mechanics definitely makes […]

Doubles or Singles? Both?

  This one was drifted across my desk a few months ago. “Coach, there is a big tournament coming up. Should I play doubles or two singles?” My response to that is, “What do you want to play?” If the answer is doubles and singles do it. If the answer is no-two singles-then do it. […]

The Man Who Changed Racquetball

Above: Kane and Yours Truly-Photo by Restrung Magazine Here’s to the man who changed racquetball -forever! I always found it funny how crowds want desperately for anyone to step up and beat Kane Waselenchuk. They root against him scream and boo and when the match is over they line up to ask for Kane’s autograph. […]

Grip and Rip?

Which game do you play, “grip and rip” or the chess match racquetball? If we had to divide all players into one of these classes. Which would you be? Just play baby, is not a consistent methodology. Sooner or later you have to be in a rally and think your way through shot selection. Here […]