Never Let Good Enough Be Good Enough

So a few years ago I am watching one of my players and a fan asked me this question. Does this player have “it”? So I ask what do they mean by “it”? Response: “You know, can they be number one, win pro stops etc. and have the it factor?” My answer: “I have no […]

Don’t Listen to the Doubters!

I was reading something the other day that struck me. It was a response to someone who had claimed their career was ruined by a few experts who told them they would never be any good. Those critics drove this person away from success. Their career was acting and the responses were swift! Most went […]

Remote Racquetball Coaching

Above: These athletes were remotely coached by me during Junior World Competition last year. sd Remote coaching-how does it work? To do a good job a coach has to answer this question for the athlete, “How do I improve?” Dear Athlete, First-identify the problem– here is why (fill in the blank here) is not working. […]

Help! My Opponent is Trash-Talking Me!

I got a phone call from an athlete I coach. “Coach, my opponent’s talking trash to me and cheating! Every time I play this guy in practice he resorts to cheating and trash talking. Do you have any advice? It threw me completely off my game and I ended arguing instead of playing.” First-this happened […]

Happy Valentines Day Racquetball Players

In honor of Valentine’s Day-10 tips for racquetball widows and widowers: 1. Yes, your spouse loves racquetball. not more than you, but still …….! 2. Yes, your spouse spends too much time at the gym. Isn’t that better than the bar? 3. Yes, your spouse is a great player and can beat you. Brag about […]

Halt the Hinder Flop

Avoidable hinder begging can be obnoxious. I have to blame some of this on the pro players who often hold up for the rally hinder. Sometimes it is hard for me to watch due mostly to my old school experiences which often included throwing a half-nelson on your opponent to get them out of the […]

Put Fun in Junior Racquetball

So many of us end up teaching racquetball to newbies just out of courtesy and respect for the game. Others of us actually taught beginners in a more formal setting in club programs. Either way teaching racquetball for beginners can be fun. Here are seven things to consider when working with new players. 1. Stay […]

Racquetball, Pan Ams, and Worlds

Above: USA Pan Am Champion Rhonda Rajsich and Coach some years ago.   Some explanation for racquetball nation is in order to explain what World Games and Pan Am games mean to racquetball. Most of the racquetball public is familiar with the pro stops, USA Racquetball championships, and IRF tournaments. What the public might not […]

Coach Qualification in Racquetball Nation

A few days ago I ran across a post regarding coaching and my name was bantered about by several folks. First, I was flattered by people who recognized my long career of coaching. But the second thing that struck me was this question, “Can a non-player or someone who was not that good as a […]

Empathy for Athletes

Coaching 101- Empathy for your athletes! Remember back to when you were first learning the game is important. Leaving your comfort zone is important. I have a theory that in most cases if a coach has not done the work they are giving athletes, they are not going to be effective. A coach thinking they […]