Random thoughts from yesteryear, after watching tournaments, six of them at once! There were Nationals, High School Nationals, Milking Cow Opens, and local shootouts. The competitions were all in full swing and I watched several matches and took notes on losses due to strategy errors.
Case one, a young strong athlete is playing an older more experienced control player. Why lob? I do not get it? Attack the older player!!!!
Case two-Right wall glass–nobody hit into the right wall?? Why??
Case three–doubles–Several years ago international racquetball had a one serve rule so the conventional wisdom was lob serve everything. That is the legacy of that rule because everyone seems to lob instead of drive serve. I do love the lob serve but if you have a team mis-matched, why not come after them? I do not get it, especially if you are the more athletic team-Attack!!
Case four-nervous high school athletes playing. I can feel it. I am betting well-meaning coaches are putting their kids under more pressure by over-coaching? Smartest thing a parent can do is hire a coach. Make that, hire a good coach!
Case five-athlete has been all over facebook about how they are ready and all their preparation. Why tell everyone that? I have 9 athletes in these tournaments. Have you seen my facebook posts about those athletes and our training? Me either!
Case six-I helped an athlete whose brother was an old friend of mine. This athlete was soon captured by a local coach. I had a lot of pride watching the drive serve I taught this athlete a few years ago bring home victory! Those serves won the match!
I wish I could coach everyone. I see so many great young women and men who are not reaching their full potential. But then again, I am pretty busy with my athletes trying my best to help them.
Hopefully all of these players will learn.
Remember players..you are never as bad as you think when you lose and never as good as you think when you win!! Keep working! You are all better than you know!!!