February 2011 – Racquetball Lessons & Tips

Four Keys to Successful Ball Striking

Feb 272011

The following edited article by Coach Dave from California reviews four crucial keys to consider when hitting the ball.

EARLY RACQUET PREPARATION (ERP)
As soon as you can determine whether you will be hitting a forehand or backhand – get your racquet up and get your elbow up.

First, you pivot and coil by turning your shoulders parallel to the sidewall. At the same time, raise your racquet up higher than your wrist. Raise your hitting arm and elbow parallel to and level with your shoulder. This will position your racquet and shoulders to properly strike the ball. Early racquet preparation is simple to do, but it takes many conscious repetitions before it becomes totally automatic.

RELAXATION
During a rally, we often get tense and tight. To relax during competition we must train ourselves to breath. Without tension, we are fluid and are able to generate more racquet head speed and power. Plus, when we relax, we fatigue less rapidly. The racquet in our hand should be treated as if it were a bird. Hold it just tight enough so that the bird does not fly away! So relax during your racquetball match and your proficiency will greatly increase!

BALANCE
Balance is a result of good foot work. We need to shuffle-step with our feet as we set up and prepare for our shots. With balance, we have a stable base when we swing. Stability in our legs enables us to swing with a level stroke while keeping our head still.

A FULL FOLLOW THROUGH
Consciously strive to complete a full follow through of your swing. On forehands, as you rotate your shoulders, let the racquet wrap completely around your opposite shoulder upon completion of the swing. Give the racquet as much time to decelerate as possible. Your backhand swing follow through should be complete as well, finishing parallel to the floor, on the opposite side of your body from where you hit the ball. A complete follow through will not only provide more power, but will help you to avoid injury! A full follow through will release the energy of your swing into your upper body instead of your elbow or shoulder. So if you want full power and fewer injuries—then always follow through!

Racquetball Serving Tips for Beginners

Serves No Responses »

Feb 252011

There are two main points in this video by Jo Shattuck:

You need a variety of racquetball serves. Change your serve height, speed, or angle so it does not become predictable.
After hitting your serve, relocate out of the service box into center court position. Maintaining control of center court position will enable you to win the rally. This position is 1 to 2 feet behind the 5 ft service encroachment line.

Hit with Acceleration

Stroke Techniques No Responses »

Feb 232011

There are many ways to add more speed to your racquetball shots. And some methods are counterintuitive. Remember, ball speed is directly tied to racquet head speed at contact.

However, you don’t want swing your racquet faster by using just your arm strength.

Here are four ways to increase your racquet speed:

1. Relax! Tension is your enemy. Any tension in your wrist, arm, and upper body will slow down your swing.

2. Swing with tempo. You don’t swing at a constant speed. Start slow and deliberate, then accelerate your swing through the hitting zone. Your swing will be at maximum speed after hitting the ball.

3. Follow through. At the swing finish, your arm should wrap completely across your chest and you should be facing the front wall.

4. Start the swing with the rotation of your hips, upper body and shoulders. Your arm follows this rotation. The ball just gets in the way of your swing. The entire forehand swing is similar to throwing a ball sidearm (or throwing a submarine pitch).

Racquetball – Wikipedia Entry

General Info, Rules of Play No Responses »

Feb 222011

Posted below is the wikipedia.org entry for racquetball.

Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court. Joe Sobek is credited with inventing racquetball in 1950, adding a stringed racquet to paddleball in order to increase velocity and control. Unlike most racquet sports, such as tennis and badminton, there is no net to hit the ball over, and unlike squash no tin to hit the ball above. Also, the court’s walls, floor, and ceiling are legal playing surfaces, with the exception of court-specific designated hinders being out-of-bounds.