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Racquet Technologies &_Ratings
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RacquetWorld's Newsletter Racquetball Tip of the Month
Racquetball Chess
Racquetball is like many games that contain a variety of strategies and counter strategies…and counter, counter strategies. I thought I’d play a little racquetball chess and be both the white (Bob) and black (Tom) pieces for a while. Lob Serve Bob loves lob serving. Bob hits a nice angled lob serve that bounces in the safety zone and forces Tom into the back corner. Bob hits the same serve only this time Tom steps up and short hops it and rolls it out. Bob hits a lob nick (off the side wall) that forces Tom into a defensive position along the back wall. Bob hits the lob nick and Tom short hops and drives it crosscourt. Bob hits a garbage serve ( a lower quicker lob like serve that doesn’t come off the back wall…but doesn’t allow your opponent to cut it off if you mix up the sides you serve to) that keeps Tom off balance. Bob hits the same serve and Tom picks up his “tell” by watching Bob’s feet and moves to the correct side of the court and short hops. The lob serve and lob return is a perfect example of Racquetball Chess. Shot Selection Tom loves to shoot the ball with his backhand. Tom pinches the first 4 backhand shots. Bob moves up to cover the pinch. Tom hits the next 3 backhands at a wide angle because Bob moved up to cover the pinch. Bob fades slightly back and to the far side. Tom hits the next 3 backhands down the line. Bob moves back to center court. Tom goes back to a pinch. This is a good illustration of ganging your shots. Your opponent will assume you’ll keep following the same pattern. Since you know what he will likely be covering you switch up and can get away with the new shot until he adjusts. If you simply hit all these shots at random…he may not know what you’re hitting…but you also won’t know what he’s covering. Ceiling Balls Bob flicks a good drive serve to the ceiling. Tom hits the next ceiling ball down the middle of the court at a perfect distance from the back wall to avoid any offensive opportunity. Bob takes the next ceiling ball to the backhand side the same perfect deep distance. Tom concentrates and hits the next ceiling ball right next to the backhand-side wall like wallpaper. I like to call this last shot Death from Above. If you work on it, ceiling balls can become offensive from almost anywhere. Equipment Bob buys an Ektelon Silencer vibration dampner for the smoother feel. Tom buys a new E-Force Weapon glove to eliminate the racquet twisting. Bob gets his racquet restrung with Technifibre 505 HPR for added power. Tom buys new perfectly clear, non fogging, Head Pro Elite Eyeguards for Bob so he has no more excuses. Bob buys the Jim Winterton Beginning Racquetball DVD to get back to basics. Tom buys the Advanced copy with the Book so he can crush Bob’s basic skills. Bob buys a new Pro Kennex Weekender bag with embroidery to carry his new arsenal. (The added embroidery helps his mental game) Tom gets new Ektelon QT GT Mid Plus sneakers to run down Bob’s newly acquired passing shots. Bob buys a new $100 racquet (Head Liquid Metal 180) so those passing shots get by those new sneakers. Tom buys a new $200 racquet (Ektelon 03 RG w/ plugs) so he can serve Bob off the court. Racquetworld.com loves Bob and Tom!! The last section on equipment was written for my brother who tirelessly helps us with Racquetworld.com. He’s amazed at how many of you read these tips. He’s more amazed that I never try and sell anything here. So yes, the last paragraph, in the last tip of 2006, I am shamelessly plugging products to prove to my brother that there is a fun way to do it. I hope he enjoys the fact that I took the time to write out everything for his beloved search engines. Christmas & New Years Thank you for your support in 2006…We raised over $2500 for troop care packages!! Everyone at Racquetworld.com wishes you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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