UK Racketball Coaching Tips by Mark Fuller

Tactics

How to beat the quick guy who can pick up everything

Obviously with a bouncy ball, if someone is quick at racketball, it can feel like they really do get to everything and you begin to ask yourself, “how can I possibly make the ball bounce twice?”

Below are the shots that I think are best to employ and which are the worst. The basic plan is when their fast dont go short to early (with drops or boasts) and dont play to many cross courts.

Best shots
Straight drops: If you get it tight it doesn't matter how fast they are.

Drive kill straight or cross court: Played well, it’s tough for anyone to attack. Can be a good change from the drive.

Narrow cross court: You’re putting the ball deep so there is little to be lost from this shot, if you get to it tight, it’s a winner.

Straight drive: This can wear down and frustrate your opponent. We all like to do what were good at, don't give them anything to run onto.

Worst shots
Cross court drop: Probably the worst shot to employ in racketball especially against someone fast. You might end up out of position with the ball nowhere near a wall (rarely a good thing) and sitting up for your quick opponent to get onto and play a winner.

2 wall or nick boast; if either of these shots are hit well they are very effective no matter who you’re playing. But if hit badly, a quick opponent can again, quickly get on the ball and have any number of options to beat you with.


Obviously it’s always best to vary all your game plans, so you might want to keep throwing in the odd crosscourt or 2 wall boast, as this might make your straight plan even more effective.