introduction
The aim of this section is to bring together the ideas for session structure and delivery that are working so well in certain UK clubs. We will start by looking at the overall club timetable and then look at all of the aspect in more depth from an in depth look into sessions and individual drills.
This is all open source so feel free to use any of the ideas and material. If you have any ideas that you would like to share to help your fellow coaches email them through to Mark Fuller and I will add them to this page [email protected]
This is all open source so feel free to use any of the ideas and material. If you have any ideas that you would like to share to help your fellow coaches email them through to Mark Fuller and I will add them to this page [email protected]
club leaders
Something that all of the clubs that we interviewed for this page agreed upon is the importance of having someone on the ground backing and developing the sport. The great success stories that we have looked at have not come at the centres with the best facilities but at the clubs with the best people.
This person does not need to necessarily need to be the club coach or manager it could be someone at the club who is willing to put in the time and effort to help develop the sport and bring in new players.
The first task for this leader would be to convince the club that there is a place for racketball. The sport can provide great benefits to a club so with the vast majority of clubs and committees this will be straightforward. In some cases however this will not be the case. In my experience some coaches are vehemently opposed to Racketball, these are usually players or coaches that are very pro squash. Although this can be daunting I do find that sometimes these are the people that you most need on side and if you are able to convince them of the importance of Racketball they can become your biggest supporters.
I have created a list of why Racketball is beneficial to a club. Follow this link to view and feel free to use them to help your club come on board with the Racketball project.
This person does not need to necessarily need to be the club coach or manager it could be someone at the club who is willing to put in the time and effort to help develop the sport and bring in new players.
The first task for this leader would be to convince the club that there is a place for racketball. The sport can provide great benefits to a club so with the vast majority of clubs and committees this will be straightforward. In some cases however this will not be the case. In my experience some coaches are vehemently opposed to Racketball, these are usually players or coaches that are very pro squash. Although this can be daunting I do find that sometimes these are the people that you most need on side and if you are able to convince them of the importance of Racketball they can become your biggest supporters.
I have created a list of why Racketball is beneficial to a club. Follow this link to view and feel free to use them to help your club come on board with the Racketball project.
what to do if you don't have a leader... committee
The leadership roll does not have to be undertaken solely by one person. It is possible and in some cases might even be more beneficial to have a small subcommittee at your club who's task it is to look after and promote Racketball/Squash57. The skills that you are looking include. Racketball knowledge, club knowledge, communication skills, time, a basic understanding of marketing and contacts in other clubs and governing bodies.
why is racketballs popularity not consistently spread?
This question is very much worth exploring as it gives valuable insight into why Racketball succeeds so well in certain areas and performs so badly in others. The rules, equipment and facilities are consistent but in some areas of the UK most squash courts are booked out for Racketball. Devon as an example runs 4 Racketball county leagues, just up the road in Gloucestershire there is not a single county league running.
From experience of being around many different clubs and from chatting with so many players at event over the past 10 year I think that it is hard to overestimate how important individuals have been in creating the Racketball hubs that exist today.
Coaches and managers that I feel are worth mentioning are... there are many more out there these are just the people that I personally know who have made a huge impact on our sport in their areas.
John Mullins, Matt Baker, Adam Lings, Peter Edwards,
Ian Wright is a great example of how even ... years on Kent is still a Racketball hotspot.
why is more people playing racketball a good thing?
Inside the sport I think that sometimes we become so obsessed that what we are doing is good and that driving participation is a good thing that we forget to go back a step and analyse why we are doing this in the first place.
Health - exercise helps to promote healthy living and makes your body stronger. Racketball has the longest on average rallies out of any racket sport giving you the best cardio work out.
Friendships - UK-Racketball Series events are a great example of how players quickly develop into a community
Social Skills - not just friendship but also in the context of competition
Cognition through tactical thought, maintaining discipline and concentration
Team work both through doubles and being a part of a club or county. Helping others to achieve their goals.
Active old age - if you don't believe me just come and watch some of our Over 70's in action!
Defeat - there are lots of things that go wrong in life. The world is not all sunshine and rainbows.
Health - exercise helps to promote healthy living and makes your body stronger. Racketball has the longest on average rallies out of any racket sport giving you the best cardio work out.
Friendships - UK-Racketball Series events are a great example of how players quickly develop into a community
Social Skills - not just friendship but also in the context of competition
Cognition through tactical thought, maintaining discipline and concentration
Team work both through doubles and being a part of a club or county. Helping others to achieve their goals.
Active old age - if you don't believe me just come and watch some of our Over 70's in action!
Defeat - there are lots of things that go wrong in life. The world is not all sunshine and rainbows.
the best things about racketball
1. Out of all racket sports, Racketball has the longest on average rallies giving players the best cardio workout.
2. Great mental workout where you have to think several shots ahead of your opponent to win a point.
3. On court both players occupy the same space unlike badminton or tennis where a net is separating you from your opponent this makes the game much more social throughout.
4. In doubles partners play alternative shots. This makes for a true team game, you cannot deliberately play off a weaker member of the opposition or hide behind a strong team mate. To win at Racketball doubles you must play as a team.
5. The game is easily accessible, a new racket, ball and pair of court shoes can be purchased for under £100
6. Racketball is a fantastic game for all demographics, at the 2019 Racketball Nationals the age of our competitors ranged from 9 years old to 83 playing the same game with the same rules on the same day in the same competition.
2. Great mental workout where you have to think several shots ahead of your opponent to win a point.
3. On court both players occupy the same space unlike badminton or tennis where a net is separating you from your opponent this makes the game much more social throughout.
4. In doubles partners play alternative shots. This makes for a true team game, you cannot deliberately play off a weaker member of the opposition or hide behind a strong team mate. To win at Racketball doubles you must play as a team.
5. The game is easily accessible, a new racket, ball and pair of court shoes can be purchased for under £100
6. Racketball is a fantastic game for all demographics, at the 2019 Racketball Nationals the age of our competitors ranged from 9 years old to 83 playing the same game with the same rules on the same day in the same competition.
supporting evidence for why racket sports are so great!
NHS – Racket Sports are the best way to a longer life
https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/want-to-live-longer-try-racquet-sports-recommends-study/
Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/nov/29/health-racquet-tennis-is-ace-at-reducing-risk-of-death-study-suggests
The British Journal of Sports Medicine
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/51/10/812
Forbes Magazine – squash is the healthiest sport
https://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/fittest-sport/healthiest-forbes.htm
https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/want-to-live-longer-try-racquet-sports-recommends-study/
Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/nov/29/health-racquet-tennis-is-ace-at-reducing-risk-of-death-study-suggests
The British Journal of Sports Medicine
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/51/10/812
Forbes Magazine – squash is the healthiest sport
https://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/fittest-sport/healthiest-forbes.htm
