Get Inside the Mind of Your
Opponent
Try to get your opponent to think more about your game that he thinks about his
game. Your opponent should be on his heals trying to guess where you might hit the
ball, not on your heals tracking down all of your shots.
- Be unpredictable in your shot selection. This
includes mixing up down-the-line, cross-court, and pinch shots into your rallies.
Keep your opponent honest by forcing him to stay in center court. Many players will
habitually "creep" over to a side wall to pick off a down-the-line shot.
Hitting occasional cross-court shots and splat/pinches will encourage them to stay in the
middle--giving you an easier time hitting the down-the-line winner.
- Play Soft/Play Hard: Hit a variety of soft
"dink" shots and hard power shots. Hit a variety of hard angled, soft
angled, and pass shots. Hit pinches and splats (and dink shots) to both front
corners.
- Charge the Ball/Let it Pass: Get in the habit
of occasionally picking off ceiling balls and lob serves before they travel into back
court. Hitting the ball immediately before it hits the floor, or on the short hop
right after hitting the floor, can quickly change the pace of a rally and can catch an
player who is anticipating a slow return off guard.
Get Them to Play Your Game
Typically when you feel "off balance" while playing, you have
let your opponent dictate the pace and type of game you are playing. Some players
like a fast game, some prefer a slower game, and others like hard angles, ceiling, and
defensive shots. Know what your preferences are and try to turn the match into your
type of game. When you define and control the terms of the game, rather than being
controlled by your opponent, success will tend to follow.
Close Out the Game
A big challenge often encountered when playing opponents of your own level or higher is
being able to close out a game after you have built a lead. Many times, a sense of
wonder or awe kicks in when developing a large lead over an opponent. Many times,
this leads to a relaxation in concentration and a tendency to play sloppy--including
taking low percentage shots instead of your tried-and-tested down-the-lines and
cross-court shots. Maintain your concentration and focus until the game is over.
Don't Throw in the Towel Too Early
The game isn't over until one of the players scores 15 points. Don't
give up playing before the game is over. Mental toughness, concentration, and focus
must be maintained throughout the entire game. Be sure to close it out, however,
after a big comeback!
Hit Them Like in Practice
With some good "alone time" on the
racquetball court, you should be able to practice a variety of forehand and backhand shots
from all areas of the court. When playing a match, visualize yourself hitting the
ball in practice--and hitting winners while practicing.
