Preparing to play a racquetball match means making the best use of your practice time. Racquetball requires a player to be in top condition since the game requires constant movement, stops and starts and quick execution of shots. Shuttle runs and sprint training will help you prepare for the rigors of the match and practicing your shots will get you ready to compete.
Shuttle Runs
Do this in the racquetball court if it is available and in the gym if it is not. Start off at the front wall and run to the first service line at the 15-foot mark and pick up the waiting ball. Quickly reverse field and carry it back to the front wall. Drop the ball and then spint to the second service line at the 20-foot mark. Pick up the second ball and run back to the front wall. Drop the ball and then sprint to the back wall. Take a 30-second break and then repeat the shuttle run. You can also go to your local high school or college track and do interval sprints. Start off running a 100-yard dash and then follow with sprints of 90, 80 and 70 yards. Take a two-minute break and repeat the set.
Serving Drill
Serving accuracy will go a long way toward winning a racquetball match. If you can put the ball where you want on the court, you can dictate the pace of the game. For this drill, stand in the middle of the serving box and hit two straight serves to the right rear corner of the court followed by two straight serves to the left hand corner. If you can successfully deliver the serves, try to deliver four straight to each corner. If you can't, go back to trying to hit two straight accurate serves. If you can hit eight straight accurate serves to each corner, you will be a competent and confident server.
Pinch Shot
A pinch shot allows a racquetball player to seize control of the point and hit a short shot to the near corner of the front wall so that it bounds to the side wall, then hits the floor and dies shortly thereafter. Hitting a pinch shot is about recognition. You need to understand that you have a ball you can handle and pinch for a winner. To practice, have a playing partner hit a soft shot off the front wall. Recognize whether it is to your forehand or backhand and then hit the appropriate pinch. If you can turn 50 percent of these shots into point-ending winners, you are doing a good job with this shot.
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