Awareness and anticipation are keys to being a successful racquetball players. Learn about racquetball strategy and anticipating court positioning with this free video tip from a professional racquetball player. Expert: Shawn Royster Bio: Shawn, started playing Junior Racquetball in the age 12 and under division at the National and World Junior Championship. He was offered a college scholarship to University of Southern Colorado. Filmmaker: Louis Nathan
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Thanks. I was looking for some good racquetball stuff.
I just play with an A-level player – he plays with his left hand (right-handed player) and sometimes beats me, hah!
Very smart, and I’m glad to hear it.
I posted an article about this topic on my site under “My Racquetball Blog”. It explains percentages and a few other things. If you click on my profile you’ll see a link to the site.
You might find a few other tips and pointers there that will help you get to “B” quicker.
yeah, I’m a C-level player and I intuitively play on or behind the dotted line. It’s as you say. it’s easier to get balls that might pass if you were standing in front of the line.
I love the fact that Shawn is posting these videos to help people to learn how to play. The guy just loves racquetball.
I just think maybe he’s best suited in the game’s promotion and marketing, rather than instruction…based on these videos.
Keep rippin it.
The first problem is Shawn’s view of center court. He mentions in his other video on court positioning, that you should stand in FRONT of the dotted line.
The best place to be is behind the dotted line so you don’t get passed (which is an easier shot for you opponent).
If he’s standing that far forward, maybe that’s why he guesses so much lol.
Shawn is seen on Derek Robinson’s racquetball DVD, and Derek even mentions to stand behind the dotted line. Maybe Shawn forgot or something?
I assure you that I teach at camps with Jason, and Fran Davis when they come here to Las Vegas. I’ve been offered other camps around USA as well but am unable to travel due to the kiddies.
Shawn’s description of anticipation troubles me because he advises to move BEFORE your opponent hits the ball. That’s guessing.
As he says near the end of the video “that might work against me. It often does.” Fran and Jason teach the opposite at their camps, and I agree with them.
I’m a bit skeptical about “camps with Jason Mannino”; not that it’s not plausible.
The way you’re interpreting anticipation is a little off. It’s more like educated guessing from tons of experience and intuition. You’re reaction time has a limit, but predicting what moves your opponent is going to make doesn’t.
The line between reaction and anticipation is fine if not a mixture between the two in decision-making.
Racquetball, like life, is not black and white.
I teach at racquetball camps with Jason Mannino. The last thing he does is anticipate, and start moving early. He teaches to always REACT to the shot. His quote is “the ball doesn’t lie”. I’ve heard him say it many times.
When your opponent is shooting, they can hit the ball straight in, cross court, wide angle, pinch, reverse pinch, and splat. Those are just 6 offensive choices. If you guess, you have a 1 in 6 chance of being right. Not very good odds.
Watch the ball, and move.
Jason Mannino vs Jack Huczek – watch how much Jason anticipates Jack.
This video is the exact opposite of what you’re supposed to do. The top players will tell you to react, not guess, or anticipate as Shawn says here. You’ll get burned by top level players.
Embarrassing advice.