How to Win More Racquetball Matches!

If you are new to racquetball, or simply want some helpful tips on how to win more games, then read the six tips that I have provided. This may be common knowledge to some players, but if some of this is new to you, then please be sure to take notes and utilize these strategies in your future matches so you can win more games!

1) Serve Smart
The first thing you should look at when playing a new opponent is to see if he/she is left-handed or right-handed. The majority of your serves (and rally shots) should go to their backhand side, so you will need to know what hand their forehand is on. By serving to their backhand, you greatly decrease the chance of them returning a "one and done kill shot" off your serve. There are players out there who can execute kill shots with their backhands, but for the most part, you will not see that happen unless you are playing "A-League" opponents.

2) Lob Serve
We would all like to have a fast, dominant serve that skips and dies in the corners, but those kinds of serves can come few and far between for many of us. If you don't have an effective power serve, then be safe and just lob the serve as close to the side wall as possible. Sure, you won't get an "ace" off this serve, but at the very least, you most likely have a chance to start a ralley, as lob serves are difficult for your opponents to kill. Plus, the other benefit of a lob serve is that you give yourself ample time to position yourself for your next shot . . . and maybe take a quick peek to look over at what your opponent is setting up to do.

3) Dink Shots
Personally, I am a huge fan of the dink shot. The most effective dink shot is the dink shot to the front corner, on the opponent's backhand side. The key to utilizing a dink shot is to use it at the right time. The best time to use it is when your opponent is near the back wall and has just hit a hard line shot to the front wall. When that hard shot bounces off the front wall, simply lift your racquet and point it in the direction of where you want it to go. If the ball is coming at you at a fast pace, then you barely even need to move your racquet forward. The momentum of the ball hitting your racquet will carry it back to the corner of the wall. Treat it like a bunt in baseball. You're not really hitting it . . . you're merely "catching" it and directing it. This will be a very difficult shot for your opponent to return, as he/she is already far away from the front wall. In addition, if he/she has just hit a hard shot, then they are most likely a little off-balance from all of the force that they used to hit their prior shot. By the time they set their feet and are ready to run, your little dink shot will be bouncing on the floor two times. And if by chance they do catch up to it, they will probably just end up stretching out as far as they can and simply try to keep it in play, at which time you can quickly respond with a hard shot at the wall that will most likely get behind them and leave them frustrated.

4) Ceiling Shots
Many people just use ceiling shots as a defensive shot, but there are times when it can be used as an offensive shot. If you see your opponent is close to the front wall, then go ahead and nail a ceiling shot over their head. Try to hit the ceiling shot on the other side of the court that they are standing on. If your ceiling shot is directly in front of them, then they may have a chance to cut it off before it takes the big bounce toward the back wall.

5) Kill Shots
Kill shots are like home runs in baseball. If you hit it good, then your opponent has no chance of catching it. The key to a kill shot is to stay patient and keep your feet still. If you are unbalanced, then your shot will most likely go higher, thus creating an easy return shot, or it may go lower than anticipated, in which case it won't even make the front wall. Like in baseball, you must pick your pitch. If it is too high, then don't swing for the fences. Typically, I recommend that you don't attempt a kill shot unless it is at waist level or lower. You can still execute a kill shot on a ball that is above your waist, but your chances of success will greatly decrease.

6) The Score?!
My last tip has nothing to do with athletic skills or strategy. My last tip for helping you win games is going to sound very simple, but it is very important. ANNOUNCE THE SCORE before every serve! All too often, players will forget to announce the score and before you know it, you are arguing with them about how many points you have. It sounds like such a simple task, but if ignored, you could lose a point or two among all of the confusion. That one or two points could be the difference between winning and losing.

I hope these tips have helped you. Good luck in your next match! And don't forget to wear your goggles! Your eyes are precious!