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Anticipation skills can be increased by analyze
your game and shots. Do my ceiling balls carry into deep court? If
they do, then you can anticipate a ceiling return. Do my ceiling
balls come up short or off the backwall? If so, expect your opponent
to go low zone for an offensive return and you should move forward
and get down and ready to cover his kill attempts.
You can learn a lot by watching your opponents
during their games with you and against other oppositions. Many
players will telegraph a upcoming shot, much like a basketball
player telegraphs his pass or a pitcher telegraphs a fast or curve
ball.
Does he dip his shoulder when going for the kill?
How soon does he commit himself? Does he bring his racquet as far
back for a pass as he does for a ceiling return? How far does he let
the ball drop? Can he hit the overhead? What are his favorite shots
from this particular position and setup?
How is his backhand? Does
he tend to shoot serves? Can he go to the ceiling a couple of times
without setting you up? Does he prefer to drive the ball? Is his
forehand deadly? What are his favorite serves? Does he ever rush the
serve?
You need to ask many questions about your
opponents, in order to get a jump on their returns. When you study
and analyze your game and those of your opponents, you are stocking
up on that precious Anticipation Elixir of Speed and Timing, which
is so potent for winning racquetball.
Experience is another factor in improving your
anticipation. That’s why top players like Sudsy Monchik, Cliff Swain
and John Ellis are always blasting winners left and right, even on a
dive sometimes! Their vast experience over playing countless matches
over many years means they knows how to read the ball, walls, and
their opponents with precise accuracy and efficiency.
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