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Working the
Rally
(Thinking Ahead)
We need to have an awareness and an
understanding of how shooting high percentage shots in sequence
increases our winning chances. In the amateur game, there is an
over-emphasis on having "no strategy" or a game plan based on a low
percentage one-shot sequence. This misunderstanding leads to a low
percentage shot selection that only benefit our opponents.
Thus, we need
to understand the "Work the Rally" concept and map out our shot
selection and learn to think ahead during a rally. For example, you have
a backhand setup on the dotted line and your pinch is off that game,
then you must definitely "Work the Rally" until you are in a groove
again.
An example from one of my games:
01/18/02… John W. knew that I was "off" my game , so his game plan was
to hit safe shots like ceiling balls and passes until I gave him a setup
he can finish. I noticed he stayed away from killing any low percentage
shots because he knew I would give him a higher percentage setup to
shoot at the next shot. I don't know how many times he smiled when he
hit a setup during rallies. He was like a duck hunter shooting ducks in
a barrel.
When I played John H., I
"work the rally" better than both of them and kept them in the back
corners with ceiling and passes and waited for them to commit an error
or give me a better shot to work with on the next shot, which they
usually did because I understand this concept and I used it on them with
better stroke mechanics. I "worked the rally" to two wins-11-3 versus
John H. and 11-2 versus John W.
Working the rally is nothing new in
the world of racquetball. It's the basic game plan of the pros like
Cliff Swain and Sudsy Monchik. They "work the rally" to shoot higher and
higher percentage shot to elicits lower and lower percentage shots from
their opponents so that they can finish them off with a pass or pinch
depending on their position.
The thinking of the pros is, "Kill for
Show, Pass for Dough." This statement means you don't kill unless you
have a major setup and you are in rhythm.
For example, if you are "off" and
you have a deep court setup, you would chose the higher percentage pass
than the pinch or kill from that distance. Ofcourse, "working the
rally" also means you got to know when to play defense when the
situation demands it.
For example, when you are jammed, out of position,
and in an awkward position. Play defense and go back to the ceiling or
hit a Z-shots and put the onus on your opponent to shoot a high
percentage shot from the back corners.
So next time, "work the rally"
against your opponent to play smart and high percentage racquetball.
Also be aware that opponent like John W. is "working the rally" to see
if you will spoon feed him forehand setups. It’s just like the G.I. Joe
statement: "Knowing is half the battle."
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