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Return Straight High Lob Serves
Be as
aggressive as possible without sacrificing high percentage racquetball
fundamentals. It is very important to read the serve and react quickly.
Unlike the corner drive serve, the straight high lob service allows more
time. Try to pressure the server by cutting off the lobs that are too
long or too hard off the front wall right away to take the momentum out
of his sails.
General lob
principle: The deeper a lob goes back towards the backwall, the better
it gets and the tougher it is for you to return it effectively. If
possible, cut it off or short hop it to prevent this from happening. Use
the high percentage pass as your first option to move your opponent deep
and on the run.
If he is
backpedaling hard and expect a pass, surprise him occasionally by mixing
in a pinch to keep his coverage honest and to take advantage of his
backward momentum.
Another
useful return weapon is the overhead pass on lobs that are long and far
away from the sidewall. Use the forehand overhead stroke to pound a down
the line or cross court return to put continual pressure on the server.
If you are
not able to short hop or cut off the serve, then play it safe by going
back to the ceiling either down the line or cross court. Use the down
the line ceiling return for players with a weaker backhand. For lefties,
play cross court to work on their backhand ceiling stroke. A cross court
ceiling can work for two reasons: (1) surprise element and (2) When
shooting cross court, the ball can catch the other sidewall and crack
out to give your opponent a tough time to return.
Sources:
(1) Velocity Racquetball Pro Am Tour. Marcus McClayson. 2002-3. (2)
Skills and Strategies for Winning Racquetball. Ed Turner and Marty
Hogan. 1988. (3) Sports Illustrated Racquetball. Victor I. Spears, M.D.
1979.
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