COACH'S CORNER
COACH'S CORNER > QUICK TIPS FROM JO SHATTUCK
QUICK TIPS FROM WPRO PRO JO SHATTUCK
QUICKTIP 1: Use your non-racquet hand as your third leg. Have you ever done a Bear Crawl where you use your arms as legs? As you begin the dive, after your first two steps, you'll take a 'step' with your non-racquet arm, propelling yourself horizontal to the floor. The sequence is... one foot, other foot, arm, and swing. |
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Don't let your whole body weight be supported by any one 'leg'. After you swing (or just 'bunt' the ball), the impact of the landing should be absorbed by your chest and belly so it's more of a glide along the floor. Dive injuries occur when players land on their hip bone, or when they let one arm or knee absorb all the impact.
QUICKTIP 2:
How to get up quickly after a dive...
If you have landed properly after your dive, you are horizontal to the floor, sliding on your chest and belly. The recovery should happen very quickly, in just about a second, so you can retrieve the next shot (if necessary). Here's what you do...first, unwrap your fingers from the bottom of your racquet (to prevent your fingers from getting smashed). Your palm will still be on top of the grip, so you can pick up the racquet as you get up. You will now plant both palms, one hand with the grip underneath it, beside your shoulders, as if you were going to do a pushup. Since your entire body is still sliding, your timing must be precise. You do a half pushup, to lift your chest from the ground and to make room for your knees. Remember the 'burpees' you had to do in PE? Oh, and the less you are sliding, the more like a real push up it becomes. I recommend practicing the 'getting up' part with your racquet in your hand. First, lay down on your belly with your racquet, plant your hands, then get up as described above. Your triceps will feel it and in a real game situation, you will get to that ball before the second bounce and roll it out!
ABOUT JO SHATTUCK - WPRO PRO
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Currently a top touring pro on the WPRO Tour, Jo Shattuck specializes in one-on-one private coaching. Her instruction is not a cookie cutter, one size fits all approach, like some others. Sessions are designed to fit a players skill, body type, personality, lifestyle and natural strengths and weaknesses with help from her team...a movement consultant, strength and conditioning specialist, personal trainer, nutritionist and mental coaches. Go to www.RacquetballAcademy.com for more information. |