Training is an athlete’s approach to optimizing their playing potential. In this article, we will focus on Post-Season Recovery training since the National Championships just ended and this is a perfect time to address the rehabilitation part of your game.
Often players only focus on In-Season training and skip Post-Season Recovery training. Yet, they need Post-Season Recovery training to heal their bodies and minds, which is just as important as training in-season. If you do not follow this advice it could possibly lead to overtraining, injury, and playing at less-than 100% because of physical and mental fatigue. In every sport there is an off-season, which allows time off for your body and mind to heal as no one can play year-round, year after year, and expect to perform their best.
Post-Season Recovery training begins right after your playing season ends in May or June, and you should take three weeks off for a full mind and body rejuvenation. Rest, relax, and enjoy your time off. Then, gradually start back with aerobic exercise, ideally for fun outside such as running, hiking, and biking. (In my next months article I will cover Pre-Season training.)
Use the techniques in my book Championship Racquetball to understand “Post-Season Recovery Training” (Chapter 10, page 257-258)
Post-Season Recovery Training is a must for my “Championship Team,” Paola, Rocky, Taylor, Sharon, Connor, Jordan, Spencer, Lexi and Brian. I encourage each and every one of them to take time off after their respective Nationals, my adult players in June, and my junior players in July.
Let’s examine what tools Rocky, Paola, Jason and all of my athletes use for the “Post-Season Recovery Training” by taking a closer look at all 3 sides of The Sports Racquetball Triangle: Conditioning, Mental, and Physical Skills
Left Side of the Triangle
Conditioning
Have fun and do the things you like to do…run, hike, bike, play tennis, baseball/softball, boating, etc. Enjoy your time.
Nutrition
Have fun eating some of the foods you stay away from In-Season. I wouldn’t go crazy and pig out on everything in sight, but eat some of your favorites like ice cream, french fries, hamburgers from your favorite burger joint, soda or whatever you like and enjoy.
Right Side of the Triangle
Mental Skills
Rest and relax and let your mind heal and rejuvenate.
Base of the Triangle
Physical Skills
I recommend my players avoid touching a racquet and resist stepping on a racquetball court throughout the Post-Season Recovery phase. Just relax and chill from racquetball. There will be plenty of time during the Pre-Season Training phase to get back on the court and improve the consistency levels of strokes, serves, serve returns, etc.
ALL of the players I coach, from the professionals led by Rocky and Paola to the amateurs, know just how important it is to take time off. They all chomped at the bit to rest their bodies and minds. My professional and adult players are breaking even as I write this article, but my junior players are all preparing for the Jr. Nationals in Des Moines, IA at the end of June.
In the next issue, I will continue to build your Championship Racquetball Game one level at a time so you too can be ready to become the champion you always dreamed of becoming, by giving you the tools to make it a reality. Rocky ‘s and all my athletes “Championship Racquetball Games” stem from their focus on ALL 3 sides of the triangle working together so they can develop into top competitors. Without a shadow of a doubt, they KNOW just how important it is to do the work. They are living proof it works and their titles substantiate it.
For details on more personalized instruction, a weekend camp, instructional DVD’s, our book, Championship Racquetball, and our APP (coming soon), ALL which covers all aspects of the Sports Racquetball Triangle and more, please visit www.FranDavisRacquetball.com.Fran Davis is a 2004 racquetball Hall of Fame inductee, Racquetball Woman of the Year 2009, Coach #2 IRT Pro Player, Rocky Carson; Coach #1 Women’s LPRT Pro Player, Paola Longoria; Coach Jr. World & National Champion, Intercollegiate Champion, & IRT Pro Player, Taylor Knoth; Coach Intercollegiate Champion & LPRT Pro Player, Sharon Jackson; Master Professional Instructor/Coach USAR-IP. International Racquetball Tour.
