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Category: Tips and Techniques

Make the Most of ALL Game Situations

March 10, 2017
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| Categories: International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Mental Toughness, Tips and Techniques

By understanding sample game situations and tactical strategies of what to do in the heat of the battle you will then be on your way to building to your “championship level of play”. You need to be able to analyze the situation, figure out what to do, and then adjust your game plan and strategies so you fully understand how to play each and every point/game and match. This information will allow you to close out the game/match that you have the lead in, or come back from a deficient in the game/match you are behind in or win a

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The Art of Doubles Return of Serve Strategy

February 12, 2017
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| Categories: International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Mental Toughness, Tips and Techniques

[caption id="attachment_1646" align="alignright" width="150"] Coach Fran Davis[/caption] With The National Doubles Championship still in mind, it's apropos to cover some doubles “Return of Serve Strategy”. Get the Serving Team to the Back of the Court …..Pass, Pass, Pass! The best return of serve for doubles is a pass, if possible, trying to keep your opponents from getting back into good center-court position. If you cannot attack early, then go to the ceiling, which still gets the serving team into the back court, your number one goal. Once the serve is hit, if the non-serving partner is slow getting back out of

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Striving for Better

December 31, 2016
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| Categories: International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Mental Toughness, Tips and Techniques

[caption id="attachment_6580" align="alignright" width="225"] Rocky Carson (finalist) and Paola Longoria (Champion) pose with Coach Fran Davis after the 2016 UnitedHealthcare US Open Championships. Courtesy of Fran Davis[/caption] As I take time to reflect back and look at my Championship Team, lead by Rocky Carson and Paola Longoria and followed by my Juniors, Wayne Antone, Jordan Cooperrider and Mitchell Turner, there is a definite theme going on explaining why they are so successful, holding numerous championship titles. (more…)

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Won and Lost Record….Does it Matter?

December 5, 2016
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| Categories: International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Mental Toughness, Tips and Techniques

[caption id="attachment_1646" align="alignright" width="150"] Coach Fran Davis[/caption] Does your record matter? Real winners know that when they lose they need to work on specific skills, strategies, techniques, drill more, read more mental toughness books, and sharpen the area that cost them the match. They are not losers in life because they lost a match; they are winners in life because they are willing to go back to the trenches and work even harder on their game. Every obstacle in your life is offering you a lesson to be learned. The courageous athletes say, “Bring it on!” (more…)

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What is ERP?

October 29, 2016
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| Categories: International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Strategies / Skills, Tips and Techniques

ERP stands for Early Racquet Preparation, one of the most critical parts of a proper stroke. The idea is to get your racquet up as soon as the ball hits the front wall (or on the way to the front wall) when you know whether you'll be hitting a forehand or backhand shot. "Racquet up" means your elbow should be in line with your shoulder and racquet pointing up to the ceiling. (more…)

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Having a POSITIVE ATTITUDE

September 5, 2016
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| Categories: International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Mental Toughness, Tips and Techniques

  [caption id="attachment_1646" align="alignright" width="150"] Coach Fran Davis[/caption] The ego does not like to live in any gray areas. The ego loves to be right and hates to be wrong. But we as human beings are 100% in control of the thoughts and emotions that we choose to focus on. So whatever we pay attention to and focus on grows. If you are filled with negativity, doubt and fear is what will grow in your mind. If you focus on being positive, happy, and fearless that is what you will create. All of this is up to you. Everyday thoughts are

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Why You Need a Pregame Psych Plan

August 18, 2016
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| Categories: International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Mental Toughness, Tips and Techniques

[caption id="attachment_1322" align="alignright" width="199"] Coach Fran Davis[/caption] A pregame psych plan prepares an athlete’s body, mind, and emotions to be 100 percent in the present moment. The more an athlete is willing to prepare properly, the more that athlete will walk onto the court with total self-confidence, consistency, focus, and concentration. For elite athletes, the pregame psych plan begins 48 hours before their competition. If they prepare before each match by eating properly, warming up their bodies properly, sleeping enough, visualizing their game plan, having routines, saying their affirmations, and staying calm and relaxed, the easier it will be to

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Affirmations

July 14, 2016
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| Categories: International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Mental Toughness, Tips and Techniques

[caption id="attachment_1646" align="alignright" width="150"] Coach Fran Davis[/caption] An affirmation is a personal and present statement of what you would like to happen in your game. It is as if you are bringing the future into the present moment. Your mind does not know the difference between a self-created statement and reality, so it sends triggers to your body as if it is a reality now. The beauty of the mind is that you really can control so many aspects of the way it works and how it affects your everyday life. (more…)

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Game Situations and Strategies

June 13, 2016
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| Categories: International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Strategies / Skills, Tips and Techniques

[caption id="attachment_1646" align="alignright" width="200"] Coach Fran Davis[/caption] A strategy is a method of achieving a specific goal or end result, which is to play your best to win the match. Your strategy helps you carry out your plan. If you just step out on the court without a plan and a particular strategy, you will be doomed from the start. You will always be reacting to the situation rather than creating the situation. You are in a much better position to win when creating the situation right from the beginning of the match.  (more…)

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Your Emotional State Affects Your Game

May 5, 2016
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| Categories: International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Mental Toughness, Tips and Techniques

[caption id="attachment_1646" align="alignright" width="150"] Coach Fran Davis[/caption]The greatest performances come from a state of enjoyment. We take risks, take chances, and are more creative in this state. If it feels great, we continue doing it. If it does not feel good, we stop the pattern. So you have to feel great out on the court all the time. If you are not enjoying racquetball, why are you playing? (more…)

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