I started playing racquetball when I was 4 years old, and my first tournament was when I was 5. It was a regional championship and I took first place. On the way home I said to my dad, "I won that girl!" From that point on I knew that I wanted to play (racquetball) for the rest of my life. My dad has always been my coach. A year ago my dad and I went to a Fran Davis Racquetball Camp. She made a suggestion that if I wanted to get to the next level in racquetball I needed to
March was a very busy month for my "Championship Team" as they competed in lots of events here in the US as well as Worldwide. Rocky Carson finally was back to his old form at the IRT "Party with the Pros" Pro Stop in St. Louis, MO March 16-18, 2012. After being sick for over a month with a reoccurring sinus infection he convincingly beat Andy Hawthorne in the quarter finals in 3 games and Ben Croft in the semi finals in 3 games. He then lost to the eventual winner Kane. Rocky has 2 more events left this season, a Tier
Rocky Carson gets sinus infections every month or two. Kane Waselenchuk had vertigo and played with a back injury. Paola Longoria and Jason Mannino each have had a very bad case of the flu. No one is exempt from unfortunate timing in getting sick. The key is to understand what happens to your body, what you can do to cope, and how you might possibly perform at your best. (more…)
February began in classic style with members of my "Championship Team" fairing well in their events and interviews. Rocky Carson became the 2012 National Doubles Champion for the 6th time in his career, 5X with Jack Huczek and now 1X with Ben Croft. The tournament was held at Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, AZ February 8-11. This was the first time Rocky and Ben decided to team up and it proved to be deadly. With Rocky's brilliant leftside play and Ben's crushing forehand and diving ability they cruised through the tournament only losing 1 game. Their toughest match came
In the last Newsletter I talked about FEAR and where it comes from and how to deal with it. (Click HERE to read part one) In this issue my team of experts and I want to teach you the techniques you can use to "Overcoming Fear.” It comes from lots of hard work in every aspect of the Sports Racquetball Triangle. It is not by accident Rocky has been the #2 IRT Player, Paola has been the #1 or #2 WPRO Player for the last several years, and Taylor and Sharon are marching up the Pro Ranks....let's take a look:
January 2012...A Running Start Here we are in January 2012 and my "Championship Team" has had a great start. The first weekend in Janaury 5-8, Rocky Carson, Paola Longoria and Taylor Knoth all made it into the finals in the Coast-to-Coast California Open IRT/WPRO Pro Stop in Canoga Park, CA. Rocky Carson...IRT Pro Finals took 2nd place. Rocky beat Taylor in the 16's, Shane in the quarter's, Ben in the semi's, but lost to Kane in the finals in a close 4 game match 7-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-8. Rocky had his chances in games 3 and 4, but couldn't convert.
I decided to write about "Fear of Failure" and how to "Overcome Fear" as it is something that all my athletes have had to face on their way to becoming a CHAMPION. Both Rocky and Paola had to face it at the 2011 US Open Championships as well as the 2011 Pan American Championships...both times they made it to the finals playing against their rivals. (more…)
My 'Championship Team:' Rocky Carson, Paola Longoria, and Taylor Knoth, all continued playing well coming out of the crazy month of October with 2 major championships - the US Open Racquetball Championships (US Open) and the 2011 Pan American Championships (Pan Am Games). Rocky came in strong to the Seattle Pro/Am Racquetball Championships IRT Tier 1 event held in Seattle, WA, November 3-6, after mentally regrouping from the Pan Am Games. Visualization did him good as he did not drop a game on the way to the finals beating Chris Crowthers 3-0 in the quarter-finals (sweet revenge after losing to him
Fran Davis says, "Be PREPARED! If you fail to plan you plan to fail. My "Championship Team" is always prepared - that is why they are on TOP!" Rocky Carson says, "The stronger I am physically, transfers into feeling stronger mentally. Knowing that I am quicker and more powerful on the court gives me more confidence in executing my shots and game plan." Paola Longoria says, "There are no second chances...you must play in the NOW, this moment is all we have and that is it. This is exactly the thinking I had when I won the 2011 US Open
Rocky Carson says, "Preparation is KEY in all areas of the Racquetball Sports Triangle. I concentrate on ALL 3 sides... Conditioning/Nutrition, Mental Toughness and Racquetball Skills, Techniques and Tactics. There are NO shortcuts only long and hard hours of preparing." Paola Longoria says, "Play in the NOW and seize the moment as there are NO second chances ONLY the present moment." Taylor Knoth says, "The serve sets the tone to the match and I have never worked harder on my serves than this year...particularly my drive serve with the pros changing to a 2 serve rule....it has definitely paid off
