Racquetball requires faster movement and quick body balancing within a split of milliseconds. Thus, you need to practice your racquetball skills regularly and improve them. However, at first glance, racquetball practice drills may appear easier.
Thus, it leads the newbies to learn false techniques during the drill sessions. We, therefore, decided to bring the list of the best practice drills for racquetball. It includes step drills, pivot drills, lob drills, tactical games, ceiling ball games, and down the line games.
The mixture of these practice drills and gaming sessions will help you improve footwork, movement speed, and mental concentration. Thus, you will be a better racquetball player.
The Top Racquetball Practice Drills
Racquetball has become a popular and thrilling game in recent years. Thus, many people have entered the racquetball court lately. For newbies, it is incredibly important to practice continuously and tirelessly to improve their gaming skills.
Here, you will find the top drills to practice for the game. Nonetheless, it would help if you practiced truly hard since you would require almost 1000 practicing hours to learn the basics and intermediate skills of the fast-paced game.
Step drill:
The step drill is fundamental to racquetball drills to learn the pace-paced movement. You need to measure the distance between the service line and the encroachment line. Once you have measured the distance properly, face a sidewall and stand to start the drill. Your feet should be on the back serving line.
Now, you need to move towards the front serving line laterally. Once you reach the serving line, bend to touch it. You should touch it with the opposite hand of your face facing the line. You need to continue practicing the drill by touching one line to another. Also, you must ensure that you never cross the lines as you practice the drill.
The step drill is for footwork improvement. It is practiced without the racquet. Also, it is easy to practice and ideal for beginners to kick off their drilling sessions.
Pivot drill:
The next drill technique you need to start practicing is the pivot drill. This practice also requires the serving and receiving line like the previous step drill. Also, you need to face the sidewall when you stand for the drill.
Your legs need to be on the serving backline. Now, try to pivot your entire body towards the serving line. You need to continue the motion. However, you need to engage your upper body during this pivotal movement. Your lower body should remain stable.
Once you have turned properly, bend down and touch the closest line. After that, pivot back carefully right to your starting position. You need to do the same pivotal and bending drill right towards the receiving line. It will help the other side of your body move without an imbalance of your lower body parts.
Combination drill:
The combination drill is nothing but the combination of a side step drill and pivot drill. As you perform both drills simultaneously, you will learn how to implement both techniques when required. For the drilling session, first, take a side step. After that, perform the pivot drill before touching the ground as you bend carefully.
Then perform the back pivot, and you need to shuffle back right to the center. From there, again practice the shuffle step. Finally, you need to perform the pivot oppositely.
The combination practice drill will allow you to move faster and have better balance without crossing your feet. Also, you will learn how to transfer the body motion from your legs to the arms you adjust your body to hit the ball.
Lob drills:
The above three techniques will help you improve your footwork, movement speed, and body balance. So, it’s time you introduce a practice drill with the racquet. It is important because performing drills with the racquet will put you in a real challenge. You need to balance the racquet and your body simultaneously while improving the movement pace.
However, before starting the lob drill with the racquet and racquetball, you need to be confident. You may start the lob practice when you are confident that you have learned the step drill, pivot drill, and their combination.
Use the racquet to hit your first lob serve. Now, carefully track the movement of the racquetball. Take the lunge step to swing and hit the ball when you find the right time. Continue hitting the lob serve and tracking the ball with the right swing.
The drill will help you learn the swing mechanics. You can try to exert more power with every shot once you are confident with the swing mechanics and body balance. Also, try to continue the rally for as long as possible. You may also practice backhand and forehand skills during the drilling time.
Tactical game drill:
The tactical game is designed for practicing and playing simultaneously. It is pretty similar to the lob drill, with a major difference in including a partner. Also, your partner doesn’t necessarily need to know that you are practicing racquetball drills with him.
However, we suggest you inform your game partner and participate in the tactical game. Depending on the type of serve and shot you want to practice, the tactical game drill is divided into the following.
Ceiling ball game:
You may play each game with 11 points to warm up for the drill session and main game. You need to alternate the backhand and forehand shots for the lob serving. Also, the key is to hit the ceiling with the ball with every lob shot. When you miss hitting the ceiling, you lose 1 point.
Also, you need to return the ball that reaches the backline after hitting the ceiling. It takes the ceiling ball game to the next level.
Down the line drill:
You have to return the ball right to the line. Also, the ball must follow a strictly tight line with the wall. You may practice ceiling shots, passing shots, and kill shots during the game. The key is to hit the ball down the line whichever shot you practice.
When your opponent (in this case, your game partner) is behind, you can practice the skill shot drills. It should be at knee level or below as you hit the ball. Nonetheless, you aren’t allowed to practice splat and pinch shots during this drill session.
Passing game:
With the passing game, you will learn to locate your opponent on the racquetball court. Also, you will learn to choose and play the right shot by judging the location of your opposition. It includes the following shot drills.
- Perform the cross-court passing hit if your opponent is standing in front of you. Also, the ball needs to be at your waist-high or below. You may alternatively play the wide-cross passing shot.
- Try hitting the ball down the line when you find your opponent right at your back. Also, the shot should be close to the wall.
The game will help you improve game awareness. Also, you may play the ¾ court game and pinch game during the drilling sessions for racquetball.
Conclusion
You need to fine-tune your body balance and movement to succeed in the racquetball game. Thus, you must perform the racquetball practice drills with premium intensity. You must understand that the harder and more intense your drilling sessions will be, the faster you will advance in racquetball. Also, you need to prepare to practice hours after hours to learn each shot, serve, and movement.
