I played someone the other night I don't really enjoy playing and after the game began to ponder why. What came to mind is he always seems to be running into me or pushing me. Of course, most of these contacts are accompanied by the desire to replay the point regardles of whether he had a legitimate chance at gettting to the ball and making a play. He is also very guilty of blocking shots which is another very frustrating issue but not worth belaboring in a league. I've played a lot of folks over a lot of years of a lot of skill levels and can honestly say contact during most games seems minimal. The occasional bump as you are moving for a shot that doesn't seem to effect play is one thing but it seemed like this match included some noticeable contact on more points than not and a couple points where the contact was significant enough to knock one or the other of us down. I don't mind being sore from playing but that beat up feeling is another thing.

Anyone have any thoughts on what is too much contact and any thoughts on what to do about it?

I usually lenghthen my follow through...but that's just me.

It's a problem with some players, but otoh there ARE players who consistently hit the ball back through themselves and encourage the behavior, so it's tough to give you a blanket answer. Ask around and get other opinions. Obviously if he's the problem others will have the same reaction and perhaps you can get an intervention going....

"Hi, my name is Bob and I crowd people while they're swinging....guess I don't like my face much."

Something like that...

Q

The guy I used to play with in PA had problems with running into me. I just called him on it and said there's no need for that sh!t and that he needs to be more mindful of the court and his position on it. The behavior quickly stopped, with minimal run ins on plays where it couldn't be avoided.

Just say something to him, if you're comfortable doing that. He might get pissed but so what...it's not a contact sport by any means.

Q ... INTERVENTION ... I love it :p My doubles partner is the same way ... he just doesn't know how to move in and out of the way, especially in doubles. And I practically got comments about him from every opponent we played at last state dubs (aye Jim :) ... he even offered to send a formal apology for his behaviors to the state newsletter (course that was after we won double gold) :p

As for the intervention ... that might work. Doesn't in my friends case ... we are CONSTANTLY telling him what he is doing wrong ... and one time I proved it to him ... I put accelerometers on both of us and after the match I had taken almost twice as many steps ... that means to me that he is just not moving and making the effort to move ... don't matter, I don't see him changing his ways any time soon :frown:

ECFoecking

What came to mind is he always seems to be running into me or pushing me.
The occasional bump as you are moving for a shot that doesn't seem to effect play is one thing but it seemed like this match included some noticeable contact on more points than not and a couple points where the contact was significant enough to knock one or the other of us down. I don't mind being sore from playing but that beat up feeling is another thing.
Anyone have any thoughts on what is too much contact and any thoughts on what to do about it?

Another case of someone thinking there are playing hockey. lol My advise is the next time you play them, wear a helmet, shoulder, elbow and knee pads. Plus you find diving doesn't hurt so much.

:lol:

Contact can be pretty annoying. I watched a match this past weekend at NY State Singles between Rudd bonnano and Tommy Mastrodonato. Holy crap! They needed helmets, besides the banter that was non stop throughout the match.


Full contact racquetball...:mrgreen:

If contact is allowed then Joey D becomes an Open player....imagine him bearing down on ya, Vin. He'll be yelling "It's all legal..." just before you become an inkspot...hehe. Btw, I believe that would be Russ, not Rudd...and "banter" is a nice way of describing it.

Q

If contact is allowed then Joey D becomes an Open player....imagine him bearing down on ya, Vin. He'll be yelling "It's all legal..." just before you become an inkspot...hehe.

Q

Spidey

... I put accelerometers on both of us and after the match I had taken almost twice as many steps ... that means to me that he is just not moving and making the effort to move ... don't matter, I don't see him changing his ways any time soon :frown:

Careful about the accelerometers perception. Its very possible that you kept hitting the ball right back to him and he didn't HAVE to move. Maybe you were continually out of position for your shots and had to run farther.


That's probably NOT the case but I just thought I'd play the devil's advocate. Isn't part of racquetball success- controlling center court?

Of the contact is made by someone who is not of the female persuation...then any contact is too much.....

Ed
Yes, Greg was bad but I think EC was referencing singles. There is always a bit more bumping in doubles. Your association with him is your own choice. I played with a jerk once on my team, and decided it wasn't for me and we parted ways. However, I didn't like him either. Greg is not unlikeable in that way. I believe you must absolutely like your doubles partner. I figure as long as you guys keep winning, "you must like it."

As for singles, I don't like to play guys that dramatize hinders in that way. In a reffed match, the ref has the option of an unsportsmanlike call. I've never tried that in a ref-your-own-league match, but mentioning it probably wouldn't hurt. Also, EC, try simply not giving him the hinder on any of those where it's not even close, yet he dramatizes it with a bump. He's abusing the honor system associated with hinders.

What would you rather have happen.....you stomp off the court mad, due to the bumping? Or him stomping off the court mad because you wouldn't give him every bad hinder call?

I actually did that in a league match once, calling it "name will remain anonymous" rules, i.e., I decided I would actually take every call that I felt he was abusing his "do over" option. And, yes, he stomped off the court mad.

Jim

Qjakal

I usually lenghthen my follow through...but that's just me.

Q

I like that....I've done it myself. Being 6'2" doesn't hurt either.

When you guys watch the Pro Doubs from PRB this year watch how Cliff (I know I know...broken record) clears Tuck and Vandy from his hitting zone. Getting a early raq prep with a wide stance will clear your opponent out of the way. If there is contact its a replay or an avoidable, depending on the circumstances.

Have you noticed that when you play someone that charges at you every return more often then not puts them out of position because they don't watch the ball. They don't cover the 'other' pass opportunity, the one that is going away from your body or they lose a step when changing direction. Pass the charger every time.

Qjakal

If contact is allowed then Joey D becomes an Open player....imagine him bearing down on ya, Vin. He'll be yelling "It's all legal..." just before you become an inkspot...hehe. Btw, I believe that would be Russ, not Rudd...and "banter" is a nice way of describing it.

Q

Well, the D's are next to the S's...oh well. hehee.

bill

When you guys watch the Pro Doubs from PRB this year watch how Cliff (I know I know...broken record) clears Tuck and Vandy from his hitting zone. Getting a early raq prep with a wide stance will clear your opponent out of the way. If there is contact its a replay or an avoidable, depending on the circumstances.

Have you noticed that when you play someone that charges at you every return more often then not puts them out of position because they don't watch the ball. They don't cover the 'other' pass opportunity, the one that is going away from your body or they lose a step when changing direction. Pass the charger every time.

haha ... Bill is right ... I was telling my daughter the same thing tonight ... she was slow getting into position and she'd still be moving up when the shot was hit ... putting her at a disadvantage cause she wasn't in position and set ... man, what a great time I had tonight ... actually the last few times ... my kids are now asking me what they are doing wrong here and there ... I think they are gearing up for JrNationals in MI this summer :)

tkisling

Careful about the accelerometers perception. Its very possible that you kept hitting the ball right back to him and he didn't HAVE to move. Maybe you were continually out of position for your shots and had to run farther.

That's probably NOT the case but I just thought I'd play the devil's advocate. Isn't part of racquetball success- controlling center court?

hahaha ... I hate being an arrogant jerk but ... I doubt it ... I've been playing open for 35 years, and my friend is an A player at best (being an AmPRO pro instructor and level II coach ... gives me that power :) .. though he is the #1 50s player in MI. At the time I was trying to prove a point to him ... that he wasn't working hard enough. And I was wearing 15 lbs on top of it (I've recently upgraded :) He's good enough that he can start beating me after 2-3 games so I'm not going to be trying to get my wins early ... do you know what it is like playing racquetball and carrying 15 lbs? and don't give me that crap about I've got 15 lbs of fat so I don't need to wear a weight suit ... I hear that all the time ... hahaha :)