PLAYING SMART EKTELON'S TOP PROS AND AMATEURS TALK RACQUETBALL This issue marks the first of a series of instructional articles for racquetball by amateur and professional members of Team Ektelon, the largest organization of players and professionals in the sport. The more than 1,000 Team Ektelon members have been successful at introducing people to racquetball through a variety of junior and novice adult programs. This "Playing Smart" feature will offer strategies, tips, drills and other information that will help improve your racquetball game.
HOWTO OUTSMARTYOUR
OPPONENT (... and win, even if he,s a better player) By Chris Cole
1992 World Racquetball Champion After competing in racquetball for more than 14 years, Chris Cole recently captured his third major title in as many attempts,' including the Tournament of the Americas, the U.S. National Singles title, and the World Championships. Planned strategy, combined with a slow, controlled game, advanced Cole from "team manager" at the 1990 Worlds in Caracas, to its gold medalist just two years later in Montreal. He is a club professional and director of racquetball at the Davison Racquet and Fitness Club near Flint, Michigan. Cole joined Ektelon's junior playing staff at age fourteen, and has been associated with the company for 10 years.
any players have asked me how I was able to defeat such power players as Michael Bronfeld, Tim Sweeney and John Ellis at the World Championships. Planned strategy- and not playing the same old game - is how I earned the individual world racquetball title in Montreal.
M
I'm sure to most of my opponents, victory seemed a remote possibility
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for me when I landed in the hospital with an allergic reaction a few days before the team round began. I did feel better in the individual playoffs, but what really helped was that I changed my usual game. I tried not to draw the match out so long. When I'm in shape, I can usually outlast my opponent. In Montreal, I needed to end the matches faster, so I went for more low percentage shots ... and fortunately, executed them.