Coaching

ASU Sun Devils Mentor Students

Posted on December 14, 2017December 14, 2017 by DV

Phoenix, AZ, WPH Press, 12/13/17- Members of the Arizona State University Sun Devil Handball Team visited two local high schools this week to mentor the students on handball and the importance of education.

The format was 3-wall doubles with eye guards, gloves and small balls being used for all events. For some of the high school students, it was their first or second time playing with the small blue sphere. Each doubles team was comprised of one ASU student and one high school student. This allowed the Sun Devils to encourage and instruct the high schoolers on proper small ball techniques.

Coach Chris Hogan helped organize the event at Carl Hayden HS and was enthused with the outcome. “It was great to see our players competing and learning small ball from the ASU students. It shows them what is possible if they put their mind to it.” Local coach Don Stewart was on hand to offer encouragement and pointers to the students and noted “the Falcon Handball Club continues to improve.” Sun Devil Juan Valerio is a former student of CHHS and commented that he really enjoyed visiting his alma mater.

The Camelback HS event was made possible through the efforts of Sponsor Kathryn Wagner, Athletic Director Steve Kuipers and Coach Jim Reitmyer. Two Sun Devils are former Camelback Spartans: David Frances and Esteban Morales. They enjoyed being on their old campus and playing with – and against – their old schoolmates.

The Sun Devils have begun planning a small ball tournament at ASU for the spring of 2018 and will make sure to invite the high school students from the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

Keep an eye out on juniorhandball.org, as new clinic opportunities and recaps pop up weekly. Want to coach a clinic or a junior handball program? Need more information regarding junior handball? The Junior WPH group spans multiple countries, continents and oceans with clinics happening daily. We can help! Contact WPH Development Director David Fink at fink@race4eight.com

To enable Junior WPH to continue to host junior handball clinics and tournaments across North America with Certified WPH Coaches, the World Players of Handball invites you to make a tax-deductible donation today in supporting the growth of the game. 100% of the donations received by the WPH go towards junior handball development. Donate on-line here, or send your generous gifts through PayPal (extremehandball@cs.com) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 3561 E. Sunrise Dr. Suite 125, Tucson, AZ, 85718.

Dan Willeford

ASU Handball Head Coach

JR WPH @ LAAC

Posted on December 11, 2017December 11, 2017 by DV

JR WPH Clinic at the ’17 LAAC R48 Qualifier

Los Angeles, CA, WPH Press, 12/11/17- WPH R48 Elite 8 pros Mando Ortiz and Vic Perez hosted a sensational junior clinic for Patrick Saito’s Southern California junior handball group at the ’17 LAAC R48 Pre Qualifier. Coaches Ortiz and Perez focused on fundamentals of the sidearm stroke, footwork, making solid contact, fist ceiling shots, return of serve, and having fun on the court. The youngsters were able to learn from two of the game’s best players, an unforgettable experience for any junior player in any sport.

“The WPH cannot thank Mando and Vic enough for giving back to the next generation of players,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “We are so grateful that our top players like Mando and Vic are willing to inspire youngsters to develop a lifelong passion for our great game.”

Thank you to Marcos Chavez and Vic Perez for running the event ’17 LAAC R48 Pre Qualifier and thank you to Mando Ortiz and Vic Perez for coaching a clinic to inspire the next generation of players. Thank you to all of the players for participating.

2017 JR WPH Holiday Cup

Posted on December 11, 2017December 11, 2017 by DV

JR WPH was thrilled to present the 2017 Tucson Amateur Championships on the second weekend in December, featuring the JR WPH Collegiate Singles, Amateur Singles, and 50+ doubles. Players between the ages of 18-67 from Tucson and Phoenix competed in the one-day handball extravaganza at the Tucson Racquet Club.

JR WPH Collegiate Singles

A dozen collegiate stars from Pima College and Arizona State University battled for the first JR WPH Collegiate Championship, with the collegians producing sensational matches and demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship.

Fred Lewis Foundation star Carlos Espinoza entered the event as the top seed and cruised to the semifinal with an impressive win against Arizona State’s Esteban Morales. FLF star Noe Rios and FLF alum and current Arizona State star Esteban Camacho played the closest match in the quarterfinals, with the longtime friends and rivals needing overtime to decide a winner. Rios rallied from a 24-25 deficit to score the last three points and advance to the face Espinoza.

In the bottom bracket quarterfinals, ASU’s Derek Doyle edged FLF’s Alejandro Sandoval, while Pima College’s Dylan Key ousted ASU’s Javier Davila.

Espinoza was too strong for Rios in the upper bracket semifinal, while Key cruised past ASU’s Doyle in the bottom bracket semifinals.

Despite both living in Tucson, Espinoza and Key met for the first time in the Collegiate Final. Key started strong in the final, racing to a 10-2 lead and seemingly on the verge of a one-game lead in the best of three game final. Espinoza closed the gap and eventually tied Key at 11, then carried the momentum to a one-game lead.

Espinoza continued to apply pressure in game two, building an 11-6 lead and eventually reaching match point at 14-11.

Key played his best ball of the match with his back against the wall, tying the score at 14.

With the score tied at 15, Espinoza was able to win consecutive points to clinch the title. “Carlos just played great,” stated a gracious Key. “That was a really fun match.”

Quarterfinals

Carlos Espinoza def Esteban Morales 25-5

Noe Rios def Esteban Camacho 27-25

Derek Doyle def Alejandro Sandoval 25-20

Dylan Key def Javier Davila 25-4

Semifinals:

Carlos Espinoza def Noe Rios 25-10

Buddy Key def Derek Doyle 25-7

Final: C. Espinoza def Key 15-12, 17-15

3^rd Place Final: Rios def Doyle 25-20

WPH

3561 E. Sunrise Dr. Suite 125,

Tucson

Arizona

85718

JR WPH Holiday Cup

Posted on November 20, 2017November 20, 2017 by DV

Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 11/20/17- JR WPH is thrilled to announce the JR WPH Holiday Cup on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at the Tucson Racquet Club in Tucson, AZ. The JR WPH Holiday Cup will feature the sixth edition of the Battle of the Border, pitting Southwest rivals Team Fred Lewis Foundation vs. Team Juarez, as well as the JR WPH Collegiate Holiday event, matching (only) current collegiate handball players from the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Pima College, and more. All of the junior and collegiate players will be treated to a minimum of three matches, endless hospitality, and a special Wild West Show at Tucson’s famous Trail Dust Town after a fun-filled day of handball.

“We’re really looking forward to hosting the JR WPH Holiday Cup,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “JR WPH has hosted more than 1,000 junior handball clinics and events in 2017 and the JR WPH Holiday Cup is going to be a great way to finish out 2017.”

“This is really going to be a great event because we are going to have an opportunity to really treat the junior and collegiate players to a great day in Tucson,” stated WPH Executive Director David Vincent. “After a great afternoon of handball, the youngsters will be in for a real treat when they watch the stunt show at Trail Dust Town.”

“Team Juarez is very excited to make our third trip to Tucson since September,” stated Team Juarez Head Handball Coach Richie “Drft” Fernandez. “The kids love playing in the Battle of the Border and this December’s Battle of the Border is going to be especially fun, as Team FLF Head Coach Abraham Montijo and I will team with our juniors in official Battle of the Border matches.”

“I love the idea of the JR WPH Collegiate Holiday Cup!” exclaimed ASU Head Handball Coach Dan Willeford.

For more information on the JR WPH Holiday Cup and to enter, please contact WPH Development Director David Fink at fink@juniorhandball.com

CHHS 3Wall Phoenix, AZ Event

Posted on November 20, 2017November 20, 2017 by DV

Carl Hayden High School 3 – Wall Tournament in Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ, WPH Press, 11/20/17 – Everybody had a good time at the Carl Hayden High School 3-Wall handball tournament & Car Show. Good sportsmanship, competitive matches and low-riders were on full display!

There were three divisions and each featured 16 participants in this two-stage event. In the first stage, the players were put into four round-robin pools of four players each. After they played all opponents, the top two from each pool advanced to an eight-player single elimination championship bracket. The bottom two players in each pool advanced to an eight-player single elimination consolation bracket. Each player was guaranteed four matches against four different opponents. If a player made it to the finals in his bracket, he would have played six matches against a minimum of five different opponents. Comments afterwards indicated that players liked playing lots of different opponents.

Special thanks to:

Carl Hayden HS for allowing use of their courts

The CHHS Art Club for painting the ‘falcon playing handball’ on the side of the courts

The Tucson players for making the trek up

Don Stewart for donating pizzas and posters, which made the long day of playing handball even more enjoyable

ASU team for running the tournament

Intermediate Division

Champion – David Frances (ASU)

Finalist – Ben Fernandez (Phoenix)

Advanced Division

Champion – Noe Rios (Fred Lewis Foundation)

Finalist – Frank Huerta (Carl Hayden HS)

Open Division

Champion – Pat States (Phoenix)

Finalist – Albert Tabares (Phoenix)

Dan Willeford

ASU Head Handball Coach

Jr WPH at #TheMemorial

Posted on November 16, 2017November 16, 2017 by DV

JR WPH Clinic and Singles at the ’17 Memorial

Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 11/11/17- JR WPH proudly hosted a clinic, skills competition, and JR WPH singles for two-dozen youngsters between the ages of 8-19 from Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Mexico. The junior players learned the fundamentals from R48 pros and aimed for targets on kill shots and serves to improve their accuracy and technique. During the skills competition, several of the junior players were interviewed by ESPN’s Kara Mack and discussed what they love about handball.

Following the clinic, the juniors played in age bracket JR WPH singles, with each of the participants demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship and skills.

“All of the donations we receive at the Memorial and throughout the year go towards hosting junior clinics and competitions throughout each year,” stated WPH Donor Development Director David Fink. “We are very proud to have hosted more than 1,000 junior handball clinics thus far in 2017. Thank you to all of our generous donors for helping us to inspire the next generation of players.”

JR WPH Singles at the ’17 Memorial

Rookies

Champion: Andres Araiza

Finalist: Yareli Leon

Champion: Jesus Mendez

Finalist: Andres Cordova

Contenders

Champion: Miguel Sandoval

Finalist: Jensen Payton

17-and under

Champion: Alejandro Sandoval

Finalist: Rodrigo Silva

19-and-under

Champion: Esteban Camacho

Finalist: Alex Clarke, Jr.

Thanks!

Thank you to ASU’s Dan Willeford, JR WPH Juarez’s Drft Fernandez, the Fred Lewis Foundation’s Abraham Montijo for organizing for their junior players to play and running the ’17 Memorial singles. Thank you to all of the junior players for the sportsmanship and passion for the game.

ASU Hosts Clinic for CHHS

Posted on November 6, 2017November 6, 2017 by DV

Tempe, AZ, WPH Press, 11/6/17- The ASU handball team, led by head coach Dan Willeford, coached a three-hour handball clinic for high school students from Phoenix’s Carl Hayden High School on Saturday, November 4 at the Sun Devils home courts in Tempe, AZ. The ASU team started the clinic by sharing their perspective on safety and sportsmanship, followed by an introduction to small ball. The small ball instruction included proper hand care, hand positioning, stroke mechanics and footwork.

After the instruction, the ASU team and the high school handballers played some games to practice what the newcomers had learned. Next, the Sun Devils instructed the Falcons on different serves; they are quick learners!

We finished up with more scrimmaging so players could develop more experience with the different serves and techniques they had learned.

Throughout the clinic, the Sun Devils emphasized their philosophy on the importance of effort, mistakes and learning.

Afterwards, the players enjoyed pizzas and discussions on how college life differs from high school.

“I want to thank our ASU Sun Devil instructors Austen Bennett, Esteban Camacho, Derek Doyle, David Frances, and Juan Valerio,” stated Coach Willeford. “It’s great to see the ASU players giving back to the new players.”

Dan Willeford

ASU Head Handball Coach

R48 #1 Carroll Does Clinics

Posted on October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 by DV

Pensacola, FL, WPH Press, 10/24/17

By JR WPH UWF Coach Michael Morgan:

The weekend with Coach Killian was a huge success, with the UWF handball team and JR WPH sponsoring R48 #1 Killian Carroll to travel to Pensacola, FL to conduct clinics for 30 collegiate handball players from the University of West Florida and the University of Texas. All of the players had a great time playing handball, catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, and learning from Killian.

Killian was incredible with the players, conducting five hour-long clinics and adding extra time throughout the weekend for any player who wasn’t too awestruck to ask the number one player in the world specific questions about their own game. With the clinics, we were able to split players into small groups for a more personal touch and separate the new and experienced players into separate groups to cover more of the fundamentals of the game and more advanced material for the players with more experience. Throughout the clinics, Killian gave each player individual critiques to help improve their personal style of play. One player mentioned, “These were the best clinics he had ever been a part of.”

All weekend Killian showed why on and off the court he is an incredible champion and ambassador for the sport of handball. I’m confident in saying through his tireless efforts with the players this weekend if he didn’t already have them, he now has 30 new fans that will be cheering him on at tournaments for years to come, check that, 31. Thank you, Killian and a big thank you to the WPH for the continued support in helping the UWF Handball team grow.

Editor’s note: Thank you to JR WPH collegiate Coach of the Year Michael Morgan and Race 4 Eight #1 Killian Carroll for an outstanding weekend of clinics for nearly three-dozen collegiate handball players. The WPH is extremely fortunate to have Coach Morgan and Killian as ambassadors to the sport and willing to give back so much of their time and energy to this great game.