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Jr WPH Clinic at the 2016 Long Island Open
R48 Pro and ICHA Coach, Billy O’Donnell, guided a Junior WPH~ ICHA sponsored youth handball clinic at the 2016 Long Island Open, recently. Coach O’Donnell shared lessons he learned as youngster playing 1, 3 and 4-Wall with the next generation of New York junior handball stars; including kill shot fundamentals and the “line drill.”
After listening and watching Coach O’Donnell explain and demonstrate the proper swinging fundamentals, the junior players applied what they learned in a WPH sponsored target-hitting competition. Melanie Garate, Dan Pitre and Gary Luk won WPH prizes, with each managing to knock down targets with precise shot making.
Thank you to Harry Mellis, Junior Handball Director, plus WR48 Pro, Danielle Daskalakis, R48 Pro, Billy O’Donnell, ICHA Founder, Paul Williams, and all of the junior players for organizing, coaching and participating in a great clinic!
Keep an eye out on www.juniorhandball.org, as new clinic opportunities pop up weekly. Want to start a clinic? Need more information regarding Junior Handball? The Junior WPH group spans multiple continents, countries and oceans with clinics happening daily. We can help! Contact David Fink, WPH Development Director @ fink@race4eight.com.
WPH Iceman 4-Wall Big Ball Junior Tournament and Clinics
WPH Outdoor Director and WPH Coach Tom Flores, WR48 star Betty Fabian and “The Magic Man” Miguel Ochoa hosted an outstanding Junior WPH Clinic for eight enthusiastic junior players at the WPH IceMan 4-Wall Big Ball Tournament in Stockton, CA. The coaches focused on the importance of safety on the court, sportsmanship, fairness, friendship and respect; the cornerstones of all Junior WPH clinics and programs. After emphasizing the core values of Junior WPH, the coaches explained and demonstrated various serves and back wall returns, with each of the students practicing numerous repetitions of each shot under the watchful eye of the coaches. Thank you to Tom Flores, Betty Fabian and Miguel Ochoa.
In the junior singles portion of the Iceman 4-Wall Big Ball Junior Tournament, Xavier Flores captured the 13-and-under singles, defeating Tristen Hernandez, with Daniel Sanchez taking third. David Sanchez III captured the 16-and-under, overcoming runner-up Dorothy Sanchez and third-place finisher Felipe Mora-Ochoa. Gabe Delao captured the 19-and-under, with Luis Bustos taking second and Dorothy Ramirez taking third.
JR WPH Clinic, New Orleans
R48 superstar and WPH Coach Mando Ortiz joined WPH Master Instructor David Fink for an outstanding Junior WPH Collegiate Clinic Mardi Gras for more than a dozen collegiate handball players from San Angelo State and the University of Texas. Coach Ortiz explained the fundamentals required to hit kill shots and power serves and even demonstrated numerous kills and serves, hitting 90-mile-hour lasers with both hands. Clinic participants then had the chance to practice what they learned in target-hitting competitions for WPH prizes. Imagine hitting balls with Roger Federer or shooting three’s with Steph Curry-it happens on the R48 tour!
Juniors are welcome to enter he next R48Pro event in Houston, Texas, Feb 19th-21st, as WPH Pros will be on hand with clinics and tournament play. HERE>
Junior WPH University of West Florida Collegiate Tune-up Tournament and Collegiate Clinic
The University of West Florida Collegiate Tune-up event and WPH Sponsored Clinics featured the University of West Florida Argonauts and University of Texas Longhorns handball teams, as well as collegiate and amateur players from across the state of Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. All of the collegiate players played a minimum of five matches during the event in special round robin brackets. Collegiate players were also treated to a special collegiate clinic and target hitting competition led by WPH Certified Coach and R48 Pro Luis Cordova.
Players were taught the corner kill and power serve and were given the opportunity to compete for exciting prizes during the target shootout. Thank you to the UWF Handball Club Founder Michael Morgan for organizing an incredible UWF Collegiate Nationals Tune-up event, Coach Luis Cordova for instructing the enthusiastic collegiate players and to the entire UWF Handball Club for their incredible passion for the game
Plummer Jr Handball Clinic in Colorado
NFL Legend and WPH Top 10 Most Influential Handball Ambassador Jake Plummer hosted junior handball clinics in Colorado for several dozen youngsters between the ages of 8-17. Accompanied by Colorado junior handball coaches Jesse Degraw, Bob Hickman, Mark Hammond, Brett Nickal, Don and Nick Gavit and Stan Wolpoff, Jake hosted three one-hour junior handball clinics focusing on the basic fundamentals of the game, short-court drills, off-hand dexterity and rallying. “Overall, I was impressed with all of the participants eagerness to learn a new and very difficult sport,” stated Plummer. “I had more than one ask me, “when can we do this again,” and my response was soon!” Jake plans to host another clinic in February.
To read the full recap from Jake, click here>
Cooney’s Instructional Corner: I’ve Got Your Back
Every one- and three-waller’s nightmare in four-wall handball is the back wall. The anxiety and dread of that ball coming back at the outdoor specialists from this foreign angle can make outdoor players put their bodies in questionable positions, making the four-wall game feel uncomfortable and daunting. This shot, which is an offensive opportunity for top-level four-wall handball players, is the downfall for even the elite outdoor players making the transition to the four-wall game.
In this edition of Cooney’s Instructional Corner, I am going to explain a process for an outdoor specialist to practice the back wall and to make the leap from simply dreading the back wall shot to making it a part of your attacking arsenal so you can challenge even the best four-wallers.
Step 1: Believe and Visualize
The first step you can do anytime during the day, on your armchair at home in the evening or even in the car before you get to work (make sure to keep your eyes on the road of course…). Visualize yourself hitting a perfect back wall shot: Picture yourself moving back with the ball and then once the ball comes off the back wall, imagine yourself pushing off your back foot and driving through the ball. The ability to perceive something is a vital step in the process of doing. Next, picture yourself from your first-person perspective moving perfectly into the shot as it comes off the back wall. Seeing yourself from a distance and from your personal viewpoint will help make you feel more comfortable when you actually begin to practice the shot. Remember that this visualization exercise can be used for any shot you wish to get better at.
Step 2: Face the Side Wall
My old handball coach, the great John Gaffney, one of the best handball trainers to ever grace the game, relayed this message to me over and over again through my years growing up as a young handballer: “Face the side wall.” As simple as the message is, not facing the side wall while hitting the ball is the most common mistake many players make. It can lead to over-extension of the arm, striking out a balance and, later on down the line, injury. Think of a golfer hitting the ball; this is how you should be facing. Not facing the side wall is one of the main reasons why one- and three-wallers are not able to make a good strike on their back wall. So always keep this simple but essential point in mind.
Step 3: Time to Dance
This step is a point I received from women’s top all-around handball player, New York’s Danielle Daskalakis. Danielle explained that for a one-waller or three-waller to get to grips with hitting the back wall, they have to think that the ball is their dance partner. This means never turning your back on the ball and following the ball closely around all walls. This is a concept that you can practice even on your nights out. Since your dance partner may not always be amicable and compatible with your moves, you need to similarly keep watch of the ball at all times and adjust accordingly.
Step 4: Practice, Practice, Practice
The final step in getting down your back wall game is practice! Reading all the material and self-help in the world will not be worth a cent if you don’t get into the court and practise. On your own or during a training game, remember to follow the ball like your dance partner and face the side wall before making that strike on the ball. Getting into position is nine-tenths of hitting a good shot; the other tenth is striking the ball. Remember not to get discouraged as you are making this transition, even if you lose to the players to whom you normally hand an easy beating. So don’t get your head down, as once you add this tool to your game, you will be a formidable opponent to any four-wall player.
So get out and go for it. Let me know how you do and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to answer.
Special thank you to Westside YMCA Harris Mellis WPH Coach Danielle Daskalakis for her advice on this topic.
Stephen Cooney hails from Ballaghaderreen, Ireland and currently visiting New York City, playing, training and on hand to give coaching advice at the famed New York Athletic Club and the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Junior Handball Program. After a successful junior career that saw the “Coondogg” rise to the top of the Irish junior ranks, Mr. Cooney quickly established himself as one of the top stars on the Race 4 Eight tour. In just 13 months as a full-time R48 pro, Mr. Cooney rose to the coveted position inside the R48 Elite 8.
Mr. Cooney and the World Players of Handball are thrilled to bring “Cooney’s Instructional Corner” to wphlive.tv. Mr. Cooney will discuss various skills, techniques and strategies to help you improve your game, beat your rivals and have more fun on the court.
If you have questions for Mr. Cooney, please contact him at cooney@race4eight.com
The Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program Sponsored by the WPH
The World Players of Handball is thrilled to announce our partnership with New York City’s Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program. Harry Mellis’ Program’s Director and WPH Coach Daskalakis leads a group of more than 35 passionate junior handball players in twice-weekly handball clinics at New York City’s Westside YMCA, teaching the fundamentals of the game, while emphasizing teamwork, independence, leadership, discipline, embracing diversity and developing a physically active lifestyle through handball.
The World Players of Handball Foundation enthusiastically approved a grant for the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program to provide the opportunities for more weekly junior clinics, junior handball equipment and tournament expenses.
“Coach Daskalakis is one of handball’s greatest all-around players, role models and most highly respected coaches and she shares her passion for the sport of handball in inspiring the next generation of players at the Harry Mellis Program,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “The World Players of Handball is incredibly proud to be partnering with Ms. Daskalakis and the outstanding Harry Mellis junior handball program at New York City’s Westside YMCA.”
“This is a great effort and collaboration with the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis program and the WPH,” stated Westside YMCA Harry Mellis program assistant coach Jenny Florabell Lee. “Thank you to Danielle for her continued work in handball initiatives.”
“The Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program promotes diversity and togetherness and is so much fun to be a part of,” stated Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program player Karen Avila. “Thank you to Danielle to for all of her hard work in growing the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis program and to the WPH for their support in developing and furthering the handball careers of all of the players in the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program.”
“The collaboration between the WPH and the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program is a great one,” stated the 21st century’s greatest all around handball star Tracy Davis. “Danielle is coordinating and working towards growing the next generation of handballers, especially women. Danielle is an excellent athlete an role model.”
The Harry Mellis Program recently participated in the 60th Annual USHA Junior 4-Wall Nationals in Chicago at the end of 2015. The Harry Mellis team enjoyed a tremendous event, as each of the Harry Mellis team members played multiple matches and enjoyed competing against junior players from across the U.S., Canada and Ireland. The Harry Mellis Program dominated the Boy’s and Girl’s 19-and-under Big Ball Singles, with Steven Woo wining the Boy’s bracket and Michelle He winning the Girl’s bracket. Congratulations!
Stay tuned to juniorhandball.org for updates on the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program and all of the other Junior WPH sponsored teams and clinics. The Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program will attend the WPH Race 4 Eight V NYAC Invitational March 11th-13th, 2016 and will enjoy great seats to the Race 4 Eight action and a special clinic with Race 4 Eight pros.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today and supporting the growth of the game. 100% of the donations received by the WPH go towards junior handball development and supporting programs like the WPH sponsored Harry Mellis Program. Donate on-line at www.thehandballstore.com, send your generous gifts through PayPal (extremehandball@cs.com) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 3561 E. Sunrise Dr. Suite 125, Tucson, AZ, 85718.
Log onto wphlive.tv, Like the World Players of Handball on Facebook, or follow the WPH on Twitter @dfwph and @wphlive for all of the handball news from on and off the court! The World Players of Handball is a non-profit foundation aiming to grow the game of handball through innovation and inspiring the next generation of players through junior clinics with certified WPH coaches, junior tournaments and the Race 4 Eight tour.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
60th USHA JR Nationals Wrap Up
The United States Handball Association proudly hosted the 60th Annual USHA 2015 National Junior 4-Wall Championships in Des Plaines, IL for 88 junior handball players from the United States, Canada and Ireland. The best junior handball players in the world played in both singles and doubles divisions, while enjoying numerous amenities at Des Plaines’ spectacular 144,000 square foot Lattof YMCA.
Tucson’s junior prodigy Ayden Brule blitzed the Boy’s 9-and-under small ball singles round robin draw, outscoring his four opponents by a combined score of 168-19 en route to the title. Brule also dominated the Boy’s 9-and-under big ball singles, outscoring his four opponents by a combined 168-53 to capture his second title of the event.
Mankato (Minnesota) was proudly represented in the Boy’s 11-and-under small ball singles, as Mankato’s Zach Wells and Nathan Stoffel advanced to the finals of a division that featured players from Illinois, Minnesota and Canada. Zach Wells defeated his good friend and rival Nathan Stoffel in two well-played games to clinch the national title. “The boys played outstanding and showed great sportsmanship,” revealed Zach’s father and Minnesota State Handball Coach Mike Wells. “We are very proud of them. It was great to see that much (Mankato) purple in the finals!”
Hometown Des Plaines favorite Ray Ure validated his number one seed in the Boy’s 13-and-under small ball singles, defeating Cameron Lowe, David Sanchez and Andres Maldonado en route to the national championship. Ure teamed with Des Plaines teammate Johnny Cooke to win the Boy’s 13-and-under small ball doubles.
Rising Canadian star Ivan Burgos entered the Boy’s 15-and-under seeded number one and advanced to the final with impressive victories against James O’Donnell and Jorge Pimentel. Ireland’s Cian O’Driscoll survived a quarterfinal thriller against Canada’s Alex Carew and advanced to the final with a two-game semifinal sweep against Tucson’s Jose Maldonado, Jr. The international final was dominated by Canada’s Ivan Burgos, with the young Canadian demonstrating poise and variety against Ireland’s O’Driscoll en route to a two game sweep.
The Boy’s 17-and-under small ball singles saw both top-seeded Jesus Avila and second-seeded Michael Gaulton upset in the semifinals in a loaded draw. Ireland’s Sean Kerr cruised to the final with a two-game sweep against top-seeded Avila, while Northern California’s Agustin Martin defeated Gaulton in the match of the tournament, 11-9 in the tiebreaker. Kerr continued his stellar play in the final, defeating Martin in two games to take the Boy’s 17-and-under singles title across the Atlantic Ocean.
Tucson dominated the Girl’s 17-and-under small ball singles, with Tucson’s Marisol Maldonado and Kena Byrd-Jackson advancing to the finals with victories against Michelle He and Emily Sanchez, respectively. Kena Byrd-Jackson clinched the title in a two-game sweep. Maldonado and Byrd-Jackson teamed in the Girl’s 19-and-under doubles, advancing to the final to face Tucson Fred Lewis Foundation teammates Belisa Camacho and Sophia Della Croce. In the friendly FLF Girl’s doubles final, Maldonado and Byrd-Jackson were too strong, clinching the title in two games.
New York’s Harry Mellis Program’s Michelle He cruised to the title in the Girl’s 19-and-under big ball singles, outscoring her four round robin opponents 126-47
Ireland’s Johnny Woods entered the Boy’s 19-and-under singles as the number one seed and survived a difficult test in his quarterfinal match against Kansas’ Sam Esser but was not as fortunate in the semifinals, as Northern California’s Anthony Sullivan announced himself as a future star in defeating his Irish rival in an 11-1 tiebreaker. Awaiting Sullivan in the final was Minnesota’s silky smooth Tyler Stoffel. The precocious Stoffel had little difficulty in advancing to the final, defeating New York’s Jason Ke and Stephen Woo and impressively sweeping Modesto’s Luis Bustos in two games. Stoffel continued to dominate his competition in the final with a dazzling arsenal of two-handed offense, sweeping Sullivan in two games to seize the title.
Northern California’s Sullivan and Bustos teamed in the Boy’s 19-and-under doubles, advancing to the final to face Ireland’s Johnny Woods and Sean Kerr. Team NorCal’s chemistry and shot making was too much for Team Ireland in the final, as Sullivan and Bustos cruised to the title.
New York’s Harry Mellis Program’s Stephen Woo clinched the Boy’s 19-and-under doubles, defeating Harry Mellis teammates Jason Ke and Eugene Lau, as well as Illinois’ Jimmy Connolly en route to the round robin title.
To follow all of the draws and results from the 60th Annual USHA 2015 National Junior 4-Wall Championships, click here
Log onto wphlive.tv, Like the World Players of Handball on Facebook, or follow the WPH on Twitter @dfwph and @wphlive for all of the handball news from on and off the court! The World Players of Handball is a non-profit foundation aiming to grow the game of handball through innovation and inspiring the next generation of players through junior clinics with certified WPH coaches, junior tournaments and the Race 4 Eight tour.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer