Don't practice!

You could be excused if you took that lesson from this year's International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season, as two of its top 5 players have been hurt during practice. Alvaro Beltran injured himself prior to the season in a practice game with Chris Crowther, and that put him out for the season.

Jack Huczek injured his right leg - quadriceps muscle - during practice, which kept him out of the US National Doubles Championship, and has hampered him since. He had to withdraw during his Round of 16 match in Florida two weeks ago.

Of course, players are likely on court more for practices than for matches, so perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised that injuries come from practice time more than game time simply due to the volume of work done in each.

But still it makes one pause.

So if people criticize you for not practicing, tell them you're not injuring yourself either, so it's not all bad.

Follow the bouncing ball....